Every culture has its unique customs and traditions. Travel etiquette decomposes them to help teach you how to behave when you’re on trip so that you can represent yourself and your homeland well.
◇While you search for where to stay, eat, and sightsee at your destination, take customs and cultural sensitivities into consideration.
◇Accept the concept that because something is different, it is not ridiculous or wrong.
◇Think before you speak. If you would like to criticize or make jokes, hold your tongue. Humor is often misread or misinterpreted. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything.” Good advice.
◇Learn some simple words in the language of your destination. Even if your pronunciation is poor, words like “good morning”, “hello”, and “thank you” are appreciated.
◇Dress appropriately. Tourists are not allowed to enter The Vatican because they are wearing short pants and tank tops. Except for at a resort or on a cruise ship, shorts indicate you are a tourist and restrict admission to many shrines, temples, museums, restaurants and theatres. When you are in doubt, err on the side of a conservative dress.
◇Actions do speak louder than words. Body languages and non-verbal communication vary from culture to culture. A positive gesture in one country may be insulting in another culture. For example, making a circle with thumb and index finger to say okay indicates something is useless or filthy in some countries. In many cultures pointing or signaling with the index finger is irritating.
◇Some etiquette is good both at home and abroad, for example, hold the cigar, park the chewing gum, and be a considerate smoker. Choose a smoking area that doesn’t affect others. In some countries such as Singapore, chewing gum is illegal, so is littering. Violators incur heavy fines. Learn the rules and follow them.
◇Observe good photo etiquette. Travelers take a lot of photos from speeding tour buses, at performances, and of men, women and children on the street. Flash photography and video are not permitted at performances and museums. Photography of some private corporate or government areas may break the law. Photographing people without asking their consent infringes personal rights. It is better to ask before you aim that camera.