Top 60 essential things to learn as a traveler
Every journey has an impact and traveling is knowledge. Here’s a fun article about top 60 essential things to learn as a traveler.
Case study – What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt as a traveler?
The replies are fascinating (leaving aside the ever-boring dispute over learnt vs learned). People from all over the world accepted the fun challenge and shared their input. Some are general, others are specific, some are positive, others, negative. Last seven are my own.
So let’s see the selection of genuine answers, as international travelers wrote them:
1. Courtesy
The best place to understand this? Japan, from the second your plane will land and staff working on the runway will salute the aircraft with a deep bow.
2. Being free to travel and socialize with people around the world
As generous as this opinion sounds, sadly there are some limitations to both traveling and socializing. And sometimes it’s not even about taking the risk to travel to certain places.
3. There’s no place like home
Absolutely. As much as you love your holidays, home is something you should love coming back to.
4. Be a traveler, not a tourist
I’d spend ages and volumes to talk about it. Few things are sadder than people returning from a holiday without learning anything. They are just tourists. The fridge magnets were invented to give them a purpose.
5. Pack light
Can’t even remember the last time I used the big suitcases. Most likely when I moved to another country for good. Hand luggage rules!
6. First class is a worthy upgrade on long hauls
Although I completely understand the benefits, I can never see myself spending big on flight upgrades. Normally, a long haul flight comes with expensive upgrade. I’m talking about money, not miles, so I rather spend on my vacation.
7. People are amazing in all corners of the world
Word.
8. People everywhere are so much alike
True. And also not true. But mostly true.
9. People who travel are more interesting to talk to
Yes, but only if they are good story tellers and able to maintain the conversation.
10. Great companions make great memories
Only problem here is that we think we are with great companions but things go wrong sometimes.
11. Never travel with cheap people
Funny. I mean, what’s the opposite to it? Always travel with the billionaires, they must be generous? Good luck, then! At least the billionaires’ number is rising.
12. It’s a chance to learn new words in a foreign language
Just don’t forget the golden rule: if you use your brand new pocket dictionary to ask for directions, the locals will always answer in their language…
13. Human angels are everywhere on Earth
Just look for the wings or stop smoking.
14. You travel faster if you travel alone
Only if you are rushing to the loo. Otherwise, no need to be in a hurry.
15. Book a trip even if you are solo
Traveling can be equally fun solo, in a couple or with a group. Numbers should not be a reason to postpone a holiday.
16. In certain countries, I can be taken for a local
This is a classic. I can easily be taken for a Russian or somebody from a Nordic country.
17. A good book can save the day in case of flight delays
Just not too good of a book, or you risk to forget about the flight at all.
18. If you feel frustrated in a new country it’s most likely culture shock
I won’t get into details but culture shock is real and it almost ruined my time in Jakarta and Porto. Strange, isn’t it?
19. People are happier and nicer on the other side of the World
Not really. Life isn’t the way you see it as a tourist during a 1 or 2 weeks holiday.
20. Toilet bowls are different, some are just holes
You could do just fine with the holes, but wait till you meet the Japanese toilets.
21. Kindness is an international language
So is MasterCard. OK, OK, I admit, the one about kindness is my favorite by far.
22. It’s more fun to have no plans
Um, could be, but I would not make it as a general statement.
23. Gas stations are hard to find outside Texas
I’ve never been to Texas but now I got an idea about the number of their gas stations.
24. The biggest critics are the least traveled
So are the least educated.
25. Learn about customs and traditions before visiting a country
Definitely helpful to be aware. You would avoid blowing your nose in a restaurant in Tokyo, like I did…
26. Customer service doesn’t mean the same everywhere you go
Very accurate observation. Customer service could vary from flying over the moon for a guest to a sour face while handling the keys. As long as you don’t take it personally, it’s all good. Beware of hotel receptionists in Paris!
27. Everywhere is better weather than in the UK
Oh, c’mon, it’s not so bad! Um…
28. Sometimes I return from a trip thinking I live in a great country
There’s no such thing as a perfect country/place in this world. If it existed, everybody would want to live there, right? But there are indeed certain destinations that make you feel a little more grateful for your home country.
29. Just go with the flow
No, don’t just go with the flow. Traveling is not a rave party.
30. Cultural diversity is so mind catching
If only we can all see things that way!
Astonishing Overnight Train Journey In India
31. Hang out with the locals
This is advisable and easy. Airbnb in Cuba was awesome for interacting with the locals.
Cuba, A Day Trip To Cayo Largo
32. Things can always go worse
No need to think about it, but bear in mind. And have some extra cash with you, Justin Case!
33. Western people waste too much water
I guess Western people waste a lot of everything else, as well.
34. Learn to negotiate, it helps is countries like Turkey
This is probably a sport that will soon be included in the Olympics. In countries like Turkey.
35. Get direct flights if possible
But try to see the advantages of a stopover.
36. Don’t spend too long time at the same place
Unless it’s an island in the Maldives?..
A Perfect Maldives Trip – 28 Tips
37. It’s way to stressful to travel now
I imagine it used to be more stressful 4 000 years ago, for example.
38. I appreciate my own bed after traveling
Let me guess, backpacker? I hardly appreciate my own bed after a 5 star experience.
39. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression
Yep, especially in the wild. Pay respect to those lions!
40. That there is ignorance in every country
Hopefully this is not what we are looking for when we travel.
41. Humor is universal
It is universal as long as the locals would understand the language you’re speaking.
42. Bring your own toilet paper
I don’t know, man, it’s awfully unnecessary in most hotels in Manhattan.
43. Don’t fart on an airplane
I’d actually say: be lucky enough to not sit behind the one farting in an airplane.
44. Americans talk too loud
Wait until you go to a restaurant in Cyprus and meet the locals!
45. Be patient
You can’t be patient as a traveler if you aren’t patient in general.
46. Alcohol is not allowed in some countries
Hehehe…
47. Tourists ruin travel, go where tourists don’t go
Like where? In the sewage network? We all are tourists by definition so there’s no point to complain when others travel to the same place we did.
48. I learned that people in Iceland are not racist
So are people in Brazil, to name just another one.
49. The most precious possession is the passport
Yes, but don’t freak out about it every 5 minutes.
50. Eat with the locals, avoid the tourist traps
Ideally, yes, but there’s a reason those are called tourist traps. Even eating with the locals could be a trap sometimes. Just pick the place you like and don’t worry too much – you’re there on a holiday, not conducting a social behavior research.
51. Saving money while traveling
It’s better to set a budget prior to your holiday than stressing about saving while traveling.
52. Carry antibacterial wipes EVERYWHERE
– pretty much any American tourist
53. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all
That’s one of the worst approaches as a traveler!
And now a few more, from my experience:
54. Trying local food ties the holiday together
55. Traveling is the best way to learn geography
56. Iceland is not so cold in winter, but Thailand is insanely hot in summer
Phuket – One Night, One Dollar
57. Rain is always more fun on a holiday than at home
58. Airports and airplanes can be some of the coldest places in the world – bring something cozy to wear
Flight cancellation – What To Do
59. No destination is as dangerous as you read of
60. When you find something truly spectacular, put the camera away and enjoy it. Let the others work their way to see it just like you did
Photo: Pesterev/Unsplash
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