When I travel, I do my best to learn at least a little bit of basic vocabulary. Not only for my own navigability, but to show respect to the people who live where I am going. I think it’s arrogant for me to show up in a foreign country and expect everyone to speak English. That’s also part of the charm of travel in my opinion. The opportunity to learn another language, another culture, and the way that people live in other places.
Discussion
Only about 10% of communication is verbal. Body language is fairly universal. I worked with a deaf guy, in construction. None of us knew sign language but we always seemed to get our point across. (Especially the part where we all have a beer when we are done.)