Becoming Culturally Savvy Before Leaving Home

The first time I visited China, I was shocked when I saw people wearing surgical masks as they walked down city streets. Smugly I thought to myself, “I’d never be that rude.” After three days of weaving my way around Beijing, I began having trouble breathing and started looking for a store that sold the face masks. I’d realized that wearing one was a necessity; it didn’t offend anyone. It was one of those things I wish I’d known about before I arrived.

When traveling without a guide, the more you’re aware of the elements of another culture, the easier it is to deal with situations that seem strange and to sidestep potential problems and embarrassments.

A new source of information is the read-before-you-go series just launched by guidebook publisher Lonely Planet. “Read This First: Asia & India” is available now, and by summer there will be similar editions for Europe, Central and South America combined, and Africa.

This book is helpful. Punctuated with real-life anecdotes from Lonely Planet authors, it offers insights into cultural etiquette and tips on a variety of subjects, from packing to health and safety.

It is easy to offend unintentionally in a foreign country. The error can be as simple as how you dress, where you point your feet or, as “Read This First” points out, leaving your chopsticks sticking straight up in a bowl of rice. “This is part of a Buddhist funeral rite and is considered a very bad omen in many parts of Asia,” say authors Chris Rowthorn and Peter Cruttenden.

Some situations that we would find inappropriate are acceptable elsewhere. For example, when buses in India have unreserved seats, it is fairly common to pay a small boy to climb through a window to hold a seat for you.

It also helps to prepare for the annoyances you can’t avoid, such as the “staring squads.” Face it, you’re a curiosity in another country. The worst incident I encountered was at the gates to the Red Fort in New Delhi. Two of us were waiting for a friend to join us. First one person stopped and stared, then a few more, then it grew into a crowd of about 50 people. It was confusing and intimidating. Finally the police arrived and asked us to leave because we were causing a disturbance. So much for seeing the Red Fort.

“Read This First” warns readers that in China, India and a few other countries, people “have no compunction about staring at you for hours on end. They may even call friends and relatives over to join in the fun. . . . There’s little you can do but ignore them.” I’ve found that wearing sunglasses helps to cut eye contact.

The book also gives helpful tips on budgeting in either country: “Travelers staying in budget accommodation and eating in small cafes should be able to get by on about $20 per day (not including long-distance transportation costs). To stay in midrange hotels, eat at moderate restaurants, charter occasional taxis and enjoy the night life, the budget is about $65 per day.”

You’ll also find where to meet up with--or avoid--the other backpackers. “You’ll soon realize that there’s a definite backpackers trail blazed across Asia,” say the authors.

Major points along this trail include Bangkok and Chiang Mai (Thailand), Katmandu (Nepal), Kuta and Yogyakarta (Indonesia), and Goa and Varanasi (India).

“Read This First: Asia & India” is $14.95 in bookstores.

Lucy Izon is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Internet https://www.izon.com.