THIS is a great article. "The locals" have no reason to be especially interested in your mere presence, especially now that so many more people are traveling. But there are ways to connect if you want to, although there will always be an element of chance. Clarice gives some concrete ideas for upping your chances.
I love all of the interesting ways you give on how to meet locals in whatever country you are travelling in. When I first arrived in Rome in 1980 there was of course no such thing as the internet or meet up groups and I had to meet Italians the old fashioned way - being open and talking with them. Which in Italy was pretty easy to do. But it is fantastic that the world has come together and there are so many more opportunities now to meet up with each other.
Some nice tips. It is pretty difficult to get locals chatting here in Slovenia (in slow enough Slovene for me to follow!) . There is a new craft and arts centre which encourages community groups and is the best place I've found. I also attend a female creators group, but only understand about 60%!
You are right, Lisa, it can be especially challenging to connect meaningfully with locals if we are not fluent in the local language. Do you plan to stay in Slovenia for a while? If so, your ability to communicate will have the chance to improve, and it sounds like you are getting out there and trying, which is great.
I totally understand. I lived and worked in Vienna for 5 years and my German is only passible. I worked in an English speaking office, and once I met my future husband--who is Austrian--he only wanted to speak in English...
I agree that travel is always more meaningful when you can connect with locals. You shared some great ideas, some I knew about, others are new to me. Hiring private guides resonates, we've connected - and became friends with ours, though we found him by chance, asking around in town if anyone knew someone who could take us to a specific place we read about. Besides that, we usually connect with locals when we travel off-season or to little-known places. Staying in family-owned hotels when traveling off-season we end up talking to the owners and meeting their whole family (and even extended family). Or just chance meetings when making mistakes, and locals help us out. Thanks for sharing all these great ideas! I'll have to try to look for cultural experiences, I haven't thought of that before, but sounds too much fun to pass.
I love staying in small family owned hotels, too, and agree that it can be a great way to connect. My husband and I spent two weeks in the same family-run hotel in Essaouira, Morocco, and the owner of the hotel ended up inviting us to dinner--along with the staff--at the hotel! It was during Ramadan, so we got to experience the special kinds of foods that Moroccans eat during this time and learn more about their customs. It was all wonderful.
What a lot of ideas, Clarice. Meet-ups and expat groups are great ways to connect with locals. We’ve lucked out with private drivers over the years. If we have someone pick us up at the airport and they’re also a private guide, and we click, it’s been a good way to meet a local with travel experience about an area.
That happened when I was in Bali a couple of years ago! My hotel arranged for an airport pickup and the driver and I really clicked. He ended up taking me a lot of places that tourists normally don't go and also talked a lot about Balinese culture. It was wonderful.
Love that , Clarice. It happened best in Buenos Aires. Found the driver online. He was an Irish ☘️ guy, accent and all, married to an Argentine. We covered every topic imaginable. Enroute to the pampas and hacienda country, he suggested stopping at Parque de la Memoria commemorating the lives of the missing during the 30 yr war by the govt. Huge walls like Vietnam mem., DC, had names and ages. Most around 20 yrs. Oh, back to ways to meet people: volunteerism like with animal groups is big in QRoo. Neuter clinics, saving the turtles etc.
What a fascinating experience in Argentina! And I completely forgot about volunteerism, which is a particularly wonderful way to connect with the locals (and make a difference at the same time). Thank you for reminding me,
Great advice! I traveled to Paris this last summer by myself and spent the first two days immersed in groups. I did a tour of Marais (opening day of the Olympics) in the drizzling rain—yes orange umbrellas were involved—where I learned a lot and also met fellow travelers who were delightful and shared good recommendations for my time in Paris. The next morning, I took a Parisian cooking class where I experienced many of the same delights. Although I was alone for the rest of my trip, I rarely felt lonely because I had immersed myself at the beginning in camaraderie and fellowship.
Staying at homestays is great for connecting with locals. Also travelling by sleeper trains, regular local transport, markets (and buy groceries) are good for interaction with locals. Talks about transport and food are so global.
Love this article! I'm subscribing! In fact, cooking classes in England turned out to a great way to connect and make friends with locals. As an American expat in Germany, I'd also add joining clubs. Even a tourist could participate in an event that a club offers, like a bird-watching tour with a nature club or visiting an archeaological dig with a historical society.
THIS is a great article. "The locals" have no reason to be especially interested in your mere presence, especially now that so many more people are traveling. But there are ways to connect if you want to, although there will always be an element of chance. Clarice gives some concrete ideas for upping your chances.
Thank you, Betty.
Great tips! One of my favorites in Mexico City is to take a yoga class. As a bonus, it's a 1-hour language immersion!
That sounds like a great idea--getting healthy and learning at the same time!
