Learn the Culture Before You Go--But You Will Make Mistakes

Learn customs

Before you travel, learn the customs of where you’re going regardless of wherever you're traveling in the states or abroad. Look up wherever you plan to visit and check out the web. Utube is a great way to learn the customs of the site you plan to travel to. Keep in mind you will make mistakes. Learning from those mistakes is how you become a seasoned traveler. The two following stories are how I made some mistakes I made during my travels.

When you travel, you will stand out as a foreigner because, well, you are one. Remember, you are stepping away from your everyday life and customs to experience and learn about others. This is an excellent way to grow and learn more about our world. However, do everything you can to learn the customs and what is expected before you get to your destination. There is an expansive wealth of information on the web and all you have to do is type in your destination in your Google space and ask for local customs to know when abroad.

Wherever I plan to travel, especially out of the US, I don't want to stand out as “That American.” The one who wears the backwards baseball cap, shorts and a logoed t-shirt. What's worse, “That American” who doesn't follow the rules, is loud and overbearing. I want to respect myself and my country, so I do as much research as I can before I go on vacation.

But you will make mistakes. It doesn’t matter how seasoned of a traveler you are. When you do screw up, apologize when appropriate, and laugh at yourself. Keeping a sense of humor is the best way to handle looking silly. Shake it off and remember it as a simple mistake. Dwelling on what you did wrong or worse, arguing with people involved will turn a simple mistake into a disaster. It happens to everyone, so relax.

Here are a few instances where despite my best efforts, I inadvertently became “That American.”

Big Mama

Japan has a plethora of shrines and temples in so many corners of major cities and in small towns, it boggles the mind. When I was in Tokyo, I was walking down an arcade. my friends’ daughter's fiance, Josh, and I fell back from our pack and we wandered into a shrine hidden to the left of us.

We were a few days into our trip and we were like kids who are attracted to any new shiny object. The two of us noticed a quaint little shrine to the left of us. We stepped inside. With the goal of being respectful to the shrine, we spoke in hushed tones and walked straight to the fountain provided to cleanse our hands before entering the rest of the shrine. Josh went first.

Many of the shrines have fountains for visitors to cleanse their hands before proceeding through the area. Often there is a process to cleansing visitors’ hands. Sometimes it’s left to the right, then right to the left and so on. Evidently, there was a sign with instructions, but neither Josh nor I read it. We just followed the instructions we remembered from the several shrines we went to previously. Not a good idea.

Josh washed his hands first, then it was my turn. A woman’s voice coming from seemingly nowhere that totally startled us. We see a little woman who appeared to be 70 plus years old. She couldn't have been taller than 4 ft tall and no more than 90 lb.

Don't get it twisted. This woman had so much force behind her voice and her tone was so sharp, it made both of us jump.

“You use the ladle first!” the woman said.

It was then I saw the ladle and the sign that blatantly instructed visitors to use the ladle and not put their bare hands under the running water.

The keeper of the shrine was seething with anger. I felt so foolish, all I could do was repeatedly bow at the waist and apologize. I call her Big Mama because she was someone's grandma that played no games.

Take away

When you are somewhere that has clear instructions, read and follow those instructions. then you won't feel like a fool and get yelled at by someone's grandma.

It's okay she's an American!

Before I tell you this story, I admit, I smoked. I'm well aware cigarettes are horrible for my health and can worsen my conditions. However, when I was in London, I was still smoking.

I did my research and like in America, there are places where smoking is not permitted. Unlike America, however, London has places where people can't smoke even if that smoker is outside.

I have a real love and fascination for ancient history. I'm intrigued by The Legend of King Arthur and the mystery of his real existence . I had a free day and I planned to go from London to Glastonbury by train. I went to a train station near my hotel and I asked the ticket attendant for directions. I either didn't understand what she was telling me or she didn't get what I was asking, because I ended up on a two and a half hour train ride and didn’t have a clue where I was.

The train stopped at the end of the line. I had no choice but to get off the train. I knew I was totally lost, so I searched for a rail employee. After a quick scan, I saw a guy in a uniform who had a kind face and he appeared to have a laid back demeanor.

“Where did you come from?” the train employee asked me

"London” I replied.

“What? you're in Wales!" he exclaimed.

I was confused how I got all the way from London to Wales. He couldn't believe I had gotten that lost. But this man was so nice. I told him I was visiting from the Seattle area and I was looking to go to Glastonbury.

His name was Bill and after we talked for a bit, he instructed me to wait while he went to the office to write a note with directions to the next train conductor to get me back to my hotel free of charge. I was so grateful for his kindness, but I was a bit stressed. Since there was no roof in the area, I thought it was okay to smoke. WRONG! I lit my cigarette and people shouted No! No!

Shaken, I shouted, “No! No! Oh no! I'm sorry!”

I quickly put out my cigarette and kept apologizing. Bill ran in front of me with his arms out. He stood in front of me as if to protect me from villagers on a witch hunt.

“It's okay, she's an American!”

I wanted to curl into a ball. I was “That American”

It was fine. He took me outside of the station and we both had a cigarette. I learned he worked for the rail system in Wales for 30 years. We talked about his family and his background. He directed me towards the castle in Wales. After that, I spent the rest of the day in Wales. I had a great lunch, fish and chips–yum, shopped in the arcades and had an amazing time. I even bought a beautiful coral and gold ring from an antique shop. That ring reminds me although I got lost in Wales, I had a fantastic day!

Take away

Don't smoke, but if you do, pay attention. Smoking in Forbidden areas can get you in a lot of trouble. You might not get as lucky as I did.

When on vacation, do all you can to learn about the cultural preferences for your destination before you leave.

When you make mistakes, and you will, be willing to laugh at yourself and be open to new experiences

Sometimes you may get lost, but if you are open, you can have a fabulous adventure!

Josh and me right before the shrine

Me in front of Wales Castle in Wales, UK

City of Wales, UK

My find at an antique shop in Wales, UK

Shrine in Tokyo--Directions clearly marked