I've never been abroad. The closest I've come to (which in many peoples minds doesn't count) is one trip to Canada (Montreal) & one trip to Mexico (Saltillo). However, I still think I would make a good candidate for travel and here's why. So, this list is from Travel.Alot.com & it's the 40 glaring reasons why Americans generally stand out.
Requesting Ice In Drinks: This is odd to me that most Americans would do this, because I've always assumed that most traveling Americans were Yankees (not Yanks as in the British term for all Americans, but people from the northern United States). It's not that hot in Yankee-ville, though I suppose it is for them. But I've been and it's heaven compared to the weather here down in the semi-tropical swamp lands of the deep south, where ice is not a luxury but a necessity (as well as air conditioning). I'm thinking the person who wrote the article is also from Yankee-ville because they are stating that they don't understand the need for us Americans to water down our drinks. I'm betting she's never had to endure hot lemonade or hot water to quench her thirst. But I digress. So, I would not request ice in drinks, because I'm told that their drinks are cold or cool, because they are further north than myself and even shallow ground water or cellars where drinks are kept are cool. (This might not be for all of Europe, but that was told from a priest from Ireland). Where I'm from it's super hot and unless that water is coming out of a refrigerator, it'll be hot too without ice is what I'm saying. The Sister has made two trips to various places in Europe and a friend went to Spain. Both are from here and said ice is simply not needed in drinks. I believe all of them. I would only order ice if it was the height of summer and I'd been walking around a lot and just needed a cool drink of water, but got hot water (which I don't think would be the case), then I'd ask nicely for some ice. Wearing White Socks/Baseball Caps/North Face Jackets/Graphic Tees/Fanny Packs: I'll just combine all of these. I wouldn't wear any of these. I rarely wear socks here and when I do they are the short ankle socks and only with my trainers, never with sandals, which I'm assuming it's people wearing socks with sandals or those old man white knee socks with anything, something I would not do. I might pack a hat, depending upon where I was going (if it was southern Europe or Africa or the Middle East, I definitely would), but it wouldn't be a baseball cap. I don't own a North Face Jacket. I only own two graphic tee's and they're for sleeping and yoga. And the only time I wore a fanny pack was when they were popular... when I was ten and eleven. No, when one travels they should wear a cross body purse that's not tiny but nothing large and keep it at their side or to the front. Having Perfectly Straight Pearly Whites: I do not have this problem at all. My teeth aren't day-glo white (because that creeps me out anyway, y'all!) & they are not perfectly straight. Walking While Eating: I would never and have never done this. Even if I've purchased something from an establishment for take away (though sometimes from vendors/carts), I'm walking across the street to the park I've noticed, settling on a bench and then eating. (Which gets looks from people here in the states). I'll also not hurry through my mini break, though people here are want to do that. Even my friend who'd been to Spain, I made the suggestion when we were in New Orleans that we could take our sandwiches and coffee to the park that's a block over that I noticed. She said that was a great idea, but looked surprised. I wasn't surprised by that look as pretty much no one wants to do that sort of thing. Also of note, this was in mid March and it wasn't disgustingly buggy, swampy, hot, oppressive, or sticky yet, otherwise I would not have suggested being outside. Also of note, I wouldn't take anything to go from an establishment unless I noticed other non-Americans doing that sort of thing, and also I would have already scouted out a place to sit outside and enjoy my food or drink or whatever. If it was a vendor or cart that's different as you have to order and take away. I still would have scouted somewhere to sit out of doors before making a purchase. Not Understanding The Metric System: I'm trying, but no, I don't understand it. I already have trouble with maths. I still have trouble with inches and feet, y'all. I do try to have things in Celcius and try to remember and learn there-abouts what the temperature is in Fahrenheit. I've also tried learning military/24 hour time because a lot of places in Europe go by that instead of what we use in the US which is just am/pm and only 1 - 12. Not Caring About Soccer (Football): I'm not big on any sports really, but I will tell you that I am not a fan of the American holy trinity of sports: Basketball, Baseball, & Football (American). I am already not that person. I do enjoy Hockey, but of course I don't voluntarily watch it on the telly unless it's the Winter Olympics. And I do enjoy Stickball. If I'm going to watch sports somewhere I will enjoy Cricket, Rugby, Rules Football, Polo or Water Polo (Croquet on horses, come ON! I know