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Tips: Being a Culturally Sensitive Traveler
Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams.
Mary Ellen Kelly
- Err on the side of generosity. My biggest single regret in travel is stinginess. Somehow, long term travel makes me (and many other travelers) overly concerned about being overcharged. The reality is that most North Americans and Europeans are richer than locals in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Ultimately, the people who are most inclined to suffer from your stinginess are decent people who don?t deserve your ire. The ten cents that we fight over with locals can mean a meal for the local residents. Our arguments over small change make us look silly. Keep in mind that usually even local elites pay more for services because they have more money. If, on the other hand, someone is attempting to charge you an exorbitant price, complain quietly yet forcefully. Often, local residents will come to your defense
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- Foreigners in many countries (particularly in Africa and the former Soviet Union) are often charged more than local residents as a matter of principle (when I was in Russia in 1995 the difference in local versus foreigner prices was immense, often 30 times as much) and there is not a lot you can do about it. In the long run, you will regret making a fool of yourself if you throw a tantrum. If you explain calmly that you feel something is unfair, about half the time they?ll find some way to help. Often, you can get around these prices if you ask around. When I attended Saint Petersburg State University in Russia, I always showed my student ID card (issued by the University) whenever I attend a theatrical performance or a museum. Around 70% of the time, this was sufficient to allow me to pay local student prices for admissions (I understand that this still works today. Though, many institutions have stopped charging different prices for foreigners in Russia altogether). The difference in cost was phenomenal. I went into the Hermitage museum for 35 cents (instead of $11) and saw the Kirov Ballet for $1.25 (rather than $26).
- Understand that often your ability to judge whether someone is trying to take advantage of you is faulty in another country. I have frequently thought I was about to get ripped off, when a local person was only trying to be friendly. Nine times out of ten, people treat me with extreme kindness and gentility. So, reserve judgment.
- Read as much as possible about a place before you leave (the Culture Shock Guidebook series is a great place to start your research). The advanced research will tip you off to clues about what other people are thinking that will save you embarrassment. It will keep you from acting in ways that will get you in trouble. Try to fit in ? particularly in your appearance.
- No matter how much research you do beforehand, realize that things will come up that completely throw out your preconceived notions about a country out the window. Be flexible and you?ll begin to understand the other country?s logic. Sometimes, upon returning home you?ll even wish that your native land would adopt the same ways as the host country!
- Understand that just because people don?t like your native country, doesn?t mean that they don?t like you. Most people easily separate people from their country of origin. In fact, the most heartwarming stories of hospitality directed toward American travelers come from countries that are antagonistic toward our government like Iran.
- Don?t act as if the way of life in your home country is better than in your destination. No one wants to listen to arrogant travelers. Be honest about your life in your country. Certainly, it will be better in some ways than that in your host country, however, you will invariably find aspect of another country that are better than your home if you are open. Ultimately, the goal of travel should be to show you ways of life that are different than your own. You should be open to new ways and try to be culturally sensitive.
Notes:
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I ( Paul Heller, the founder of the Big Blue Marble) have prepared hundreds of travel tips like these to help you plan and enjoy traveling like a local experiences. These tips have been gathered during my 25 years of traveling around the world. If you'd like more tips, please buy one of my inexpensive and informative publications. -
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Do you agree or disagree with any of these tips? Do you know any great tips that should be added? If so, send your comments to me and I'll post them on my blog.
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