6 Cultural Considerations to Make When Travelling
Today, the old adage of “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” still rings true. Every country has its own culture, beliefs, and traditions, and the considerate tourist knows to observe these. Travelling around the world without factoring in a country’s laws and customs may result in a tourist unintentionally annoying or offending locals. At worst, a social faux pas may even merit a penalty like a steep fine.
For instance, while fashion may not be a huge issue in Western countries, some countries in Asia and the Middle East uphold modesty as a cultural value. Instead of wearing shorts, sleeveless tops, and other clothing that may be considered revealing according to these standards, it’s best for travellers to dress modestly and to rely on safe bets like tights and leggings for women with dresses or long tops.
Beyond dress codes, cultural differences may also be a matter of public behaviours. While it is considered rude to slurp food in the United States or Canada, in China or Japan, slurping is a gesture of appreciation and a means of complimenting the chef.
Do you have any travel plans coming up? Make the best of your time away from home and make your trip a good experience for yourself, your fellow tourists, and the locals of the country you’ll be visiting. Below are six of the most important cultural considerations to make when travelling to another country:
Do Your Research
Brushing up on knowledge of a country’s laws, traditions, and religious practices is one of the best ways for a traveler to prepare for a trip. This applies especially to a traveler who’s visiting the country for the very first time. Travel guidebooks can offer great insights into a country’s culture and way of life, but almost all the information you’ll need about important cultural considerations to make is online. You need only visit forums or popular travel blogs to find a wealth of knowledge about cultural nuances to observe when traveling.
You can also begin your research by visiting a certain destination’s local tourism website or official social media page if they have one. This is where you’ll be able to find advisories, warnings, and other important information to take note of.
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Brush Up on Basic Phrases and Expressions
Learning several key phrases and expressions in the local language benefits travelers in several ways. Aside from demonstrating your respect for local culture, people, and their way of life, learning common phrases and expressions can help you communicate more effectively with locals—especially when you find yourself in a pinch or traveling off the beaten path. Before you leave, learn how to ask for directions, help, or medical assistance in the local language so that you’ll be better equipped for inconveniences or emergencies.
Dress Appropriately
Dressing appropriately when visiting another country shows respect and sensitivity to the beliefs and customs of the local community. Conversely, wearing inappropriate clothing may be perceived as offensive or disrespectful, especially when one is visiting cultural or religious sites.
For instance, some cultures forbid women from exposing their legs or shoulders, while others require men to wear long pants and cover their heads. Dressing appropriately will help you avoid unwanted attention from breaking the social code, which will also increase the likelihood that your trip will go without incident.
Ask for Permission before Taking a Photo
While asking for permission to take someone’s photo is a common courtesy around the world, several countries have particular social and cultural norms pertaining to photography. Taking a photo without permission may be highly disrespectful and invasive. In addition, several religious or cultural practices forbid photography on specific occasions or in particular places. Knowing that always ask permission before snapping photos on your camera to show respect for local customs.
Know the Etiquette When Visiting Cultural or Holy Sites
You may not share a religion or culture with the people in the country you’re visiting, but that shouldn’t exempt you from observing proper etiquette with regard to holy or culturally relevant tourist destinations. You wouldn’t want your trip to go sour because of a misunderstanding or penalty for breaking the rules.
Pay special attention to the specifics of sacred spaces or heritage sites that you plan to visit. Many temples around the world will require you to remove your shoes before entering, while mosques in Middle Eastern countries require that you cover your hair. Apart from dress codes, you’ll encounter several rules on making offerings, photography, or bowing. Before visiting, ensure you’re briefed about each religious site’s customs and traditions, and afford the same respect that you’d want to be paid for your own culture or religion.
Learn Local Table Manners
Knowing the local table manners of the country you’re visiting will demonstrate respect for the culture and prevent you from offending local diners or restaurateurs. In Japan, you should never stick your chopsticks upright in your food or pass food from chopstick to chopstick, as these practices are reminiscent of funeral rituals. In India, eating food using your right hand is customary, as the left hand is considered unclean. Understanding and respecting local table manners will help you enjoy a more pleasant dining experience.
Traveling is a fantastic way to widen your cultural appreciation and learn about the world around you. But it falls on you to honor the culture of the place you’re visiting and the hospitality of its locals by being a considerate tourist. You won’t regret researching more about other cultures, values, religious beliefs, and languages, as these will all contribute to a positive and memorable travel experience.
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