Helpful phrases to know when traveling abroad?

Honestly, based on where you're going, almost everyone you will encounter will likely speak English. So I'd just learn the very basics of each just to at least show the locals that you are trying.

Your list is sufficient, but I'd just add "you're welcome" simply to respond when people say thank you to you.

--"May I please have..." or "I would like.." so that you can order off of a menu; ex, "Je voudrais..." or Vorrei
--learn basic menu phrases--words for beef, pork, etc
--basic directions; left, right, across, up, down

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-Is it also considered rude or bad to say what I want into google translate in my phone then have the phone speak out to someone in that language?

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Not if it's out of necessity, but I wouldn't use this method as a go-to.

You'd be surprised how much you can relate through gesturing or pointing. And again, you're going to places where the majority of people speak English.

I was in Italy for almost three weeks and only had to use Google translate one time, and that was to explain an extremely complex situation to a toll booth worker on the autostrade.

That’s a pretty good list. Maybe drop in “excuse me” as well. Anything else you should just brush up on your charades skills and you’ll be fine.

Good morning, good afternoon and how much/cost, are pretty helpful too.

Always happy to share stories of travel mishaps. After all, part of travel is the funny mishaps that happen along the way.

Basically, the Italian autostrade requires that when you enter the highway, you get a ticket. And when you exit, you pay the ticket, and the amount is based on how far you drove. If you go through the exit without a ticket, you get a fine of roughly $500.

We exited the autostrade, paid our ticket, and then accidentally took a random turn that put us BACK on the autostrade sans ticket. We had to drive a few kilometers, circle around (illegally), and go back to the place we originally exited.

We translated a loose explanation of how stupid we were, he read it, and basically just let us go. It was a stressful 20 minutes or so, but at the end of the day, no harm no foul.

Beer
&
Restroom

How much and what time presuppose that the listener can count & tell time in whatever language....so maybe numbers & time need to be on the list.

what is the tipping culture in those 3 countries? I know tipping in America is different than a lot of other places but I don't know much beyond that. Is it expected? Expected to the high degree it is here? Not expected at all?

So if I get a bill for 40, just leave 40 exactly?

What if it's like 38.50, if I leave 40 is that insulting because I did leave a tip but a really small one, or should I leave 38.50 exactly?


Also I assume I can use my Visa CC pretty much anywhere right?