Why Is It Important to Be a Culture-Sensitive Traveller?

As a traveller, you cross continents, discovering new cultures, people, and experiences. While there’s nothing wrong with holding onto your own personal beliefs, when you’re in a new land governed by a different set of rules, it’s important that you behave in a manner that shows respect for local culture and people. Why is it important? Well, there are several reasons. Suffice it to say that having an open mind will open doors to a wholesome world of diversity and inclusivity.

Why Is It Important to Respect New Cultures?

Being able to immerse yourself in new cultures is the best part of travel. Being culture-sensitive is sure to broaden your perspectives. Respecting new cultures is more than just visiting cultural and historical sites and trying out local dishes; it’s about appreciating and understanding different cultural norms. It’s about being part of a destination’s culture. Some tourists do that by participating in local festivals and celebrations.

Travel is more than just seeing beautiful places and engaging in adventure; it’s also about learning to look at things from a different perspective. A culturally sensitive traveller understands that people are different and have different values and customs. If everybody were a piece of the same cloth, the world would be wretchedly boring.  

Research the Destination

While you’re creating a fun itinerary for yourself, make sure to do some digging into the destination’s culture. Learn about local customs, traditions, and laws. Make sure to do some research on the country’s religious practices and the political climate – it’s about your personal safety as much as about cultural sensitivity. If you’re from the West and planning to explore the popular tourist spots in Asia, you’ll find that the way things are done is much, if not completely, different. Locals are often forgiving when it comes to foreigners. Moreover, if you’ve chosen to stay with the likes of Travelodge Hotels Asia, the hotel staff will be helpful in untangling the doubts you may have. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort to understand local culture.

While you don’t have to be a culture aficionado, it pays to understand the fundamental beliefs that govern a place.

Dress Code

Some tourists get this wrong, but you don’t have to be among them. Some destinations can be extremely traditional and may have a somewhat conservative dress code. For instance, if you’re visiting a country like Thailand with the intention of visiting its temples, you need to be careful about what you wear. When visiting temples in Thailand, and South Asia in general, it’s important to choose a clothing style that corresponds to the local dress code – tourists are expected to cover their upper arms and thighs.

Understanding the dress code is important in terms of doing business too. For instance, if you’re invited to a meeting, you might have to don a full suit in some places in Asia, whereas a Western country might a have relaxed attitude toward the business dress code.

Avoid Cultural Offenses

A lack of cultural sensitivity can lead to unintended cultural offences. For example, some hand gestures are considered offensive. If you’re in China at a restaurant, certain dining etiquette needs to be followed – sticking your chopstick upright in the rice bowl or pointing at someone with it are cultural offences. In Thailand, for instance, touching someone on the head can be considered offensive. And then you have concepts like ‘Save Face’, mainly in South Asia. The concept dictates the importance of not offending someone in a social situation. For example, if you outright say no to someone or disagree with a person, you might end up offending that person. If it’s a sensitive business scenario, you might end up losing a valuable business deal.

The Importance of Asking Permission

Yes, you’ll encounter many things you want to take pictures of, but hold on just a second! You can’t just take pictures of people without their permission. Some tourists make this mistake and risk offending locals. Always ask permission when taking pictures of a person or something that belongs to someone. This thoughtful gesture might win you local friends, who would go on to show you around and help you find your way.