5 Concepts for How to be a Good Traveler

I feel like when I'm off to a new place, whether in my own country or not, I want to be a good guest. People travel for many reasons but mine is the opportunity to immerse myself in a new place and with that comes trying to not be 'that traveler' [or see Rants from a Sassy Stew] but really experiencing the place I've chosen to go.

Read up before you go

Know what's what. Read up on travel sites or TripAdvisor comments or in a guidebook [I've found Rick Steves gives good, practical advice] what the local customs are, such as:

• Typical dinner time? (10pm in Spain)
• What to expect for breakfast (meats & cheese in many parts of Europe) 
• Is there a holiday while you are there that will close historic sites or banks? 
• When is the best time to visit certain sites (i.e.: Eiffel Tower first thing in the morning, provided it's not summer!) 
• Are the beaches sandy, pebbles or rocky? Do you need to bring your own towels? 

Dress the part

Is it a place that has religious customs that expect a certain type of dress such as a head scarf or no bare arms. Or are you going somewhere that has topless or clothing optional beaches? The Cote d'Azure was a real eye opener on my first trip there. Shorts are also questionable in some places and so are sneakers. Even the color of your clothes can be 'problematic' [white in Japan is for funerals.]

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Cote d'Azure rocky and topless beaches

Try the local cuisine

Don't be a wimp! Eat what and more importantly WHERE the locals eat. Ask the front desk people if you're at a hotel, ask locals or a police officer - they always know where to eat, even outside the US! Be polite when ordering if you're not sure what something is on the menu. Ask the server what they recommend or is there a house speciality.

Caribbean lobster

Beyoglu Fish Market, Istanbul

France

Always learn a few key words in the local language 

This is where I get to tell you that PLEASE and THANK YOU get you SO far anywhere you go. If you can manage other key words or phrases, that will make your trip an even bigger success. Just making the effort will mean a lot to a local!

Be polite

This really doesn't need an explanation. Just be nice.

To quote Rick Steves:

"Go as a guest; act like one and you'll be treated like one. In travel, too, you reap what you sow."