It’s the age of enlightened tourism; rather than collecting souvenirs, we’re busy finding out if our travel personality type is cultural, sustainable, or ethical tourism. These are more than just buzzwords; they are a sign of the times. People are tired of inauthentic travel, and part of that is being a good tourist.
Being a good tourist goes beyond the dos and don’ts of traveling (Wear this, not that. Say this, not that. And so on). It’s about learning how to give back to a destination, treating global communities with respect, and fully immersing yourself in the culture.
Think of it like diving deep into the ocean to see what’s hidden below the surface.
Locals will treat you like you’re “part of the group,” and may introduce you to hidden gems, interesting foods, and experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have by only following the typical tourist paths.
So here it is: the traveler’s guide to being a good visitor, which will get you the most out of the authentic travel movement.
9 Rules for Being a Good Tourist
No matter where you’re from or where you’re going, you should always strive to be a good tourist. Not only will this make a good representation, but it will also help you experience the country in all its authenticity.
It’s also about being open to those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll have in new places around the world. When you behave more like a local, you will have an enriched experience.
Be open to new foods
Few elements are as representative of a country as its food. Local food showcases the Indigenous vegetation and cooking methods developed since the conception of the region.
Are you curious about why seafood is so popular in the South of Thailand, but pork is predominantly eaten in restaurants throughout Chiang Mai? How about the complex flavor palette of Kimchi and Korea’s interesting history of pickling in general?
Go boldly into the culinary scene of a new country. Heck, you can do it with your eyes closed if you have to.
I love the experiences available through EatWith because there is a bit of hand-holding involved with the process. EatWith is a platform where you can book curated food experiences, like eating a home-cooked meal with a Parisian family or going on a walking food tour in Rome.
This is a great idea for first-time visitors who want to experience local cuisine but would also like some guidance along the way.
Read Next: Learn These Italian Food Rules and Dining Etiquette Before Going to Italy
“I respect you, I appreciate your culture, and I want to be here.”
When in doubt, dress modestly
When I lived in Korea for over a year, I had to donate almost all of my blouses. In my home country of the United States, it’s quite normal to wear a low-cut blouse. Most people don’t care at all.
In South Korea, it was a totally different story. I had a top that showed my collarbones, and that caused a stir! However, if you wore a short-short mini skirt, no one would care. It’s a funny difference of polar opposites, where the viewpoints about what is and isn’t acceptable get turned upside down.
If you want to blend in and not draw too much attention to yourself, it’s always a good idea to dress as the locals do. When in doubt, wear modest clothes, or bring a variety of clothes so at least you can change if you don’t feel comfortable.
If you’re walking into a religious site (Buddhist temple, a Cathedral, or a holy Mosque), plan to cover your arms and legs at a minimum.
Avoid controversial topics
It only takes one enlightening conversation to realize that there can be a hundred different perspectives on one single topic. Traveling is such an enriching experience for this reason: the ability to see things differently. If you’re too busy worrying about your own opinions, you won’t have a chance to hear others!
If you want to keep the peace, avoid discussing the big two: religion and politics, unless you’re with a crowd you know well. Also, consider the legal implications. Not every country grants its citizens the right to freedom of speech. In some countries, it’s frowned upon, whether culturally or legally, to speak about some topics.
For example, in Thailand, it’s illegal to speak negatively about the royal family and past country rulers. Outside of the legal implications, it’s not culturally acceptable either.
You’ll find gold-framed images of politicians displayed proudly in restaurants and local shops. Thai people usually don’t take kindly to those who want to disrespect their country’s leaders.
Read Next: Around the World in 15 Ways: Cultural Customs That Are Interesting AF
Respect local customs
Learning about the respectful customs of that country will add an extra layer of authenticity to your trip. You will gain a deeper appreciation for local life and understand why people behave the way they do in certain situations.
If you also participate in the respectful customs, locals will love you for it. When you adopt local customs as your own (even for a temporary amount of time), you are nonverbally saying, “I respect you, I appreciate your culture, and I want to be here.”
There is always a bit of a learning curve when it comes to adapting to a new culture. For example, Westerners may have a challenge adapting to the Confucian customs of the East.
In countries like South Korea, where honorifics run strong, it’s customary to wait for the oldest person at a dining table to eat and drink first. Rather than shake hands when you meet someone, a polite bow is the norm.
Learn a few survival phrases
Alongside your knowledge of local customs, demonstrating that you took the time to learn some native words will show that you have respect for the culture. More often than not, local people will appreciate your efforts.
By no means do you have to be a fluent, native speaker of that language, but you should be able to get by with a few sentences.
