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Vacation Etiquette: Foreign Travel Tips

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

Travels to Venice, Italy

How I Save Money When Visiting Paris, France


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