March 13, 2025 • 21 mins
In this episode, we tackle the crucial topic of respectful travel and how to avoid the all-too-common pitfalls that turn people into "bad tourists." From respecting local customs to understanding food etiquette, we discuss ten essential tips to ensure your travels are both enjoyable and considerate to the cultures you are visiting.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Bob Bales (00:00):
Hi and welcome to the Traveling Fool.
I'm your host, Bob Bales, andif you're new here, well, this
is the spot where we explore themost intriguing aspects of
travel, culture and history.
Today's episode is all abouthow not to be a bad tourist.
Because, let's be real, we'veall seen that person.
You know the one that's yellingor talking real loud in a
(00:22):
religious place like a temple ora church in Europe, or treating
a local market like it's theirpersonal photo studio.
Well, yeah, we're not going tobe them, so stay tuned and we'll
be welcome back.
I've got a list of 10 things toavoid when you travel.
(00:52):
Hi and welcome back.
I've got a list of 10 things toavoid when you travel.
Practical, some are funny,always useful stuff that I
picked up from my own adventuresand, okay, a few cringeworthy
(01:17):
mistakes.
So grab your coffee or yourpassport if you're feeling
inspired and let's get into it.
First up, don't ignore localcustoms.
This one's huge.
You wouldn't walk intograndma's house and start
rearranging your furniture,right?
Well, the same thing applieswhen you're a guest in someone
(01:39):
else's country.
Five minutes of research ondress codes or basic greetings
can save you from being thattourist, whether it's taking off
your shoes in Japan, oravoiding pointing with your feet
in parts of Southeast Asia.
Yes, people do that.
I don't know why, but they do.
Knowing the norms shows respectand honestly.
(02:01):
It makes your trip a lotsmoother.
While in the US, tipping atrestaurants is ingrained in our
culture.
Some hate it, some are all forit, but in other countries it's
considered rude to tip.
When I was in Nepal, we visiteda lot of temples and it's
customary to take your shoes offbefore entering a Buddhist
(02:22):
temple.
At one temple, I saw someoneentering without doing that and
only got a step or two insidebefore everyone gasped.
Some were starting to point athis feet, a few were just
getting downright angry, andsome things are outright illegal
.
Like disrespecting the royalfamily in Thailand.
In 2007, a Swiss tourist wassentenced to 10 years in prison
(02:47):
for defacing portraits of theroyal family.
In fact, the penalty forinsulting the king, queen, heir
apparent or regent is a jailterm of 3 to 15 years for each
offense, and there have beenpeople sentenced to 30, 40, 50
years in prison for this.
And in Singapore, you can befined up to $1,000 for spitting
(03:10):
on the street.
So before you go to anothercountry, spend a little time
researching the customs andetiquette of the country you're
traveling to Might save you aheadache, all right.
Number two don't be loud andobnoxious.
This one's a stereotype for areason.
Looking at you, fellowAmericans although we're not
alone.
(03:30):
I was enjoying a beer at arestaurant in the Philippines
one time and sitting outside atthe patio right next to the
roadway, and this Australian guya couple of tables over is
talking real loud, complainingabout everything how the food in
the Philippines is no good, theservice is slow and how
(03:52):
everything is better at home.
Everyone's staring at him.
Although I don't usually engagepeople like this, I finally
told him to shut up, and if hehated the country that much, why
visit?
Just go back home.
Here's the thing, and it goesback to learning the customs
compared to the United States orsome other countries.
The fact is, in the Philippines, the service at restaurants is
(04:15):
slow, and the reason is theywant to leave you alone to enjoy
your meal.
In the US, the waiter orwaitress will bring you a bill,
sometimes before you even finisheating.
They want you out to free uproom for another customer.
However, in the Philippines,there's no big rush.
(04:36):
You have to motion to someoneand tell them that you are ready
to pay.
It's very laid back and theyactually have great customer
service.
And another thing you want towatch how loud you're talking.
To a lot of us we talk at anormal level, but in other
countries they consider thisextremely loud and rude.
