Act Like You Have Home Training! Social Etiquette Abroad

The Importance of Social & Cultural Awareness

Knowing the social & cultural norms, traditions, and observed behaviors before you set foot on foreign soil, be it international or domestic, is your first responsibility as a traveler. There’s been a lot of dialogue about “privilege” going on lately, mostly as it relates to social, racial, and economical statuses. And when traveling you– as individual with your own set of experiences, exposures, and upbringing– should be cognizant of the fact that not everyone values the same things you do.

So, arriving in a new city expecting everyone to see the world as you do, understand you, or intuitively know what you need, shows your privilege. Not every enjoys the same sets of priorities or freedoms we, as Americans or ~insert other nationality~, enjoy. Hell, not even all Americans enjoy the same freedoms….😳

Yep, I said what I said.

How I Research Social Etiquette Abroad

So, before you jump in a car, train, or plane to head off to a new city on a new adventure, take a few moments to learn if there are any social or cultural norms observed that you need to be aware of. It may sound daunting, but it’s not. No one is asking, or expecting you, to be 100% in the know about everything, but you should know the important things.

For instance, before heading off to Dubai, you should be aware of their feelings about PDA. Or if Morocco is on your list, you definitely should be aware of what to expect as a female traveler. And in some places, dressing a certain way (i.e. wearing tennis shoes when not actually participating in an athletic activity), will mark you as a tourist (which comes with whatever preconceived ideas they have about tourists) or as an easy mark.

For the most part, all it takes is a quick internet search to uncover what you need to know. You can also talk to people who’ve live there (either presently or at one time or another), people who’ve already visited, or people that have studied or are aficionados of the location.

These are the main things I research before I visit a new location:

1. Is the city or location very conservative or traditional?
   What are their thoughts/feelings towards women (1) in general and (2) those traveling solo?  Are there any dress code considerations? This is the first thing I check because it guides my packing decisions. For instance, if you’re visiting the Vatican, your shoulders & knees must be covered, you cannot wear hats (if you know me, you KNOW I love a good hat), and you can’t wear anything low cut. And I’m sure you’ve heard of the tourist that was kicked out of the Acropolis (Greece) because they deemed her outfit inappropriate. (If not, you can read about it here.)
2. Are hand signs okay? 
   In some countries the hand signs we use regularly are considered rude (e.g. the “okay” or “thumbs up” signs). And as someone who talks with their hands, most extensively, I try to use only my voice when communicating abroad. This is not easy for me, especially if I’m stressed or overly excited (and I’m usually one or the other on a trip-lol) about something. Look, I’m pretty sure you can recognize me in a conversation from a good 20 feet away because of my hand gesturing. 😅
3. Are any certain colors a no-no?
   Now honesty, I don’t really pay much attention to this one unless it’s a big no-no or I’m going to a ceremony or a special event. Even so, I still like to double check to make sure the colors I plan on wearing are appropriate. For example, red is the color of death in some countries, but the color of good luck & prosperity in others. White, in some cultures, is the color of purity, while in others, it’s the color of mourning.

So you see, it’s not very hard, or that much of an imposition, to do a check of cultural norms and social etiquette abroad. And knowing these things will help your travel go much smoother. People are more apt to help those they consider respectful. Plus, don’t be that obnoxious tourist with no travel home training. Just don’t.

You can find my other tips here:

• Traveling Solo: My Top 15 Travel Tips
• Top 5 Cruise Tips for First Timers
• My Top 7 Travel Tips

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