There are many places that may not be fun to travel to these days.
And I'm not talking about the obvious reasons like wars and political unrest.
I'm talking about the fact that the locals are not friendly towards visitors. 🫵
For example, in places like Spain or Italy, locals are getting tired of swarms of tourists taking over their cities. This is mainly because these tourists drive up prices so high that locals can no longer afford to live there.
I'm not going to claim I know how to fix this complex situation in this newsletter. Maybe I'll write more about it in another issue.
So if you're traveling to some of these hotspots, here are some tips to be more respectful when visiting areas where tensions might be high.
- Travel with locals when possible. They'll look out for you and help keep you safe. When people see you traveling with locals, it's harder for them to dismiss you as just another tourist. Also, if anything bad happens, locals will usually stick up for you. I've had several experiences where locals were able to stand up for me
and de-escalate difficult situations.
- Wear appropriate clothes for the country you're visiting. This is about respecting other cultures' norms. Yes, you can wear whatever you want, but don't be surprised by the reactions you might get. Remember, traveling to a country is like entering someone else's home, so their standards may differ from yours. Save your "anything goes" attitude for back home. As Americans, we often feel
we can do whatever we want, but that mindset is very "American." In reality, many cultures don't share this perspective.
- Travel in groups when possible. People are less likely to harass
a group than a single person. Just be careful because when traveling with a large group, it can be easy to get rowdy and cause a disturbance, which would upset locals.
- Watch your volume level. Americans are often perceived as being loud, whether in restaurants, on public transportation, or in other public spaces. I think it's because American culture embraces the "bigger is better" mentality. However, not every culture
operates this way. Remember that you're in someone else's home. Also, it's hard to be annoyed with someone who's quiet and respectful.
- Remember that you're an ambassador for your country. Like it or not, people judge your entire nation based on your actions. I know, it's unfair! But we do it too! We all make judgments about other countries based on the tourists we encounter. So be kind and respectful. This mindset helps
because Americans can easily let loose when traveling. I get it — in American culture, we often work so hard that when vacation time comes, we let loose like "kindergarteners at recess" — sometimes too much.
- Learn a few words in the local language. The quickest way to annoy locals is to approach them speaking only English. Learning even basic phrases shows respect. It's harder for someone to be unkind to a person who's
making an effort to respect their culture.
- Limit nighttime activities. People are known to do stupid things at night, especially when drinking. It's better to avoid putting yourself
in risky situations and consider turning in early.
- Know where your country's embassy or consulate is located. If problems arise, it's always good to have this information on hand to ensure your safety. For more details, check out my article "What to Do When an Emergency Strikes While Traveling Abroad".
Overall, try these tips on your next trip. Honestly, there have been times when I've traveled overseas and felt embarrassed by the behavior of other Americans...
So maybe it's really about just not being a jerk.
Keep traveling,
Andrew
Have you ever visited a place where you could tell the locals were tired of tourists? How did you handle it?