Things You Should NOT Do While Traveling Abroad

[BeeNee]

1. Break the Law

Yes, seems like common sense, but then again, there is a reason we have "hot coffee" written on coffee cups. Do not expect that if you go abroad and break the law that your home country or the embassy will swoop in with a chopper, pay your bail, and get you out of there. Do not assume that family back home will be able to easily contact your jailers and get you out of there. Your embassy and your home country must respect the laws of whatever country you are visiting in the same way you must. It matters not whether you or they agree with their laws or the punishments or their way of doing things in their legal system, you are not at home, this is not your country, you may not even have many rights in that country to speak of ESPECIALLY being a foreigner. Do your homework. Find out the gist of what the laws are in the countries you are traveling to and make sure you follow them.

2. Assume people will speak your native tongue

I'm not sure you knew this, but you are traveling to a foreign country, which tends to mean that they may speak another language. If you don't care one second not to learn it, that's fine, but don't expect that you can march over and people should just automatically speak your language or have someone on hand to cater to you in your own tongue.

3. Expect everyone to take your money

You only have a credit card? You only have your countries currency? Prepare yourself to leave some places empty handed. I implore you to do a little travelers research before hand, and find out from locals or fellow travelers what type of money most will accept, but be prepared to pay with something else or get local money when you arrive at your destination.

4. Disrespect the local people and property

Don't be that obnoxious tourist thinking you can do whatever you want when you want to to whatever is available to you. Climbing on statues to take pictures, talking down to or making fun of the locals, and disrespecting the country may land you in a lot of trouble. Not knowing what's what, it is better to ask someone first, if say, you can pose with that religious statue or walk across the grass rather than just do it. Also, don't assume that no one can speak or understand your language as a lot of people do when talking down or about someone or something in another country.

5. Complain about everything

You're not traveling abroad because you want to experience the same exact things as they are in your home country. You are traveling because you presumably want to see how others live and experience life, learn (not complain about) the differences between your countries, and get to know the people and places as they are, not how they are "supposed to be" back home. They get it...this is not how you say it, eat it, do it, learned it, treat it, understand it to be, how much it costs back home, how a government should run, what anyone in your home country would ever think is normal...BUT...you are not in your home country. You are in a foreign country. Complaining on and on about how different things are is a waste of your time and can be very obnoxious.

6. Broadcasting your whereabouts/Being Too Free with Info

This applies to local travel as well, but when you are talking about your trip/hotel in public spaces, and posting all those selfies of your fabulous vacation abroad, you don't know who is watching online or listening in person. You let your guard down and start chatting up the "innocent" cute guy or cute girl at the island bar or in the small street cafe and let him or her know where you're staying or follow them to "a party," you may find yourself robbed, extorted, or worse. If someone is asking for personal information from you or details of where you are lodging, quickly decline and if you are going to meet up with the locals, never go alone, inform someone where it is exactly you are going and for how long, or just don't do it. Also pay close attention to your possessions and your surroundings. Don't just leave purses, phones, wallets, other belongings unattended or on the floor. Keep them on your person or in eyesight of you. Just like criminals in your own country, criminals abroad purposely hang out in tourist locations to take full advantage of the ignorance and trust of foreigners.

7. Get involved with local politics

It can be extremely dangerous for you, especially as a foreigner, to suddenly decide to involve yourself in local politics. There are a lot of very volatile political situations going on around the world, and a lot of mistrust and hatred of foreigners whether you think you're a good person or not "one of them" or not. Deciding to join the local protest, and otherwise get involved, may wind up getting you seriously injured, jailed, or killed.

[Unit1]

"1. Break the Law"
This is too funny. When I could be travelling and use a VPN service, then I am by definition in countries, that have banned VPNs a criminal.
That's why I wouldn't travel in those countries in the first place.
Then we also have to consider, that the USA banned the kinder surprise eggs.

Good article!

[Anonymous]

not different things we all know them

[jacquesvol]

8. Pay any price they ask you when buying an object: in many places, discussing the price is a ritual.

[BeeNee]

That's true for some places, but in many others bargaining is the order of the day, even expected, and it's foreigners who don't know that, that tend to get ripped off the most. Taking a friend with you from the area who knows this and can bargain, can also end up saving you tons, because sometimes you don't get the deal BECAUSE you are a foreigner and nothing else. You definitely have to do your research if you are planning to do some major shopping.

[jacquesvol]

Paying the first price is something NOT to do : "Things You Should NOT Do While Traveling Abroad" .
Of course, it won't work in all stores. I even bargained in a German hotel.

[BeeNee]

Ha! Gotcha! I should have paid attention to my own title :) Very true.

[Omar5881]

8 . Don't scream Allahu Akbar