Can international travelers get by with English in Tbilisi supermarkets?

From messages by 4 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 58 days ago

TL;DR

English is often enough in Tbilisi supermarkets, and Russian may also work with some staff; colleagues are commonly called over to help. In individual departments, however, staff may speak neither language, so use a translation app or show a photo of the item you need.

What the community said

At the meat counter in Goodwill, one staff member may not understand English or Russian, but another colleague was able to assist in English. If the first employee cannot communicate, ask whether another staff member can help.

Goodwill, meat counter

Some employees in Fresco’s fruit and vegetable section may speak neither English nor Russian. It is useful to save the Georgian product name in a translation app or show a photo of what you want.

Fresco, fruit and vegetable section

A lack of English or Russian in Tbilisi shops does not necessarily mean an unfriendly reception: staff may try to help with gestures or find an English-speaking colleague. For more detailed requests, keep an offline translator with Georgian downloaded.

Offline Georgian translation app