it's a poshy sport but that just seems kind of badass. I don't even know how one plays water polo, but I know it is or was a thing), Fencing, or La Crosse, or even Football (Soccer). Not a big fan of Tennis or Squash or Badminton or Shuttlecock, etc. Going to McDonalds: I hear this as a complaint a lot, from people traveling abroad or just within the states. Their traveling companions (or fellow Americans they met while traveling) will want to go only to the places they know and are comfortable with. In the states it could be McDonalds, or it could be Pizza Hut or Baskin & Robbins Ice Cream. Abroad it'll be McDonalds. I am not that person. Sure, on rare occasions I'll order Chicken McNuggest from McDonalds or I'll get a scoop of Chocolate Chip or Mint Chocolate chip from Baskin & Robbins, or I'll order a Pan Pepperoni from Pizza Hut. But that's here in the town where I live. It's a random Tuesday and that's just what I'm craving. I can't say we never go to chain places while on holiday, but it's very rare. Once in Maryland we went to Olive Garden, which is something we have here, but our friend that we were visiting was treating us and this was the place she chose. Sometimes on long car rides we'll stop at a Cracker Barrel or Waffle House because we're just passing through and don't have mobile phones with wi-fi and we don't have time to look up and find a local eatery. But these are exceptions to the rule. We love trying places we've never been or are local only to that place. I don't care if it's "Just Italian" we'll try the local, non-chain Italian eatery and have never been disappointed. Hell, I even tried pizza in Mexico on our market day jaunt. The Sister and I along with this guy from Spain. We wanted to know how they prepare it in Mexico. We were not disappointed though our fellow trip members (all but one was American) didn't even want to eat any food because it was Mexico (not the Polish girl, she wasn't so arrogant or fearful, she just didn't want to try pizza), but they were also, "it's just pizza!" No, it wasn't just pizza. It was pizza dough and mozzarella and pepperoni, but they added another white cheese (shreddable, so not queso - unless queso won't melt on pizza?) to it and left off the pizza sauce. Complete game changer without that pizza sauce y'all! It was amazing. We now get all of our pizza's without sauce (at places like Pizza Hut or Domino's), or we make them that way at home. We've tried so many different things or same things like pizza but at different eateries implementing their own methods that for big foodies, it's always a fun experience. If we're somewhere and want ice cream, same thing. We'll ask around for the locals' most favourite place to get ice cream and go there instead of some regular old chain business. We won't even just eat "American" food. In New Orleans you could just eat normal "American" food or red beans and rice or gumbo, but we've also eaten food from Africa and India. We've eaten Jamaican food in North Carolina (and we like to go to places where these people really are from there, so not people who just have an interest in that food and make it but didn't grow up with it). I've tried Cuban food, Greek food, Lebanese food, Afghani food, Chinese food (not a Chinese buffet, but a sit down only, non-Americanized Chinese restaurant), French food, Thai food, Thai ice cream. You name it. If it was obtainable in a city or town that I visited and wasn't overly expensive, then you know that's where we ate. And it's not just non-American food, like I said, if it's a local eatery that's really good, we'll try it - even if it's only a hamburger and a milk shake. We're only picky about innards, though The Sister has had some innards and innards related food like Haggis and Blood Pudding. But we draw a line at blood and innards. Muscle meet (and not awful or eyeballs or brains or jaw muscles or anything). We're not above flavouring with weird parts like pigs feet or ham hocks as that's done in the south, but I'm not going to eat that flavouring in the end (some people eat the chicken or pigs feet or the ham hocks when the meal is prepared). So back to McDonalds. I can't say 100% that I'd forgo this and this is why. If it was a weird day, the line wasn't long, and they served something unique to the country but in the McDonalds, I might go and try it. Might. Like you hear all the time of the local additions to McDonalds food like borscht on the hamburger or some such. So, I might try that, if I felt like it, because that in and of itself is an experience. However, I'm sure most of the Americans that go to McDonalds while on foreign holiday are only going to stick to the Americanized version of the things they always get at home. Bah, that's not enough of an experience in my book. If you're going into the Russian McDonalds in freaking Russia, get the thing on the menu we don't have back here in the states! Drinking Too Much: We don't have a problem here either because I don't drink. The only problem I'd see is when I would have to drink. You never know when you'll be in a position of people toasting something and for you to refuse the drink is insulting. So, I'll just have to hitch up my big girl