When traveling abroad, foremost is your safety. You do not plan and spend your life's savings for a trip that you will regret for the rest of your life. Before you embark on your dream vacation, you have to be aware of the do's and don'ts while abroad.
You must dress to blend into the crowd and avoid attracting attention. Your motive is not to disrespect the culture and the people in your chosen destination. Here are some of the important tips on what NOT to bring to your travel. Here are some important tips as shared by Independent Traveler:
Religiously Immodest Clothing
If you are planning to travel in the Middle East or in a conservative and religious country, never wear short shorts, miniskirts, bra tops, tank tops, sleeveless shirts. Dresses must conservative and not revealing or low neckline. The same with men, they should not wear shorts and sleeveless shirts, especially when entering a holy temple.
Flashy Jewelry
Expensive and flashy jewelry must not be brought abroad to avoid theft or danger to one's life. Accessories are fine. Unless you are going to attend a formal occasion that needs expensive jewelry to match your clothes, do not bring them along.
Bring Leather Shoes Instead of Sneakers and Open-Toe Shoes
Sneakers are for sports. But do not wear them when you walk around because sneakers, Crocs, and Birkenstocks are a no for the Italians and the Spaniards.
To be safe bring closed shoes that are comfortable. Do not bring flip-flops and open-toes shoes and sandals to avoid getting an infection and cutting your toes while walking on rough surfaces.
Shorts
You can bring them in the U.S. but in some Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, they do not wear shorts for walking around. Shorts are what Americans love to wear when walking.
Yes, we Americans do love our shorts, but some other cultures -- such as Indonesians and Vietnamese -- don't wear them for everyday walking around, no matter the season or how close they are to the equator. Consider reserving your khaki shorts for beaches, parks, tennis clubs and hiking trails.
Religious or Military Symbols, National Flags, and Other Symbolic Accessories
Leave religious items at home, clothes with a military of religious implications, and other symbols that might catch the attention of religious people.
Bright Colors
Avoid wearing bright-colored clothes while on the trip. Be safe with neutral colors of brown, gray, black and other earth colors. Unless loud colors are normal in your destination, opt for subtle colors that can easily blend in. If you are going to central Africa, never wear black or blue because these colors attract the large tsetse flies.
Jeans
Jeans are becoming popular in most parts of the world except in conservative countries like India, the Middle East, and other highly religious countries. See to it they fit well and wrinkle-free. Black or blue jeans are appropriate for all occasions. As much as possible do not wear ripped jeans or baggy ones especially when visiting holy places.
Sweaters and Coats
If you are going to cold countries in the winter, always bring with you thick sweaters, jackets or coats to protect you while seeing sights. It is not advisable to go to those countries at the height of the snowy season.
Cameras
Travels and cameras go hand in hand. For shutterbugs, always put the camera in your bag when not in use and not hanging on your neck. In this way, you are not in danger of being robbed. Smartphones are better as they can act as good cameras too.
Lastly, Baggage and Backpacks
It is advisable to bring large backpacks instead of the usual rollaboard. They are easier to bring into compartments. Just bring along a body bag or a smaller bag where you can put the most important stuff while you travel.
Few More Tips
If you are not so familiar with the dressing style of the locals, better bring the basic clothing, then; visit a local thrift shop where you can buy stuff. Observe how they dress so you will not go wrong. This is a sure way to blend in.
Be subtle in your movements, do no open maps or glaringly ask for directions. Your mission is not to be identified as a tourist. Better enter a coffee shop where you can study your map.
Be educated on different hand gestures as they mean different things in different countries. The "thumbs up" for example is obscene in Bangladesh. Search the Internet to know about these things. Be polite at all times.
If possible always check your luggage. See to it that they are on the same plane with you. If in case, and they happen sometimes, your luggage was not carried, RELAX, just coordinate with the airport authorities so you can track where to claim them.
Be focused. If you are distracted, many things are bound to happen. Always check your belongings. Most of all ENJOY your trip.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
