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28 Important Travel Tips Locals Want Tourists To Know Before Visiting
According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals almost tripled in January to July 2022 (+172%) compared to the same time frame in 2021.
This means the sector returned to almost 60% of pre-pandemic levels. The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel as well as the easing or lifting of travel restrictions to date.
However, if you're planning to join the 474 million tourists who went abroad over the period, you must remember that you're immersing yourself in a different culture. It sounds simple, but if you don't do your homework, even seemingly little differences, inconsistencies, or whatever it is you want to call your tactless actions, can ruin the day for you or the locals.
But don't worry, Bored Panda has you covered. We scrolled through the internet and compiled what people think foreigners should know about the places they live in before visiting, and their insights can act as a stepping stone for your further education.
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#1
Sweden: We are very informal. Everyone is on a first name basis, and we don't use titles. If your doctor's name is Maria Johnsson, you adress her as Maria during your visit. And just because we don't act as excited as a dog when their master is coming home, it doesn't mean you are unwelcome here. We're just a little toned down. Also, unisex bathrooms are the standard here.
Vicky, who is a writer, adventurer, and creator of the travel blog Vicky Flip Flop, told Bored Panda that it's important for tourists to research local customs so that they are polite and stay on the right side of the law.
"A few that spring to mind include women covering their heads in some countries, tipping in the US, and not bringing chewing gum into Singapore," Vicky explained. "This is especially important if you're going somewhere a little more unusual, like when I went to Papua New Guinea."
The traveler said that most should be able to prepare themselves from the comfort of their own home. "It's easy to do your homework with the wealth of information out there. You can just do a Google search before you go and there are many travel blogs that will tell you what you need to know."
"Of course, you should know any customs that are offensive not to obey, but you'll find out more about local traditions as you go. It's all part of the fun of traveling; learning about new cultures on the road."
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#2
Police here is usually quite nice. No risk of randomly getting shot. Also, we dont greet strangers on the street or interact with them if not necessary. Joking about the holocaust or doing the hitler salute can very well get you in trouble. Germany
Why should we bother, you ask? Imagine a vacation abroad where everyone is giving you hostile get-out-and-never-come-back looks. Does that sound like a good time?
According to Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management at the University of South Australia, the increasing prevalence of the badly behaved tourist, either in reality or simply as a cultural meme, presents a serious issue for the tourism industry.
"In cities at tourism's bleeding edge, such as Venice, resentment has [even] boiled over into anti-tourism protests," Higgins-Desbiolles highlighted in The Conversation. "In Barcelona, the cause against foreign visitors has been embraced by left-wing nationalist activists. Their view is expressed in graffiti around Barcelona: 'Refugees welcome; tourists go home.'"
The academic thinks it's in everyone's best interest to get along. "Unless the tourism industry does something to address underlying aggravations, such sentiments are likely to spread. There's a danger tourism, instead of building bridges for cross-cultural understanding and friendship, will add to the stereotypical walls that separate people."
#3
Also lived in Japan. This is what I have to say. Bow to people who bow to you. Bow to people in general when they give you a service. It's a sign of respect and it goes a long way. Also, take off your shoes and respect the culture.
Vicky Flip Flop agrees that being a dumb tourist reflects badly not only on you, but on your country, and the tourists that will come after you as well. "If you've done something to offend the locals, the best thing to do is to admit your mistake and apologize profusely," she said. "If you can find someone to translate that will help."
"If tensions are high, you haven't done anything illegal and you can't seem to explain yourself, get out of the situation. You don't want things to escalate."
#4
Stop this so called slumdog tourism.. Going on guided tours to these slums and taking photos is akin to those human zoos in Belgium where they had African kids for amusement... Those slum people are not some animals and you are not on a safari... Also just because you visited a few temples, took selfies with some sadhu and donated some chocolates worth a Starbucks latte doesn't mean you " found yourself"... I'm living in India for 28 years but still haven't found myself.
Plus, by researching the local customs of the place you're traveling to, you will inevitably stumble upon interesting information that will enrich your time there even more.
