Do's and Dont's (All around the world)
 

I have one year left until I get my degree then I want to start planning for a RTW trip.

From reading journals of other travelers and just common sense says that all around the world there are different customs and general ways-of-life. Things that might seem absurd and out-of-place in america could be common in India (for example) and vis versa.

As an american, what customs should I be aware of in other countries so that I don't make an arse out of myself?

I started a little word document and plan on keeping a record of random 'rules' and tips one should follow in different lands.

For example: Some places you are not supposed to wear shoes, or you shouldn't use your right hand to shake hands in some places (or was it left?).

That kind of stuff.

Enlighten me people http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi New Member,
It would be nice to have such a thing as "The 10 Commandments for World Travellers," a kind of constitution that lays down certain laws, which absolutely ought to be observed. However, as soon as we would have such a document, or, stone tablets, there would immediately follow a number of amendments, which the dictionary defines as "a change for the better."
Having been around the block several times (now at age 68), I have learned that the best approach to this problem should be eclectic: (1) Act as a human being; i.e. don't attach a label to yourself, such as American, Canadian, German, Russian, Arab, or Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, etc. In other words, don't stuff your ethnicity, nationality, political or religious conviction down the throats of the people in whose country you are a guest. Be open-minded and tolerant. The whole world, even Americans and Canadians, cooks with water. (2) Smile a lot, look around, and do as the others do (here I don't mean to imitate criminal behaviour). If they eat with the fingers of their right hand, try to do likewise. If you don't succeed, laugh it off and ask for a spoon. (3) Always remember that you are a guest in their country, and remember that you don't like your guests to try to change your way of life, even to criticize it. So, open your mouth only to eat, smile, and say nice things.
Observing the previous three points (with several amendments) should get you around the world without major problems.

Things to read:
* The "Adventure Motorcycling Handbook" by Chris Scott.
It's primary target is motorcycling RTW but there is plenty of general information.
* Travel stories on this and other sites offer much information (and are fun to read)

hello,

i have no real global concrete idea after a few months (around 30) and a few kms (around 70 000) on the road :-)

but ... civility, politeness, respect rules are universal, like sports and smiles ...

everybody, every country, every way of travelling is same same but different ...

people who welcome you when you re travelling usually make the difference between you, as an individual, and the citizenship / nationality / governement / economy / politics / religion you belong.

personnaly, i never talk about religion and politics when travelling, especially in countries where it s not same religion or politics as mine (france).

travelling is not so difficult, it s about about common sense and logic, like at home.

more in details, you ll find basic dos and donts in every guidebook like lonely planet for example for each country.

happy trails

I own Chris Scott's book (and a bunch other moto/adventure books).

I guess I was wondering if there are things that people have said/done that seemed fine, but later found out were inappropriate for the place and time.

Like in Argentina on the second thursday of the 3rd month in a leap year its considered rude to wear blue hats.
Obviously that's made up, but just trying to illustrate a point.

I understand that there is no magic handbook for behavior around the world and that in general it's best to act humble and pleasant. Beyond that though, I was just seeing if there are any specific out-of-the-ordinary things people have learned.

Thanks for the replies though.

-Chris

I think we should start a listing of all such stuff - it will eventually be a very useful resource. So feel free to post your info here. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

like here in australia we don,t drink fosters lager, that is a myth, so by drinking that you will stand out as a visitor, its important stuff like this that make the difference when travelling (lol) the others are pretty right though, when you can't speak the local lingo a good cracking smile will get you a long way amd don't be critical of there local ways ,even if you don't like it too much ,blend in an absorb there culture (as much as a white guy on a big motorbike can )and enjoy

about blue hats on the 3rd month...( they such a bunch of jokers...) lol
But you want to piss them off?... tell them that dulce de leche is an Uruguayan invention... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/tongue.gif , or even worst... just tell them that Pele was way much better than Maradona... now they'll really go crazy...! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/mad.gif


[This message has been edited by Diablo (edited 17 May 2005).]