(04:57):
It's not about silencing yourexcitement.
It's about reading the room.
Just observe how the locals act.
In some places you don't talkon your phone on public
transport or at restaurants andcafes or in public in general.
Just match what the locals aredoing and you'll blend in better
(05:18):
and, honestly, it's more fun tosoak in the atmosphere than to
overpower it.
All right, we're rolling throughthis list.
I hope you're taking notes andif you've got a travel pet peeve
of your own, hit me up onFacebook, the Traveling Fool, or
email me at editor@thetravelingfool.
com.
I'd love to hear it.
(05:40):
NowNow, number three, don't litter
or damage sites.
This one's a no-brainer, but ithappens all the time.
I've seen people throwingthings in the water while
traveling by boat in Asia andleaving trash laying around on
the beaches.
These places aren't just prettybackdrops for your Instagram.
They're history, culture andsomeone else's home.
(06:02):
The same thing goes forscratching your name into stuff
Looking at you.
Coliseum fanboys.
That's right.
In 2023, a tourist carved Ivanand Hayley 23.
I guess Hayley's his girlfriend.
They carved it into a2,000-year-old wall at the
Coliseum in Rome.
His excuse Well, I didn't know, it was that old.
(06:27):
Then, in 2024, a Ukrainiantourist carved his name onto the
walls of the Colosseum.
I mean, you have to be aspecial kind of moron to deface
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Almost every month you readabout a tourist somewhere posing
nude at a religious site orchipping a piece of brick from
(06:51):
an old historic building orbreaking a piece off of a
priceless sculpture.
It's like a left home turnedinto a three-year-old toddler on
a sugar rush and run rampantwhen they get to a foreign
country.
So pack out your trash, leaveno trace and don't do stupid
(07:11):
stuff for Instagram or TikTok,and let's keep these spots
gorgeous for the next traveler.
I mean, it's the least we cando, alright?
Number four Don't haggleaggressively.
NowNow I love visiting markets in
foreign countries.
It's not just the ones cateringto the tourists.
Markets are where you find thelocals and you can really get a
(07:32):
good glimpse of everyday lifeand meet some really interesting
and friendly people.
In a lot of overseas locations,haggling or bargaining is part
of everyday life.
But before you go, see ifthat's the case where you're
headed.
And let's face it, in a lot ofplaces they'll inflate the price
of something just because youare a tourist and don't know
(07:53):
what the usual price is.
But there's a line.
In Thailand.
I watched this tourist argueover a scarf for like 20 minutes
to say what amounted to beabout 50 cents.
The vendor well, he just lookedplain defeated.
A lot of places have thoseiconic souvenirs that everyone
buys.
In Nepal it was singing bowls.
(08:15):
If you don't know what asinging bowl is, google it.
Or Himalayan salt or handmadepapers.
Here's a tip A lot of thesestores will sell the same iconic
souvenir.
So when you go in, just tellthem hey, I just stopped in to
look real quick, but I want towait until I'm ready to leave
(08:36):
the country before buying mysouvenirs and just check out the
prices.
Go to a couple of shops andcompare prices.
Then you have a base to startbargaining.
But remember, bargaining ispart of the fun in some cultures
and almost expected.
But it's not a battle to thedeath.
If it's a fair price andthey're not budging.
(08:56):
Well, just buy it or don't buyit, but don't sit there and
argue for 30 to 40 minutes overit.
These folks are supportingfamilies.
They're not running a corporateempire, and I found that a
smile and a little flexibilitywill get you a whole lot further
and sometimes a better dealthan just digging in your heels.
(09:17):
Next up, number five.
Don't take photos withoutpermission.
In the United States, you cantake photos anywhere in public.
If you are standing on thesidewalk or in a public place,
you can take photos of anythingyou can see.
That includes people, buildings, military installations.
(09:42):
It does not matter.
As long as you are in a publicplace and can see it, then you
can take a photo.
Some people might get upset,but it's perfectly legal.
That is not the case in a lotof other countries.
When I was in Nepal, I saw thisholy man.