"I'd recommend reading travel blogs and watching vlogs from people who've been there and done it," Vicky added.
"Also, one of the best ways to find local and unusual things to do is to speak to other tourists in hostels and hotels and to chat with locals in bars and restaurants. Many people are actually willing to share their discoveries with newbies – it's travel kudos!"
At the end of the day, Vicky suggests going beyond the guidebooks on your travels, "and eat, drink and hang out where the locals do to really explore a new place."
#6
If you travel to the netherlands I advice to take a train daycard and travel across the country. Visit towns and nature you like and book a hotel somewhere you are. The Netherlands is much more than Amsterdam.
#7
America is MASSIVE. You cannot see the grand canyon and NYC and vegas and Seattle in one trip unless you are a) here for a long time b) have money to spend on all those flights c) really really like driving.
#8
If you’re on the Tube: stand on the [darn] right. Unless you want a horde of tutting Londoners staring angrily at the back of your head
#9
If you’re exploring the wilderness or even urban areas in Canada be warned that moose are one of the most dangerous encounters you can experience. They’re too big to outrun or outmuscle (even cougars you can, though rarely, fight off) and they’re too dumb to respond to you acting lifeless or running away or yelling at them. Just stay the h**l away from them.
#10
Iceland. Don't be fooled, we are really quite rude, and semi unhappy. Not all of us, but since just recently we have never been known for being the "happiest nation" ever. The women are not as easy as you think. There is no such thing as a traditional Icelandic restaurant. Today we eat a lot hamburgers. I don't want to be asked about my personal life. Most don't, unless they've had a drink or two. We really do love to party, but the party doesn't start until 2:00 am. Don't go out before 12 and expect excitement. Also we drink to get drunk. Do your research. It is expensive here. Tax is included in everything. If you spend 4000kr or more on merchandise (excluding food, postcards and stamps) you are entitled to 15% of your money back at the airport. The office is open 24/7. If you get your tax back in the city you will only receive 10%. Take off your shoes when you come into our homes. (I think this goes for most Scandinavian countries). Shower unclothed before you get into our swimming pools. No one cares, or is thinking about your body. It's a policy here, when in Rome and just do it. I feel like I should also add that going to the swimming pools is one of the cheapest things you can do here they are heated and really are magnificent. It's totally worth it. There is one main highway. It will take you all around Iceland. It is the number 1. The one and only. If you are in Iceland and have rented a car please beware of the weather conditions (i.e. black ice) and darkness especially in the winter. If you do not consider 10 and 11 in the morning to be early, then supermarkets do not open early. Summer in Iceland is great. New years in Iceland is mind blowing.
#11
Norway. It's very expensive here. We speak English quite well, so you'll be perfectly fine language-wise if you speak decent English. People will think you're an insane weirdo if you sit next to them on the bus while there are free double seats elsewhere.
#12
Scotland with one T. Not Scottland. Scots, not Scotts. It's "Ed-in-Bruh" or "Ed-in-bu-ruh" not "Ed-in-borrow". It's "Glas-go" not "Glas-cow" We don't really care about your Scottish heritage. Tartan as it exists now is mostly an invention by the Victorians, so no, that was not your actual clan tartan. Don't call it scotch. It's just called whisky here, without the 'e', we will assume you mean single malt scottish whisky unless you specify otherwise.
#13
When going to Germany y'all better bring some cash, because we don't do card payments everywhere. It's a bit random, but you should always have cash on you when checking out new places.
#14
Don’t ever use your phone while you are walking on the street or even while you are stuck in the middle of the traffic because you will get robbed. Also, pay special attention to motorcycles, if there are two people on one, there is a 95% chance they will take away your phone or purse. - Sincerely, a Peruvian that hates her country
#16
In spite of the hilarious s**t you see in the news, you'll find most Americans do not feel comfortable talking about politics with outsiders and would much rather talk about the positive things about the US and will want to learn about your country too. The same goes for Americans visiting overseas, don't embarrass them by opening with "That Trump guy, eh? Hahahaha!" (yes, this happened to me).
