Nothing sends those shivers up an Aussie’s spin faster than when a tourist mutters the words ‘shrimp on a barbie’ mid-conversation.
It’s beyond bloody irritating because firstly, that’s not how the majority of us speak, and secondly, who actually cooks their shrimp on the barbecue? I mean, really (yeah okay a lot of people do, but trying to make a point here).
Now imagine the cringe-factor felt by Italians when Aussies randomly throw a ‘Mamma mia’ while visiting their part of the world, or the back-of-brain eye roll the French suppress when we creepily say ‘ooh la laa’.
As much as us Australians love to get in with the locals while travelling and speak their language, there are some phrases we really shouldn’t say, because according to Babbel, there’s a good chance we’re using them incorrectly and making things super awkward for ourselves.
Here are just a few of them:
“Bon appetit” in French
Erm, so apparently this is actually taboo in polite French society.
Eek.
The phrase literally invites diners to ‘a good digestion’, suggesting that they are so hungry that they are willing to jump at any food offered.
“Mamma mia!” In Italian
This clichéd Italian exclamation is, in fact, very antiquated, and best used solely for referring to Abba-themed musical films.
‘Du’ in German
Don’t get your formal ‘Sie’ (you) mixed up with the informal ‘du’ while speaking to a policeman in Germany; calling a government employee by ‘du’ can actually earn you a fine of upwards of €500.
“Garçon” in French
Sometimes misinterpreted by diners as the standard way to refer to a French waiter, the term ‘garçon’ is actually considered patronising and snobbish.
“Wie geht’s?” in German
Rather than a casual ‘what’s up’, with many Germans this common expression will result in a lengthy explanation of what is going on in their life.
“Zut alors/Sacrebleu” in French
These phrases are outdated, and generally only used in tabloid headlines. A native French person will find them bemusing, at best.
“Hasta la vista!” in Spanish
As opposed to a triumphant victory cry while shattering a frozen nemesis into pieces (as popularised by Hollywood, specifically Arnie Schwarzenegger), this is actually a cheery way of telling a Spanish-speaker you’re looking forward to seeing them again.
“Ooh la laa” in French
In France, this is an expression of negative surprise, rather than sexual innuendo. It is thus one to keep away from flirtation in France.
“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” in French
Leave this one to Christina Aguilera & the gang.
While the inspiration for many English-language songs, jokes, and impressions, ‘Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?’ sounds very strange to the French ear, and should be avoided at all costs.