(10:02):
Now holy men dress veryvibrantly in vibrant colors and
they have vibrant colors paintedon their face and just all
kinds of.
I mean it's very, well, theystand out, trust me, and I was
just totally mesmerized by allthese colors and the striking
(10:24):
appearance and I took a coupleof photos.
Well, afterward he held out hishand and I thought to myself,
you want me to pay you?
Well, thank goodness, at thatmoment one of the Nepalese I was
traveling with kind of nudgedme and said you know, it's
customary to pay these guys whenyou take their photo.
They don't work, that's howthey make their living.
(10:45):
Now the customary fee was lessthan a dollar.
I didn't know that before Itook the photo, but I mean it's
not any big deal.
I just didn't know that thatwas the custom.
But in some places taking photosof government buildings,
military or police personnel canget you arrested.
Now I always ask, even if it'sjust kind of nod and point to my
(11:10):
camera.
And kids especially, parents donot love strangers zooming in
on their little ones, but I'vetaken a lot of photos of kids.
I found that if you ask, hey,can I take a picture, you know
they're like sure, go ahead.
I've taken pictures of kids andgrownups and everything.
I just ask permission first.
(11:30):
Some people say no.
But 90% of the time, they'remore than happy to get a photo
taken of them.
It's a small gesture that keepsthings respectful and can even
lead to a really cool chat, infact.
I'll give you an example.
I was traveling with a couple offriends in Greece.
We went there for two or threedays and, frankly, we got lost.
(11:51):
We found ourselves in thislittle small town, but it was
such a cool little town they hadnext to the houses there was
little shrines that they hadlittle.
We saw them in almost everystreet.
And next to this one house wasa vineyard and there was a lady
working in the vineyard and shewas just the typical Greek
grandmother I mean, she couldhave stepped out of a movie
(12:15):
somewhere and she come walkingout and she looked at us as we
were taking a picture of thislittle shrine and she asked us
if we were tourists, in brokenEnglish.
We said yes and she was just sohappy to see us because
tourists didn't come to herlittle village.
Like I said, we were lost.
We were driving around in arental car and got lost, but
(12:36):
because the way she looked andeverything and she was friendly,
I asked her.
I said can I take your photo?
And she was like, absolutely.
So then we took her photo.
She wound up bringing freshgrapes out of her vineyard for
us, brought wine out of thehouse, called her son to come
out and meet us and we sat thereand talked to her for like 30
minutes, had a great chat and,to tell you the truth, candid
(12:57):
shots are just overrated.
The connection is where thereal story is.
Who knows, you might meetsomeone really nice.
Okay, number six, and this one'sanother photo don't do.
Don't block pathways or views,whether you're taking a photo or
just standing in there.
And this one's a pet peeve ofmine, because I take a lot of
(13:17):
photos and I don't want photosfull of people taking selfies.
I sometimes have to wait for 30minutes just for people to get
out of the way so I can take aphoto.
Now I know how much you lovethat selfie overlooking a
waterfall or on the beach, buttake it and move along.
I've seen people walk in frontof others to take photos,
(13:37):
blocking other people's views,doing live videos lasting 10
minutes or more, standingdirectly in front of something
and just oblivious to thebehavior and oblivious to the
crowd that's standing behindthem.
Plus, how would you like it if,all day long, someone was
standing on your street blockingtraffic or getting in the way
(13:59):
while they took photos or videos?
Chances are you'd go after themwith a broom or something else.
I mean, look, I get it.
Get the shot, but don't plantyourself like a statue on a busy
street or hog the alley or thestreet for half an hour.
Step aside, let others enjoy ittoo.
(14:20):
It's like holding the door forsomeone.
It's just basic travel courtesy.
Keep the flow going and you'llavoid those passive-aggressive
glares from locals and touristsalike.
Well, we're just a little overhalfway through.
I want to ask you a questionhave you ever botched an
overseas trip or done somethingthat you just cringed about?
(14:44):
If so, drop me a message on theTraveling Fool or tag me on
Facebook.
