One of the greatest mistakes Americans make when going abroad is that of acting as a tourist, not a traveler. We are so accustomed to the lifestyle and culture of the United States that we often forget that there is a whole, entire world full of people and places out there that are completely different from what we know.
Consequently, Americans expect the foreign country of their vacation site to be purely entertainment, not a true, working society equal to that of the States.
We take tours of countries, gaping at their attractions and awe-struck over their histories. Nothing is inherently wrong with this act, but the issue arises when we come to expect the norms of America to be held above the standards and customs of foreign places. No one nation can be held with superiority over others in a cultural sense (in a political or moral standing is a whole nother argument for an entirely different day) because no one way of life is correct in and of itself.
The point is, Americans have a tendency to explore the world as tourists, not travelers. We want to feel as though we have visited a country without truly submerging ourselves in the culture within it, even if that means going outside our comfort zones. Below are five helpful hints to be a better traveler-- not a tourist-- and get the full experience out of all your adventures.
1. Never, EVER eat at McDonald's.
Or KFC. Or Taco Bell. While I have to admit, I do love myself an Egg White Delight for breakfast, why would I travel halfway across the world to eat something I could find down the street from my house? Food is a staple for many cultures and, often, the best way to truly get a taste of the country you are in (ha- get it?). Try locals cafes and delicatessens-- ask what their most popular dish is, and order it, even if you have to spit it out in your napkin in a totally nonchalant, I’m-actually-an-adult way.
2. Budget like your life depends on it.
Traveling abroad is expensive, not only in the fact that you are constantly eating out and paying for the bed you sleep on each night, but because foreign currency is often stronger than the US dollar. You don’t want to miss out on riding a hot air balloon over Stonehenge or floating up the river Spree because you spent too much money on gelato that your diet totally does not call for… but it’s vacation so the calories don’t count, right?
3. Stray away from the beaten path
This tip needs to be taken with some caution; a few countries are not safe for Americans outside of dictated tourist zones. But in most cases, the areas aside from keychain shops and postcard kiosks are truly the best representation of the country- and always more fun, speaking from experience.
4. Learn a few words in a different language
A really cool thing about the world we live in today is the fact that English is becoming a common ground for people all over the world. Because of this, you can pretty much communicate with anyone anywhere, but that doesn’t mean the original language of a country is not as prominent as well. A simple “hello” in Dutch or “Thank you” in Portuguese goes a long way to locals who are used to the arrogance of tourists.
5. Talk is cheap so do it constantly
Most countries are somewhat hostile to strangers so don’t try to strike up a conversation with the person next to you on the subway. Instead, chat up your bellhop or waitress- ask them about their schooling, their family, where they are originally from. Making connections is vital for everyday life, but even better when you have a new friend request from your barista in Berlin.
