Has anyone been to Italy?

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chameleon

I have been there, it's a wonderful country and most of the people I met there are really nice, polite and helpful. Some do speak english. But tikiboy is right, you should be opened to their language, at least try and learn a few basic words, hello, goodbye, thank you and that kind of stuff. I try to do that everywhere I go. Get interested in the country's culture and people, not only the sights.

Start off with these:

hello - ciao
goodbye - arrivederci
please - per favore
thank you - grazie

All the essentials, with audio files for pronunciation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/quickfix/index.shtml

And for all the rest, even if they don't speak english, there's mimic. Or do you think people who are not native speakers of english and don't speak any language besides their own don't travel at all?

Enjoy Italy, have fun and if you have time don't stick to the big cities, the countryside is beautiful too and people are great. Don't be scared, humans have a way of understanding each other without the need for words. :o)

â™¥

Yes i have! I am Half italian and lived in italy for 8 1/2 years! (my mom is in the military and we got lucky and was stationed in italy and we lived right next door to our relatives! i'm so sad i really wanna go back though. Oh and since many american poeple come to Italy most italians learn some american so they can talk to you to stuff (thats how it was in the area i lived in!)..it really is a wonderful place to be!

TheWizardofKnow

If you stick to the major cities, you'll find that most businesses and establishments speak some sort of English. If you wander to the country side, English is less prevalent. I studied abroad their (in Florence and Milan) and never had a problem not being able to speak Italian. It does help if you get a dictionary and learn a few common words, like please (pour favora) and thank you (grazia) and you're welcome (prego)...

dinodino

At least learn how to say please thank you good morning good afternoon, I'm sorry I don't speak Italian, do you speak english, how much does this cost, etc. Plenty of people speak English especially in the big cities, but you will be treated better if you at least learn the greetings and courtesies. Also, don't talk louder in English if you are not understood, they won't understand you any better. Smiling helps also.

PS : It is not considered polite to say ciao
(means hello and goodbye) to people you don't know. Many americans make this mistake. Say Buongiorno till about 4PM
and Buonasera after that.

Dino

Gigi

I do...I'm Italian!!!

Trust me...you don't have to worry...you come here and have fun!

If you want to impress someone say:

Salve .. (that's is like Ciao...and Hi)

Ciao: is both: hi and bye.

But don't worry...tons of young people speaks English...also vendors and people who works at restaurants and hotels! but please don't laugh or make fun of ...or about the accents!! Is not "politically correct"

I'm here to improve my English..it's too bad...you don't have time for some tips!

Led*Zep*Babe

In the bigger cities they do (like Rome and Florence). I mean, not all do of course, but the ones who don't are pretty patient and will try to communicate with you. Don't worry, you're going to have a blast! The people are so nice and friendly and its so beautiful that you won't want to leave (well, I guess you might eventually).

dharmendra k

Yes, I have been to Italy too many times. you would not find any problem there because too many people understand English over there.

Angel_Anton

i have never been.but all places in the world speak some English.be careful of yourself there because of thieves,etc.k? have a good trip and be careful.do not go with anyone you do not know. you could always pick up a Italian dictionary

SnuffySmith

I've been there. Some speak english. Don't be shy and try it. It is a great place to visit and eat.

germanhackett

If you are going to the larger cities, than yes you will be able to find many people who speak English. Most people there will be happier to help you however, if you have made even a horrible attempt at asking in Italian first. Buy a travel sized translation book from English to Italian, and just use some words like hello can you help me with.... and they will be much more willing to speak to you in English and help you, because you have made an attempt at trying to speak it.
Mostly just have fun and don't worry too much about the language, you can always ask an attractive Italian to give you a quick lesson in the basics!

chichi3985s

no ive not been there but id love to go there

Sonia

shoelace

Depends on where you go. Places like Rome, Venice and Florence are OK. Even when noone understands, people are nice and you can always point and grunt (that's what I did) :)
Just be as nice as possible and don't just assume that people speak English. Ask them in Italian if they do.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.

beatricearuste@rogers.com

I have been to Italy, and in most of tourist places people speak english there. Have fun

Beachboy

I haven't got the chance to go Italy but I certainly hope that I can be there some day. I suppose the people there are able to speak English, the only problem is whether they are willing to communicate in English with foreign visitors. Maybe you will meet someone friendly and hope you enjoy the trip!

serez100

Don't worry, we Italians are very good in speaking with hands...it is the universal language! Young people usually speak English, but they could be not very good. If you ask to an old person, don't worry if he will answer you: "Cocco mio, me dispiace ma io non capiscio nie'", that means "I'm sorry but I can't understand"

Daugz

I'VE BEEN!

simpleplan_daysgrace

nope

cole8865

Yes alot speak english! Have Fun!

AlexIon

ohh c`mon you're not going to learn italian while you are there :)

english is very well if you know it ;) so the italians will speak with you, don't worry (like almost all european countries)

here are some tips for rome : http://www.travelmanual.info/visiting-rome.php

tikiboy

it's wonderful! why are you scared to learn a new language? simply listen to how beautifully italian rolls off their tongues and try to pick up some words or phrases. don't be a typical "ugly american" by demanding that everything be spoken to you in english... you're in THEIR country, remember! most of all, have fun... try local specialties, drink wine, see the sights. i'm jealous of you.

ciao, bella!

carl

we wil got his coming winter , but i think they dont speak much english there.. i guess u can just found english people in the hotels and restos.. but in general they dont.

nancina

People travel all the time, all over the world, without being able to speak the language.

Many people in Italy speak English, especially in the big cities. If you run into trouble, use my never-fail method of communication: smile!!

Buon viaggio!

Sunny

Lucky you, not italy but I've been to Greece, Spain, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Jordan and there is always alot of tourism around these places and you will not have a problem finding Italians that speak English. Get rid of all your worries, come on you are going there to have fun Just remember that you speak an international language....English is everywhere.

HAVE FUN!

workinman

Plenty of people have been to Italy

Totsakan

We went to a lot of places in Italy and did not have any problems communicating. We don't know Italian.
If you are going to places like in my pictures, you should not have any problems.
Please see below.

paige<3

you'll be very surprised at how many people speak english there!! Almost all of the employees do. You'll be fine, don't worry! Have fun!

juju69

no i wish take a phrase book with you just in case and point to what you want to ask them in there and they will tell you what you want to know have fun

luca l

dont warry, they do...anyhow, for everything...contact me. I live in Italy and i'm italian

`~*actress-2-B*~`

it is the best place in the world! i love it there, the food, the scenery the freshness of the air every thing! i love it so much im planing on living there after college

afmooseluvrx3

yesss i lot of people speak english in italy.....there are tour guides there that (i do believe) have to speak english because there are alot of english speaking tourists...florence,and vactican city are beautiful.

Has anyone been to Italy? pic 1

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