What Not to Wear

When traveling abroad, it is extremely important to be aware of the culture of each country you will be visiting. In particular, make sure you have done some previous research about dress/attire etiquette of each country. 

Here is a list of five things NOT to wear traveling abroad!

1) Short shorts: It is important to remain modest in foreign countries because many countries have much stricter dress codes than the United States. Short shorts are often very revealing and can be seen as offensive to many people. So, bring out those cargo and bermuda shorts and rock them while you are abroad! 

2) Flashy jewelry: In foreign countries, flashy jewelry can be seen as a sign of wealth and may send locals the wrong message. As a result, flashy jewelry may make you more vulnerable to pick-pocketing or any other type of theft. Personally, I have two rings that I never take off and couldn't seem to part with while I was abroad. If you find yourself in this same predicament, a helpful tip is to turn your rings to the inside of your fingers so that they aren't as noticeable. 

3) Open-toe shoes: This is a serious no-no when traveling abroad, especially if you plan to do a lot of walking! Open-toed shoes are dangerous and leave you with a much greater risk of injury when pursuing around streets than may be foreign to you. Wearing closed-toes shoes is a much smarter option and will help prevent insect bites or cuts on your toes, which could potentially lead to infection if the conditions are unsanitary. 

4) Tight clothing: Similar to short shorts, tight clothing can be seen as a sign of sexuality and can be perceived as offensive in many cultures. While tight clothing may be popular in the United States, it is not worn frequently in other countries, as people typically remain modest with their clothing. Also, tight clothing can be uncomfortable and hot if you have a full day of activities ahead. So, stay on the safe and comfortable side and wear looser, more baggy clothes when abroad.

5) Tank- tops: Tank tops are also not nearly as popular around the world as they are in the United States. For most cultures, tank tops are too revealing, as many countries avoid exposing their arms and shoulders in public. As a sign of respect, leave those tank tops at home and resort to shirts that will, at the very least, cover your shoulders. 

Justin Bieber Needs to Brush Up on his Etiquette

It is no secret that Justin Bieber is no longer the innocent teen heart throb we fell in love with a few years ago. Recently, is seems Bieber has been getting only negative publicity between his alleged DUI and his bad temper tantrums. His most recent scandal took place just the other day when Bieber was in Toyko, Japan and decided to pull over and take a picture of himself with a shrine. Seems innocent right?

Well according to E News, this was not such an innocent stunt. "Toyko's Yasukuni Shrine is a controversial structure honoring Japanese criminals who committed horrific acts against China and other parts of Asia during World War II. The Biebs, seemingly unaware of its history, Instagrammed the photo of himself bowing before the shrine, writing, 'Thank you for your blessings.' When word got out to Bieber about the controversy of his photo, he quickly deleted it, took responsibility for his inernational faux pas and explained how it happened.'While in Japan I asked my driver to pull over for which I saw a beautiful shrine. I was mislead to think the Shrines were only a place of prayer,' he wrote. 'To anyone I have offended I am extremely sorry. I love you China and I love you Japan.'"

Just two hours after posting his apology, Justin still appeared to be upset by his mistake, Instagramming a solemn picture of himself, head bowed, staring at the floor sadly. Seems like Justin should have done his researched a little better before traveling to Japan. 

Justin Bieber's instagram photo is a reminder of how important etiquette is when traveling to new and unfamiliar places. We have to really research and think about our actions before we do anything in order to avoid offending a culture and causing any controversy. 

Here is the link to read the entire article and see the instagram pictures:

http://www.eonline.com/news/534739/justin-bieber-extremely-sorry-for-visiting-shrine-honoring-japanese-war-criminals

Make an Effort

As I discussed last week, I am not good at languages.  However, when you are traveling to a new place with a new culture and language, it is important to show respect to the people who live there.  Becoming fluent (or even quasi-fluent) in a language is not a possibility for those who do not learn languages well.  But that should not stop you from learning some small and common words and phrases in the language that you will be immersed in. 

