When you go travelling, there are many things that we always think about when it comes to etiquette and how to behave. Knowing key phrases like “Thank you” in the local language, how to use public transport, and whether you should cover up in public are all things we make sure to check before we leave. However, there are plenty of do’s and don’ts we tend not to think about when we travel. Let’s take a look at some of them now.
Do Know If the Water is Safe
Water is not always safe for you to drink depending on where you are. While there are many places where you should only carry and drink from bottled water, there are other things you might not have considered.
Should you brush your teeth with water from the taps? It is a very valid concern which you may need to address at some point. Is the water safe to drink once you have boiled it or will you still need to add a purifier like iodine to it before it is safe? You should also remember other places where water can be used. Unless you can be certain that the ice is coming out of a bag, never order it at a restaurant. The higher priced places or big resorts are more likely to have lots of ice which is safe for you to consume.
Don’t Skip the Tourist Office
Nearly every major city will have a tourist office somewhere, and more historical towns will have one too. A tourist office should be one of the first places you go when you touch down in a new place. It is here that you can pick up great deals about local tours and attractions. You can also quite often find simplified tourist maps. These have been made especially for people like you who are not familiar with the city and it can help you navigate your way about much more successfully than an A-to-Z might.
You might also be able to score a discount for tours here. Some cities also offer attraction bundles where you pay a certain amount of money and you will gain access to some of the city’s most famous and most well-loved attractions. These cards usually come with various time limits attached like 3 days or a week. If you are only going to be in a city for a certain length of time, this is a great way for you to see everything you want to.
Do Know the Laws About Vaping and Smoking
There has been a big crackdown on smoking worldwide and you need to know where it is legal for you to do so. The same goes for vaping and the use of e-cigarettes; while many places think that vaping is a suitable alternative to smoking others have banned it completely. You should make sure that you know the rules and follow them to the best of your abilities. The defence of you being able to do it at home is one which will never work on the authorities so don’t put yourself in a situation where you have to face them.
If you are travelling somewhere like the UK where the rules on vaping are a little more relaxed, you might want to consider finding yourself a pleasant e-liquid just to ensure that you don’t offend anyone. Consider reading this guide to help you find the perfect one.
Don’t Think You are Immune to Scams
You have read up on the tricks the locals have. You know not to sign any petitions or give money to any suspicious charities, and to be polite but firm if anyone tries to place something on your body. However, there are still many scams in various places around the world which you should look out for.
Spend some time on travel forums before you leave and try to work out what some of the most common scams are in the place where you are going. Even know how to recognise the smallest sign that something might be about to go wrong will help you watch out for scams. It could save you a lot of money and even protect some of your valuables like your phone or jewellery.
Do Check Out the Local Cuisine
Every city around the globe has got its own dish which it has cooked to perfection. This could be hot dogs in Chicago or dim sum in Hong Kong. There is no end to the tasty treats out there for you to try. Travelling is the perfect time to eat outside your comfort zone. Before you leave, make a note of some of the local foods you want to try. Make sure you try at least one of them while you are away.
At the same time, remember to take care of yourself and your health. Travellers stomach is a very real concern and you do not want to find yourself dehydrated, ill, and a long way from home. Be sensible. Don’t eat from anywhere you think looks particularly nasty and be very careful when you buy street food. Even if the street food looks good, don’t forget that it might have been prepared somewhere no particularly hygienic. Keep your health at the forefront of your mind at all instances.
Don’t Be Afraid to Head Somewhere Familiar
Sometimes you just want a taste of home, even if you are thousands of miles away. It is perfectly OK to head to a McDonalds or some other fast food franchise you recognise if you want some food which is a little more familiar. This can even be a way for you to branch out and try other foods as the menu changes from country to country. The menu in the UK is going to be very different from the menu in Australia after all and you could find some new favourite thing to eat which you can’t get back home.
The other advantage of companies like McDonalds is that they act as hubs for English speakers. If you are lost in a city where you don’t speak the local language, a company like McDonalds could be a hub for other English speakers and a chance for you to work out exactly where you are. You could bump into other tourists or one of the staff might have enough English to help you get to where you need to be.
Travelling the world is fantastic and even the moments which go wrong are likely to bring you some sort of joy. There are so many things for you to see and do out there. So long as you are able to keep your wits about you and trust your gut instincts, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy yourself no matter where you are. Keep some of the tips listed in this article in mind when you travel and you will hopefully be able to keep yourself safe and well looked after no matter where you go.
Remember, the most important things are your health and how much fun you are having. Everything else is just a bump in the road
To read more on topics like this, check out the travel tips category.
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