My recent trip to the beautiful city of lakes Udaipur will be etched in my memory for years to come. That Udaipur is a fascinating mish-mash of colours, sights and sounds, is known to all. It’s fairy-tale palaces and natural splendour instantly wraps you in its charm. Since tourism is its mainstay, the city and its people are aptly geared for it – yes, not just in terms of their friendly and helpful behaviour with tourists, but also with the many international languages they have mastered to cater to the never-ending flow of tourists from abroad.
Picture this – in a craggy old by-lane, I was checking out rajasthani artefacts, when their elderly shopkeeper – dressed in a traditional white dhoti and kurta, with a prominent tilak on his forehead – greeted a troupe of French guests in fluent French. The very next minute walked in a Japanese couple, and the shopkeeper ushered them in crisp Japanese. The guests more than happy, with this warm welcome – complimented his efforts.

Whether it’s at the hotel, where you call for room service; or speak to a very young waiter at an unknown wayside restaurant, you’ll be struck by their fluency over international languages.