Having lived and worked in Europe, Africa and Asia, I can empathize with people speaking - or trying to speak - a new language in a foreign country because sometimes the language of the street is not the same as the language of the textbook.
It's so interesting to discuss the do's and don'ts of speaking English while travelling abroad. Some students even decide to travel to countries that I have lived in and I'm only too happy to offer more specific help and advice.
Hospitality industry: The hospitality industry provides friendly and generous services for tourists, guests, visitors or strangers.
My friend gave up her job in a bank and went to work in a hotel. She said she had always wanted to work in the hospitality industry.
Hotel: A commercial establishment that provides food and accommodation and other services for tourists and travellers.
We stayed at a five-star hotel in Hanoi.
Guest house: A private home, usually owned by a family who also live on the premises, that offers rooms to travellers
The guest house we stayed at was cheap, but very clean, and the food was good.
Hostel: an establishment that provides inexpensive food and accommodation for a specific group of people such as students, workers, or travellers.
The hostel was cheap and clean, but we slept in a room with six other people.
Bed-and-breakfast: A family owned guest house that only provides a room and breakfast.
The bed-and-breakfast place we stayed at was very good, though we were disappointed that they didn’t serve lunch or dinner.
Concierge: a hotel ‘doorkeeper’ who is in charge of the porters
Outside the hotel, the concierge directed me to the Reception Desk.
Porter: A person who carries your luggage up to your room.
At the hotel, after I had checked-in, a porter took my luggage from Reception to my room on the sixth floor.
Luggage: A collective noun for bags taken on a journey. (Also: Suitcase/bags/hand-luggage)
“How much luggage do you have?” asked the check-in woman. “We have two suitcases,” I said.
Tip/gratuity: A small present of money given after receiving good service.
I gave the waitress a tip because she had been efficient and attentive.
Room service: A service provided by a hotel that allows guests to have food and drink delivered to their room.
At my hotel you could only order room service until 10pm.
Housekeeping: the hotel department that cleans and services the bedrooms.
I phoned housekeeping and asked if I could have some soap and extra towels in the bathroom.