Seven Signs You Might Be a Bad Traveler: Tourist Behavior To Avoid
Greetings from Copenhagen, Denmark! Today I’m sharing with you seven signs that you might not be the best traveler. Basically, these are seven tourist behaviors to avoid in order to be a better traveler.
Tourist Behavior #1 You Pack Too Much
I’ve seen this so many times, with tourists dragging giant bags onto trains and buses. My back hurts just watching these people carry all their luggage. If your suitcase is bursting at the seams before you even leave for a trip, then you’ve got too much stuff. One of the cool things about traveling is buying stuff during your travels. Packing too much makes it difficult to get around and it also makes you a target for pickpockets and thieves. I recommend packing as you normally would, then remove half of it and leave it at home. You also need to make sure you can lift your luggage above your head, because you’ll need to do that when traveling on a train.
Tourist Behavior #2 You Don’t Research Where You Are Going
You need to do your research before you go on a trip. I take students on trips around the world and the ones who are prepared have a much better time than the ones who don’t. If you haven’t researched your trip ahead of time, then make sure your first stop is at the tourist information office, where they’ll give you maps and guides. If you don’t do any research, you’ll waste time and you might not know key thing like the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. This is extra important when traveling with kids!
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Tourist Behavior #3 Complaining About the Differences
Constantly comparing everything to how it is “back home” and complaining about the differences means you will really miss out on the joys of travel. It’s good to realize the differences, but celebrate them, rather than complain.
Tourist Behavior #4 Don’t Dress the Part
Whether it’s dressing to fit in with the locals and wearing the wrong kinds of clothes, or not knowing what to wear. This applies to flying, too. Don’t wear lace-up boots that you can’t easily remove, or excessive layers of clothing, for TSA lines. Bring clothes, and shoes, that are appropriate for the place you are going. Cobblestone streets and high heels are a terrible combination.
Tourist Behavior #5 You Only Eat What You Know
One of the best things about traveling is the food. I didn’t get fat from McDonald’s; it’s from all the amazing food in Europe! Sure, some foods in other countries might seem gross, but you don’t know until you try something whether you’ll like it or not. It’s OK to find a familiar food when you get homesick on a long trip, but really make an effort to seek out local cuisine and try new things.
Tourist Behavior #6 You Don’t Know the Rules
There are rules when it comes to travel, and a good traveler knows these ahead of time. When you’re flying, don’t try to bring a full water bottle through security. And when you do get called out, don’t yell at the agents for something beyond their control. Look up luggage restrictions ahead of time, so you’re not that person unpacking their belongings on the airport floor. Knowing the pertinent rules ahead of time will make your travels much easier, and your fellow travelers will thank you.
Tourist Behavior #7 You Talk Too Loud
This is really noticeable in a place like Denmark, where people generally don’t talk on public transportation. Pay attention to the cues around you; nobody wants to hear your conversation. If you are conversing in public with others, use your inside voice. This also goes for talking on your cell phone in public. In general, this goes back
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