The Polite Traveler

Politeness Matters When Traveling Dear Polite Traveler, One important thing to remember, no matter where we are, is to be conspicuous of how our actions affect others.  Consequently, we should also remember the number one rule of cellphone use: Do not irritate those around you when using your cellphone .  This rule leads to the more specific rule of not talking loudly on your cellphones when with others.  Loud, Chatty, Irritating Contractor Noting that this irritating person is a contractor isn’t important.  Nevertheless, since he mentioned it multiple times during his assault on my calm, I thought it worth noting.   On to the details of this moment of grating clatter. Picture this, I had a five-hour layover in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.  For those of you who have passed through this badly-in-need-of-a-makeover dot on the map, you know how small and li...

How to be a Good Ambassador of Your Country When Traveling Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, When any of us travels outside our home country, we are ambassadors of ours.  Consequently, it is no wonder why the Chinese government was outraged over the behavior of some of their vacationing citizens.  Reports of defacing relics, spitting, and yelling in public, is definitely cringe-worthy.  All these impolite behaviors have even led to new tourism laws in China.  Given that the Chinese are not the only ill-mannered tourist, let us explore proper vacation etiquette.   Note : Follow country guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Study the culture; know before you go! To capture the nuances, blend in and avoid insulting the locals, it is essential to do your homework by studying...