Tips for Embracing Local Customs
- Joy Bartholomew
- Oct 1
- 2 min read
You don’t need to be a cultural expert to travel respectfully—awareness and curiosity go a long way. Here’s how to avoid the pitfall of ignoring local customs:
• Do Your Homework: Before your trip, research key customs via travel blogs, guidebooks, or posts on X. Look up greetings, dress codes, and etiquette for dining or religious sites.
• Observe and Adapt: Watch how locals behave—whether it’s queuing in London or bowing in South Korea—and mirror their actions respectfully.
• Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about a custom, ask a local guide or host politely. Most people appreciate genuine curiosity.
• Dress Appropriately: Pack clothing that respects local norms, like modest attire for Middle Eastern markets or shoulder-covering tops for European churches.
• Learn Basic Phrases: Knowing “hello,” “thank you,” or “please” in the local language shows respect and opens doors to connection.
• Be Mindful of Photography: Always ask permission before photographing people or sacred sites, as this varies widely by culture.
• Stay Open to Feedback: If a local corrects your behavior (e.g., pointing out a gesture to avoid), thank them and adjust—it’s a learning opportunity.
Joy Bartholomew is the founder of Reinvent Retired Travel and Wellness. She is a travel advisor specializing in helping empty-nesters, retirees, and the "50+ travelers" find their perfect vacation, whether it's a new city, country, or continent. She enjoys helping couples, individuals and groups check off itineraries from their bucket-list, and enjoy all of the luxuries and comforts in midlife on a mid-level budget. As a yoga teacher, she works with the same 50+ travelers to improve their health and wellness so they can travel better for longer and enjoy all of life's blessings.
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