I'd love to hear your stories.
All right, number seven don'tignore local food etiquette.
Food is one of my favoriteparts of travel.
I mean seriously.
I love new foods, local cuisine, even in the States.
I like to go to locally ownedplaces, but every place has its
(15:06):
rules.
In Japan, slurping noodles is acompliment.
A quick Google search on diningnorms or etiquette should save
you from making a really badmistake.
Things like sticking yourchopsticks into a bowl of rice
in Japan is considereddisrespectful, since that is a
practice reserved for funerals,where the tradition of living
(15:29):
rice for the deceased withchopsticks sticking up in the
rice is practiced.
In other countries you don'teat food with your left hand.
It's considered unsanitary.
You don't cut your pasta inItaly and in many places in Asia
, when an elder offers you foodor drink, you accept it with
both hands to show respect.
(15:50):
The little things go a long wayand show that you respect the
culture and you'll be accepted awhole lot better.
I've seen this so many timesSomeone yelling do you have
(16:10):
water?
Like?
Volume is the magic key, nownewsflash is not.
I've seen a lot of people getmad because someone doesn't
speak English.
I've heard comments like well,these people should learn to
speak English if they want us tovisit.
Well, hey, here's a novelthought.
Why don't you learn a few wordsin the host country language,
(16:32):
things like hello, thank you,please?
It's not about fluency, it'sabout the effort.
There's apps you can downloadthat will help you.
In fact, a lot of newer phoneseven offer live translation.
Just speak into the phone andit will repeat what you said in
their language.
You'll get better service.
You'll get warm smiles and astory.
(16:54):
That's not well.
I had to shout at the waiterfor 10 minutes and he still
didn't understand me.
Number nine don't treat localslike props.
This one's big.
I saw a tourist ask a farmer topose for him while he was
working, just because it wouldlook cool online.
The guy was clearlyuncomfortable but he did it and
(17:17):
probably walked away sayingstupid tourist, you know, that's
not a memory, that's a powertrip.
People aren't there to makeyour Instagram feed or your
TikTok exotic.
They're just living their life.
Some countries have a lot ofpoor people or small villages
that have nowhere near thetechnology and comfort that
(17:39):
small towns in the US have, andI've seen people that want to
get photos of them and justinvade their privacy and
everything.
Well, chat with them for sure,but don't turn them into your
personal cast and something foryou to get on social media and
talk about.
I've had some of my best travelmoments, like having drinks
(18:02):
with locals or just talking topeople, because I saw them as
people and not photo ops.
And now we come to number 10.
And we could go on and on, I'msure, but this is a list of 10.
Disrespecting wildlife you don'thave to travel to a foreign
(18:23):
country to see examples of thisone.
Places like Yellowstone areoverrun by stupid tourists that
do not respect the wildlife.
Every week, some idiot atYellowstone walks up to a bison
or an elk to get a selfie,sometimes with funny results
having them running, stumblingand falling as the animal
charges towards him andsometimes with disastrous
(18:44):
endings.
Recently, a tourist in theCaribbean wanted to get a photo
of a shark, so she swam near theshark in order to get a selfie,
only to have the shark attackand bite off both of her hands.
Yes, that happened.
People seem to lose their mindswhen they travel and get
themselves into dangeroussituations with wildlife.
(19:07):
These are not house pets,they're wild animals.
Even if you're on a safari or awildlife tour, they're wild
animals.
Trying to get likes on socialmedia with a selfie of you and a
wild animal isn't worth it andit's just plain stupid.
(19:27):
And sometimes tourists don'tget in dangerous situations,
they just disturb the localwildlife.
There have been places thatclosed to the public because
tourists did not respect thewildlife and it ruined it for
everybody.
Just use a little common sense.
They're wild animals.
(19:49):
Take your photos, but don't tryto get a selfie with a tiger.
That's just stupid.
And there you have it 10 ways tonot be that tourist.
I hope this list sparked a fewideas for your next trip.
What do you think?
Anything you would add?