When I traveled to China, I was nowhere close to being able to carry on a conversation.  But by learning a few phrases, even as simple as "Hello" or "How are you?", I found that my presence was much more accepted by the Chinese citizens.

 Making an effort to learn some of the native language will reflect a respect for the culture that you are experiencing and the people that you will meet. This will come to be very helpful if you find yourself lost or confused while on your travelers.  By you showing a respect for them, the citizens of the country will show a respect for you.   In popular travel destinations such as Paris, American tourists can often be met with hostility.  However, after opening conversations with French phrases, the respect level is significantly raised.  It is always a good idea to research the country you will be traveling to before you embark on your journey.  Make sure that a few phrases in the native language are learned before you leave!

Do It Right, Stay to the Right

Riding some public transportation while abroad? Then it would be important for one to have knowledge of proper etiquette when it comes to riding the train, tube, or metro. This etiquette includes everything from entering the station, riding the escalator to the trains, and behavior on the train itself. 

First, when entering the station, it is important to have tickets or metrocard ready. Locals will become frustrated or flustered if they have to wait while people fumble through their bags for their tickets. Get the ticket out and ready before you get in queue to enter the station. 

After swiping the metrocard or ticket, normally it is required to go up or down a set of escalators or stairs to reach the trains. If people are in a hurry or do not wish to "ride" the escalator, they will walk down the left side. If you are strolling at leisurely pace or wish to ride down, then stand to the right. For a set of stairs, people in more of a hurry push down on the left, slower walkers stick to the right. This is widely known in most European countries, and for those where it is not, signs are often displayed. An example would be in German train stations there are often signs by the escalator reading, "Rechts stehen, links gehen" – "stand on the right, walk on the left."

Once riders are waiting on the platform for the train, it is courteous to move down the platform as far as possible so that people entering have room to stand. When the train arrives in the station, remember to mind the gap and enter the cars carefully. There are always seating and standing options aboard. The seating to be aware of is the handicap or disabilities seating. Normally those are marked seats by the doors to the train. Also in London there are special seats sometimes marked for pregnant women or signs that say to give them seats if necessary. The important part to remember is offer your seat to those who need it more than you. 

Riders must be courteous and polite to other passengers, not only by giving them the special seats, but also by making as much room as possible so that everyone can fit on the train. Another obvious rule would be to keep to yourself and not cause distractions to other riders. These riders do not want to hear others loud conversations or watch any obnoxious behavior. 

If all these rules are remembered, and etiquette is followed, it will make for a great trip on public transportation in Europe. The ride will be smooth and easy, and people may even take you for a local. 

To Tip or Not to Tip?

When you think about etiquette, you usually think about manners at the dinner table and saying "thank you"  after something is passed to you. However, one of the biggest etiquette mishaps while in America and abroad is tipping. Tipping is paying a sum of money for services rendered. It is a sign of appreciation and gratitude for someone's services to you. Tips can be given in restaurants, bars, or to concierge workers, bell caps, maids or to many other workers and places. In some locations, tipping is encouraged and expected from customers, while in others tipping is discouraged and considered insulting. Bottom line is that tipping rules vary by country, region and scenario. 

In America, the norm is to tip no less than 15% on a restaurant bill. It is common courtesy to tip the waiter after a meal in the United States, as it is seen as a fundamental part of the social contract. Many restaurant workers complain that they do not receive a sufficient amount of tip after waiting on a table. In a bar, it is highly recommended to give tips to the bartender depending on the amount of drinks you ordered and type of drink. Bartenders are more likely to give better service and make better drinks if they are receiving tips in return. 

In terms of foreign countries, tipping is not the norm like it is in the United States. I found this guide to global tipping from an article in the Huffington Post. It is the key to all tipping advice from restaurants to hotels to taxis for the countries of Europe, Asia, Asia and the United States. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/28/tipping-guide-a-travelers_n_2646654.html