Introduction

We all know that Travel is the best way to change ourselves and the way through which we open up to the world and embrace the differences. However, as we go out there, as we immerse ourselves in different cultures human should realize that he or she is a visitor to the foreign lands. Responsible tourism goes beyond having low carbon footprint; it also includes the ability to encourage the locals, learn about them and from them. This article looks at how programmatic of good manners when travelling is vital, especially while respecting other cultures to make your travelling experience more fulfilling and responsible.

Why is Respecting Local Cultures Important?

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Culture is the spirit of the place, it is the accumulated knowledge that is in many centuries of people. We are proud to be the part of this process and provide further support to preserve the world cultural heritage for the generations to come. We value local people’s identity and protect cultural assets when we work with them or for them without destroying their environment.

Examples of respecting cultural heritage:

• Supporting traditional artisans: Shopping keep-fit wear from local designers, buying native ornaments and curios, helps support the culture of crafts.
• Attending cultural performances: View musicals, and dances and theater as a sign of respect to the cultures of the local people.
• Respecting sacred sites: When taking a tour at church/temple spare some time to look for the principles of dressing code and tone before entering.

Building Trust and Relationship

Understanding from local people is developed together with positive encounters that cause the destruction of culturally held beliefs. In return we the travelers will be privileged to experience more profound cultural relations through respect for their culture, tradition, and viewpoints.

How respect fosters understanding:

• Open communication: Act politely and get involved with the local people and do not be afraid to speak to them, use any chance to ask something.
• Empathy and understanding: Imagine just a bit how it must feel where they are and attempt to see things their way even if you do not agree.
• Appreciating diversity: Take note and honor the differences of the cultural practice of different people and respect the beauty that most culture brings.

Minimizing Negative Impacts

Lack of cultural competency results in undesirable effects on communities image, cultural practices, social norms, and even livelihoods, might fuel cultural assimilation as well. In other words responsible tourism involves being conscious of activity being planned by the tourist and its impact.

Examples of negative impacts:

• Disrespecting religious beliefs: Do not make jokes or remark that may offend religious sentiments of people in the country.
• Contributing to cultural appropriation: Do not dress up in native costume or use tribal symbols in a frivolous or exploitative manner.
• Disrupting local livelihoods: Have and understanding of the outside world seem to disturb natives from one way or the other, example being over bargaining or taking pictures of natives.

Adding Value to Travel

I think that learning local cultures should not only serve the interests of the people we are visiting but also promote enjoyment of the trip. Introducing travelers to local cultures will help them understand a particular country much better, interact with locals more freely, and make easier and more joyful memories.

How respect enriches travel:

• Deeper understanding: When we hear about cultures and traditions of a place, we get to know the past and present spirit of the place where we are heading.
• Genuine connections: Politeness makes it possible to build friendships and get to know locals that will always make the travel memorable.
• Meaningful experiences: We can build applications that are more connected with the local culture and thus be able to provide a deeper definition of tourism services that are beyond the conventional site seeing.

 How to Respect Local Cultures While Traveling

Research Before You Go

It’s therefore important before you even begin your trip, familiarize yourself with the culture, custom and traditions of the country you are planning on visiting. That way you will know what is allowed in terms of public interaction and what is not in that certain culture or setting.

What to research:

• Dress code: especially when in conservative cultures or when in religious institutions, there is always best practice to understand the dressing code.
• Local etiquette: Learn general functions concerning greetings, eating and manners during any interaction.
• Religious practices: Learn more about the major religions and their cultural believes and traditions.
• Social taboos: It is also important to know which issues are taboo or should not be discussed with people of some nationality.

Learn Basic Phrases

It will never harm any person to learn at least basic word or two of the native language of the people inhabiting the place they are visiting to show their respect and intention to learn from them. Greetings ‘Hello”, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Please’ are good examples that can prove powerful even though they are simple.

Benefits of learning basic phrases:

• Shows respect: It shows your attempt to interact with the culture of the area.
• Facilitates communication: It can be used to prompt you in the simpler things in life like ordering a meal or even asking for directions.
• Creates positive interactions: It can serve as an introductory tool when in contact with friendly people in local areas.

Be Mindful of Your Behavior

Australian’s and westerner’s in general should be conscious of their actions and how they will be interpreted by the other culture. Do not shout or scream, do not encroach on the space of a Moroccan and do not offend their culture.