Send me an email at editor, atthetravelingfoolcom, or drop a
(20:13):
review wherever you're listening.
I hope you get a chance totravel somewhere new very soon
and have a great adventure.
So until next time, safetravels.
Hi and welcome to the Traveling Fool.
I'm your host, Bob Bales, andif you're new here, well, this
is the spot where we explore themost intriguing aspects of
travel, culture and history.
Today's episode is all abouthow not to be a bad tourist.
Because, let's be real, we'veall seen that person.
You know the one that's yellingor talking real loud in a
(00:22):
religious place like a temple ora church in Europe, or treating
a local market like it's theirpersonal photo studio.
Well, yeah, we're not going tobe them, so stay tuned and we'll
be welcome back.
I've got a list of 10 things toavoid when you travel.
(00:52):
Hi and welcome back.
I've got a list of 10 things toavoid when you travel.
Practical, some are funny,always useful stuff that I
picked up from my own adventuresand, okay, a few cringeworthy
(01:17):
mistakes.
So grab your coffee or yourpassport if you're feeling
inspired and let's get into it.
First up, don't ignore localcustoms.
This one's huge.
You wouldn't walk intograndma's house and start
rearranging your furniture,right?
Well, the same thing applieswhen you're a guest in someone
(01:39):
else's country.
Five minutes of research ondress codes or basic greetings
can save you from being thattourist, whether it's taking off
your shoes in Japan, oravoiding pointing with your feet
in parts of Southeast Asia.
Yes, people do that.
I don't know why, but they do.
Knowing the norms shows respectand honestly.
(02:01):
It makes your trip a lotsmoother.
While in the US, tipping atrestaurants is ingrained in our
culture.
Some hate it, some are all forit, but in other countries it's
considered rude to tip.
When I was in Nepal, we visiteda lot of temples and it's
customary to take your shoes offbefore entering a Buddhist
(02:22):
temple.
At one temple, I saw someoneentering without doing that and
only got a step or two insidebefore everyone gasped.
Some were starting to point athis feet, a few were just
getting downright angry, andsome things are outright illegal
.
Like disrespecting the royalfamily in Thailand.
In 2007, a Swiss tourist wassentenced to 10 years in prison
(02:47):
for defacing portraits of theroyal family.
In fact, the penalty forinsulting the king, queen, heir
apparent or regent is a jailterm of 3 to 15 years for each
offense, and there have beenpeople sentenced to 30, 40, 50
years in prison for this.
And in Singapore, you can befined up to $1,000 for spitting
(03:10):
on the street.
So before you go to anothercountry, spend a little time
researching the customs andetiquette of the country you're
traveling to Might save you aheadache, all right.
Number two don't be loud andobnoxious.
This one's a stereotype for areason.
Looking at you, fellowAmericans although we're not
alone.
(03:30):
I was enjoying a beer at arestaurant in the Philippines
one time and sitting outside atthe patio right next to the
roadway, and this Australian guya couple of tables over is
talking real loud, complainingabout everything how the food in
the Philippines is no good, theservice is slow and how
(03:52):
everything is better at home.
Everyone's staring at him.
Although I don't usually engagepeople like this, I finally
told him to shut up, and if hehated the country that much, why
visit?
Just go back home.
Here's the thing, and it goesback to learning the customs
compared to the United States orsome other countries.
The fact is, in the Philippines, the service at restaurants is
(04:15):
slow, and the reason is theywant to leave you alone to enjoy
your meal.
In the US, the waiter orwaitress will bring you a bill,
sometimes before you even finisheating.
They want you out to free uproom for another customer.
However, in the Philippines,there's no big rush.
(04:36):
You have to motion to someoneand tell them that you are ready
to pay.
It's very laid back and theyactually have great customer
service.
And another thing you want towatch how loud you're talking.
To a lot of us we talk at anormal level, but in other
countries they consider thisextremely loud and rude.
(04:57):
It's not about silencing yourexcitement.
It's about reading the room.
Just observe how the locals act.
In some places you don't talkon your phone on public
transport or at restaurants andcafes or in public in general.