britches and at least taste the drink. Prudishness About Nudity: I don't really like seeing the human form in real life, but then I'm an oddity because even the prudish people in America highly enjoy sexual activities, so I think they're rather hypocritical. I am, however, not prudish about art. But even in my prudishness or not enjoying seeing anyone kissing (mainly I don't like hearing it), or seeing people frolic naked on a beach, I can just not go to that beach and if I found myself there I wouldn't gape or gawk and would probably leave nicely because I would be there to look at sea creatures or feel the water on my feet and not swim or layout or be naked. I also wouldn't care if people were kissing in public I'd just continue walking. Talking To Strangers: I don't talk to strangers. I barely talk to people I know. This won't be a problem. I'll only talk to business people when I need to ask about a room or food or drink or an item to purchase. I'll only talk to someone (& it'll be not just a random person) if I'm hopelessly lost. But I have a pretty good sense of direction, know how to follow maps, and am pretty much self reliant, getting myself out of all sorts of jams, so I'm sure I wouldn't need to talk to someone. Overly Sharing Your Feelings: Won't be a problem. If I'm not going to start talking to strangers and I have trouble expressing myself with most people I know, then there's no chance I'll be sharing my feelings, much less over-sharing. Applauding: Really it's over-applauding. This gets on my nerves. There's a proper time and a place for that and it's a street performer who's act you (actually) watched and is now finished, or after the theatre or the opera. And also, the applauding is always light applauding, not seal applauding, which is what Americans do. They applaud like their lives depend on it; it's fast, it's loud, it's annoying, and it's inappropriate. There's probably also some "Wooo's" or "Yee-haws" thrown in too. Depends on the person and how high their excitable state goes. Tipping: I already know that there is no tipping. There's also no "up your butt" service, for lack of a better term. I've heard many American traveler complain that the waiters are rude and ignore them. I've never been to Europe and I know that's not true. They just don't treat you like a simpering toddler who needs constant attention. Here in America the waiter is all up in your space at inappropriate times and never around when you actually need them. In Europe they're there only when you need them. They come to your table and take your order. They leave and come back when delivering your order. If you want them again, you signal them and they'll come over and bring you the bill or allow you to order more or whatever. But they won't come at your every beckon call for trifle things or your petty American grievances. They're not there to do a freaking dog and pony show for you and American waiters shouldn't either. I'd rather the waitstaff wasn't all up in my business when I don't need them and then no where to be found when I actually need to pay the bill. And some of the Americans that complain about the "horrible" service are those types of people in American too. They'll constantly have a quabble about any little thing, constantly sending food back and demanding things like a petulant king. It's annoying over here and I'm sure it's annoying over there. Don't be that customer. Your Accent: I'm certain my accent will be noticeable. It's a weird accent depending upon where you are. I have met some Europeans and they know I'm American. Canadians know I'm American as well. However, Americans from the south don't know where the hell I'm from, stating I'm from Canada or Europe, or that I'm a Yankee or from "out west". Some Americans from other parts of the US can't pin-point that I'm southern, but some can; they just all know I'm not from where they're from in the US. Trying Someone Else's Accent: Is something I would never do. Sure, I do it in the comfort of my own home, either practicing my language lessons or mimicking people on the telly or with The Sister, but I don't fake accents (well except when I was in theatre because you must if the play calls for it). The only way I would do this is if I'd met some people and we were chummy and they thought my wacky southern American accent was cute funny and they wanted me to say words or if that escalated into "do an impression of us!" and it didn't turn into a dancing monkey show, then I might. But then it would be considered appropriate. Not Knowing A Foreign Language: I do not know a foreign language, but I think I would get an A for effort. I have taken French lessons in school and I've been teaching myself German, Russian, Hindi, Mandarin, Hebrew, and Arabic. I've also been trying to learn all the little words in British that might trip an American up; or else words in Welsh, Irish, or Scottish that would otherwise make it more difficult to understand them. I don't know any language fluently and probably couldn't even hold down a conversation with a Kindergartener, but I would try my best. I would try to speak the language to the best of my ability. The Sister, who didn't know any French