Lesson 2A: Travelling Mindfully

Today, travelling has become easier than ever before; we can travel farther and more often, while spending less money. Because of this, tourism has become one of the most important industries in the world. It brings money to countries and local communities, and creates lots of different types of jobs. It also helps preserve culture and art, so that people from all over the world can admire them. However, it also has some bad points. Mass tourism has become a real threat to nature and wildlife, and it is a big source of pollution. Overcrowding also damages historic sites, and local residents may face a poorer quality of life because of tourism. That’s why sustainable tourism has become important. It makes sure that both the travel industry and the travellers make efforts to protect the environment and wildlife, reduce pollution, and respect local people and businesses. After all, these wonderful destinations aren’t here just for us to enjoy them; we must preserve them for future generations, too!

When you arrive at your destination, you will meet a lot of local people. You should learn something about their culture and their way of life to avoid offending or accidentally insulting them. Even everyday things, such as eating, can cause misunderstandings. For example, burping in most western countries is considered bad manners. In China and some others, you actually let your host know that you’ve enjoyed the meal when you burp. In some places, there are even laws telling you what you can and can’t eat or drink. In Singapore, for instance, chewing gum is not allowed, while in some Asian countries drinking alcohol is prohibited. To avoid misunderstandings, you can learn a few words and phrases of the local language to help you communicate more easily with the people. In this way, you also show them you’re interested in their culture and language. Dress code is another thing to consider. Lots of countries and public places have rules telling you what you can or cannot wear. You should pay special attention to them in some Middle Eastern countries. According to their authorities, your arms, legs and head all have to be covered up. If you ignore this rule, you will have to pay a fine, or even go back to your country! But you don’t have to travel to another continent to come across rules that are different from the ones back home. For example, you can’t go into Harrods, London’s famous department store, wearing ripped jeans, flip flops or messy clothes. All in all, if you want your stay abroad to be comfortable, you should get to know the rules and traditions of the places you’re visiting.