Saw a blog posting today, that spoke of evil things tourists often do when visiting other countries. Some I agreed with, some were debatable, most I simply wanted to add to. So I give listing title and maybe a slight overview then tell what I think about it.... since I don't seem to have much else to do with my time. *grin* Here's a link to the post, just in case you gotta see it.
Link here.
1. "You don't respect the country's cultural norms and dress inappropriately."
Somewhat self explanatory. The picture though was of a bike team posing before a cross outside a place where the pope holds mass.
There is something of a grey line in this one. To me, the bike team, while not wearing, what might be considered the norm for a church type place, wasn't wildly inappropriate. Ok fine, it wasn't holy robes or anything, but they were still being fairly sensible according to what I could see. Picture aside though, I generally agree with the statement. Don't be wearing hoochy hot pants and half-sized muscle shirts to a church.. or short-skirted dress with spike heels for a hike. that's just.. gross. It's bad taste on anyone's part, not just on tourists. Common sense is a good thing, folks, use it.
2. "You take pictures when and where you're not supposed to."
Shows a pic of someone taking a picture in a Chinese temple. caption spoke of someone having kicked a bell that caused issues.
This is another of those grey lines where common sense is needed.
If the sign says No, then really. its no. If there's no sign... different story. Also, there's a different story behind kicking a holy bell, and taking a picture. One is contact. the other is 'looking'. Now, if the sign says 'No Flash' its common sense to know why. The flash of light could cause damage if there are items or people in the room that are sensitive to the sudden light.
If you have a camera that doesn't have the ability to use a flash or not. then don't use the camera, simple as that. There's also the reason of, one flash could ruin the pictures of 100 photographers. It's happened more often then you might think. Incidentally, This also applies to taking pictures in a concert. Not only might you be blinding your favorite idol on the stage, but you could also be whiting-out many of the pictures others are also taking nearby.
One of what should be written in every potential photographer's rule book, 'Look, don't touch... and don't ruin other people's pictures if you can at all help it.'
3. "You expect everyone to speak English and make zero attempts to use the language of the country/city/region you're in."
ok then, a double-edge... yes, its that whole "When in Rome, do as the Roman's do" thing again. It's true, when you go, prepare! This includes an idea of how to get around, verbally. It's a good idea to learn the language, if not all of it, at least emergency words. like maybe, 'bathroom', 'help', 'please', 'yes', 'no', and 'thank you'.
Especially so if it's a country where they are not even remotely concentrating on knowing your language for the sake of tourist bucks. You might be able to get away with knowing very little of the country's language such as going from America to Taiwan. Where many people there might know at least a bit of your language.. it's better to not expect it. Because, you never know, You might find yourself in dire straights and the locals having not the slightest idea as to what you are babbling on about. Can't really blame the locals, now, can you? So don't be gettin all high-handed and in their face expecting them to know your own language just because -you- are the guest in -their- country. This is -not- you're own backyard. Being a guest means to be on your P's and Q's so to speak. This is their home. It's not their problem that they don't understand your language. Pay some respect and be on good behavior.
As for the people of the country you have gone to.. (actually, this goes for both sets.. the tourist and the local) Please be understanding. Not everyone is willing to spend several years learning to speak your language just so they can visit for a week. (some of us might try.. most of us aren't likely to learn much past 'help', 'please', and 'thankyou' though.) Don't be a better-then-thou just because the tourist (or local) doesn't understand you... It doesn't give you the right to laugh and make fun of them. That's just plain rude.. in any language.
4. "You make disparaging remarks about the country's practices and customs (particularly if they inconvenience you) without attempting to understand why things are the way they are."
yyeaahh... ok, I kinda got the idea of this one, Generally speaking, Yes, I can agree. Don't be pushing your ideas of how things are sposta be onto another culture. This is bad form. You could get pummeled for being an idiot at the very best, or jailed for speaking out in an area that will not tolerate it, at the very worst.
Please be on your better behavior when visiting another country. Don't make waves of discord if you can help it. Even if you are not planning on it, It's still nice to know you are being invited back.
You -should- know your rights as an international traveler. Know before you go. (see no. 10) If something just isn't legally right to you, find your nearest embassy to ask them the questions you have. If you can't handle the laws in that country, go back home and be happy.
This also goes for the people who live in the country that's being visited. Is it so hard to be tolerant of a temporarily staying tourist? Give them some slack already... even if you have little good to say about their country, they are not likely to be in yer hair for very long, and if you have had a run-in with an obnoxious tourist, you might be in an area that gains profit from tourism. You could be biting off your own nose to spite your face... in other words, you might be hurting your area of needed tourist moneies just by being a butt-head about their existence in your day. If you just can't handle it anymore, hold onto you're temper and exit stage left, quietly, without fanfare. usually, that's all it takes.
5. "You "other" the locals and treat them as props in your "perfect" Facebook and Instagram posts." Picture shows person, in a group, taking a picture with a standing guard in London England.
Another 2-sided statement. Yes, I agree in that, its really not good to marginalize people no matter where you are. They are not objects. They are not there just for you to pick on or make fun of. Stay on your good behavior. Be polite.
No, I don't think there is anything wrong with taking pictures while standing beside an unsmiling, unmoving guard. Generally speaking, its a better idea to ask to take the picture beforehand though, especially if there is no sign stating it should not be done. Again, if they say No. No it is.
