Travel advice: How to be a good traveler (and not an obnoxious tourist)

We have all been there. Whether at home or while abroad, we have all run into tourists that stuck out like a soar thumb and made us cringe at their behavior or inappropriate attire. Here are a couple of thoughts on how to be a good traveler (and not an obnoxious tourist).

Do some research

Before you set out on your trip, make sure to do some basic research on the country or countries that you plan on visiting. What are local customs? Is there a specific etiquette that you should be mindful of? Are certain clothes deemed inappropriate in public? Specifically when you come into contact with a culture that might be different from your own, it shows your good manners if you at least try to follow social norms as best as you can. Most locals will most likely forgive small missteps if they notice your effort and appreciate you trying.

Be mindful and respectful

When you travel, be mindful of your surroundings. What is everyone doing? Do you get the sense that there is silent consensus on appropriate or inappropriate behavior? When in doubt, follow other people’s lead. For example, if everyone on the local train is quiet, best keep your voice and other noises down. You don’t want to be considered disrespectful, rude or obnoxious.

Be humble & considerate

As a good guest to a country, it is always a good idea to stay humble and considerate. Don’t act entitled or like you own the place. Things might not always go as planned, but that is no reason to act out and be disrespectful to the people around you. Instead, stay polite whenever possible and ask for help when needed. Also, a smile goes a long way and can oftentimes even bridge language barriers.

Stay curious and open-minded

Please keep in mind that you are first and foremost a guest in the country that you are visiting. And as such it is wise to stay curious and open-minded without overextending your views and opinions. You might encounter cultures, views and customs that are very different from your own. But that does not necessarily make them better or worse… at the end they are most likely just… different. With that in mind, feel free to ask open-minded questions to better understand your host country. Just make sure to not openly criticize right away until you understand the local customs and history better and maybe even have gotten a chance to find our where your counterpart stands. Even then, be very diplomatic and mindful of your words. You want to avoid being considered rude, overbearing and/or ignorant.

Pick up some words and customs

With an estimated 7 100 languages spoken around the world, no one expects you to know every single one of them fluently (even though I would consider that a super power). But efforts on your part will most likely be well received: For example, try to learn a couple of general words and phrases in the local language, such as “hello”, “bye” and “thank you”. And if you don’t dare (like I did not for Thai since it is tonal and mispronunciations are bound to happen), consider picking up gestures (such as the Thai greeting of wai which consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion). Also keep in mind, that locals might be uncomfortable with English (or your respective native language) for fear of embarrassing themselves. Don’t shout or get frustrated when you are not understood right away. That might come across as even more intimidating. Instead try using simple words, rephrasing or using pantomime to make yourself understood. And again: A smile with that goes a long way.

How about you?
What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to tourist behavior?

Cover picture was taken at Wat Pho in Bangkok (Thailand) in Apr 2014