Ethical Travel – Have You Sinned?
I’m not a perfect traveler.
As a vegetarian, I’ve turned down chicken after the poor bird was ceremoniously killed in a remote Vietnamese village on my (and my traveling companion’s) behalf. I’ve hugged a male Indian friend and only realized afterward how incredibly uncomfortable he was with my display of (very innocent) affection. And I’ve been nicely asked to change from my capris into long pants before entering a temple in Bangkok.
Hindsight is, of course, 20/20, and I certainly won’t embarrass myself in any of the above situations again.
Rather than giving money or candy, why not share a Kodak moment with the kids?
Travel is a constant learning experience and one can expect to make mistakes at some point. However, keeping a few things in mind may just help you save face as well as be a good ambassador for your country. The environment aside, here are a few tips to keep you on track for being a culturally sensitive Wanderluster.
1. Travel “close to the ground” as they say. Stay in accommodations that are owned by the locals and are not affiliated with a large chain. Purchase food from street vendors and don’t be tempted by the Golden Arches. Spending money with the locals will give you the chance to interact with them and help you to understand the region where you’re traveling.
2. Bargain, but not too hard. The act of bargaining, in many cultures, is a social activity. It gives both the seller and buyer an opportunity to learn a little bit about each other, if even in a very subtle way. Don’t be in such a rush! Take the time to find out about the item you’re purchasing: its significance for the culture; who made it; and where it’s from. Strike a good deal, but remember that how much you pay for that item may help feed a family that night.
3. Know the culture. Research your destination well in advance so you know what to expect. Read books from Culture Shock! or Culture Smart! to learn why people do what they do. This will help lessen your culture shock (and your need to retreat to your hotel room).
4. Hire a guide! Having a local person escort you around town has several benefits. A knowledgeable one will be able to provide far more depth about your destination than you can learn from a guidebook. You’re sure to receive inside tips on the most popular restaurant for locals and recent information on what areas of town to avoid or those that are up and coming trendy spots. You’re also sure to learn about the culture. Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your guide. But, perhaps most importantly, you’ll be adding a few bucks into the local economy.
5. Don’t give to street beggars. While you may be so moved by the people of a poor area, when possible, give to an already established program so you can ensure that your money is being distributed in the most effective way. Giving even small amounts of change to street children in India, for example, only furthers the problem as these kids are often forced into begging by their families or the local mafia (true!).
6. Volunteer or join a community based tour. Consider volunteering through an established company or join a tour that helps support the region. Crooked Trails is a great example of sustainable travel in action. This non-profit tour company supports indigenous cultures by creating cultural exchanges. Their programs allow you to stay with local families and they hire only local guides who live in the communities. Their mission is to have the lowest impact on the environment and culture as possible.
None of us are perfect but perhaps we can learn from each other. Time to fess up! What have you done and later said, “D’oh, that probably wasn’t the best thing to do in….”
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
5 Tips on What to Wear in India
10 Tips for Eco-friendly Travel
10 Tips for Trip Planning
Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
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10 comments
Great post! This is a matter that strikes close to the heart for me, and if I could educate every passport-holder in America, this is what I would hope for them to learn.
I remember taking one of the last seats next to a monk on the crowded Sky Train in Bangkok, only to have him abruptly stand up and stand at the back of a car. A kind Thai woman who spoke English approached me to explain that this was not permitted – even though my guidebook had only warned against making physical contact. Observation is one of our greatest teachers on the road!
Great points. I’ve done every kind of trip now, slum tourism to luxury, and I’ve found that by doing what you say, you also get a much better appreciation for the place you’re visiting.
Great post! If I could have all my travels again, I’d like to go back to India and give every rickshaw driver I ground down to a rock-bottom price a fiver. I was definitely a bargainer-sinner!
Awesome post, Beth! I try very hard to follow the rules in another country but sometimes I’m not sure what they all are.
I was in Italy and stepped inside a beautiful, ancient cathedral wearing proper attire. When I snapped a single photo, two men shot me the dirtiest look and mumbled angrily in Italian when walked past me.
I felt about 3 inches tall, but the deed was done. Some churches allow photos, some don’e. When in doubt, don’t.
Cool post and great tips. Stumbled!
Very nicely done Beth! What you’ve written here are
just a few of my rules of the “global” road. One of my
favorites is the one about the “Kodak Moment”. Along
with all of my modern camera gear, I still carry a
Polaroid to snap photos to share with the locals.This
way, we all will have a copy and I don’t have to worry
about breaking a promise to mail a copy of the photo
when I get back home.
Great tips for those wishing to be gracious travelers!
@ Angela – good point about observing what the locals do! Sometimes we’re wrapped up in our own world (or just wrapped up into trying to read signs!) that we forget this gold rule.
@ Stuart – Your comment made me laugh. I’ve ground down a few rickshaw drivers myself!
@ Barbie – I WISH I still had my polaroid. It was a bit bulky but fun none-the-less.
I really enjoyed this post. I agree about guides, we hired a government guide in Morocco and learnt a huge amount from him. He took us to places we wouldn’t have even noticed otherwise.
My worst faux pas was when I arrived, aged 19, to stay with a family friend in Bangkok. She was away for the weekend and her housekeeper showed me where I was sleeping. I noticed that her staff all looked really worried, but couldn’t tell why as I don’t speak Thai and they don’t speak English. I only found out when I left the house later and saw all the shoes neatly lined up outside the door. You never wear shoes inside a Thai house.
Hi Beth — I absolutely love your list.
The NGO Ethical Traveler has put out a similar
list, see what you think:
http://www.ethicaltraveler.org/guidelines.php