Fair Travel

Most people dream of traveling, some are commissioned to travel, and others are born to travel. Whatever category you fall under, we're all responsible for being fair and respectful during our travels. This may be considered a common concept to some; however, to others, this is a far reach to achieve. I've been traveling across the world for over 15 years, and it never ceases to amaze me the gall some people have when visiting another country. I suspect that if you never learn humility or the basics of human respect from either your family or school, it's difficult to acquire or display the characteristics of a noble soul. I wrote a blog post 10 years ago about this topic, and it seems humanity is not improving, more specifically, people from the West. Now, before I get too many boos and hisses, I grew up in North America, so I have credibility when it comes to knowing Western culture, and I am not leaving out bad actors from the East either. I will have to say, compared to the rest of the world, Western culture is one of the most abrasive and unyielding. I don't know why the erragance persists, I just wish it would stop or at least decrease. We're in 2025, and people still haven't learned diplomacy and tolerance.

I've personally witnessed many occasions of tourists being obnoxious and rude to the local people. In some cases, I've read reviews given by people who simply didn't understand the culture, giving local hosts and establishments unwarranted bad reviews, causing challenges with their business. It is my goal to reach at least ten people who can take this message and share it with a known intolerant individual or internalize it for self-reflection and consideration for future travel. If we take the time to think of how a simple action can impact someone's life and livelihood, we may consider how the same thing can affect us as the receiver. The digital world is consumed with social media and, more recently, travel blogs/vlogs. These creators sometimes give a false impression of the destination and how to behave while visiting, which lends to the dilemma I speak of in this article. For example, have you considered maybe local people don't appreciate the saturation of content creators at their natural landmarks? This can lead to pollution, degradation of the landmark and surrounding green space. I've seen it in real-time, not even caring about the actual natural wonder, just there for an action shot with their phone, camera, or drone, disrespecting tour guides and fellow travellers. It has to stop; sensitivity to others should be a prerequisite for human interaction, no matter where you are in the world. I think it's possible to produce a quality blog or vlog without all the extra nonsense. Another example, I befriended the owner of a bed and breakfast in Southeast Asia, and she received a bad review from a guest because they were offended by the cultural differences. Are you kidding me? Is this even a reason to give a host a low score, because they scored high on hospitality and cleanliness, but an overall low score on the experience? Now, if you're traveling to a new destination outside of your country (no matter who you are and where you're going), you need to do at least the basic level of research, so you're prepared on how NOT to offend the incumbent residents and not be completely uncomfortable for your well-being. If this person had considered where they were going and comprehended how different their religious practices are, perhaps they could have chosen an alternative destination or type of accommodation.

A special message for people who are intolerant of differences while en route to their destination. People who travel need to realize one main principle: you will encounter other nationalities, ethnic, genders, and age groups. If you don't like a particular group of people, you shouldn't fly, ride, or sail commercial vehicles (planes, trains, buses, ships). You must go private all the way and have secluded tours and destinations, so the chances of you interacting with whomever you don't tolerate are unlikely to be in your space. If you don't have the resources to totally cocoon yourself from the public, I suggest you stay home. Traveling is designated for the adventurous and open-minded.

These are just a few examples of how people need to be more mindful of their actions and realize that we all hold a level of responsibility when traveling. We all have biases, and if you don't admit that you do, you're not being totally honest with yourself; and in knowing you have some hang-ups about whatever, be diligent in your preparation to travel both domestically and internationally. Perhaps deterge that mentality that change is impossible and embrace the beauty of differences and uniqueness. That's what makes the world more interesting and exciting. Remember, kindness is not weakness; it's a gesture of respect and can be rewarded with reciprocal energy. Traveling is a privilege for all, so for those who can do it now, leave some positive energy in the places you visit to allow for those who are not quite ready to explore. Because you may be the one who keeps the borders open to visitors for years to come.