Vacation and Travel Etiquette
Cultural practices, cultural differences, local manners and more: traveling the globe can be a behavioral minefield, even when you have the best intentions. Everything from greeting to eating can be an opportunity to do the wrong thing, and not only embarrass yourself, but offend your host countrymen.
It’s not just foreign cultures that prove problematic, but ones in which we tend to feel very familiar. Despite a shared language, Brits and Americans frequently slip into misunderstandings; U.S. mainlanders unknowingly offend Hawaiians when vacationing in their islands; and the forthright manner of a New Yorker might be considered downright rude in the genteel South.
There’s a reason major corporations employ cultural trainers before dispatching an employee to Moscow or Shanghai-an innocent blunder can instantly result in a lost deal or, worse, a broken relationship. But few leisure travelers have the time or resources to tackle the vast field of intercultural studies before heading to the airport.
Of course, it is always a good idea before journeying to read up and do some research on a country and its culture. Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Along with taking a bit of time to prepare before you leave for your destination, it’s also a good idea to to change your sensitivity meter when traveling to some place other than home. Basically, try to take things in stride and don’t be too quick to judge or react when you encounter something that, back at home, may seem offensive to your sensibilities. The world is often portrayed as a global village, but make no mistake – we are all very different.
You can save yourself the embarrassment of being “just another tourist” by reading up on the customs and etiquette of the place you’re visiting before you go. A little bit of time spent researching the history and customs of your destination can make sure that you don’t ask for a room on the 4th floor in a Chinese hotel, or never ever shake hands with your left hand – even if your arms are full – in Kenya.
Much of the thrill of traveling comes from steeping yourself in a foreign culture whose customs and traditions may be vastly different from the ones you’re used to back home. But while confronting the unknown can be exciting, too much of it may be undesirable. Ignorance is not always bliss, particularly if it means stumbling around blindly in a foreign culture like a bull in a china shop. Sometimes no amount of preparation can prepare you for actually being in a foreign country or environment.
Resort vacations are generally a little less foreign in some capacities. For example, there is usually a number of staff at any given resort who are well versed in multiple languages to accommodate tourism. You’ll likely be greeted at the resort by English speaking staff, and more than likely, restaurant and bar staff will be versed in English as well. Even in circumstances like staying at a resort, it’s still generally a good idea to be aware of local customs and culture, regardless of the fact that some of the resort staff may speak English.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, offending the sensibilities of your hosts is rarely a good thing. At best, you may be dismissed as an uncouth or insensitive foreigner and suffer damage to your personal relationships; at worst, you may suffer the collapse of a business deal or, in some parts of the world, even provoke violence against yourself if you trample on some cherished local custom. Before you book your dream vacation to that exotic locale you’ve always longed to visit, or before you embark on your business trip to a country you’ve never visited, spend a bit of time and learn about your destination. Your hosts will appreciate it if you do.
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