Yes, I do think there is a problem with trying to take pictures of that guard's nose hairs, or trying to get them to do something other then what they are already doing for a laugh or some such. Don't show your idiocy. You do that kind of crap knowingly, and you give the whole tourism idea a seriously bad name. Don't be of poor taste.
Best idea is that hosts as well as guests, be on better behavior then might otherwise be normal.
6. "You're cheap: you don't tip."
Yes and no. Yes, in that it is polite in most countries that have tipping. A tip in America, for example, is always welcome. Makes everyone's day a bit brighter really.
No, it's not a dastardly requirement of you. Yes there are places where a day's tips mean everything for a waiter/ress. Yes, it seriously sucks to not receive needed tip money. Especially when it could mean the difference between a roof over your head and food on the table,.. or neither of those two.
Ultimately though, It's not really the tourist's responsibility. It's the restaurant's management decision to make, and the wait-staff themselves for accepting that rule when they took the job. It's also the gov's problem for allowing such practice to take place in the first place. Its kind of a dumb way to do things if you ask me. (of course the downside of not having tips would be, they arn't getting the extra money to help with the "other" needed things of living that often do not get considered when the movers and groovers of Gov. are making up the minimum wage limit >.<... like a sudden rise in electricity bills, medical issues not covered by any sort of insurance, unexpected car repairs, or a child's required and unexpected clothing/school supplies bill.)
There are also countries that don't accept tips. In Japan, for example, They have personal pride in good service so do not accept tips. (see no. 10) Seems to me it's a better way to be really. They aren't needfully squabbling over tip money, for one thing. They aren't being so obvious about squeezing every dime they can from the tourists either.
7. "You're cheap: you bargain excessively and everywhere."
Again with the cheap! the word should be frugal! sheesh. Ok.. bargaining.. hmm.. yeah alright... kind of an odd thing to gripe about. There is a time and place for such things as bargaining. A lot of places don't bargain at all. Listed price is what it is. that's that.
Some places do bargain though so.. (Read no. 10) I agreed with the author's statement that was along the lines of 'state you basement bargain, and make to walk away.' You run a risk of losing out by doing that, but at least you arn't taking all day and hogging all of the clerk's attention.
8. "You specialize in cultural misappropriation."
Picture of a blond lady getting facial application from an Indian with a red turban. Stating also that "There is a fine line between appreciation and appropriation."
Well, this is true up to a point. It is true in a general sense, for example.. not to be wearing a toilet urn on yer noggin, because you think its funny or you are just being stupid.
But If you really have no concept of what it's for... surely you can be excused, and hopefully someone will quickly enlighten you... with as straight a face as possible, that its not exactly the thing you should be doing.
Its better to have an idea as to the culture of the country you are visiting. I know bumbles are still quite possible, but at least you are learning as you go, don't get all pissy with the person trying to politely inform you, with that straight face, that you're new hat,.. isn't really meant to be one.
As for the people in those countries, please refer to no.3 on this list... it applies here as well.
9. "You forget your manners and act as though you are single-handedly supporting the entire country's tourism industry." Picture shows a tourist standing on a stone fence with his arms up 'supporting' the leaning tower behind him.
yeah ok, the first part is the intent of the paragraph. forgotten manners.
There's not a major issue with goofing about.. but.. when its rude.. yer being an idiot. Stop that! Stay respectful and with good manners throughout your entire stay. This way, not only will you be able to have a great time, but the people there will have a good opinion of you when you leave.. just in case you might care to return someday.
Wouldn't you rather be remembered as a good an respectful person they would be pleased to see return, than as a some horrible trouble-maker they hope to never see again? (and if they -had- to see you again, they might not be as caring or polite to you as they were the first time around)
Best to leave a good impression... especially to help gloss over the possible mistakes you may have made.
To those living and working in the visited country... Please don't judge all visitors by one person's bad attitude. We are not all the same. Just because some of the people of a country are bad mannered, doesn't make the whole country's people horrible. Try hard to remember that when you see one or more foreigners giving locals trouble. Yes, those particular foreigners could use a bit more time learning from their manners books..(maybe as badly as a cuff upside the head!) They likely well deserve the trouble they get in return, but, we aren't -all- like that. Seriously.
10. "You don't research your destination before jumping in that plane/train/automobile." Mentioned in the paragraph is, "Know where you're going and what you're getting into,"
Yes. yesyes. Do look into your destination before you go. Google is a great source for learning about other countries. Type your target countries name into the search box and away you go! Also be sure to look into the nitty-gritty of how your going to get there, how much for both ways? what airline is the best to use? What might you need to take? Check on needed passports and visas needed. Where will you stay? where will you visit? do you need tour reservations? Start a checklist. How do you plan to get around? is anyone expecting you? how and where will you eat? do you have everything needed?
Make sure you got all yer ducks in a row before you step onto the plane. it will save you a whole lot of grief and stress to prepare beforehand. Be knowledgeable.
Remember your patience, manners, tolerance, and politeness abilities. don't forget them. Brush up on laws, rules and expectations for travelers in each country you plan to visit, Be aware of where you can go in emergency. Be aware of culture differences and learn what to say in case of need so the locals will have a better chance of understanding you in order to be of help.
annd to snag the conclusion...
"Lest you forget, travel is a privilege. The fact that you have the time, money and passport needed to travel doesn't mean that the world is at your disposal. So don't be a terrible traveller-- respect, tolerance, cultural sensitivity, and a bit of research can go a long way." - The Huffington Post - Oneika Raymond
Truer words have ne'er been spoken.
...just my 2 cents worth.
