Dos and Don’ts When Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad is an exciting, enriching experience. When you leave the place that you call home and head to a location where you’re not familiar with the food, language, and customs, you get to learn about the world around you while also learning a lot about yourself.

However, there are some steps that you should take to make sure that you’re respecting other cultures when you visit them.

Whether you’re heading to a tourist hotspot like Paris, France, or you want to visit some places that are off the beaten path, it’s important to practice cultural etiquette.

One of the most common complaints that people have when dealing with tourists is that tourists tend to bring in their typical behaviors and assume that they’re the norm in every part of the world. That’s simply not the case.

With that in mind, it’s crucial to understand how to practice cultural etiquette. Fortunately, we have some tips that are sure to help.

Before you head out on your trip, spend some time looking at these tips for traveling abroad and learn more about how you can practice cultural etiquette. Not only does this make you a better tourist, but it will also help you get the most out of your experience in a new land.

Do Some Research

Before you depart for your vacation, spend some time researching the area that you’ll be visiting. Many people think that looking at popular restaurants and tourist destinations is enough research, but that’s not the case at all.

Learning more about local customs can help ensure that you’re not doing anything that could insult the residents of the area that you’re visiting.

For instance, did you know that in Italy, it’s considered a gross insult to leave pasta sauce on the plate? This is a tradition that dates back hundreds if not thousands of years.

If there’s pasta sauce left on your plate, you should use a piece of bread to soak up what’s remaining to finish it off. Since food is such a vital part of Italian culture, leaving food behind is insulting to the people who cook.

Additionally, spending some time researching allows you to truly immerse yourself in the culture. Since we’ve discussed food etiquette in Italy, let’s stay on that topic.

Did you know that ordering any type of pasta with alfredo sauce in Italy isn’t very Italian? Alfredo was not created in Itlay, and the locals know that putting it on a menu is nothing more than an attempt to cater to American tourists who order it at their favorite chain restaurant.

Doing your homework and learning more about the basics of the culture is not only respectful, but it also allows you to get the most enriching experience possible.

Learn Some Basic Phrases

There are a lot of countries that don’t have an official language.

However, some nations have a language that’s recognized by their government as the official language of the entire nation. With this in mind, you should be sure to spend some time learning about the prominent languages spoken in the area that you’ll be visiting.

Knowing if a country has an official language will let you know how much work you need to do when it comes to educating yourself.

If you’re going to an area that’s incredibly divided (geographically, not ideologically), you may run into different languages in the same country. This is why it’s so important to research before you go.

Once you’ve learned which languages are prominent or official in the place that you’re visiting, commit to learning some basic phrases. You certainly don’t have to be fluent, and most of the locals will not expect that.

However, there are multiple reasons for you to know some basic phrases. First of all, it makes it much easier for you and the locals that you’ll be interacting with to communicate.

Secondly, this will improve your safety on your trip. While no one wants anything bad to happen on their vacation, the fact remains that there are accidents. Being able to say some basic phrases can help in an emergency.

Finally, it’s a show of respect. It’s simply disrespectful to go to a foreign land and expect the locals to adapt their communication to fit you.

Consider Religious Implications

Religion is one of the most important staples in most cultures. Even if you don’t consider yourself a religious person, it’s important to be respectful of religious customs, locations, and other aspects when visiting foreign nations.

For instance, there are several countries that consider certain locations as holy or sacred. With this in mind, it’s very important to be respectful when visiting them.

One of the most important ways to be respectful when visiting these sacred locations is to dress appropriately.

Researching the prominent religions in a nation is crucial, and it’s even more important to be informed when going to holy locations. Dressing inappropriately is disrespectful, and in some areas, it may even be dangerous.

Also, be mindful of taking pictures at holy spots in foreign countries. While you’re there as a tourist, the people who live in these areas use these locations for personal, spiritual purposes.

While they’re certainly attractive to tourists, they’re not tourist attractions. Try to follow the lead of others when visiting these locations. If most people seem to be quiet and reserved while visiting these locations, be quiet and respectful.

Finally, do not under any circumstances take anything with you. Even something that seems as harmless as a loose piece of stone in a wall around a religious site is an important part of the location and the culture. Not only is taking souvenirs disrespectful, but it’s also illegal in most countries.

Be Mindful of Words and Actions

The way that you behave when in public is a crucial part of cultural etiquette. Always be mindful of words and actions when visiting other countries.

If you’re traveling from the United States, you may assume that the way you behave here is perfectly normal. And while that might be the case in the US, it’s not necessarily the case everywhere else.

One of the most common cultural etiquette mistakes that people make involves public displays of affection (PDA).

While some foreign countries, such as the UK or Australia, may not think anything of a couple holding hands when walking down the sidewalk, any public displays of affection are considered taboo in other nations. Knowing when and where to show affection is crucial.

Additionally, you should also be careful about how loudly you speak, whether it’s to people in your traveling party or to the locals. Even if you’re not angry, raising your voice is considered incredibly disrespectful in some nations.

In fact, in most parts of Japan, it’s rude to talk when taking the train. If you do need to say something, be sure to whisper. Remember, part of respecting other cultures means doing what you can to blend in.

Dress Appropriately

Finally, think about the clothes that you pack when you go on your trip, and be sure to dress appropriately.

Again, there are a lot of foreign nations that are quite similar to the United States, and if you’re not interested in adapting your usual fashion, it’s probably a good idea to visit them if you’re itching to visit another country.

However, if you choose to go to a place where certain clothing items are considered inappropriate, make sure that you’re ready to dress the right way.

Shorts are one of the most common clothing items in a lot of vacation destinations, but they’re not appropriate in every country, including some that may surprise you.

For instance, people usually only wear shorts in Germany, at least in public, when it’s incredibly hot outside. However, there are other countries in which you can get into some trouble for wearing shorts in public, like Saudi Arabia.

Get Ready for Takeoff!

Planning a trip to a foreign country is an exciting process, but your planning should definitely involve some cultural awareness.

By researching customs, traditions, laws, languages, and religions before you go, you can make sure that you’re not saying or doing anything that may offend the locals.

Ultimately, cultural etiquette is about respecting the people and the country that you’re visiting. While you may not do everything perfectly, especially if this is your first trip abroad, most people will recognize when you show a concerted effort to act appropriately.