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 the country's culture. Point in
fact; each country has its own version of proper protocol, etiquette, and
manners.
For For example, gestures and clothing choices can be an issue when
traveling. It is viewed as rude to wag your finger in Egypt and
vulgar to flash the V-sign in Great Britain. Furthermore, wearing
shorts in public is not appropriate for women in several countries, including
India.
Thus,
to avoid gasps, chuckles,
and menacing stares, read guidebooks and visit websites of the countries of
interest. Try to gain as much knowledge of the people, their customs, and
particular etiquette as possible. Before my trip to Italy, I studied
for months and learned that Italians live their lives by a simple phrase,
"bella figura", which means "beautiful
figure". They generally feel that one must behave more formally
and with proper manners in public. As a result, my suitcase held
much nicer clothes than my usual attire for my especially casual
town of Davis, CA.
Try to fit in.
Understanding
the culture
also helps us understand our boundaries. Americans are often viewed
as arrogant people who tend to strut around as if we own the place -- whatever
that place is --ignorant of the local tendencies or culture. Case in
point, as a people, we tend to develop relationships quickly, often with a
simple conversation. It is common for us to question strangers about their
professions and to address them by their first name without permission. This is
not the case in many other countries; they need more time to warm up to
strangers.
Therefore,
avoid personal questions and contact until the other person initiates
it. Do not address anyone by his or her first name without
permission. In addition, be perceptive. Observe others'
behavior and emulate it. Use indoor voices--always. Do
not draw attention to yourself.
Merci beaucoup for using good manners.
The
most important item to take on any vacation is good manners, with respect as
the most important. One of the best ways to show respect is to greet
others in their native language, especially when we are visitors to their
country. Therefore, learn a few polite words and phrases, such as
greetings, please, and thank you. When speaking English, avoid using
slang and euphemisms. Saying phrases such as, "I'm beat"
may lead others to think you have been beaten. Additionally, speak
slowly, as regional differences in our speech can make it difficult to
understand us.
Please Read
Air Travel
Etiquette--Airport Behavior
How I Save
Money When Visiting Paris, France
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