#17
Spain, unless you're in a very touristic focus area you won't be able to eat in a restaurant at 12:00 or have dinner at 18:00 - 20:00. We have lunch at 14:00 - 15:00 and dinner at 21:00 - 22:00. Also, don't expect people to speak English because the absolute majority of us do not.
#18
In Morocco, make a point to stay at riads — townhouses with internal courtyards — whenever you can. They vary in price and room type (think: hostel dormitory to fancy and high-end). They are invariably unique, well decorated, and staffed by friendly helpful people. Most have a courtyard and roof terrace that offer a nice place to relax only a few meters from the chaos outside. Finding Riads can be a problem if it is your first trip to the medina, as they are often tucked down winding alleys, and some barely have a sign on their front door. Check a map before you arrive, and note down the name and address in case you need to ask people for help.
#19
Here are a few things visitors to Ireland should know. If somebody buys you a drink you're expected to return the favor. As a visitor it's easier to avoid buying rounds if at all possible as the whole thing can be very complicated. Outside of the cities, Irish people tend to say hello to others, regardless of whether they know them or not. Say hello back. Most bars/pubs serve food in the cities. But it can be difficulty to decipher if there is table service, or if you're expected to order and pay at the bar. Sometimes it's just easier to ask as soon as you go in rather than waiting at a table. Irish people even get confused about this. There is no consistency. Irish pedestrians do not wait for a green light before attempting to cross the road. If there is a gap in the traffic people will cross the road. Security staff aka bouncers in pubs and bars generally will have a quick chat with people before they let them in. Just a quick hello, how are you. This is very true of people in larger groups. Stag party's and hen party's will not be allowed in to many bars outside of Temple Bar. Do not drink anywhere in Temple Bar. It's unbelievably overpriced and there are much better and more traditional bars one or two streets away in all directions. Any pint costing more than €5/€5.50 is expensive. Anything over €6 is a rip off. Excluding craft beers. We tend to drink our beers in pints. Irish people do not generally drink pints of Guinness in a night club. The quality is bad, stick to bottles in night clubs. The best pint of Guinness is not served in the Guinness factory. (Try Mulligans, Brogans, Grogans, The Palace, Long Hall) Bar staff do not expect a tip but if there is table service it is generally expected to let the waiter/waitress keep the change after buying a round of drinks. €1-€2. Tipping is expected for restaurant service. People tend to tip taxi drivers, just a euro or two, not a lot. This isn't essential, but if your journey is short it is nice to tip the drivers. Irish people have many many words for toilet. Jacks, bog, john, bathroom etc... Irish people curse a lot in everyday [darn] sentences, ya bollix. Don't be offended. If Irish people in your company start speaking Irish (Gaeilge) they are talking about you. Our language is not called Gaelic, it's called Irish, or Gaeilge. Gaelic football is correct however. Ireland is not part of the UK, it is part of the British Isles, but do not draw attention to that. Do not confuse Ireland as being a member of the UK. It's a touchy subject. We love the English really, but rarely admit it. There are few rest-stops on our motorways. It is better now than in previous years, but if you need to use the bog then go before you leave on a long journey. Most of our cities are no more than 3 hours from Dublin, which is the centre of the universe, so the journeys are never too long. Irish drivers do not use indicators. They are for decoration only. We are generally safe drivers however. Buses and trains never leave on time. Do not believe the timetables. Download the official apps before arriving. The real-time information is somewhat reliable.
#20
If your are going to Argentina and hear someone asking for the time, just ignore them or run really fast. You're most probably going to get mugged.
#21
India - if you ain't from there, make sure you negotiate the price before agreeing to a service or purchasing an item because dual pricing is a thing...
#22
If you are female going to Saudi Arabia, make sure to dress as the locals there, because I want guarantee your safety [to be honest].