gave it her best and found that simply trying and not being arrogant that the French were very lovely people. Which is something most Americans won't agree on, but it's probably because they're being arrogant and bossy. French people don't take to that. I think it's mainly the sincerity with which one tries that makes all the difference. In Mexico, I didn't know any Spanish, but I got a lot swimmingly with any non English speakers and was able to manage. I had a lovely conversation with a deaf girl at an orphanage, told the Americans to stop pitying the people in the villages "Why? They can't speak English?" "Whether they can or can not doesn't matter, they still know what your saying by your intentions. They have a lovely life here and aren't to be pitied." You could tell they understood the tones or intentions because they had that "we're shameful and not sure why" face with the Americans bad mouthing and shaming them in English. They also understood what I said because they were no longer wearing those shameful faces and were standing taller than they were normally almost like, "Yeah, what she said, stupid Americans!" I could communicate just fine with the Spanish only speaking Red Nuns we visited. Could show graceousness and say thank you to the people serving us breakfast every morning (something I noticed that none of the other Americans were doing). Instead of just serving, they'd smile warmly at me or give me an extra piece of bread. You can't tell me that we weren't communicating. Or when the villagers put out all the stops and prepared all the foods for us and the Americans were saying, "Don't eat the food. They should be pitied and they never have this food, we should save it all for them." I quickly turned on them and said, "Haven't you ever seen Indiana Jones? They made this food just FOR us. They look hurt that we're not eating. You WILL eat this food and enjoy it or you might as well slap them in the face for their generosity." The Sister and I were the first to thank the women and start putting food on our plates which made their faces light up. While in Montreal my aunt said, "I know you're taking French classes and you'll want to practice, but don't. The people here won't tolerate that." I'm not the type of person to just start talking to people when it's unnecessary, nor to practice with them, so I wouldn't have said anything. Apparently though French Canadians aren't all that different from French people because they abhor hautiness, which my aunt was dripping with. The girl, in her early twenties, refused to deal with my aunt and only with me (probably seeing that I'd be nicer - perhaps also she'd had previous dealings with my aunt) and in my best broken English French and good manners of pleases and thank you's and with sincerity I got my aunts order placed at the bakery and the girl smiled at me and said I did well. A genuine, not insincere statement. My aunt was fuming. My mom's old school friend from Costa Rica brought her mom up for a visit. While my mom's friend speaks English, her mother doesn't. We had lovely conversations with the mother because we treated her graciously like any other guest and though we stumbled through broken Spanish and hand gestures the mom told the daughter that we were wonderful hosts. A guy from Slovakia who came here to the university came into our coffee house regularly. He liked us so much (mainly my dad, bringing him back t-shirts that said Slovakia, Scopa cards, and Slovakian liquor on every visit back from his home) that on one trip he brought his mother back. He wanted her to see the town where he went to school. He also wanted her to meet us. We were the people he chose to be with his mother on his one full day of lessons. He dropped her off at nine in the morning and came back about six in the evening. We'd never met her before and didn't know her son nearly as well as we all knew my mom's friend from Costa Rica. But it went really well. She didn't speak any English and we didn't know any Slovakian but we treated her like a welcomed guest and muddled through hand gestures and learning some of her language the entire day. She commended her son on his choice of friends after our day together. Loudness: I might be loud with my own family, but I'm rarely, if ever, loud out in public or while on holiday, so this should not be a problem. The Sister did have stories from her time in Europe where before they spoke people assumed they were countrymen, whether that was Scotland, England, or France (& for other places like The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, or Germany, they assumed they were Europeans, just not from their country. No one suspected them of being Americans unless they spoke. Then they were aghast at how well behaved they were. One girl, a waitress in a pub, assumed they were British until she said, "Stupid Americans" and they said they were. "I'm so sorry, but really you are? How come your not like them?" Point to the tables that was giving her problems. "Well, see, we're from the south. That table, they're from New York and that other one from Texas. Texans are loud." The pub in Scotland assumed they were Scottish until they opened their mouths