Don’t keep all valuables in one place .Tourists mine as well walk around with enormous red bulls-eyes on their faces; they are the easiest targets for practiced thieves and pickpocket experts. Leaving a passport, social security card, photo ID, and cash in one pocket, wallet, or purse (even if it zips) is tourist suicide. All it takes is one escalator ride, one sit-down lunch, one crowded metro exit, and before you realize what happened, it’s far too late.
Whenever possible, leave a passport and social security card locked in a secure place at home, whether that be in a hotel, a hostel, or an apartment. If you don’t have a safe and absolutely must carry those items, wear a money belt underneath your shirt, and zip the items in separate compartments. The key is to keep valuables out of site and in different places. Never leave a purse hanging over a chair during lunch, avoid placing cash in back pockets, and most-importantly, be aware of your surroundings.
Some of these lessons are ones that you can only truly learn (and appreciate) after going through certain experiences. But to err on the side of safety (and fun while abroad), it is important to keep a list of “To Don’t”
Stop talking about how “cheap” everything is.
For starters, things aren’t as cheap as you think they are, and most of you don’t really have a clue about currency conversion. Secondly, if it is cheap, it may not be cheap to the people who live there and have to listen to you talk like you’re King Midas. It’s rude, so keep your remarks to yourself until your back in your hotel room.
Stop talking so loud.
This is one of the most obnoxious things tourists do. If you’re in a bar where it’s loud and you have be loud to hear yourself, great, go for it. But if you’re in a nice restaurant, or club, or shop, etc. – try to be more quite, even whispering if that is possible.
Read something about the country you’re visiting before you get on the plane.
Did you know that most Americans think the Czech Republic is still Czechoslovakia? John McCain is one of them. And, did you know that most, who realize it isn’t, think only the name has changed? And that those who realize it’s now two separate countries, still don’t realize the Czechs and Slovaks are two different peoples who speak two different languages?
Do not assume people speak English.
Guess what? In the whole of Europe, the only place you’re guaranteed to hear English is in the UK. Do not wander in Germany or France and expect the locals to speak English with you, and don’t give them a dirty look if they can’t. How many do you speak?
Don’t assume people don’t speak English.
Even if they say they can’t speak English, most people do speak enough to understand whether or not you’re speaking rudely about them. Just because the waitress doesn’t know the name of that fancy drink you’re asking for, doesn’t mean she won’t spit in your food while you snub her to your friends. Get some manners, or order room service.
Don’t get into pointless political arguments.
Whether you agree or disagree with Country politics, don’t get into it with the locals. Even if you agree with them, you’re bound to make a fool of yourself, as most of them know more about your country’s leaders and policies than you do. If you insist on debating anyway, please do it quietly.
Don’t “educate” people.
Don’t try to explain life and other complexities to the locals; they’re often quite educated and they tend to take school pretty seriously, even at a young age.
Don’t talk about how much better something is in your home country.
It’s obnoxious to do so. That and it’s something you’re unqualified to comment on unless you’ve actually lived in both. Yes, some things are better in your country, and, believe it or not, some things are better in their country.
Please feel free to add your own “To Don’t” suggestions!
View the Original article
0 comments:
Post a Comment