Effort matters more than accent
Attempting a Spanish greeting or a simple "gracias," even with an imperfect accent, is generally appreciated as a sign of respect. Skipping straight to English without any Spanish at all is more likely to come across as presumptuous than a mispronounced "hola" ever would.
Formality is built into the language
Spanish distinguishes between the informal "tú" and the formal "usted" for "you," and travelers are generally safer defaulting to the more formal register with strangers, shopkeepers, and anyone noticeably older, similar to the tu/vous distinction in French.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spanish pronunciation hard for English speakers to pick up?
Spanish is generally considered fairly phonetic compared to English, meaning letters tend to be pronounced consistently once you learn the basic rules, which makes it relatively approachable for beginners focused on just a handful of travel phrases.
Do these phrases work the same in Spain and Latin America?
Yes, these core phrases are understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, though accents, some vocabulary, and a few regional expressions differ between Spain and various Latin American countries.