In the 60's I was a backpacker, hitchhiking Europe then to India averaging under $1.00/day. Many places spoke no English but it is amazing how much you can communicate with expressions and gestures; necessity can make you good at this. Be respectful, smile often and most people will try hard to help you. Be attentive and you will pick up key words - and numbers so you can bargain.
I'm currently in a place where English is not generally spoken. I find that here in Puerto Rico if I say something in my extremely limited Spanish and the person replies to me in Spanish (like if I say Buenos Dias), simply saying, "I really don't speak Spanish" almost always results in a conversation in English. I'd be in deep trouble if no one spoke English here though!
