Moving freely through the world is a privilege, one we hopefully all appreciate more in light of COVID-19 and more than a year of restricted travel. In my 20s, there were times when I was unaware of that privilege and centered myself rather than the people whose culture I was experiencing. It’s important to remember that as travelers, we are inherently visitors in someone else’s home. Being respectful is a way to support sustainable, safe experiences for travelers and locals alike. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned over the years and am still learning.

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”

Robert Louis Stevenson, Silverado Squatters

1. Follow the rules

This may seem very basic, but it’s incredible how many travelers behave as if the rules don’t apply to them. I was originally inspired to write this post after seeing the viral video of a woman climbing the Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá, which has been banned since 2008, as people below shout at her to stop and come down. It was embarrassing and appalling to watch, but it also reminded me of my own mistakes. When I was 20 and traveling in India, I visited the uniquely beautiful Baha’i Lotus Temple in Delhi. The temple receives millions of visitors per year, who are welcome to meditate quietly but are not allowed to take photos inside. Despite the rules being clearly stated, once inside, I put my camera in my lap and snuck a photo of the ceiling.

Looking back, I’m disappointed with myself for focusing more on sneakily snapping a photo instead of on being present and respecting the boundaries set for guests. Now I know better and hopefully this keeps someone else from committing the same error in judgement.

Beyond the rules for specific sites, which are typically stated or displayed when you arrive, laws differ from country to country and there isn’t typically a primer when you land. Doing a little research can save you a lot of trouble and keep you from causing unintentional harm. The US State Department’s travel website enables you to look up any country and see local laws, visa requirements, safety tips and more.

2. Dress appropriately

Of the four tips, this section has taken me the longest to write. I think it’s because clothes are so much more than covering ourselves, they’re enmeshed in culture, economics, and personal expression. It is impossible to have a clear cut list of do’s and don’ts because what is “appropriate” is highly contextual. Instead, here are some things to consider when building your packing list:

• What are the cultural norms where you’re going when it comes to clothing? This may differ by gender. Blending in is as much about being aware and respectful as it is about being safe. When I visited Egypt in 2010, I understood that shorts and a t-shirt were not ok. However, some of the outfits I packed, while technically covering my arms and legs were not in alignment with culturally acceptable clothing for women. The first day, I wore skin-tight leggings and a tank top with a semi-sheer tunic over it. The friend I was visiting made it clear that most Egyptians would not find my clothing appropriate and it could make me even more of a target for street harassment than my blonde hair or American accent. Luckily, I had also packed loose linen pants and cotton tunics which I relied on for the rest of the trip.
• Will you be visiting religious sites? Sites with religious significance often require more conservative dress than other areas. Sometimes you will be offered something to cover up with if your clothes are not sufficiently conservative (sometimes for a small cost/donation), but it’s best to plan ahead. In many places in the world – Rome, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa to name a few – you should plan to have your knees and shoulders covered at minimum. Depending on the religion, women may also be expected to cover their head or hair when visiting a religious site, so it is good to always have a light-weight scarf on hand.
• Could your clothing choice be considered cultural appropriation? This is tricky. My best advice is when in doubt, leave it out. There are garments, textiles, and colors with cultural significance and travelers should be wary of ‘trying on’ culturally significant clothes for fun or for a photo opp. For instance, while covering your hair with a scarf is appropriate when visiting a mosque, wearing hijab if you are not Muslim could be found disrespectful and appropriating. Similar to applying a bindi if you are not Hindu. Do your research to understand the correct names and usage of different clothing and personal decoration. If you have a relationship with someone from that culture, they may offer to help you understand, but it is not their responsibility to educate you to prevent you from committing a cultural faux pas.

Learn more: Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation from Local Passport Family

3. Try speaking the language

More than half of the world’s population can speak two or more languages. Unfortunately I, along with 80% of the United States, am part of the remaining monolingual population. You don’t need to be a polyglot or possess a Babel fish to be a respectful traveler, just make an effort. I visited Egypt after taking two semesters of Arabic at university and learned quickly that my professor had been a very generous grader – I was no where near proficient with a terrible accent but even my broken Arabic was received warmly. Picking up a few key phrases can go a long way to demonstrate your desire to be a gracious visitor and help navigate a new place more comfortably.

To start, practice “hello,” “how much,” and “thank you.” Some version of lovely/excellent/very good will also come in useful, as liberal use of ‘thumbs up’ translates to ‘she doesn’t even go here!’ 😉 Below are some helpful videos that teach these and other phrases in each of the languages below:

• Thai
• Vietnamese
• Arabic (There are multiple Arabic dialects, these are generic phrases but it is best to research phrases for your particular destination)
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Mandarin
• Swahili (this speaker is from Kenya)

4. Don’t spread deadly diseases

This is luckily not a lesson I have personally had to learn but it’s certainly relevant to today. As international travel restrictions stretch on and flight prices are suppressed, it may become more and more tempting to take advantage of the few countries still open to international travel from the US. Among the countries currently open to Americans, small island nations and lower-income countries, often with limited public health infrastructure, are over-represented. Limited infrastructure means that even a small outbreak can seriously tax public health resources and cause major disruptions, in addition to illness or death. A new study found that volume of international travel was the greatest predictor of deaths from COVID in countries studied. Low- and middle-income countries are driven to accept tourists despite the risks due to economic need. As the kids say, it’s the neocolonialism for me.

A recent example was an outbreak in the island nation of Grenada in the Caribbean, which for the first nine months of the pandemic had only 45 confirmed cases and no deaths. In December 2020, an outbreak traced to a Sandals resort led to a tracing effort that included over 1000 contacts, resulted in at least 50 confirmed cases (see chart below), and led to new restrictions for Grenadians.

For now, the most respectful choice is to travel regionally, or at least stay within the lower 48 states, while always taking appropriate precautions. Check out my post on Traveling During COVID-19 for more tips on keeping yourself and others safe.

cultural humility: a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual not only learns about another’s culture, but one starts with an examination of her/his own beliefs and cultural identities

National Institutes of Health

As a white, American, cis and straight, able-bodied woman, my view is limited. I encourage you to seek out the perspectives of other writers. A few travel bloggers I love learning from:

• Ike and Natalee Anderson of Exploring Legacy
• Preethi B. Harbuck of Local Passport Family
• Roxanne and Maartje of Once Upon a Journey
• Erick Prince of Minority Nomad
• Hawken Miller, not a blogger but a writer for the Washington Post. Check out his piece on traveling with muscular dystrophy