Home Featured Travel Tip Tuesday – Do’s and Dont’s of Traveling like a Local

Travel Tip Tuesday – Do’s and Dont’s of Traveling like a Local

written by robin

 

Travel Tip TuesdayBy definition, I am a tourist, though I much prefer to blend in when I travel.  In my opinion, if I assimilate myself into daily life at my destination, it allows me a richer, more authentic travel experience.
There are some sure-fire ways to be successful as well as ways to fail. Stick out like a sore thumb, if you will.
 
So here are some do’s and dont’s when it comes to trying to blend in like a local in Europe.
 
1.  Don’t bring your spify, white New Balance sneaks, your Adidas track suit, your fanny pack, your cargo shorts or your Hawaiian shirt.  Save those for a retirement home in Florida. Europeans dress smartly. Do bring comfy yet stylish walking shoes, dark wash denim, black pants, scarves and a belted trench. Bring solid-colored items that can be layered. And though neon pink and lime green spandex may indeed be comfortable, for the love of God, if you know what’s good for you- leave those home! Or better yet, at the Salvation Army.
 

2.  Absolutely do stop to ask locals where they like to eat.  Just don’t ask about the nearest McDonald’s or Olive Garden.  Please!

3.  When dining out, you’ll want to eat with the locals, do not go to dinner at 5pm.  Locals in Europe eat very late. Do wait to eat dinner until at least 8:30 pm.

4.  Do not expect the locals to speak English.  This is their turf.  Do learn some polite phrases in the local language.  You will be treated better.

5. Do learn some of the local customs with regard to hand gestures.  Do not just assume that giving someone a thumbs up or the ok sign will be understood and welcomed in another culture.  You may in fact be insulting someone.

6. Don’t be loud and obnoxious. Don’t have too much to drink, stumble into the streets yelling and screaming like a high-schooler at a college frat party.  Do be respectful and use your inside voice.  Common sense?  Maybe, but you would be surprised how many rude, drunk Americans I encounter on vacation.

7.  Do have an open mind.  Remember you are in a foreign land and that nothing will be the same as in America.  But, wasn’t that the point of traveling in the first place?  Don’t bitch to the waiter, “In America, we don’t eat intestines!” Don’t complain to the hotel owner, “In America, all of our hotels have elevators!” Don’t complain to shop keepers, “In America, our stores don’t close for 3 hours in the middle of the day!” It gets old and it is just plain rude.

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