Introduction To Boating

Cultural awareness, or sensitivity, is an important skill for the traveler to develop. With a bit of effort, a traveler can work to ensure that he or she does not inadvertently offend the residents of the country being visited. The insensitive traveler, on the other hand, will displease residents and may have some negative experiences during their vacation as a result.

Don’t be the proverbial ‘ignorant tourist’ who is rude because they are too ignorant to know better or just too boorish to care. This can be avoided if you spend some time researching your destination before you arrive. Share what you learn with everyone in your party, so all of you know how to behave.

Every culture has its own requirements, but here are some general pitfalls to avoid:

Not knowing how to eat: Picture going to a highly recommended restaurant to sample the local fare. You’ve been looking forward to this visit for quite some time. When your food arrives, however, you realize with some horror – you have no idea how to eat it. What now?

Ideally you will have done some research before your arrival, to avoid this problem. If it does happen, you may be in luck if the restaurant staff notice your confusion and tell you how to eat the meal. Another possible technique for sidestepping awkwardness here is to discretely look around at other diners. The local patrons will know how to eat the foods served at the establishment. Follow their lead and you will likely be fine.

Getting drunk: While getting intoxicated may be socially acceptable in your home country, remember that not all cultures share your enthusiasm for excess. In some cultures, religious or social rules forbid drinking to excess. In other cultures, there is no specific prohibition, but drinking to excess is seen as a sign of foolishness and immaturity.

Regardless, getting drunk is a bad idea when traveling. You risk looking like a fool, embarrassing your home country, and losing the respect of those around you.

Dressing inappropriately: Be certain to research the norms for appropriate dress in countries you visit, and dress appropriately. Often for women this means not wearing garments considered revealing in the country you will be visiting. The definition of revealing may seem excessive to your ears – in some cultures even showing wrists or ankles may sound inappropriate – but it is a good idea to conform just the same. Failing to respect local cultures means you risk being seen as rude, and it may cause you troubles during your trip.

Don’t wear clothing that will draw attention to the fact that you are a tourist. You don’t want local thieves and scammers to mark you as someone who is traveling and therefore likely has spending money on them.

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