to speak. "Oh, well, just as long as you're not English. You're not are you?" An old English lady assumed they were English until they spoke. People in Sweden learned the south as "Old Dixie" and once that confusion was cleared up any time they med a Swede who'd originally thought they were European they had to say, "Old Dixie" for them to know where in America they were from. Every French person they met was nice and generous. Some German guy stopped them on their break to ask the time, when he found they were actually American he asked if they knew Lie-nard sky-nard to which they said it was len-nerd skin-nerd and that they liked the music. It was a nice, if small conversation. They also swear that it was the Bono they met on the train who told them to give some false name at some fancy 5-star hotel in France and they'd get a good room for cheap, which did happen. So, the point is, have good manners, don't be obnoxious, annoying, arrogant or loud, show sincerity and you don't need to be fluent in the language and you'll get on just fine, at least in Europe, French Canada, & Mexico. Not Knowing The Customs: This I would see as a huge faux pas. Best case scenario, you could still show that you have a basic understanding of the customs and have sincerity and it will all go alright. I think most Americans just don't even bother learning anything about where they are going and treat it like America. So, I think I would be OK in this, because even if I couldn't learn ALL of the customs, the people there could see that I was trying and willing and not trying to be an arrogant ass. When Meeting Other Americans: I don't get overly thrilled or excited when seeing my own friends even after a long time apart, so you know I wouldn't get overly thrilled or excited to see other Americans when somewhere else. If I was homesick, I might smile a little brighter, because hey, it's almost like home. But unless they were really cool, I wouldn't want to hang out with them because they'd be those Americans and then I'd no longer be happy for their company. Being Overweight: Well, that is me. I am overweight. But I'm actually quite capable of walking or even hiking (my calves and legs are made for it). If the weather isn't too muggy or hot, I won't sweat a lot of get red in the face. I'm a quite capable fat girl to be honest. Most people are surprised. Though I'm used to driving because the weather here is too gross for walking. Seriously a guy from Washington state was here for a visit and almost died trying to walk in the weather that he is not used to. He was a friend of a friend and when I saw him, red faced, I stopped the car and drove him back to where he was staying. People who live here do walk, mainly because they have to, but they also know how to walk in this weather. You can't walk like you do with less humidity or you'll pass out. You have to know when the stop for a break or find shade or carry water with you; neither of which he'd been doing because it's not what he does where he's from. A friend of mine from Germany came back here for a visit and she walked from one house to mine and later walked somewhere again thinking she could. She lives in a city back home, she's used to walking and is in good health, but it was a little too much for her and I had to give her tepid water to drink as she was dehydrated and make her sit down and rest. She pushed through those effects but felt them once I made her just stop and rehydrate, but her main fuss was with out un-walkable my town was. Even when she'd lived downtown and there were some sidewalks, it was a terrible layout for walking or getting to anything. Also reminds me of the Scandinavian family I saw in New Orleans. I could hear them talking and knew it was a Scandinavian language, just not which one because I'm not that good. They were sweating profusely and completely red in the face. All the other Americans or even southerners, though they were hot, didn't look so out of place. Except me. They're eyes lit up when they saw me almost like, "You're one of us!" Only I'm not. But though I've not always been over weight, my body has never acclimated to this weather. I can just stand there, in the shade, not moving, a cool breeze actually blowing and I'll sweat profusely and get super red in the face. I'm not even very pasty. People constantly worry about me thinking I'm overheated. I am, but not in the same way you would be. I'm not close to heat stroke. I just am this way. Saying "Bro" or "Sup": I don't do this at home, so I wouldn't do it somewhere else. I know the lingo of other places (some lingo, some places), but I wouldn't use it. Because, why would I? It'd be ridiculous, unless I was actually living there. You'd have me saying in my weird American/Southern US accent, "Excuse me, mates, could one point me to the gAIRahhge, because I need to hail a Hansom" (or whatever, hansom is old - I just woke up these are the words/sentence that came to mind) - it would just sound stupid and they'd know I was an imposter. It'd just be better to say, "Hi, excuse me, sorry to bother you but I'm a little lost. I'm looking for the parking garage on blahblahblah street?" (or possibly point at the map I