What language to use in Georgia — Russian or English?

Over 4 days in Georgia, Russian worked in most situations. Where it didn't, basic English was enough — ordering food, getting a SIM card. A friendly attitude goes a long way. Handy tip: look up key phrases on your phone before approaching someone.

Statistically, more people in Georgia understand Russian than English. However, some younger locals may deliberately pretend not to understand Russian — it depends on the individual and how you approach them.

Some locals don't speak Russian at all. In those cases, English or gestures help. The one Georgian word worth knowing is 'gamarjoba' (hello).

In remote areas far from tourist spots, even older locals may not speak Russian. That said, Georgians are generally very willing to help even without a shared language.