I love all of the interesting ways you give on how to meet locals in whatever country you are travelling in. When I first arrived in Rome in 1980 there was of course no such thing as the internet or meet up groups and I had to meet Italians the old fashioned way - being open and talking with them. Which in Italy was pretty easy to do. But it is fantastic that the world has come together and there are so many more opportunities now to meet up with each other.
You're right, Janice. Although modern technology has separated us from each other in many ways, it also has the ability to bring us together.
Some nice tips. It is pretty difficult to get locals chatting here in Slovenia (in slow enough Slovene for me to follow!) . There is a new craft and arts centre which encourages community groups and is the best place I've found. I also attend a female creators group, but only understand about 60%!
You are right, Lisa, it can be especially challenging to connect meaningfully with locals if we are not fluent in the local language. Do you plan to stay in Slovenia for a while? If so, your ability to communicate will have the chance to improve, and it sounds like you are getting out there and trying, which is great.
I’ve been here 7 years, Clarice! And I’m still intermediate level. The problem is, I’m married to an Englishman!
I totally understand. I lived and worked in Vienna for 5 years and my German is only passible. I worked in an English speaking office, and once I met my future husband--who is Austrian--he only wanted to speak in English...
Oh crumbs... it's never simple. is it? Still, it's all fun! I love learning languages, even if most are not fluent.
I agree that travel is always more meaningful when you can connect with locals. You shared some great ideas, some I knew about, others are new to me. Hiring private guides resonates, we've connected - and became friends with ours, though we found him by chance, asking around in town if anyone knew someone who could take us to a specific place we read about. Besides that, we usually connect with locals when we travel off-season or to little-known places. Staying in family-owned hotels when traveling off-season we end up talking to the owners and meeting their whole family (and even extended family). Or just chance meetings when making mistakes, and locals help us out. Thanks for sharing all these great ideas! I'll have to try to look for cultural experiences, I haven't thought of that before, but sounds too much fun to pass.
I love staying in small family owned hotels, too, and agree that it can be a great way to connect. My husband and I spent two weeks in the same family-run hotel in Essaouira, Morocco, and the owner of the hotel ended up inviting us to dinner--along with the staff--at the hotel! It was during Ramadan, so we got to experience the special kinds of foods that Moroccans eat during this time and learn more about their customs. It was all wonderful.
Sounds like a wonderful experience :)
What a lot of ideas, Clarice. Meet-ups and expat groups are great ways to connect with locals. We’ve lucked out with private drivers over the years. If we have someone pick us up at the airport and they’re also a private guide, and we click, it’s been a good way to meet a local with travel experience about an area.
That happened when I was in Bali a couple of years ago! My hotel arranged for an airport pickup and the driver and I really clicked. He ended up taking me a lot of places that tourists normally don't go and also talked a lot about Balinese culture. It was wonderful.
Love that , Clarice. It happened best in Buenos Aires. Found the driver online. He was an Irish ☘️ guy, accent and all, married to an Argentine. We covered every topic imaginable. Enroute to the pampas and hacienda country, he suggested stopping at Parque de la Memoria commemorating the lives of the missing during the 30 yr war by the govt. Huge walls like Vietnam mem., DC, had names and ages. Most around 20 yrs. Oh, back to ways to meet people: volunteerism like with animal groups is big in QRoo. Neuter clinics, saving the turtles etc.
What a fascinating experience in Argentina! And I completely forgot about volunteerism, which is a particularly wonderful way to connect with the locals (and make a difference at the same time). Thank you for reminding me,
Great advice! I traveled to Paris this last summer by myself and spent the first two days immersed in groups. I did a tour of Marais (opening day of the Olympics) in the drizzling rain—yes orange umbrellas were involved—where I learned a lot and also met fellow travelers who were delightful and shared good recommendations for my time in Paris. The next morning, I took a Parisian cooking class where I experienced many of the same delights. Although I was alone for the rest of my trip, I rarely felt lonely because I had immersed myself at the beginning in camaraderie and fellowship.
That sounds like a wonderful experience, Beth!
I stumbled on this cure by accident! But yes, I feel blessed with great memories, thank you!
Staying at homestays is great for connecting with locals. Also travelling by sleeper trains, regular local transport, markets (and buy groceries) are good for interaction with locals. Talks about transport and food are so global.
Good ideas, Marloes, thank you for sharing them.
Love this article! I'm subscribing! In fact, cooking classes in England turned out to a great way to connect and make friends with locals. As an American expat in Germany, I'd also add joining clubs. Even a tourist could participate in an event that a club offers, like a bird-watching tour with a nature club or visiting an archeaological dig with a historical society.
Those are great ideas, Ann. (I wish I had thought to put them in my article!) And thank you for subscribing.
These are great suggestions!