How to communicate with foreigners, buyers, clients, in English so that they can understand you.

I speak a little Spanish. Not nearly like others here but I can dabble in it. When someone speaks to me in Spanish they have to speak pretty slowly, and then I usually only understand about 40% of it if they are using super simple words. When two Spanish speakers are talking back and forth at a million miles an hour, forget it.

Here are some rules when speaking with foreigners:

1. Speak very slowly.
2. Expect to repeat yourself (many times possibly)
3. Put yourself in their shoes...if you were trying to understand a foreign language.
4. Be super nice and polite ...they will feel it.
5. Be patient. They really are trying hard but need extra help understanding.
6. Use simple words and never use sayings such as "the cat's out of the bag" or "shoot the breeze" or "ballpark figure." They will not have a clue what you mean.

So, when speaking with foreigners, including prospective clients, slow it down and be nice. People many not remember what we say…but they will remember the feeling they had when talking with you…and includes speaking foreign people.

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