People, Customs and Etiquette
The world is a big place and as you travel from one country to another you will
be amazed and enthralled by the variety of local customs and regional ‘ways’
that you encounter. One of the most amazing aspects to travelling around the world
is the contrast between cultures that you become immersed in - the South American
Inca descendents are very different people to those of the Mongolian Genghis Khan!
Where to start?
• That’s easy, always show respect to your host people and nation and
remember that you are in their backyard.
• Try and respect local customs whenever possible and if you find yourself
in an uncomfortable situation then decline politely but firmly…don’t
worry, there are very few tribes left in the world where the chief gets to spend
an afternoon with your partner!
• Read up before you go, and once on the ground if you’re unsure of anything,
observe, listen and take your lead from locals. In all but the most remote areas,
people understand that you come from a different culture and any errors you make
will at worse be met with laughter.
• Nudity, scanty or inappropriate dress can cause offence in many regions of
the world – these people do not buy Vogue magazine and do not understand the
desire for an all over suntan. Modest dress will help minimize the risk of sexual
harassment and help to ensure you are treated with respect.
• Formalities such as greetings can be quite different to what you are used
to. It’s never a problem to offer your hand but it may be found very amusing
– again, take your lead from the locals.
• Please be aware that public displays of affection are still considered taboo
in many communities and you should avoid them where possible (although holding hands
shouldn’t get you in too much trouble!). At the other end of the scale, it
is considered very rude in some cultures, throughout Asia in particular, to lose
your temper in public and should be avoided at all costs - save both ‘extremes’
for your hostel or hotel room!
• Always abide by all the laws of the country and community you’re visiting,
you’re a tourist, not a royal dignitary, and they apply to us all.
Photography
Always ask before taking a photo of any local person – especially in rural
areas. Pointing at your camera with raised eyebrows will usually be enough for them
to understand your intentions. Always respect their wishes if they decline
your request.
Whilst some will say no, many people are more than happy for you to take a snap
if only to be able to admire the picture you have just taken of them…one
of the great benefits of digital cameras!
Begging
In most instances, we strongly recommend you do not give money or other ‘gifts’
to beggars, no matter how hard it is to resist. Children often miss out on a basic
education because they are forced to ‘work’ by their parents. In the
most extreme cases, they may even be deliberately maimed to increase their earning
potential as beggars. Local people and guidebooks will be able to point you in the
direction of schools you can make a more meaningful donation of pens or other equipment
to. These donations actually reach the intended benefactors.
What are you buying?
Souvenir Alert is a campaign which was launched by the World Wildlife Fund and partners
to combat the international trade in endangered species.
What you can do?
You can play a crucial role in curbing illegal and non-sustainable trade. Think
before you buy - and remember that trade in tourist wildlife souvenirs can threaten
endangered species. If you have any info about wildlife smuggling call 01483 426
111 and ask for an Eyes and Ears Action Pack to report your findings.
International Trade in the Following is Prohibited:
- Elephant Ivory - mainly found in artefacts from Asia and Africa
- Chinese Medicines containing any part of tiger, rhino or leopard.
- Sea Turtle shells - souvenirs from turtle shells are found in the Caribbean.
- Any Big Cat fur, teeth, claw or skins.
- Shatoosh - shawls made from the wool of this Tibetan antelope are banned.
For more information contact:
WWF-UK, Panda House, Weyside Park, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR
Bartering
Haggle with humour, a smile and not aggressively. Pay what something is worth to
you and remember how wealthy you are compared to local people. So when shopping,
try not to drive too hard a bargain. Bartering is an important part of life in many
cultures and there is etiquette to be observed. You are expected to raise your initial
offer at least once and in most cases several times. Try and get into it and you’ll
come to enjoy the process…it beats shopping at Tesco’s! It is worth
giving yourself a reality check every now and again - is it really worth missing
out on a souvenir over a couple of pence?…nothing to you but often a vital
profit margin for the seller.
Religious Sites
Visitors to religious and historic sites should always dress appropriately, follow
local guidelines, be mindful of local etiquette and never remove anything - it is
not a souvenir, it is theft.
Water consumption
It is important whilst travelling to consume enough water - it can be very hot and
when sightseeing, participating in an activity or even when relaxing on the beach
you need to ensure that you are consuming a suitable amount of water. You will find
that the vast majority of the drinking water is supplied in plastic bottles and
it is important that you dispose of these responsibly, especially if you are travelling
in rural areas or cities where waste removal is not of the highest priority. Try
to recycle cans and plastic water bottles when the opportunity arises (often children
will collect them in order to make a small amount of money) When trekking or cycling,
bottles should never be disposed of in the wild .Whenever possible, re-use water
bottles by refilling with treated water or water sourced from a safe supply.
Small Group Adventure Travel
We offer a number of small group tours and overland adventure trips. By travelling
on this style of trip you are already making a difference. Not only do you use small
private vehicles and local transport minimising both pollution and erosion, you
will be arriving at small communities in low numbers minimising the ‘tourist
impact’, and any outdoor activities such as trekking and camping will be carried
out under the supervision of local people. All our travel partners in these instances
have up to date responsible tourism manifestos
Wilderness and Wildlife
Use your common sense and follow local and international wilderness guidelines when
travelling in the rural regions.
• If you carry it in, carry it out – do not dispose of litter en route
or even in villages – the dustbin men do not come on Tuesdays. Carry a plastic
bag to collect your litter during the day and take it away with you. If you're happy
to set a good example; pick up litter left by other, less considerate individuals.
• Don't feed or touch wild animals and we also strongly advise you to refrain
from touching domestic animals such as cats and dogs.
• If trekking or mountain biking you should stick to marked paths at all times.
This is for your own safety and also helps to prevent unnecessary erosion.
• Try to buy any basic products (water, noodles etc) direct from the local
communities you visit rather than carry them in. By doing this you will be putting
money into the local communities where it is needed rather than into the pockets
of businessmen in the cities and towns.
• The protection of water resources is vital. Please do everything possible
to avoid polluting vital water sources when trekking. Listen to your guides and
locals when they show you which water to wash in and be sure to only use biodegradable
soaps and shampoos. These don’t contain phosphates. |