Best travel language phrasebooks according to redditors

Alrighty, if you want to learn Spanish, this is the method that I have been using so far... First off, I have to plug this book:

Fluent Forever by Grabiel Wyner - Amazon.com

I have read and tried a lot of different books on learning languages before I finally found this one, which I consider to be the holy grail. Nothing else has stuck before I read this book. The method is basically this:

1. Using Anki, a spaced-repitition learning (SRS) flashcard program, you start to learn the minimal pairs of your target language (words that differ by one sounds like "cat" and "cut"). This will help you later one when listening and learning words and will help you develop a better accent.
   
   
2. Using Anki, start to learn the most commonly used words in your language by gathering your own images and pronunciations to go along with them. Learn the base forms of verbs, you will learn to conjugate them in the next step. Here is the top 1000 words on a frequency list from Wiktionary and here is the 625 word list provided in the book. I suggest using the alphabetical word list rather than the thematic word list because if you start learning words thematically it can be harder to retain, explained within the book. Grab images from Google Images by typing in your target word after translating with SpanishDict and insert into Anki. Grab audio translations from Forvo.com if available.
   
   
3. Once you have plowed your way through 500-1000 words, you are ready to start learning to conjugate verbs and making sentences. He explains a great method for this in the book using mnemonics for different conjugations and provides a model deck you can install to use with Anki at this website. Also take a look at StudySpanish.com - Grammar Tutorial and start working your way through that at the same time. The reason you learn vocabulary first is so you have words to actually make sentences with, rather than using a smaller limited vocabulary to make the same sentences over and over.
   I suggest focusing on Linguasorb.com - Top 100 Spanish Verbs to start with conjugations that will be most commonly used.
   
   
4. Once you are able to construct basic sentences and have a decent vocabulary, you are ready to start really practicing. Find language partners or tutors on iTalki.com, write some short stories and stuff on Lang-8.com and get them translated by native speakers, practice whenever and wherever you can.
   
   
5. Start to acquire as much exposure to the language as possible. Watch TV Shows, read CNN en Español, listen to radio, watch movies, read books, whatever you can at this point to break through that intermediate fluency level.
   
   Other useful things:
   
   Books:
   
   

• Lonely Planet - Latin American Spanish Phrasebook
  
  
• Lonely Planet - Spanish Phrasebook
  
  
• Practical Spanish Grammar - A Self Teaching Guide
  
  Websites:
  
  
• 60 Insanely Useful Resources for Learning Spanish
  
  
• Spanish Linking Words - SpanishWithJudith.com
  
  
• Spanish Transition Words - TheSpanishBlog.com
  
  
• Palabras de Transicion
  
  
• Graaahh's Awesome Spanish Study Guide (for this one you have to make a free account, then go back to the page, click on "Share", then a download link will appear)
  
  This is all I can write for the moment, I am by no means fluent in Spanish but I am working on it. I have done a TON of research and this is some of the best stuff I have found, but my bookmarks folder is completely full of other resources if there is something in particular you are looking for.

No, this is from the Lonely Planet phrasebook:
http://www.amazon.com/German-Lonely-Phrasebook-Gunter-Muehl/dp/1740599802/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230078721&sr=8-2
I have the Mandarin one, it is equally amusing.

Of all the places I've been, in Argentina people were the least freaked out or annoyed by me speaking English. People were just so laid back about it, it was great.

I highly recommend the Lonely Planet Latin American Spanish Phrasebook. It's pocket-sized, easy to navigate, and has all the useful everyday stuff you need.

I also find carrying a small notepad is useful too. Spanish and English have very similar roots, and I find that a Spanish speaker can often recognize written English words very easily.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree with disimcity about Bonjour (and bonsoir in the evening.)
Every time you enter a shop, Bonjour.

Get a phrasebook. The phrasebook will offer simple communication tips which can prevent cultural misunderstandings.
Of course, stuff happens.

Part of travel can often be getting out of your comfort zone. Being courteous and attempting to communicate is no guarantee of smooth sailing, but it is a step in the right direction.

I also agree with skiegg about broadening your understanding/perspective of rudeness. I have been to France a bunch of times now and never had anyone deliberately be rude to me. Yes, I've occasionally had French people dramatically sigh when I say "je suis désolé, je parle anglais" but I just persist in my wretched French and they either listen and try to understand, or they begin speaking English.
I've never had anyone turn their back on me, and have actually had many French people go out of their way to assist me.