Just match what the locals aredoing and you'll blend in better
(05:18):
and, honestly, it's more fun tosoak in the atmosphere than to
overpower it.
All right, we're rolling throughthis list.
I hope you're taking notes andif you've got a travel pet peeve
of your own, hit me up onFacebook, the Traveling Fool, or
email me at editor@thetravelingfool.
com.
I'd love to hear it.
(05:40):
NowNow, number three, don't litter
or damage sites.
This one's a no-brainer, but ithappens all the time.
I've seen people throwingthings in the water while
traveling by boat in Asia andleaving trash laying around on
the beaches.
These places aren't just prettybackdrops for your Instagram.
They're history, culture andsomeone else's home.
(06:02):
The same thing goes forscratching your name into stuff
Looking at you.
Coliseum fanboys.
That's right.
In 2023, a tourist carved Ivanand Hayley 23.
I guess Hayley's his girlfriend.
They carved it into a2,000-year-old wall at the
Coliseum in Rome.
His excuse Well, I didn't know, it was that old.
(06:27):
Then, in 2024, a Ukrainiantourist carved his name onto the
walls of the Colosseum.
I mean, you have to be aspecial kind of moron to deface
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Almost every month you readabout a tourist somewhere posing
nude at a religious site orchipping a piece of brick from
(06:51):
an old historic building orbreaking a piece off of a
priceless sculpture.
It's like a left home turnedinto a three-year-old toddler on
a sugar rush and run rampantwhen they get to a foreign
country.
So pack out your trash, leaveno trace and don't do stupid
(07:11):
stuff for Instagram or TikTok,and let's keep these spots
gorgeous for the next traveler.
I mean, it's the least we cando, alright?
Number four Don't haggleaggressively.
NowNow I love visiting markets in
foreign countries.
It's not just the ones cateringto the tourists.
Markets are where you find thelocals and you can really get a
(07:32):
good glimpse of everyday lifeand meet some really interesting
and friendly people.
In a lot of overseas locations,haggling or bargaining is part
of everyday life.
But before you go, see ifthat's the case where you're
headed.
And let's face it, in a lot ofplaces they'll inflate the price
of something just because youare a tourist and don't know
(07:53):
what the usual price is.
But there's a line.
In Thailand.
I watched this tourist argueover a scarf for like 20 minutes
to say what amounted to beabout 50 cents.
The vendor well, he just lookedplain defeated.
A lot of places have thoseiconic souvenirs that everyone
buys.
In Nepal it was singing bowls.
(08:15):
If you don't know what asinging bowl is, google it.
Or Himalayan salt or handmadepapers.
Here's a tip A lot of thesestores will sell the same iconic
souvenir.
So when you go in, just tellthem hey, I just stopped in to
look real quick, but I want towait until I'm ready to leave
(08:36):
the country before buying mysouvenirs and just check out the
prices.
Go to a couple of shops andcompare prices.
Then you have a base to startbargaining.
But remember, bargaining ispart of the fun in some cultures
and almost expected.
But it's not a battle to thedeath.
If it's a fair price andthey're not budging.
(08:56):
Well, just buy it or don't buyit, but don't sit there and
argue for 30 to 40 minutes overit.
These folks are supportingfamilies.
They're not running a corporateempire, and I found that a
smile and a little flexibilitywill get you a whole lot further
and sometimes a better dealthan just digging in your heels.
(09:17):
Next up, number five.
Don't take photos withoutpermission.
In the United States, you cantake photos anywhere in public.
If you are standing on thesidewalk or in a public place,
you can take photos of anythingyou can see.
That includes people, buildings, military installations.
(09:42):
It does not matter.
As long as you are in a publicplace and can see it, then you
can take a photo.
Some people might get upset,but it's perfectly legal.
That is not the case in a lotof other countries.
When I was in Nepal, I saw thisholy man.
(10:02):
Now holy men dress veryvibrantly in vibrant colors and
they have vibrant colors paintedon their face and just all
kinds of.
