The Power of “Thank You”

As an English-speaking traveler, I constantly have to remind myself how lucky I am. For so many reasons—but especially because I speak the universal language. Whether I’m in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, or South America, there’s usually someone who speaks at least a little bit of English. They might not be fluent or able to hold a full conversation, but they often know just enough to help you order food, find your bus stop, or answer a question—and that alone makes travel so much easier.

That’s something I try to never take for granted.

When we’re traveling, communication is everything. Whether we’re checking into a hostel, asking for directions, booking a tour, ordering at a restaurant, or reading important signs—language is involved every step of the way. As a native English speaker, I often forget just how much of a privilege that is. But I try to put myself in the shoes of travelers who don’t speak English as their first language, and it really makes me appreciate how much easier my travel experience is compared to others.

First off, the exhaustion it must take to constantly be translating everything in your head all day long. Or to speak in a language that doesn’t come naturally to you. Sometimes I get tired just trying to understand broken English from locals, or I catch myself simplifying my own English so that non-native speakers can better understand me. But imagine being the one who always has to adjust. Imagine spending your entire day translating menus, following a walking tour in English, or navigating a busy city where all the street signs and instructions are in a language you barely know.

You can’t just walk into a restaurant in Bangkok and order in German. Those workers likely speak Thai—and maybe some English—but probably not your native language. English is just that global middle ground. So even when you’re not in an English-speaking country, you’re still benefiting from speaking English. That’s something most of us don’t even realize. Outside of a few exceptions—like Spanish in parts of Latin America or French in West Africa—English is the language people are most likely to know, even just a little.

Even in hostels or group travel settings, English becomes the default. Unless everyone in the group shares the same language—like all French or Dutch travelers—the conversation usually switches to English. It’s the language that connects people from different countries. So imagine how exhausting it must be for those travelers who aren’t fluent. A whole day of listening to a historical tour in English, ordering lunch in English, asking for directions in English, and then sitting around a hostel table and trying to follow along with people from five different countries—still in English. That’s a lot. It’s tiring. And it’s easy to forget that, unless you take a moment to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

And that brings me to the point of this whole piece: the power of thank you.

Not just saying “thank you” in English, but learning to say it in their language. It’s one of the easiest and most meaningful things you can do when you travel. It takes five seconds to learn a word, and it has the power to completely change the interaction.

Before going to a new country, I always try to learn just a few basic phrases: hello, good morning, goodnight, please, thank you, you’re welcome, and nice to meet you. These are so simple, but they truly make a world of difference. When you’re in a country where the locals aren’t super confident in English—especially in places outside of Europe—just one word in their language can go a long way. It shows that you took a little time to understand their culture. That you’re not just expecting them to speak your language. That you respect where you are.

Saying thank you—whether it’s gracias in Spanish, toda in Hebrew, merci in French, grazie in Italian, danke in German, arigatou  in Japanese, khob khun ka in Thai, shukran in Arabic, terima kasih in Indonesian, kamsahamnida in Korean, salamat in Tagalog, efharisto in Greek, khawp jai in Laotion, aw kohn in Khmer, or obrigado in Portuguese—means more than most people realize.

It’s not just a polite word. It’s a small act of connection.

Because here’s the thing: using even one or two local words can shift the entire dynamic between you and the locals. When someone hears you speak their language—even just a word or two—they often light up. You may get a smile, a laugh, a little help with pronunciation. Sometimes, that small gesture opens a bigger conversation. Locals might want to speak more with you. They may try out their English, or teach you another word or two. You start trading words, sharing culture. And just like that, you’re no longer just a tourist—they see you as someone curious and respectful. Someone worth connecting with.

That kind of exchange can lead to real, memorable moments. You might find yourself getting better service. Being treated more kindly. Gaining access to more local insight. Or even making a friend. A few words in someone else’s language can open doors that most tourists never get to walk through.

And what’s more, you walk away with a deeper connection to the place you visited. You don’t just see the sights. You actually interact with the people, the culture, the rhythm of daily life. You come back not just with memories and photos—but with a better understanding of what life is really like there. You gain appreciation. You leave feeling something, because you gave something—even if it was small. You leave with more respect, and you’ve earned theirs too.

So no, I’m not saying you need to go learn a whole new language. But I am saying: learn a few words. Start with thank you. Start with the basics. You never know where it might lead.

Because sometimes, a simple thank you—in the right language—can be the start of something so much more.