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People need to respect and be aware of the fact that there are different rules to follow in foreign countries regarding body gestures, punctuality, etiquette, and politeness among other customs. It is always a good idea to identify what are the needs and preferences of a person, remembering that for any culture a person’s beliefs, values, and customs can vary drastically. The topic of understanding multicultural characteristics has been significantly interesting to many authors who have written about the studies of multicultural behaviors, especially how information and education can help overcome stereotypes; however, not as much attention is given to what role proper communication and respect play in different cultures while visiting another country. The focus on cultural awareness is essential because there are many circumstances that can lead to misunderstandings in communication. 

The following tips we have compiled can help you avoid uncomfortable situations. Many of these tips may seem common sense, but we are aware of many of students studying abroad, business people, and tourist who seem to often forget their manners and behaviors while abroad.

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TRAVELING TIPS

  1.  Become more self-aware of your communication style

  2. Communicate more clearly

  3. Try to act accordingly with people from other cultures, and try not to insult them

  4. Learn basic cultural mannerisms and etiquette - Every culture has different rules and it is impossible to learn all of them. A simple Google search will give you a foundation of what is considered rude in a foreign country. Being aware of cultural differences can help you avoid a faux pas such as arriving on time in a more laid-back culture. Not knowing basic lifestyle rules can get become a serious issue so try to educated yourself about the etiquette, especially around eating/tipping, transportation, appearance, and punctuality at the least.

  5. Don’t take pictures that might be offensive to those of a different culture - Documenting everything you do is an obvious thing that shows lack of cultural awareness. Take pictures of amazing places instead. Try to be aware of your surroundings and what they symbolize for other people.

  6. Respect the countries' culture and religion -  When visiting holy ground, be aware of any public behavior that could be considered sacrilegious to others. Follow the rules about covering your head and shoulders or removing shoes.  For women, carry a scarf that way you can avoid uncomfortable situations. 

  7. Be aware of how you represent where you come from - Don't take things for granted,  just because it’ might be “cool”  in your country to hate on your leaders, trends, and other cultural things doesn’t mean that this will be tolerated abroad. 

  8. Be conscientious of labeling words such as “American”. It is always better to describe yourself as a person from US than simply an “American”. This is definitely important if you are traveling to a Latin American country. It is viewed as insulting when those from the US give the impression of forgetting that America is not just the US.

  9. Do the best you can - It is impossible to know everything about a different culture’s customs and etiquette, for sure many unintentional situations have had come up when abroad . When feeling uncertain, apologize and explain that you’re learning. Most people will be easily forgiving, with some even finding humor in the confusion. If you go into it with an open mind and the ability to laugh at your mistakes, you shouldn’t have any problems.

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