Hungarian Names and the Art of Rolling an "R"

I recently returned from conducting some business in the Czech Republic. This wasn’t my first visit. I’d been in the region before thanks to a stint in the Armed Forces. I think the most interesting locales were the Ukraine and Hungary. If I had to narrow it down even further I guess I would pick Hungary as one of the most enjoyable places I’ve ever been. Just don’t ask me to pronounce any Hungarian names.

There are probably several indicators that are dead give-aways that you’re in a foreign country: obviously the language is number one on the list. Whether it’s spoken or written or read, if you can’t figure it out or at the very least ask where the restroom is, then I’d say you’re in a heap of trouble. Other less intimidating factors would include the way people dress and the way they spend their time. But for my money, if you can’t speak the language you shouldn’t be in the country. So it was the case with Hungarian names. I was in Budapest on business - so I wasn’t going anywhere for at least a week.