Cultural Etiquette Tips Every Adventurer Should Know
If you’ve landed here, you’re probably looking for some cultural etiquette tips every adventurer should know before travelling – you’re in the right place!
Travelling, especially if it’s somewhere you’ve never been before, is always a thrill. With so much to see and do abroad, you’d be forgiven for having a few sleepless nights in the build-up to departure day.
But amidst the planning and excitement, something that’s often overlooked by travellers is the need to be respectful to the culture you’re visiting. Almost every country in the world has unique customs and traditions, and if you’re not careful, you can end up inadvertently offending the locals. Nobody wants that.
So I’m here to take you through the things you should keep in mind while travelling, so that you’re always kind and respectful, no matter where in the world you are.
Preparation is key
The number one piece of advice for being a respectful traveller is this: do your research!
Although there are general rules of thumb you can follow no matter where you are, almost everywhere in the world has its own set of customs, so make sure you’re aware of them before you travel.
A quick Google search will tell you most of what you need to know but make use of books, videos, and friends who’ve been to the country you’re travelling to as well. It’ll be much less embarrassing if you’re aware of certain cultural rules before you travel, rather than getting told off for not following them when you’re there.
A lot of the time, unique customs extend to specific regions within countries as well, so be as specific as possible with your research.
Dress appropriately
In the UK, there aren’t really any rules governing how people can and can’t dress, leading to some rather interesting clothing choices, particularly when the sun’s out.
But lots of other countries – especially in Asia – do have clothing customs that you should look to follow. Besides the obvious ‘don’t wear anything with a rude message on it’, be mindful of how much skin you’re displaying especially around religious sites.
We all want to be lovely and tanned (though I just seem to burn!), but you don’t want to cause offence by underdressing. If you’re worried your outfit might be a little on the bare side, maybe bring a bag with a pair of breathable trousers, or a light jacket, just in case you’re feeling exposed.
Certain places have customs surrounding shoes as well, so check your footwear is appropriate before stepping out.
If you’re visiting a religious/culturally significant site and you are underdressed but you don’t have any other clothes with you, you might be given a pair of trousers or a shawl to put on. Best to politely accept and put it on, to ensure you don’t cause any offence (and these pieces of clothing can be a pretty cool thing to bring home too).
Communication is key
Us Brits are notoriously bad for a couple of things when we’re abroad, one of which is our communication.
It can be easy to fall into the mindset of “They probably speak a bit of English, I’ll be fine.” And while that is often true, it’s much more respectful to learn a few phrases before you travel as it shows the locals you’ve taken time and effort to educate yourself in their language.
No need to become fluent but the absolute minimum everyone should know is “hello,” “please” and “thank you.” Though I’m sure you can do better than that.
It’s also a good idea to research how people greet each other in the place you’re travelling to. We’re used to shaking hands in the UK when meeting new people but other cultures may do something different e.g. bowing.
Be mindful of gestures as well because something that may seem playful (if a little rude) over here could be deeply offensive somewhere else.
And the final bit of communication advice I can give is to never be the loudest person in the room. It’s another (probably justified) stereotype of British people that we’re quite noisy and obnoxious when abroad, so try to keep your voice down and avoid making a scene when in public.
Don’t forget the table manners
Food is hugely important for basically every culture around the world. If you want an authentic experience of the area you’re visiting, you should definitely try the local cuisine to get a flavour for the place.
But not all of us are foodies and that’s fine; if you’re ever offered something to eat or drink that you don’t really fancy, say thank you for the offer and be polite when declining.
As well as the food itself being different, the way people eat varies from country to country. For example, usually minimal cutlery is used in India, so don’t be alarmed if you’re expected to follow this as well.
And check what the tipping etiquette is before travelling because this can differ greatly depending on where you are.
If by any chance India was on your bucket list, have a read of our India travel fact file here.
So, where are you off to?
Always do your research before travelling and always be mindful when you’re there. No matter what the social norms and customs are like in the place you’re visiting, it’s your duty as an adventurer to follow them (even if they seem a tad unusual).
Try to think twice before doing things, even if you wouldn’t hesitate to do them in the UK. For instance, if you saw something cool or interesting over here, you’d probably get your phone out and take a pic. But in some countries this would be considered rude – if you’re ever not sure, look out for signs telling you what you’re not allowed to do, and you can always ask the locals as well.
If cultural etiquette is something you’re particularly worried about – firstly, check out this blog on dealing with culture shock – another great idea would be to travel with a local guide. Not only does this support local businesses, but they’ll ensure you’re adhering to the region’s specific customs AND they know which are the best areas to show tourists.
That’s why at The Bucket List Company, we always use local guides wherever possible, to give you the most authentic experience we can. We have loads (literally loads) of amazing trips all over the world, so have a browse here and get it booked.
Life’s too short to spend all day imagining yourself on a trip… just get it sorted and have the time of your life! If you don’t book it now – will you ever?
