1) BE AWARE OF WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING, and patronize locally-owned inns,
restaurants, and shops. Try to keep your dollars within the local economy, so the people you
are visiting can benefit most directly from your visit.
2) NEVER GIVE GIFTS TO CHILDREN, only to their parents or teachers. When giving gifts to
local communities—from schoolbooks to balloons, from pens to pharmaceuticals—first find out
what's really needed, and who can best distribute these items.
3) Before visiting any foreign land, TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN BASIC COURTESY PHRASES:
greetings, "please" & "thank you," and as many numbers as you can handle (those endless
hours in airport waiting lounges are a good time for this). It's astonishing how far a little
language goes toward creating a feeling of goodwill.
4) REMEMBER THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF YOUR NEW CURRENCY. A few rupees one way or
another is not going to ruin you. Don't get all bent out of shape over the fact that a visitor
who earns 100 times a local's salary might be expected to pay a few cents more for a ferry
ride, a museum entrance, or an egg.
5) BARGAIN FAIRLY, and with respect for the seller. Again, remember the economic realities of
where you are. The final transaction should leave both buyer and seller satisfied and pleased.
Haggling for a taxi or carpet is part of many cultures; but it's not a bargain if either person
feels exploited, diminished, or ripped-off.
6) LEARN AND RESPECT THE TRADITIONS AND TABOOS OF YOUR HOST COUNTRY. Each culture
has its own mores, and they're often taken very seriously. Never, for example, pat a Thai child
on the head, enter a traditional Brahmin's kitchen, or open an umbrella in a Nepali
home!
7) CURB YOUR ANGER, AND CULTIVATE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Anger is a real issue for
westerners—even the Dalai Lama remarks on this. It's perversely satisfying, but it never earns
the respect of locals, or defuses a bad situation. A light touch—and a sense of cosmic
perspective — are infinitely more useful.
8) It makes an enormous difference if you ARRIVE WITH A SENSE OF THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL,
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES faced by the people you are visiting. Our site will direct you to
good profiles of most travel destinations; we also recommend you read the political and
historic sections of your guidebook (Lonely Planet, Moon Publications, and Rough Guides are
especially good for this), as well as a country's English-language newspapers.
9) LEARN TO LISTEN. People in other nations often feel underestimated or dismissed by
American society. Such convictions lead to anger and resentment. As an American traveler, be
aware that many people believe that having the ear of an American is tantamount to having
the ear of America. They're right—when you come home, you'll spread the word about such
encounters.
10) LEARN TO SPEAK. People from developed nations often express their opinions as if they are
the absolute truth. We suggest tempering conversations with phrases like "I believe," or "My
view is," rather than, "Everybody knows..."
11) The single most useful phrase any traveler can learn: "CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?" Rarely,
in any country or situation, will another human being refuse a direct request for help. Being of
service, and inviting others to reciprocate, is what the phrase global community is all
about.
12) LEAVE YOUR MASS MEDIA-BASED PRECONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE WORLD AT HOME. The
inhabitants of planet Earth will continually amaze you with their generosity, hospitality and
wisdom. Be open to their friendship, and aware of our common humanity, delights, and
hardships.
13) NEVER FORGET KURT VONNEGUT JR'S BEST LINE: "Strange travel suggestions are dancing
lessons from God." In other words: go with the flow, and give free rein to your sense of
adventure!
Reprinted with permission from The Ethical Traveler
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