Truly, the best favor you can do yourself is to CALM DOWN.

How often are people shouting at you in English in your own home town?

Yes "they" will all be speaking French or Italian that's pretty much guaranteed. So no, you will not understand. Whether this makes you "nervy" is up to you.

I used the Italian Immersion CD's from Costco ($15.95) before we left...just focusing on basics like numbers, food, pleasantries, and especially directions!! We found people to be very friendly in response to even pitiful attempts to use the language. In Italy we had many "conversations" with people who spoke less English than we did Italian, and found you can actually mime quite alot of information. The most important thing is to try using the language, and people will almost always respond warmly. As a last resort, almost all hotel desk clerks in Italy seemed to speak some English, even when nobody else did! Relax and have fun!

And stay out of traffic, then people won't need to yell at you.

I would try to quit thinking of the local language as "gibberish". That's really not very polite. YOU are the visitor.

Why be scared? I don't understand. I agree with others - learn a few basic phrases. What has helped me in the past with going to Mexico is learning phrases like "Cómo se dice ...." (How do you say ...), "No hablo español muy buen" (I don't speak Spanish very well), and "Habla mas despáchio, por favor" (Please speak more slowly). Once people realize you don't speak their language well, they will either switch to English, speak more slowly, or use more basic words so they will be understood.

And hit by a bus? How would that happen, unless you are stumbling around aimlessly? Relax! You're going on vacation!

Thank you I really appreciate all the good answers. I didn't call their languages jibberish - I was making an example for those of you who don't understand me. Pasanais you are totally funny!! Dejais knows exactly what I mean. Some people who feel like I do don't even attempt at planning such a foreign trip.

I am so glad I found this website you are helping me whether you know it or not. OK too I will learn some words such as fire, run to the exits! There is a bus bearing down on your behind, etc.

Mostly I agree with everything posted above. If you are travelling in the more popular, "touristy" areas, you should be able to find someone who speaks english without a problem. Though I will say do not be surprised when you find people who do not. But most of the people you are likely to come into contact with speak enough to get your basic needs communicated. But I think it is appropriate to get a phrase book and some language tapes and at least try to learn the basics (think how Americans react when we see someone who can't communicate-- the general reaction tends to be "learn how to speak english, you're in America" rather than "I wonder if they are a tourist and could use some assistance"). I would strongly recommend getting a good menu translator guide, or you are likely to find yourself searching for a restaurant with an english translated menu or being a very adventurous diner! I speak passable german and still struggled with a lot of the menus.
But there is no need to be afraid. It's amazing what you can communicate simply with body language!
Good luck and most of all, HAVE FUN!!!!

Latteluna, our family of 4 came to San Francisco not speaking English at all! And we were in a position worse then the tourists - we had to sign the children up for schools, get our social securities, sign up for adult classes in college, explain to doctors where it hurts, communicate with the landlord. To answer the phone was so scary, an answering machine was our first purchase :)

Guess what: we survived! And so will you. Just relax, and accept everything as another learning experience.

Forgot to add: just don't go to Molvania! o-)

Hi, take a deep breath and relax.
:)

Scared of what? Of feeling foolish?
Maybe that will happen. Maybe some obnoxious person will treat you badly because they don't understand you. It's unlikely, but obnoxious people do live in all countries. Just as you would at home, ignore it, counter it with a smile, or walk away.

You are going to two highly-civilized countries, and in the cities every cafe, museum, train station, hotel, tourist info office, airport, and most shops will have someone who speaks some English, or they can find someone who does. Perhaps in some very small towns in the country, this might be more difficult, but they won't beat you up, they just may not understand.

I speak some French and Italian, but just got back from Prague, and my Czech is limited to Good day, Please, Thank you, and Do you speak English?
The answer to the last one was almost always 'yes'.

I have gotten a lot of mileage (literally)with just "please" and "thank you" in a foreign language. (Yes, if I can I like to learn more.) For example in Spanish "por favor, do you speak English?" If they speak English great. If they don't well at least I was polite about it. And end the exchange with thank you in the local language. For example in Spanish "gracias" even if you spoke English the whole time.

I have found through my travels that asking people with a smile and a few key words(showing that you are trying to understand their language goes far). In Italy, you will find quite a few people who say that they do not speak English(even in Rome). However, the funny thing is that when someone else comes along to help you a crowd gathers. Then it becomes a "thing" that each of them is telling the other that they are NOT telling you the right thing. Finally, everyone agrees and one person comes back with the answer to the original question.Italians and the French-I love them...always helpful through all the years that I have been going over there.Remember a hello greeting,numbers and key words like "how much, "where" and you will do fine!

Hi dutyfree, love your description of all the arguments over which person's English is the correct response. That brought back some fond memories!

You say there's no time for classes, but even a few phrases as people have mentioned will give you confidence. Good morning, excuse me, I'm sorry, please, thank you, how much?, I don't understand, and your numbers would be fantastic to know.

My #1 most useful phrase, learned in both languages would be... "I'm sorry I don't speak French" and "I'm sorry I don't speak Italian" said with a humble smile.

Now back to the original post. The question looks like a high school essay task. So, Luna, will you get an A?

dutyfree, isn't that the truth! My husband and I went to Italy for two weeks, neither of knowing a stitch of Italian beyond "please" and "thank-you." I did a lot of pantomine! Lattaluna, you probably will too. It works wonders.

Funny story. We went to get pizza one night in Trastavere and I was trying to explain that we didn't want to eat it there; we want to take it back to our apartment. I couldn't get across what I wanted so in desperation I finally "walked" my fingers across the countertop, hoping that they'd understand I wanted to walk away with the pizza. My husband started laughing and told me "Oh now you want to let them know you're a street walker?" Haha hubby!

Faina I am way past high school. I am sorry if I sound simplistic to you but we can't all be sophisticated women like you must be.

Some of you have been so nice I want to thank you. What is the point in making fun of me I ask some of the others. I am doing the best that I can in the way that I can.

Having read your dolled up toes post, and now your worries about not speaking the languages therefore the possibility of being run over by a bus... come on now & give us a break too. You've said some VERY funny things and people have replied in kind.

OK I accept that. I was just going to post another question too but the spaghetti pot is boiling over. I'll be right back.

Directions in any language:

Just learn enough to say, "Pardon me, Madam (or Sir). Please, where is ------(whatever)?" You really need little more than that to get directions.

The trick is to spout your little request in the local language and then watch their hands. They will invarably either answer in English, or answer in their own language. Even if you don't understand a word, just watch where they point, thank them, and walk that way for a bit. Stop another local and repeat the question. If they point back the way you have come, you have gone too far.

Sounds simplistic and a bit silly, but it really works.

Truthfully the first time I landed in Europe in Austria I was overwhelmed too. I felt like I was in a war movie, I had never heard so many German speaking people except in the movies. It was dark and cold and grey and I was overtired and nervous too, but the next day I felt alot better.

Maybe try and take it easy for the first day or so to acclimate yourself. Don't worry, think about your toes and cheer up!