Examples of respectful behavior:

• Ask permission before taking photos: Make sure to seek consent first before using somebody’s image or photographing their homes or automobiles.
• Avoid public displays of affection: Depending on the culture of the people in a particular society affection is not encouraged in certain ways.
• Respect personal space: It is important to have body language etiquette especially from around the globe, for some people may not observe the correct range of personal space.
• Keep your voice down: Do not use a loud voice or scream in such areas of observation as a hall or a restaurant.
• Be mindful of your body language: Some form of body language or sign may be seen as a form of rebellion in some civilizations.

Support Local Communities

Marketing the idea of buying local also fosters cultural sensitivity, more so when it comes to the products being sold. So, by targeting to provide your money for locals, every tour associated with particular areas will involve locals in the process.

Ways to support local communities:

• Stay in locally owned accommodations: Select guest houses, homestay or local hotel instead of the big well-known hotel chains.
• Eat at local restaurants: Check out family operated local restaurants or take a bite of street food.
• Buy souvenirs from local artisans: Souvenirs sold by independent artisans and craftsmen directly are another wonderful source where you can buy souvenirs from.
• Use local transportation: Instead of renting a car, take the local transport means like the buses, trains or having to hire a taxi.
• Participate in community-based tourism initiatives: Become involved in things that touch on social life in the specific region, for instance doing volunteer work or just he exchange programs.

Specific Examples of Respectful Travel Etiquette

Dress Code

Wearing somewhat formal types of clothes is a respect of other cultures. Check what is appropriate dress code in the area of your destination and dress appropriately.

Examples of dress code considerations:

• Conservative cultures: In most cultures taking clothes that are decent is mandatory, this is mostly for the women most of the time. This may include your shoulders, knees and the bust area depending on the dressing code of the organization.
• Religious sites: In most of the religious areas for instance the temples or the mosques one is likely to be told to remove the head cover and sometimes the upper part of your body and legs.
• Beaches and pools: Even though people wear swimwear while at the beaches and pools is allowed, the same cannot be said of other parts of the public domains.

Photography

People could have photo shyness that makes it hard for photographers to take photos from individuals they intend to photograph. You should never take photographs of people or proprietors’ property without their permission even if the place is sacred.

Photography etiquette:

• Ask permission: Taking photographs of people should always be done by permission especially when the persons are children or elders.
• Respect privacy: Do not take people’s pictures in their homes or in any event like a religious event.
• Be mindful of sacred sites: This means that there are particular Holy sites that a visitor cannot take photos or have restrictions on doing so.
• Avoid using flash: The normal use of flash in some occasions can be rather intrusive and impolite.

Bargaining

Negotiation could be applied in cultures of the world but the most appropriate way is to practice it with a lot of respect and consideration.

Tips for respectful bargaining:

• Be polite and respectful: Go to bargaining, with smile and warm words.
• Start with a reasonable offer: Do not open with an absurd figure, because it will be perceived as an insult.
• Be willing to compromise: Haggling is a negotiation therefore it is right to have each party give and take with the other in order to come to a conclusion.
• Know when to stop: If the seller is unwilling to change this price in any way, it is best to accept that and leave the situation.

 Additional Tips for Sustainable Travel Etiquette

• Learn about local customs and traditions: Make sure you know basic manners that are associated with the targeted culture like greeting, how to eat, and issues to do with gifts.
• Be mindful of your environmental impact: The use of environmentally friendly forms of transport, environmentally friendly accommodation facilities, and eco-friendly touring activities.
• Support local businesses: For own welfare, always shop locally as this encourages the local industries and the people.
• Be a responsible wildlife tourist: It is prohibited to touch, chase or approach, in any manner, the wildlife or interfere with its natural habitat or behavior.
• Respect local laws and regulations: Use local law and regulations for example the visa, and avoiding some activities that are prohibited by the government.

Conclusion

Being friendly with local people is another element of etiquette when the tourists are traveling with heed on sustainability. By paying attention to our behaviors as tourist and engagements with cultural resources these will help in conservation of heritage, clearing cultural misunderstandings and last but not least reducing the negative impacts to the societies we visit. Today take the chance to adopt cultural sensitivity, respect the locals, and overall have a more fulfilling and responsible travel experience.