#23
If you are going to France, don't stay in Paris. Try to visit other places in the country. Paris is horrible even for French people. People are kind of rude there and there are so many scammers and thieves waiting for tourists. Stay like a day or two there to visit some famous places. You will see while traveling that France has some beautiful places outside Paris, like the "Côtes de Granite rose" in Brittany, many mountain ranges like the Alps, the Pyrenees or The Central Massif (to cite the biggest ones), the Auvergne's Volcanoes, the "Calanques" in the South and even other beautiful big cities. France is quite a small country compared to the US for example. You can easily travel across the country in less than a day with trains or planes. Even with a car it would take you around a full day. Yes some people will only speak French, but they are very friendly and willing to help you out. If you visit some well-known places in the "countryside", there will be people talking at least English. Don't worry!
#24
When coming to Slovakia, these tips might come in handy: Bring some cash. Not all places and tourist sites you come to accept cards. Also, stay clear of Euronet cash machines, and verify the exchange offices on internet. You want good exchange rate. Also, be ready to use a translating app on your phone when you need an assistance in a shop. Most of people here don't understand English language, and you'd be lucky to find a person who understands English language. Just last week, I went to buy some nicotine pouches, and there was a guy who wanted something from the cashier, but she didn't understand. So, I had to step in, and help them understand each other. Some people here are rude. Some are not. You will know them when you run into them. Just don't act like a self-righteous [jerk], and you will be alright. Because when you argue with Slovakians, you are sure to get s**t thrown your way (not literally). Be careful with the alcohol. Bars and restaurants are expensive, so when you come here with your mates to get drunk, just buy the liquor of your choice in a shop. It's way cheaper that way, and almost as cheap as Czech alcohol. If you are coming here for adult entertainment, you better not. Some of the brothels are owned by mafia, so if you don't want trouble with them, just stay away. Strip clubs are also rare. If you are homosexual, be closeted about it. Don't show it, don't talk about it. Just pretend that you are two friends of the same [intimacy] on a trip. This country is still largely homophobic (which is a shame), and even in the big cities like Kosice, Nitra, and Bratislava, you might get physically or verbally assaulted for that. If you are indeed considering going to a bar, be careful. There are "bar streets" in each big city, but regardless of the size, if you give someone the wrong look, you will get your s**t kicked in by drunks. If you are a foreigner who doesn't understand Slovak language on some level, stay clear of pubs in villages, because local drunks are usually older people who hate foreigners (and usually are also racist on some level). We have a sh**ton of historical sites, and beautiful nature. Give especially the caves a try, you won't regret it. However, a lot of tourists get lost in our forests, or die in the hills, because they are underequipped and unprepared. I have seen a few tourists in High Tatras with flip flops. It's dangerous to go hiking without the right shoes. I mean, I did go nearly to one of the highest peaks of High Tatras in Converse shoes, but that was because I spent a lot of time hiking through my entire life, and I had to throw them away after we came down because they got absolutely destroyed on the way down.
#25
South Africa - be aware of your surroundings when you are out exploring. Unfortunately, crime is common. Keep a close eye on your pockets and don’t walk around at night.
#26
When visiting Cape Town, make sure to carefully check the weather conditions at Table Mountain. Different conditions like wind and fog affect when it's open. It may appear like a totally fine day in the city, yet the mountain could be closed because of high winds on the cable car. If you are there for a short trip, visit Table Mountain at your first opportunity.
#27
In Paris : Wear [darn] pants. I'm looking at you, Americans. If you wear shorts, you're either a kid or a skateboarder, or you're at the beach. Newsflash, there are no beaches in Paris. People work here, they have no time for your questions. If you ask something to a random guy in the street, he won't answer. That's not you, that's also the case between them. If you press the issue, he's definitely going you the wrong directions. If no cars are coming, just cross the street. If you wait by the side of the street for the little guy to be green and no cars are coming either way, you're just in the way. Move along. If you stand on the escalators, keep right. If you don't, you're gonna get yelled at. Don't go to the Champs Elysees on new years eve. You're gonna get robbed and/or find yourself in the middle of a fight between Police and drunk youths.
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