Remember to pack your Common Sense before you leave.

[deelappy]

After living in touristy areas and being a tourist myself, please pack your common sense and remember certain things. This is in noway ment to be mean....just observations of what people forget.

-Crime happens everywhere, even on vacation.
-Traffic happens most everywhere...just a part of life.
-Not everyone who lives in tourist areas work in tourist industry
- we need to get to work and are not on vaction time, so don't expect people to serve you
- we like fast food for lunch just like you do, so don't say it has become AMERICANIZED
-Don't get mad when people rush by you or blow a horn for you to get out the way...we go stuff to do
-If there are to many people at the airport or to many cruise ships in, don't get mad.. they are there just like you. Cruise Lines and Airlines dictate the schedule not the town or port.
-Americans shouldn't expect special priviledges in foreign countries or ports. (I am American) We are just like everyone else. Wait your turn in line.
-When you go snorkeling, put sunblock on the back of your thigh and calfs.
-Look both ways before you cross the street, not every country or territory drives on the right side of the road.
-Smile.... cruiseship, airline workers, hotel workers, etc. appreciate it.

---more to come, add yours.
-

[katlady]

I would also add if you are going to a foreign country understand the culture. What is "rude" here may not be in the country you are going to. What is normal here may be "rude" where you are going.
For example: what hand do you use to shake hands? Also in some cultures showing the bottoms of your feet is "rude".

Always be respectful of the country you are visiting and you will have a great time.

[bassnote_1]

Speaking Louder or Shouting will not help a non-English speaker understand you any better. Embarrassingly, I've only witnessed fellow Americans do this.

Learn a bit of the language before you go to a "foreign" country.

[Mike M]

Don't be offended or baffled that the local cab driver, especially one outside the Caribbean, won't accept American dollars. Would a New York cab driver accept Chinese Yuan? Ask before buying or paying.

Take care,
Mike

[Trip]

Vacation mode, is something I think we are all guilty of sometimes, Because we are on vacation we just think that, everyone around us, is as well.

When we were in Caracas, we were told to leave all our jewelry on the ship, as not to be conspicuous, to the population. One woman on the tour, came dripping in gold..a perfect example of going against the grain, with a, I will do what I want, wherever I want attitude:( If anyone was a target, it would have been her.

[misguidedangel]

I would also suggest bringing common courtesy (sp?) with you--remember your please, and thank you's!!!!!

You also have to remember you are in a foreign land and are subject to their laws. If you commit a crime you follow their laws and that may mean jail time. As for getting help from your government while you are a guest, don't think they'll be able to spring you, oh no. They will make sure you're treated fair, get info to your family, get you legal help, and be there if you need them, but they will not be able to get you off the hook if you commit a crime!!!!

Treat everyone the way you want to be treated and everything will be fine!!!! Treat the locals badly and they will treat you the same way.

[colorcrazie]

And, not all countries will get you legal help or treat you fairly if you commit a crime. So....DON'T.

Had a friend who stupidly bought a joint in Jamaica. He spent weeks in the most hellish jail you can imagine and it cost his dad a trip down there plus thousands for bail money. SOme countries will arrest "wealthy" Americans for the sole purpose of trying to get money out of us. Not all are bad, by any means and the people are usually just people, anywhere you go, but a couple of corrupt officials and you are in a lot more trouble than you would be in here in the U.S.

Marty

[Hub]

That old do unto others as you would have them do unto you usually works!