I mean it's very, well, theystand out, trust me, and I was
just totally mesmerized by allthese colors and the striking
(10:24):
appearance and I took a coupleof photos.
Well, afterward he held out hishand and I thought to myself,
you want me to pay you?
Well, thank goodness, at thatmoment one of the Nepalese I was
traveling with kind of nudgedme and said you know, it's
customary to pay these guys whenyou take their photo.
They don't work, that's howthey make their living.
(10:45):
Now the customary fee was lessthan a dollar.
I didn't know that before Itook the photo, but I mean it's
not any big deal.
I just didn't know that thatwas the custom.
But in some places taking photosof government buildings,
military or police personnel canget you arrested.
Now I always ask, even if it'sjust kind of nod and point to my
(11:10):
camera.
And kids especially, parents donot love strangers zooming in
on their little ones, but I'vetaken a lot of photos of kids.
I found that if you ask, hey,can I take a picture, you know
they're like sure, go ahead.
I've taken pictures of kids andgrownups and everything.
I just ask permission first.
(11:30):
Some people say no.
But 90% of the time, they'remore than happy to get a photo
taken of them.
It's a small gesture that keepsthings respectful and can even
lead to a really cool chat, infact.
I'll give you an example.
I was traveling with a couple offriends in Greece.
We went there for two or threedays and, frankly, we got lost.
(11:51):
We found ourselves in thislittle small town, but it was
such a cool little town they hadnext to the houses there was
little shrines that they hadlittle.
We saw them in almost everystreet.
And next to this one house wasa vineyard and there was a lady
working in the vineyard and shewas just the typical Greek
grandmother I mean, she couldhave stepped out of a movie
(12:15):
somewhere and she come walkingout and she looked at us as we
were taking a picture of thislittle shrine and she asked us
if we were tourists, in brokenEnglish.
We said yes and she was just sohappy to see us because
tourists didn't come to herlittle village.
Like I said, we were lost.
We were driving around in arental car and got lost, but
(12:36):
because the way she looked andeverything and she was friendly,
I asked her.
I said can I take your photo?
And she was like, absolutely.
So then we took her photo.
She wound up bringing freshgrapes out of her vineyard for
us, brought wine out of thehouse, called her son to come
out and meet us and we sat thereand talked to her for like 30
minutes, had a great chat and,to tell you the truth, candid
(12:57):
shots are just overrated.
The connection is where thereal story is.
Who knows, you might meetsomeone really nice.
Okay, number six, and this one'sanother photo don't do.
Don't block pathways or views,whether you're taking a photo or
just standing in there.
And this one's a pet peeve ofmine, because I take a lot of
(13:17):
photos and I don't want photosfull of people taking selfies.
I sometimes have to wait for 30minutes just for people to get
out of the way so I can take aphoto.
Now I know how much you lovethat selfie overlooking a
waterfall or on the beach, buttake it and move along.
I've seen people walk in frontof others to take photos,
(13:37):
blocking other people's views,doing live videos lasting 10
minutes or more, standingdirectly in front of something
and just oblivious to thebehavior and oblivious to the
crowd that's standing behindthem.
Plus, how would you like it if,all day long, someone was
standing on your street blockingtraffic or getting in the way
(13:59):
while they took photos or videos?
Chances are you'd go after themwith a broom or something else.
I mean, look, I get it.
Get the shot, but don't plantyourself like a statue on a busy
street or hog the alley or thestreet for half an hour.
Step aside, let others enjoy ittoo.
(14:20):
It's like holding the door forsomeone.
It's just basic travel courtesy.
Keep the flow going and you'llavoid those passive-aggressive
glares from locals and touristsalike.
Well, we're just a little overhalfway through.
I want to ask you a questionhave you ever botched an
overseas trip or done somethingthat you just cringed about?
(14:44):
If so, drop me a message on theTraveling Fool or tag me on
Facebook.
I'd love to hear your stories.
All right, number seven don'tignore local food etiquette.
Food is one of my favoriteparts of travel.
I mean seriously.
I love new foods, local cuisine, even in the States.
