I have traveled a lot, with my family growing up, with my friends, and with my husband. I have been to 4 continents, 18 countries, and 33 states at last count.
The two things I get asked the most are "What place has the rudest people?" and "Aren't you scared to go there?"
I've heard other people talk about how they met the rudest people or felt unsafe in France, England, Germany, Croatia, etc etc. While we've never had that experience, we have most certainly seen other American's have issues. Personally we've felt more unsafe traveling in some American cities than we ever have abroad.
That being said, we wanted to pass along the top traveling rules that we go by. These have kept us out of trouble, from running into "rude" locals, and made sure that we had an all around pleasant and safe traveling experience.
1. Learn some of the language.
Just because many people in foreign countries speak English, doesn't mean you should expect them to speak English. Just like Americans get annoyed when people from other countries come here and "Don't know the language," that is how they feel when you come to their country and don't know the language. I'm not saying to learn the entire language, there is no way you can do that before you go. But please learn the basics: yes, no, please, thank you, excuse me, hello, and goodbye. I would also suggest knowing these 3 phrases: "Where is the bathroom?" "How much is that?" "May I have a beer?" When traveling we always try to know these basics. we stumble through them, sound like a 5 year old, but typically locals will smile and ask "American?" when we say yes, they usually say something like "Thank you for trying to speak *insert language here*" and then we proceed to talk in English. I had this conversation with a waiter, only to later watch him to go another table where the customer said in a loud american voice "Do you speak English?!?!" He looked at her, and quickly replied "Tu es une couillon. Un moment" and walked away. Which basically means "Your an idiot, just a second." Moral of the story: try to speak the language, even if you butcher the heck out of it. They appreciate it 1,000 times more than if you just assume they speak English.
2. Use your quiet voice
I'll be the first to admit that I'm LOUD. I was a teacher for 8 years, so my voice has a natural projection. A few summers ago I was taking one of my former students on her first European adventure. We were on a train going from Milan to Zurich, there were two Americans a few rows behind us, and a family of 4 Austrian woman across the aisle from us. The two Americans behind us were talking loudly about several friends of theirs who were sleeping and drinking their way across Europe during a study abroad trip. It was so loud my ears hurt. I could tell the women across from us were annoyed as well because were showing the universal signs of annoyance: looking at the Americans and rolling their eyes, shaking their heads, and darting quick glances their way before speaking to each other in German. I know a few words in German, so I laughed a little bit and told my travel partner what they were saying. One of the Austrian women looked at me horrified and said quietly "I'm so sorry, are they friends of yours?" I told her they were not, that we felt the same way about the conversation. She asked if we were American and we said yes, we then went on to have a nice conversation where they told us about several local places to eat and beautiful things to see that weren't on most travelers radars. Moral of the story: most people abroad expect Americans to be LOUD and in your face all the time. Use your inside voice when in museums, places of worship, businesses, and public transportation. People appreciate it and you might be surprised with what you learn from locals
3. Don't act entitled
This goes along with learn the language and don't speak loudly. I love my country, I do, so I say this with love: America is not the end all be all. We are not the only country around, we are not the only 1st world country around. So to act like we are the best, and people in other countries are less than, is going to ensure that your trip is less than...stellar. America has nothing on Italy's pasta or pizza situation, and the architecture is absolutely breathtaking. The Great Barrier Reef is better than anything you will see in our coastal waters. The food and the friendliness of the people in Brazil makes me miss that country daily. Try to find the good in every place you visit. Staying in 4 star hotels doesn't let you learn about local life. Try an AirBnB, or work on a farm where your room and board is free as long as you work a few days. Brag to the locals about how wonderful you think their city or country is. Get to know them, remember they have thoughts and feelings the same as you do. Don't act like because you are American you are better than everybody else. When you do that, it gives American's a bad name, it makes the rest of us look bad. And I for one, appreciate too much about this world and all of great things it has to offer to be categorized as entitled.
4. Bring cash
I know credit cards are everywhere and you want the points. But a) I hate paying the transaction and conversion fees from local currency to american dollars b) it's easier to barter and bargain with cash and c) I've had my credit card numbers hacked way to may times while traveling. Sure the bank will pay you back for your card being used without your authorization, but that's a pain that I hate dealing with while traveling. Some places, like museums and retail stores I'll pay with credit card, but pretty much everything else I use cash. It also helps to control my spending.
5. Eat like the locals
Stay away from the McDonald's, KFC, and Starbucks type of locations. Nobody back home cares that you went to McDonald's in Europe. Ask locals where to eat, walk the streets and look for places, go to outdoor markets, do your research before hand. I get hangry quickly, so after I book my plane ticket, my next step is usually to plan out where I'm eating. While I have a plan (as back up) that plan usually falls through because a local will tell me a better place eat. Or if I'm on a budget, I will find a market and buy bread, fruit, and a few snacks so that all of my money is not going to restaurants.
6. Rent a car/bike
Public transportation can only take you so far, and it is usually underground. While Uber and Lyft are getting better in some countries, its still cheaper to rent your own car for a day or two. At least to get out side of the city limits. When we flew into Sydney, we rented a car for a day and drove out to the Blue Mountains, when we went up north to Cairns we drove around the Atherton Table lands. Both of which were extremely beautiful and not something we would have seen if we had stayed strictly to the city. I love getting lost in side streets and country sides. Most of my favorite photographs are from places off the beaten path. You can also rent a bike, it's a great way to see more of the city and parks if you are on a limited time frame.
7. Wake up early
I hate waking up early and would sleep until 11am everyday if I could. The ONLY time I wake up early is when I'm traveling and that's to miss long lines, which is another pet peeve. If your going to Rome, just know the wait to get into the Vatican can be HOURS long, I've seen it upwards of 6 to 8 hours on some days. I woke up at 6am and was inline by 6:45am. Not only was I one of the first groups through the door, I have many pictures of the Vatican with absolutely nobody in them, which is almost unheard of. Same thing for the Statue of Liberty. I was on the first boat out to Ellis Island, so I have shots of lady liberty with not a single person around her. On the way back, the island was
overflowing with people. Neither shot I would have gotten if I had slept in and went with the crowed.
8. Pay attention to your surroundings
This should go without saying, but it never fails to surprise me. Always pay attention to the people around you. If a situation looks unsafe, or makes you feel uncomfortable, walk away. If someone is bothering you, you don't have to stop to talk to them. Worry about your safety first. I have watched people stop to talk to people selling items on the streets, not realizing that it was a scam and they were being pick pocketed. I have hear stories about people getting lost in the wrong areas of town because they weren't paying attention. All of these are scary when your in your own country and you know how to call 911, but can be even worse when you are in a foreign land with no way to call for help. You don't have to stop to talk to every person that walks up to you, in fact you shouldn't. You also need to keep a close eye on your bag. I've seen thieves cut straps and run off with bags, or slice the bottom open so all of your valuables fall out. While you are scurrying to pick up the pieces they have already made off with your wallet. Travelon is a brand that carries anti theft purses. They are made out of material that is slice and cut proof, and they usually come with an RFID pocket to protect your credit cards from being scanned and cloned. They are inexpensive and stylish. I bought one a few years ago when I went overseas, it was around $30 and I have used it ever since.
That's all I have for now! Until the next adventure....