As a starter, memorize these words before traveling to the specific country where that language is spoken:
- Hello
- Goodbye
- Thank you
- Where is the bathroom?
- Do you speak English?
- How much is it?
- Where can I buy (food, water, clothes, etc)?
You’ll be amazed at how far these seven phrases will get you! Some restaurants in Japan only allow Japanese speakers to enter. Locals are more likely to give you hidden gem recommendations if you ask politely in their language.
For example, there was one time when I met some locals in Thailand, and they introduced me to the incredible Chiang Mai night markets. It was like having a personal tour guide who was thrilled to share a part of their culture with me!
If you’re extra curious, you might pick up a few extra words during your travels!
Before you travel, make sure to download Google Translate, Papago, or another translation or travel app of your choice. Most of the available apps will also allow you to download the language in the app so you can use it without data.
Keep your valuables close and secure
You might be a great traveler, but not all locals are great hosts. Petty theft, pickpocketing, scams, and more are the unfortunate realities of world travel.
Being a good traveler is not just about being considerate of the place you are visiting; it’s also about protecting yourself.
Nothing screams tourist quite like someone walking around with a fanny pack or backpack worn in front of their body. However secure, this kind of appearance can make you a target for unwanted attention, particularly by thieves who are looking to rip off tourists.
Avoid carrying an oversized bag, like a purse or backpack, if possible. If you’re busy fishing around your bag for an item, then you can fall prey to pickpockets. Instead, bring a compact crossbody bag where it’s easy to pull out only what you need.
You might be able to avoid petty theft altogether if you opt for a destination dupe rather than a super touristy spot.
Instead of traveling around with your actual passport, bring a photocopy of it. You can check the local regulations regarding carrying identification, but most places will only need proof of it.
If you must carry a passport or extra cash, then separate it from the bag you’re carrying. Instead, keep these precious items in a thin fanny pack that lies flat and wear them under your clothes.
Always be alert to your surroundings. My friend had her phone snatched right out of her hands in Buenos Aires when she looked down for a total of ten seconds. That’s how quickly theft can (and does) happen.
Don’t deface property
Sometimes I debate whether or not to add this point to blogs. It seems so obvious not to do such a thing, but then I remember that time a guy scratched his and his girlfriend’s name into the Colosseum.
In 2023, a UK man was recorded scratching his name into the ancient stone walls of the Colosseum. He later claimed that he had no idea it was an ancient national treasure. This takes defacing public property to a whole new level of terrible.
Imagine if one of your friends came over to your house and keyed their name into your kitchen wall. As travelers, it’s our responsibility to conduct our travels with the utmost respect for the place we’re visiting, because even if it isn’t your home, it is someone else’s.
Avoid Airbnb
In conjunction with local issues surrounding overtourism and the rising cost of housing in popular cities, Airbnb has come under fire. Right now, there is no limit to the number of Airbnb properties a single host can own, which may mean that your host is a professional renter.
The more short-term rentals in a city, the fewer available year-round houses are available for residents. This drives up housing costs and makes it almost impossible to find places to live.
As travelers, we should avoid exacerbating it in other countries. Book with a host who only has one property, or who clearly states they are locals. It also helps if they are renting out a room or private space in the home they actually live in.
If Airbnb isn’t your thing, then book a stay with a small hotel or locally managed bed and breakfast. This ensures that the dollars you spend are staying in the city, rather than disappearing into the pockets of a hotel conglomerate.
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Shop small
When you walk through London, speed walk past Primark. Avoid eye contact with the soulless-looking mannequins at Zara in Spain.
Instead, go check out the small shops and boutiques. If you buy from local sellers, you buy into the livelihood of a family and support a small business.
Wherever You Go, You’re an Ambassador
Did you know that when you travel to a new country, you may be contributing to a tourist stereotype, either positive or negative?
It’s human nature to generalize. In fact, we do it all the time without even realizing it. Our brains look for patterns and then fit those similar items into categories. If you see a pattern occur enough times, then you begin to expect it to happen. This is exactly why stereotypes exist.
That’s why, sometimes, when you travel, you might hear someone say, “I don’t like Americans,” or “All Americans do this,” even if they have never actually met an American before.
This is a symptom of a negative stereotype. The clearer this becomes, the more apparent that you are essentially an ambassador for your home country.
I know, it’s not fair to have to shoulder the burden of proving people wrong. Being on your best behavior while spending time on vacation might seem like an added chore, but I think there are some surprise benefits for you.
Being a good tourist will give locals a good impression of you and your country. In return, they may present the unique opportunity to see the authentic side of their country.
It’s like earning someone’s trust: it takes time, it takes effort, but in the end, it is worth it!