I like to go to locally ownedplaces, but every place has its
(15:06):
rules.
In Japan, slurping noodles is acompliment.
A quick Google search on diningnorms or etiquette should save
you from making a really badmistake.
Things like sticking yourchopsticks into a bowl of rice
in Japan is considereddisrespectful, since that is a
practice reserved for funerals,where the tradition of living
(15:29):
rice for the deceased withchopsticks sticking up in the
rice is practiced.
In other countries you don'teat food with your left hand.
It's considered unsanitary.
You don't cut your pasta inItaly and in many places in Asia
, when an elder offers you foodor drink, you accept it with
both hands to show respect.
(15:50):
The little things go a long wayand show that you respect the
culture and you'll be accepted awhole lot better.
I've seen this so many timesSomeone yelling do you have
(16:10):
water?
Like?
Volume is the magic key, nownewsflash is not.
I've seen a lot of people getmad because someone doesn't
speak English.
I've heard comments like well,these people should learn to
speak English if they want us tovisit.
Well, hey, here's a novelthought.
Why don't you learn a few wordsin the host country language,
(16:32):
things like hello, thank you,please?
It's not about fluency, it'sabout the effort.
There's apps you can downloadthat will help you.
In fact, a lot of newer phoneseven offer live translation.
Just speak into the phone andit will repeat what you said in
their language.
You'll get better service.
You'll get warm smiles and astory.
(16:54):
That's not well.
I had to shout at the waiterfor 10 minutes and he still
didn't understand me.
Number nine don't treat localslike props.
This one's big.
I saw a tourist ask a farmer topose for him while he was
working, just because it wouldlook cool online.
The guy was clearlyuncomfortable but he did it and
(17:17):
probably walked away sayingstupid tourist, you know, that's
not a memory, that's a powertrip.
People aren't there to makeyour Instagram feed or your
TikTok exotic.
They're just living their life.
Some countries have a lot ofpoor people or small villages
that have nowhere near thetechnology and comfort that
(17:39):
small towns in the US have, andI've seen people that want to
get photos of them and justinvade their privacy and
everything.
Well, chat with them for sure,but don't turn them into your
personal cast and something foryou to get on social media and
talk about.
I've had some of my best travelmoments, like having drinks
(18:02):
with locals or just talking topeople, because I saw them as
people and not photo ops.
And now we come to number 10.
And we could go on and on, I'msure, but this is a list of 10.
Disrespecting wildlife you don'thave to travel to a foreign
(18:23):
country to see examples of thisone.
Places like Yellowstone areoverrun by stupid tourists that
do not respect the wildlife.
Every week, some idiot atYellowstone walks up to a bison
or an elk to get a selfie,sometimes with funny results
having them running, stumblingand falling as the animal
charges towards him andsometimes with disastrous
(18:44):
endings.
Recently, a tourist in theCaribbean wanted to get a photo
of a shark, so she swam near theshark in order to get a selfie,
only to have the shark attackand bite off both of her hands.
Yes, that happened.
People seem to lose their mindswhen they travel and get
themselves into dangeroussituations with wildlife.
(19:07):
These are not house pets,they're wild animals.
Even if you're on a safari or awildlife tour, they're wild
animals.
Trying to get likes on socialmedia with a selfie of you and a
wild animal isn't worth it andit's just plain stupid.
(19:27):
And sometimes tourists don'tget in dangerous situations,
they just disturb the localwildlife.
There have been places thatclosed to the public because
tourists did not respect thewildlife and it ruined it for
everybody.
Just use a little common sense.
They're wild animals.
(19:49):
Take your photos, but don't tryto get a selfie with a tiger.
That's just stupid.
And there you have it 10 ways tonot be that tourist.
I hope this list sparked a fewideas for your next trip.
What do you think?
Anything you would add?
Send me an email at editor, atthetravelingfoolcom, or drop a
(20:13):
review wherever you're listening.
I hope you get a chance totravel somewhere new very soon
and have a great adventure.
So until next time, safetravels.
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