Breaking the Ice [International Version]

When I was travelling around the world, it was sometimes a challenge to get a conversation going with non-English speaking travellers. One method I used which was quite effective is the 'Ask a silly question in their language' method. I developed this method as I met people from all over the world and was looking for a way to engage them because it can sometimes be intimidating speaking a foreign language. It works something like this:

[I meet a Dutch person.]

Me: Oh, you're Dutch - I can practice my Dutch then.
Dutch Person: Oh? You speak Dutch?
Me: Hou je van pindakaas? [Do you like peanut butter?]
Dutch Person: [laughs and responds with something in Dutch which of course I don't understand]

...conversation ensues...

The key thing here is to open the conversation with a laugh to make it easier to continue the conversation. Making it a question allows them to respond in their own language, making them more comfortable. Making the question silly usually makes them laugh, which puts them more at ease. If it turns out that it doesn't make them laugh, then it can be a little awkward and either they have no sense of humour or you might need to find a new question...

Try it!

Note: It doesn't seem to work in my own language. People tend to look at me funny and back away slowly when I try it.