Mini Mission # 14 - Chat with an old person

Doesn't this Bavarian man look helpful?
Via Fotocommunity

Age is relative - but generally, the older the wiser. In my experience, the older generation is always very pleased to chat - at the supermarket in line for checkout, on the street when asking for directions, at a museum while strolling through an exhibit. It might be intimidating at first, since very often older folks don't speak English (you won't even have to say no!) but these are the people you want to be talking to - they have the best stories, the greatest sense of humor, and can tell you all about the "good old days".

For this mission, chat up an older person - you get to decide what qualifies as old, but I'd say go for someone that looks like they are at least at retirement age. What to say? Well, a good gateway is often to offer help. Hold a door, carry groceries, pick up a dropped item, and then reminisce for a few minutes how the days of chivalry are long gone. Or just smile and comment on the weather. Or ask directions. Pull all your small talk tricks out of the bag! You can do it, use the local language, struggle through, smile and nod, and then give yourself a BIG pat on the back.

Did you chat with someone? Tell your story!

Mini Mission # 11 - Turn on the Radio

Love this family listening to the radio. Image via Otrcat

Radio is a fantastic thing. Listening to the radio in your home abroad will not only provide you with musical entertainment, it will also help you learn gobs about the musical preferences of the locals, keep you informed about current events, keep your language skills up to par and give you a window into the weird quirks of your country (in Germany, part of the traffic report lists items lying on the side of the road! Can you believe that? It's hilarious).

For this mission, turn on the radio, and listen. Maybe you can even find a favorite channel? Get to know the local hit music, try to catch snippets of the news, and impress your friends that you've memorized the lyrics of the latest pop single. And ENJOY!

Do you listen to the radio? Does your home country have a weird local radio quirk?

Fearless Friday

Image via The Graphics Fairy

It's time for the weekend again! Did you tackle something for fearless friday?

I answered the phone. I know it sounds silly, but I am such a wimp when it comes to making phone calls and answering when someone calls - it's not so much a language problem as a phone phobia, but it's so much worse in Germany than it ever was at home. Do any of you have this problem?

Let me know what fear you faced in the comments or on twitter with #fearlessfriday

Have a great weekend!

Mini Mission # 4 - Say no to English

image via Rick Steve

If you're anything like me, being constantly surrounded by a foreign language can be both intimidating and exhausting. I know I used to feel trapped knowing that wherever I went, I would have to struggle to speak or ask a question.

I was often so relieved when I was presented with the opportunity to use English - with a kind store owner, while asking directions, or even the option to change an electronic ticketing machine to English.

But after awhile I realized that I was missing so many opportunities to practice speaking by choosing to revert to English when possible.

Your challenge for this mission is to say no to English, when it's available, at least once. This means answering back in the foreign language, even if the person you are speaking with is clearly an excellent English speaker - or simply resisting the temptation to switch the ATM to English. If you make this a habit, you will find your foreign language confidence sooner than you think.

Share your "say no" experiences in the comments!