Don't Be a Sh*tty Tourist
After spending weeks in Ecuador this summer, Audrey and I encountered all sorts of people visiting the country from abroad. It’s important to note that not all travelers are created equal and it’s important to recognize what makes a bad tourist to avoid being one yourself.
The following is our “definitive” guide on how to save yourself from being a shitty tourist.
All cultures are different. Even neighboring countries will often times have radically different customs and traditions. It’s crucial to know what is acceptable and what is taboo to avoid coming off as offensive.
Breaking bread is the most time tested way to be friendly with a stranger or foreigner. Even to this day, eating together or near one another is often one of our biggest interactions, therefore it’s crucial to learn proper dining etiquette in any country you are about to visit.
Some notable examples:
In Japan, slurping your food is a sign of respect to the chef letting him know you love it. Likewise, in China, belching loudly is a sign of satisfaction with your meal.
In Portugal and France it is considered bad manners to ask for salt and pepper. It comes off as a critique of the chef’s seasoning ability.
In the United States, tipping your server is is expected at a restaurant, in South Korea however, tipping is considered a serious insult, implying that the server doesn’t respect themselves enough to demand a living wage.
In several Middle Eastern countries one is to only eat with their right hand because your left is only meant for…dirtier things (sorry lefties).
Customs like these may seem strange to you, but yours look just as weird to them. It’s important to be mindful of other people’s customs, especially when visiting their country.
Every tour group has one of these people: an obnoxious know-it-all that feels the need to share their knowledge when they feel that they know better than the tour guide.
Don’t be that person. 99 times out of 100 you’re going to be wrong. Remember, tour guides are almost always locals that know the area better than the Wikipedia page you read your facts from. And in the off chance that you’re ACTUALLY right, no one around you is going to be impressed by your giant brain.
If however you are sincerely curious about the disconnect between a fact you’ve been presented with knowledge you previously possessed, try to reconcile that gap by asking questions. Guides typically like tourists that actually seem to care about what they have to say. Be careful not to ask so many questions though that it may prevent the guide from actually leading the tour.
I’m in no way saying that if you go to France or the Philippines that you need to become fluent in French or Tagalog, but if you’re visiting a country where English is not an official language, don’t just go and try to speak English to everyone.
I get that English is commonly used around the world, but as a guest in a foreign country, at least demonstrate to your hosts that you made the attempt to communicate with them on their terms. Typically they will see you struggling and speak to you in English out of pity when they see how bad your language skills are, but they know that you were at least trying.
Learn a few common phrases. “Please” and “thank you” are bare minimum terms that you should know in the local language. Go the extra mile and at least try to learn how to order food or ask for basic directions.
Cul·ture vul·ture /ˈkəlCHər ˈvəlCHər/- noun - Someone who steals traits, language and/or fashion from another ethnic or social group in order to create their own identity.
