Respecting Other Cultures
Responsible and sustainable travel goes well beyond picking up your garbage, conserving water and taking public transportation. It’s about connecting with people and becoming an ambassador of your country.
The recent announcement that city officials in Paris declared a Tourist Day to urge the French to be nice to their guests, reminded me that we have the same responsibility. Every time we step outside of our border, we are representing our own culture and people. We bring with us a responsibility to become educated about our host country, to dress and act appropriately based on local customs and to treat the locals as we would like to be treated if they were traveling in our country.
This all sounds so cliché, but time and again I observe tourists who don’t understand the importance of these simple guidelines and how much more they would get out of their travels if they just did a little research and opened themselves up to the locals. Here are a few things to get you started for your next adventure:
• Learn at least a few phrases of the local language. Believe me, learning just a few will help you go a long way. These are all good places to start: please, thank you, what’s your name, how much is this, excuse me.
• Be nice to everyone including the taxi driver, waiter, hotel desk clerk. Engage them in conversation. You never know what you might learn! Perhaps they’ll give you a tip on the best new restaurant that’s just opened up or a quiet park that only the locals know about.
• Educate yourself about local dress codes. Wear appropriate clothing to blend in, cover up what should be covered up according to local customs. The local men and women will appreciate this and treat you with more respect.
Responsible travel is an important aspect of what I teach in my workshops and more tips are mentioned throughout my book. I’m really excited to welcome aboard a new group of bloggers who will be covering this topic in Travel with a Purpose. Check back for more tips and info from these gals from Crooked Trails.
Happy Travels!
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Excellent advice, Beth. This is what we were told when I first went to Europe after WW II to help rebuild wartorn countries. We were considered the Ugly American, typified by chewing gum (something I’ve noticed is definitely on the increase with the tourists who come over here!), buying post cards, flashing our cameras without even asking if it’s OK to take someone’s picture, and talking loudly in restaurants. I think we’ve come a long way since then, but it is very true, as you say, we ARE ambassadors of our country, every one of us, and need to remember that.
Hi Beth -
Luv your blogs! I have found no better way to respect other cultures than to use a morning or afternoon during your visit to connect at the heart with them. Philanthropic Travel combines the best of luxury travel with an authentic introduction to the people in the places we visit.
Learn more:
http://www.philanthropictravel.org
All the best,
David