We all have that one friend. The friend who posts tons of their vacation pics on Facebook with heavy filters and dramatic quotes about finding yourself. “I’m a traveler,” they say, “not a tourist.” But, is there really even a difference between the two?
The word tourist evokes a certain image of a person wearing white tennis shoes, with a clunky camera hanging off their neck, and a guide book falling out of their fanny pack all while they clutch their huge map. A traveler seems like a different person altogether. They are more like adventurers who go out there discovering new places and coming back with great stories to tell. So, it may seem like there is a substantial difference between the two, but, in reality, they are still both just people visiting a different place than the one in which they live.
Is it pretentious to reject the word tourist and only call yourself a traveler? Maybe, but I wouldn’t blame you. There is a slight stigma surrounding the word tourist, some self-proclaimed “travelers” even use it as an insult. Tourists are stereotyped as loud, obnoxious and rude, but they aren’t always like that at all. Some people don’t mind the term. Whatever you consider yourself when you travel, there are certain things you have to understand while traveling.
Try to understand the culture. Don’t mock the locals and reject the food. Try new things. Research what type of clothing you should wear where you are going. For example, some churches won’t let you in with shorts on, and some stores won’t let you in with a backpack. Also, socks and sandals in a four-star restaurant is not a good look for anyone. Know at least basic phrases in the local language. Yes, in the big cities you are more likely to come across someone who knows English, but it shows respect if you at least try to learn some words of the local language like “please” and “thank you.” Don’t just automatically look for the nearest McDonald's — ask the locals where the best restaurants are and eat what the locals eat for the most authentic experience.
Know it’s okay to do typical “tourist” things if you want to. If you feel more comfortable in a tour group then stay in a tour group. Go to the most famous monuments and museums- even if some would consider them “tourist traps.” Stay in a four-star hotel if camping or hostels aren’t your things. Guided tours can be better than just wandering around reading plaques and guide books can help you find out the best spots in the area instead of having to come by them the “authentic way” of stumbling across them. If you like taking a lot of photos to document your trips then take your photos-just be careful not to bother anyone else with your selfie stick. Don’t let people shame you for doing what you want to do if you're not harming anyone.
Everyone travels differently, and that’s okay. These labels don’t actually matter when you travel as long as you respect the local people and fellow travelers.
