How to Travel as an American in Developing Countries

People will have certain assumptions about you as an American traveling in their country. Learn to recognize the power imbalances you bring to your interactions with locals and ways to act responsibly and respectfully.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Foreign Language Phrase Books
• Local Guidebooks
• Two-way Foreign Language Dictionaries

1. Reflect in advance how you would like to respond when confronted with local poverty. Some people choose to make a donation to a local service organization or agency; others give food or spare change directly to local people.
2. Avoid spending inappropriately lavish amounts of money. Reckless spending can disrupt local social relations and the economy, and may make it difficult for subsequent travelers to interact with locals in an intimate, authentic and nonconsumer-driven way.
3. Educate yourself on local customs for tipping and make sure you stick to them; these may include tipping elevator operators, housekeeping staff, tour guides and bus drivers.
4. Familiarize yourself with local gift-giving customs before departing for your trip. Purchase small and culturally appropriate gifts in advance, and carry these with you so you can express your gratitude in a timely manner.
5. Educate yourself on behaviors that may be offensive in the local culture; read guidebooks and observe people's interactions with one another. Look for some of the following: Is shaking hands an appropriate greeting? How far away do people stand from one another when talking? How do men and women interact with one another?
6. Aim to talk and interact with locals, even if you do not speak the language. Learn key phrases in the local dialect, and use these whenever possible.
7. Think first before complaining to management about what you believe to be substandard services or goods. What may seem like a fundamental consumer right to you may not be understood as such by locals; yet your complaint might cost someone a job.
8. Think first before expressing and acting on anger in public, especially anger directed toward local service providers. Consider that a mishap may have occurred because of a cultural or linguistic misunderstanding, and that getting angry will make communication more difficult and engender bad feelings.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider patronizing local establishments to direct your money into the local economy, rather than have your tourist dollars go to international tourism corporations. This will mean greater benefits to local patrons and workers, and it will give you and locals the opportunity to interact with one another.