In a famous speech given by Robert F. Kennedy, he pointed out that a nation’s GNP does measure the joy of their people, the beauty of their poetry, nor their character among many, many other things.
Some of the most interesting and indeed, richest cultures in the world are found in countries that otherwise poorly developed in economic terms, or have significant economic inequality.
If you’re reading this and come from a country where international travel is fairly achievable for most, then you’re in a minority. International travel is an unattainable luxury for most of the world, and not all of them will be familiar with how foreigners may behave.
Most people from economically well-off countries do have some idea about how things are in poorer nations – but the “First World Problems” meme exists for a reason- there’s still a significant disconnect between rich and poor nations as far as cultural understandings are concerned.
Here are a few tips for traveling in less developed countries:
1.) Expect Less Than Ideal Sanitation – This really goes without saying. Most First Worlders do expect facilities for hygiene to be somewhat different, but few really realize what they’re getting into until they’re there. Things like squat toilets and semi-open and even totally exposed toilets will be a shock for most novice travellers.
Tip: If you plan on sampling local street food, check if the hawker looks healthy and make judgment calls from there. There’s no way of knowing for sure, but hey- you’ve got to minimize your risks somehow.
2.) Try To Dress As The Locals Do – Natives will notice you in most cases, for good or bad. Dressing up as they do will help you look like you’ve been around and will help you draw a little less attention. It will also make you less of a target for anyone who preys on tourists.
3.) Don’t Give In To Panhandlers – Same principle as applies back home. You don’t know these people’s stories, and if you did- you wouldn’t have much of a chance to see if they’re true. There are criminal syndicates all over the world that take advantage of the well-intentioned.
4.) Keep Your Opinions to Yourself While You’re There – This really depends on the culture of the place you’re visiting, but this is a good general rule to live by. You’ll probably do research and ask people who’ve been there for advice before you go. That’s great, there’s just no way you’ll be able to understand the whole societal context of that country without staying there extensively – even some of the natives miss out on this, depending on their social statuses, so try not to believe everything a native says either.
Try not to turn up your nose or show disgust for the Slumdog Millionaire scenarios you will undoubtedly encounter. Believe me, it can get much worse than the scenes depicted in the movie. While a lot of these can be shocking or even heart-rending, try not to make your opinions public, at least unless you’ve already spent years there.
5.) Learn Enough Of The Local Language – For starters, it would be great if you could learn how to purchase items and ask for prices in the local language. Some countries may have several local languages, so be very aware of which ones you’ll need to learn. Other important things to learn are phrases for asking directions, and asking people not to touch you.
6.) If You Want The Real Experience, Don’t Go With a Commercial Tour – This is a bit challenging to arrange but it should ultimately give you a better feel for the place you’re visiting. Of course, if you’re visiting a particularly economically-challenged nation, there probably won’t be any tours to speak of. To truly understand and enjoy a culture at a deeper level, you have to take the good with the bad. There simply aren’t any exceptions. If you just want to go somewhere to have fun, then perhaps you should re-evaluate your options.
7.)Be Prepared For Hours Of Difficult Travel – You probably have no idea how much a good road or rail system matters until you’ve experienced travelling in the developing world. Distances that might take an hour or less back home might take half a day in other countries. Make sure to always have the supplies you need at hand, and never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself.
8.) ALWAYS Keep Important Documents and Belongings Secure – Leave them at a safety deposit box in your hotel. If you take anything with you, be prepared to deal with losing it.
9.) Expect To Be Ripped-off – Dishonesty and corruption will always exist even in monetarily rich societies- what more in places where economic conditions leave people little alternative for a comfortable life?
Expect to be cheated and expect people to pester you for something. It will happen. Just have a good sense of humor about it, and understand where they’re coming from.
10.) Be Patient – Bureaucracies are prevalent in the 3rd World because they lead to more opportunities for ripping people off. But in the end, I’ve never met a serial traveller who ever regretted even the bad experiences they’ve had. It’s all worth it if you wait.
About the Author:
Art manages The Art of Small Business, UPrinting.com’s Small Business Blog. When not passive-aggressively chucking UPrinting’s own high-quality business cards, custom yard signs and UPrinting postcard printing at his coworkers, he enjoys…y’know. Other stuff.