have). I'm a big user of y'all, but I'd probably reign that in, because too much wacky southern-isms tend to frighten people. LOL Ordering Coffee "To Go": Well, for one, I order take-away, which gets weird looks here in the states, but I don't like the term "to go". I rarely go to coffee places here and mostly I will get it to go because places just don't have a comfortable "sure, sit and enjoy that coffee" vibe. Secondly, as I said with the section "eating while walking", I wouldn't order anything to go unless it was appropriate, and in this case, like a coffee stand. I'd have to purchase it and take it away, but I'd have already scouted somewhere to sit and enjoy that coffee. If when I was done sitting and I still had coffee, I'd walk with it, but only because I'm almost, but not quite, finished with it. Using Purell: I don't use hand sanitizer here at home (or traveling in the US), so I'm not about to take it traveling elsewhere. Unbridled Positivity: I'm pretty sure I won't get noticed for this. I always have resting bitch face, though I am a polite and nice person. I'm not going to start twirling or yelling or jumping up and down or sing. I will have my face light up if I see something I've always wanted to see and it meets my expectations because inside I'll be thinking, "I can't believe I'm really here. Finally. Look at it!" It would be kind of like Queen Latifah's character in Last Holiday when she mentions how beautiful the ceiling of the hotel is, "Doesn't it just make you want to cry?" How subdued she is about it? That'd be me, only I still wouldn't be talking about it aloud to the hotel clerk. Talking About How Great The US Is: Yeah, that's not really going to happen. For one, I've never been that thrilled with The US. Secondly, I'm in a different country and that would be beyond rude. Besides there isn't a comparison. France is not The US, Great Britain is not The US, Germany is not The US. Neither is better or worse, they just are what they are & I'm going to enjoy the frick out of the country that I'm in. I'm going to see historical sites and things locals enjoy. I'm going to get as full of the experience as I'm able. I wouldn't compare my time in Germany to my time in France, because they're not the same place. If I were biased, all those countries were probably be better than the US in my book. Even if somehow I managed to get into a conversation with someone and they asked my opinion on my own country, I'd keep it simple and not really bad mouth it, because really I'm not there in the US and don't want to talk about it. I'd rather talk about their country. But if they asked me specific questions like if I'd been here or there, or what is this food like, well that's important learning (instead of just riling each other up with our mutual dislike of America, because that's not productive). Leaving A Messy Hotel: I learned not to do this even before I had a job as a housekeeper. It's rude. Yes, it's their job to clean, but they have at least 100 rooms to clean and extra mess in every room besides the basics just adds up and well, it's still just rude. I also hang the sign on the door "No Maid Service" while I'm staying because there's no need for them to make the bed for me every day. If I need another towel or something, I just walk up to the front desk and request it. If I have an extended stay, I'll tidy up, put my old towels together in the bathroom and let them give me fresh towels and change the sheets. Otherwise I just wait until I cheque out and make sure everything is tidy for them and they don't have to move everything back into position (if I've really moved anything at all). Getting In The Way In Public: I do have a knack for being in the way here at home, but it's mainly inside small buildings, more than two people, everyone seems to have a job or know what they're doing and I do not. I try to be out of the way, but I'm also a big girl in a small space (Fat Man in a Little Coat, y'all!) and still end up bumping into things or being in peoples way. But I also suspect that people just don't like fat people, so they wish I wasn't there anyways and also they expect only me to read their minds, not the other (read: skinny) people; whether they're busy with something or actually being in the way by milling about and not trying to be out of the way. This is not what the writer intended about this section. This section is really about arrogance. People blocking things out in the world because they have a right to see it and damn everyone if they're inconvenienced. I've only been guilty of this once. I was so excited in the mountains to see this little water fall that I didn't notice this other group as they'd been on the opposite side and even though I'm seeing them, I'm not registering them once I'm there. It took me dad pulling my arm and saying my name. "What?" He raised his eyebrows, "These people were here first." "People..." When I turned and saw them I wore a shocked face. "I'm sooo sorry. I apologize, I didn't see you I was just so happy... the water. I'm sorry." They were not happy at first, but then they could tell I was sincere in my apology and I hadn't meant to be an ass, so then it was OK. They also