Blend In When Travelling

Whether you backpack in Europe or journey in royal style through India, blending in when travelling is key to make the most out of your experience, be it in terms of enjoyment or learning. Local people generally are highly appreciative of visitors who take a genuine interest in their culture. Make an effort to reach out to them. Take a few lessons from the locals and feel yourself at home!

– Do research on your destination (background info on the culture as well as what is currently going on)

– Read up on the history of your destination (understand where the things you will see are coming from and how they came about)

– Talk to anyone in your personal network who travelled there (learn about the best and worst experiences and develop a feel for your destination)

– Learn key phrases in the language of your destination (make yourself understood and connect to the people)

– Absorb the culture using all five senses (listen to the symphony of sounds, watch the kaleidoscope of colours, feel the fabrics, smell the spices, and taste the delicacies)

– Observe carefully how locals eat, talk, move, and work (copy their behaviour and experiment with gestures)

– Dress according to local standards (respect sensibilities and show your cultural sensitivity)

– Buy local products (handy tools as well as works of artisanship)

– Explore local delicacies (home grown produce and regional flavours)

– Choose local lodgings (be it an ashram in India, a traditional inn in China, or an old manor in Europe)

– Take local transportation (such as subways in modern cities or bullock carts in the ancient villages)

– Have the courage to get lost (follow your instincts and make a discovery behind every corner)

– Learn from insiders (eccentric taxi drivers or hipsters in stylish coffee houses, all can be great sources of information)

– Find the places popular with locals (might be a hole-in-the-wall food joint or a fancy lounge cafe)

– Make local friends (delve right into the local community and profit from expert tips)

– Stay away from what you know from home (multinational restaurant chains as well as big brands)

– Dare yourself to try things you have never done before (be prepared to embark on a journey to the unknown, immerse yourself, and broaden your horizons)