Hi
Great thread.
I have a very long list of questions i once prepared. which i go through before i go on a long bike trip.To answer them all i must do some work, and it ensure me i'm ready. the list is quite long but i have a special sub list dealing with getting ready meeting locals on the route. i found that i need to know basic 10 words in thire language for:
peace.where.food.water.fuel.medic.mechanic.god.tha nks.money (and learn how to say "I'm a friend of Schwarzenegger" http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif)-most of the words can be said with and language
but notice are there any hand signs that can insult?
Do i carry any pics sings or books that can offend?
How to contact women? ect.

Ho, and go buy Criss Scott's book
and ask HU http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
yoni

treat people with respect .... and you be respected .... thats what i find ... as others have said ...even if you think they are a complete arse-hole just smile ..it throws them !!!!!

Dont be afraid to make stuff up if it will get you out of a sticky situation. I arrived in Morocco at exactly the same time the Bush/Blair combo were charging into Iraq. I had a few irate Moroccans come up to me in the street and very aggresively ask if I was British/American (I'm Scottish). I told them i was from New Zealand and this placated them a lot. (Although I had to try and talk knowledgably about the All Blacks to a bloke in the convenience store!). Everybody is just like everybody else really and whilst you may get a few tossers I was happy to note that while most Moroccans seemed opposed to the war they didn't hold me personally responsible, even the ones that new I was British (which was all the ones I met in more relaxed circumstances, don't think I was going around constantly pretending to be a Kiwi!). I think this goes for most places in the world.
matt

Hi Matt
You had to see me riding near Athens with a tiny stiscker flag of Israel on my jacket. i forgot about that but one guy gust hit me on my back with a stick, and i had to run for my life.
Yoni

I think it's good to talk about politics. Go to a Muslim country and tell them we have as much control over what our politicians do as they have over theirs! In countries where drinking isn't the biggest pass time talking politics usually is, it would be strange to be unable to discuss it. If they can see you have an opinion and can discuss it intelligently no one will be upset, they'll probably enjoy the encounter and you might learn something. I've never had a problem with this and I'm very opinionated, though open to new ideas. I do know when to back off though as well ;-)

Also you might notice that in the west we smile at a stranger to show openness and friendliness. In many countries they don't and someone who goes around smiling madly at everyone will look quite moronic!

Be real with people!!

One specific thing i came across in Morocco was the way to share a tajine. Eat the vegetables first, then when there's just a pile of meat left share it out so everyone is sure of getting a bit. I had people tell me Europeans don't care about others because they don't share their meat. Even kids know you have to do that! In all the hotels around Erg Chebbi they get around this by making tajines with mince meat so it's pre-shared. What they don't see is that traditionally we not only share the meat but we share the veg too with separate plates ;-) How easy it is to give a bad impression!

happy travels

R Be careful which countries in which you talk politics. You may have an enjoyable conversation, however, your hosts may not be so happy with the conversation they have with the authorities after you leave. The consequences can be dire in the extreme. I know of instances where people have been sacked because a well-meaning tourist criticised the government in a conversation with them (no, it was not me, thankfully).

John



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BTO APAW
One day I'm gunna......

Which countries do you mean?

I expect in some countries "talk about" should be restricted to inquiring on the feelings of real people, thats the best thing about actually going somewhere yourself, you no longer have to rely on the media for the picture.

If it's dangerous for them to just talk to a foreigner (where would that be these days?) presumably they wouldn't, but it'd be up to them.

It should be underlined that NOWHERE should you tell people how you think anything should be THERE. But who would be so arrogant as to think they know any foreign country well enough to do that?

My politics isn't based on economic or political imperatives as a real politicians would be but on humanist / idealist values shared by most and I've not upset anyone yet. I've had incredible encounters with all sorts of people that have left us with renewed hope as it becomes clear we all share the same hopes and aspirations for humanity. And not a few hangovers ;-)

Don't get paranoid about all this or you'll miss the greatest opportunity presented by travel.