Travel is a wonderful opportunity and gives business professionals, individuals and families the ability to learn and grow by learning from different cultures and customs. In this blog post, I’ll discuss a number of ways you can express kindness and sensitivity to others while traveling. The article specifically discusses international travel, but you can apply many of these tips to domestic travel here in the United States as well. I will also go over some of the training I offer in my etiquette classes for adults and children here in Dallas.
International Travel: Let’s Be Courteous and Teachable Tourists
- Travel Etiquette begins with eye contact, respect and greetings such as “Hello”, “Good Day” or a handshake. When greeting another person, always remember to look the other person in the eye, smile and give them a handshake (or, in some cultures, a light kiss on each side of the face).
- After the greeting, travel etiquette involves genuinely caring about the culture of the country / place you are visiting. Learn how to dress and what is expected. For example, women shouldn’t wear tight-fitting clothing while visiting the Middle East.
- Take care to become aware of the needs of those around you. If you are traveling with others, make an effort to help with loading or carrying luggage, helping someone in need and walking behind the elderly to make sure they are doing okay.
- Be respectful of the eating habits and diet of the place you’re visiting. Eat what is given to you.
- Work to be aware of your surroundings. The other evening, I was seated in a 3-star restaurant beside a mom who allowed her four children to play a card game. The next morning, security had to be called for improper behavior.
- Learn a few phrases in the language of the country you are visiting. Simple words like thank you, please, pardon or my apologies convey genuine respect. You will generate instant smiles.
- Take the time to ask questions about where you are visiting.
- Do not discuss politics. The best conversation when traveling is questions! Keep a pen and pad with you as this shows an interest in learning.
- If staying with a family, take a gift to give to them. Prepare by looking ahead of time as to what would be an appropriate gift.
- If traveling with children, give a briefing to them before you go. Educate them about the expectations of the culture you’ll be visiting.
- When things go wrong such as a delayed flight or cancellation, do not raise your voice. Remember, often times, the people who are helping you are not responsible for the problem.
- Be situationally aware of those around you. Keep all personal belongings on your body and always keep a watch on them.
- Do not give information to random strangers about finances, your home address or personal business.
- Do not try to get a bargain when traveling. It is best to always go with the well-known company.
- Pack a box of Thank You notes. Leave Thank You notes for cleaning help, hotel managers, tour guides etc. Write a note of thanks with your tip at restaurants. Similarly, find out what an appropriate tip is in the country you’re visiting…it can vary from place to place.
- At the end of your travels, ask yourself “did I make a difference?” As tourists, we should make efforts to bring joy and light to all.
The What, Where, How & Why of Travel
- Leave a good impression and always be mindful of who and what you represent while traveling.
- The travel industry often sees children as difficult to handle. We can work together as a team to ensure that our families leave behind favorable impressions that will be treasured by all across the Globe.
Families should keep these principles in mind when traveling…
- Gestures are a “no” when traveling, as they have different meanings in other cultures.
- The distance you stand from others matters as well. In the United States, 2 to 3 feet apart is acceptable. In Northern European countries and in Asia, more space than this is expected. People in the Middle East prefer to stand 18 inches apart.
- When greeting people in Japan, a bow is acceptable. In Thailand, placing your hands together at the chest (like saying a prayer) and bowing is a traditional form of greeting.
- As for touching someone else, people from Latin America and Southern Europe are “high-contact” cultures. You may also be touched on the arm while engaging in a conversation with someone from Africa, Middle East and India.
- Before leaving, take some time to read about the government, primary religion and language of the Country / Countries you will be visiting.
- Please follow basic courtesies.
- Never say you do not like a food or beverage. Unless there is a medical reason, always accept what is given to you graciously.
- When speaking with others, use adjectives such as kind, nice, beautiful, etc. These complimentary words show your admiration or appreciation for the people and culture you are visiting.
- Values to keep in mind:
- Be Courteous
- Be Kind
- Be Aware
- Be Prepared
- Be Safe
- Be Thankful
- Be Knowledgeable of your Destination
- Be Curious
- Be Friendly
The Four “C” of Travel
Traveling is a joy and exciting experience, but it helps to remember these four C’s when visiting new places.
- Conduct
- Character – What we do when we think no one is looking.
- Conversations – How to request something without being demanding.
- Contribution – Try to always remember the following universal phrases:
- Hello
- Goodbye
- Please
- Thank you
- May I help?
- How much does it cost?
Items to Pack vs Items to Leave with Someone at Home
- Photo ID – Take with You
- Driver’s License – Take with You
- Passport – Take with You
- Make copies of all your ID documents and give a copy to another family member or trusted person at home.
- Write down the names of your hotels and your travel itinerary and leave with someone at home.
Ready to Travel? Consider Enrolling in One of Lisa’s Etiquette Classes for Adults First!
It is my goal as an Etiquette Consultant to train children and adults to understand self-awareness. The real lesson is “someone is always watching”.
I love teaching students about proper etiquette for travel and summer camps. If you contact me for training, here are some of the topics we can cover…
- How to pack for travel and camp.
- How to maintain personal hygiene.
- How to act with proper airplane etiquette.
- How to make road trips educational and fun.
- How to travel with an awareness of family, friends or elderly who you may be traveling with.
- How to be the perfect hotel guest.
- How to be the perfect house guest.
- How to preserve memories through photos, videos etc…
- How to prepare for the beach.
- How to prepare for international travel.
- How to travel with safety as a mindset.
- How to prepare for camping, hiking, biking or other nature-themed travel.
Lisa’s etiquette classes for adults can help corporate teams, executives, small business owners, college students and individuals succeed in their social interactions overseas and here in the USA.
Ready to book your private or group etiquette session? Click to Book Online or send a message via our Contact page to learn more about our etiquette classes for adults! We look forward to hearing from you!
All packed up with someplace to go? Safe travels!
