Whether you’re a seasoned world traveler or this is your first time visiting another country, you’re going to need some pointers on what to do and what not to do. This list of 10 travel tips should be enough for you to get by in most situations of caala list serve. If not, don’t worry! You’ll quickly find people are always eager and willing to help, no matter where you are in the world.
1. Try to learn the language.
This isn’t an absolute requirement, but it’s going to make your trip much smoother and more memorable. When you’re able to speak with the locals in their own language and let them know where you are from, there will be a sense of kinship that will allow them to be less suspicious of you and more willing to help you out. If nothing else, just learning a few simple phrases (“hello,” “goodbye,” “please,” “thank you”) and some numbers (“one,” “two,” “three”) will go a long way towards making your journey easier.
2. Learn about the country’s history.
If there’s one thing that every person on the planet knows, it’s the atrocities committed by their own country in the name of war. Even if you’re very far from home, you might be able to find information about your own country’s participation in a war somewhere, and hopefully this will help you understand the local customs better. For example, if you’re visiting a country where people generally hate their government or hate the idea of war, it may be best for you to avoid bringing up those very sensitive topics when talking with them.
3. Try to limit your plastic usage where possible.
There are some places in the world where plastic trash is simply not tolerated, which can potentially make things more dangerous for unwitting tourists. Try to buy food in the market or from street vendors when you can, and avoid using disposable single-use items as much as possible. If you do use them, make sure that you dispose of them properly afterwards.
4. Dress for the occasion.
When in Rome… dress like a Roman, right? Well, not exactly, but local custom will certainly come into play at some point during your trip. Whether it be dressing more conservatively than normal to fit in with the locals or dressing down so they don’t think you’re trying to put on airs, there are lots of ways that your attire can help or hinder you depending on where you are and who is around.
5. Don’t go to another country as a tourist.
The saying “when in Rome” definitely rings true with regards to traveling and visiting other countries, but it can also apply to the differences in culture between persons who’ve been given permission to have free reign of their respective countries and those who do not have that freedom. Being a tourist can be very dangerous if you aren’t well-versed in local customs, and you may find yourself in situations that you never dreamed would happen if you’re ignorant of what they are like.
6. Bring your own supplies, such as toilet paper/debris bags and sealable water bottles.
Yes, this sounds like a pretty silly thing to bring up, but it’s worth the space in your bag if you’re going to areas where these things are hard to come by or would be too expensive for you to afford. Bring as much first aid stuff as possible as well – any souvenirs you end up buying are likely going to have been made or grown locally and may have some sort of natural allergy-inducing properties (such as nuts), so you’ll be glad you brought along that antihistamine cream when your eyes start itching later on.
7. Be careful with valuables.
There are people in the world who don’t believe in paper money (or plastic money) and will steal from you if they get the chance. Even if you do have cash on hand, try to keep some of it within your sight at all times. Don’t carry all your money and important documents into a hotel room or restaurant (especially while eating), as they may try to slip in something that looks like change but really isn’t.
8. Keep a low profile, both online and offline.
Unless you’re already very well-known, you’ll want to limit your online presence as much as possible. Although this isn’t a huge thing for most people, there are certain countries where it can be dangerous to do so and understanding that going-in can prevent you from embarrassing yourself. In addition to keeping your comments on social media to a minimum, don’t visit that one website that’s been hacked recently (!).
9. Keep a record of everything you do and put it in writing.
If something happens while you’re traveling and you need to make a report, keeping a written record of what happened will help your cause. This is especially important if you plan on filing an insurance claim later on or reporting one incident to several different groups. Have any witnesses sign off on your statement as well.
10. Get travel insurance.
While this should be obvious, it’s important enough that it warrants its own spot on the list. One way or another, you’re going to get into trouble while traveling – not necessarily bad trouble, but even just small mishaps can cost hundreds of dollars in medical bills and time spent dealing with paperwork when all you want is to be back home again with your loved ones.
Conclusion:
If you follow these tips and advice, chances are that you’ll have a much better time during your journey around the world and be able to do so without fear of danger. However, it’s important to remember that no matter how well-prepared you are for something, there’s always a chance that something could happen – especially if you’re traveling in an area where dangers have yet to be discovered.
After all, no one can predict what the future holds.