were not white people. The women wore sari's but I don't know if they were from Bangladesh or India or if they were from from there but lived in the US now. It was humiliating. But, I digress. At historical or art museums or historical sites I've been to just here in the states, I look from a distance and then when there isn't a rush, I move up to inspect the item better. I don't push or shove my way at the item (like people here do), nor do I just stand in front of something and gab with someone, blocking it for other people (like people here do), nor do I block sidewalks or streets to view things outside. I notice it out of the throng of people, if I want a photo, I wait until it's clear (or pretty clear) and I'm not going to be "in the way." Traveling With Too Much Stuff: I'm not really guilty of this. As a former Girl Scout, I like to be prepared, but I'm never overly prepared. Plus, I don't want to keep up with and haul a lot of baggage. Just the one thing and I pack for preparedness and to fit. Like rain isn't going to kill me, so I'm not packing rain gear of any sort, but I'll pack some neosporin and a few bandaids. Also never full sized anything because I don't need that much shampoo or soap. And hair styling products? I rarely use anything at home, but I wouldn't pack my straight iron for a trip to Europe (or anywhere else in the world), bobby pins will do me just fine. Disrespecting Foreign Cultures: I doubt I'd be guilty of this. I research (& enjoy it). I'm also good with cue's, to know to follow the people in what they are doing, or err on the side of "a foreigner probably shouldn't do this" to if offered something I shouldn't insult the person by refusing, whether it's alcohol, or eyeballs in food. I'd have to partake. I will also ask questions if I'm really interested. Take religious places for example. If I were in a Muslim country I'd love to see inside a Mosque because their architecture and designs are so beautiful. But I would never just go inside, unless there was a sign for tours. I'd ask where I was staying if this was a thing that someone like I could do. What are the rules? Are there certain hours? Just like here, I'd love to go to Black Church or The Jewish Synagogue or The Korean Presbyterian Church, but I would never. Even if they said, "anyone is welcome" it would feel wrong unless I knew someone and they invited me. Besides in the south, "anyone is welcome" is synonymous with "come over any time" and it's really never meant. It's just something nice to say. Glued To The Phone: I'm never really glued to my mobile as it is. I use it to jot lists and take photos. I don't have cell service with it. If I have wi-fi I'll look at it, but that's not all the time either. If I were in Europe (we're just saying Europe as that's the region the article implied), I'd be taking pictures with it and that's it, as I'd be utilizing my real paper map. At the hotel if I had wi-fi, I might cheque in with people back home, or check the weather for the following day where I am, but I'd be too busy exploring to worry about Facebook or what's happening back at home (I'm barely 'worried' with that even now.) Too Many Selfies: I'm not a big selfie person, so there might not even be one photo of me in front of something I'd seen. Flaunting Wealth: Well, since the reason I haven't traveled abroad before now is a money issue (lack of), I won't have that much money extra to spare on a fancy helicopter ride or lots of shopping. My money will have gone to the flight, train/transportation tickets, admission into things I really, really, really, really want to see, food and drink (though it might be like that trip to Disney World The Sister and I took where we shared food and basically starved) and possibly inexpensive trinkets for my three family members and something for myself. It'd be a lot of juggling & decisions between food (because there are things I really want to eat or drink in other countries) and sites. I wouldn't be able to do and try and see everything that I want, much less could I go on some weird shopping spree or hire private things or stay in fancy hotels. Trying To Haggle: I'm not good at haggling. But I'd learn before hand if haggling was a thing or not and the rules for that place. Haggling is only for bazaars and markets, never eateries, hotels, transportation, or shops. If they haggle, I'd do it their way. If they don't, it wouldn't even be an issue. Most Americans, I've encountered, do assume that "lesser than" countries with "lesser than" people all haggle, or all haggle the same way. That's it's expected. That's arrogant and also uneducated on their part. Don't be this person. Listening To Music Without Headphones: I only do this at home, in my office (the room I'm in now) or in my own car driving around. If I'm going to listen to music elsewhere (which I don't really do), I would use headphones and not have the music super loud either. Littering: I don't litter here, so why would I do it somewhere else? I would not.
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AuthorA girl from South Mississippi who finds herself in exploration. Archives
November 2019
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