Slideshow attached to the post http://deceptivelyblonde.wordpress.com/2013/08/07/tread-lightly-when-you-travel . It seems counter-intuitive, but the art of being a good traveler is disappearing nearly as fast as globalization increases. Having extensively traveled abroad in recent years, I can safely say that I no long wonder why tourists often rank amongst the most disliked people in the world. But it isn't just the tourists; its the students, the businessmen, the soldiers, and the politicians. There is something about going abroad that causes many people to leave behind all the manners and rules of civilized behavior they would normally adopt at home. And we get it, it's nice to just abandon all your reservations and let loose once in a while. But people forget that they aren't just representing themselves abroad; they are representing their entire nation and culture. Even if nothing they do ever comes back to their families, the locals will remember "that idiot from ***** country". And when the locals have to watch over and over while the travelers repeat the same ignorant, reckless behavior, it becomes a stereotype applied to all traveler's from that background. "Oh, stop being such a sourpuss!," the excuses run. "We're just having fun." "We're paying good money to be here." "Who cares what they think?" Well, serious travelers care, for one. I personally am sick and tired of being brushed with the "stupid, rude, careless, obnoxious, disrespectful, American tourist" stamp. Over and over, I enter a new country only to find that the travelers before me were wildly andirresponsibly drunk, disrespectful of the locals, dirty, destructive, rude, ignorant, and loud in their disparagement of the country, its natives, and their entire way of life. Time after time, I have watched as tourists from around the world (and particularly America) come into a country, treat it like their personal playground/garbage pit, and then walk away, leaving me to combat the impression they leave behind. It actually hinders me from doing my job, which is to communicate, interact with, and learn about other cultures. So in the future, when you're headed abroad, here are a few tips on how to be a better traveler.

1. TREAD LIGHTLY WHEN YOU TRAVEL: MY
REPUTATION GOES WITH YOU
Six Steps in The Art of Being a Good Traveler

2. 1. RESPECT THE ELDERLY
In many countries, part of honoring
history is respecting those who lived it. As such, most
cultures place their elderly in a special position in the
cultural hierarchy. Regardless of what they say or do, even
the rudest elderly man or woman is treated with the highest
honor. So travelers, you see an older person get on the bus,
get up and hand over your seat. If they tell you you're too
loud, apologize profusely. If there is an elder walking
towards you taking up the whole sidewalk, move over.
Assume they are in the right and that you are to meet their
needs accordingly.

3. 2. LEAVE THE THINGS YOU TOUCH CLEAN AND
IN ONE PIECE.
Far too many travelers have walked
away from filthy hotel rooms, disgusting
tables, and littered cultural sites; callously
disregarding the locals who have to clean it up. One of the
greatest impressions a traveler leaves is how respectful they
were to the people and places around them. So clean up your
hotel room before you leave, put your towels in one pile, and
make sure the trash is in the trash can. Don't leave soda bottles
and chips bags laying all around the temples and castles; stick
them in your backpack till you reach a trash can. Try to keep
your bottles and cans and napkins on the table and push your
chairs in when you leave. And whatever you do, don't break
things. Leave the museum pieces alone, don't mark on the
cultural relics, and remember that these things are precious to
others.

4. 3. BE POLITE
 Don’t abandon all those lessons your
parents taught you about how to be polite. Make sure
you say “please” and “thank you,” even if they can’t
understand. Don’t yell “hey you” at waiters, figure out
the rules for tipping, apologize when you cause
someone inconvenience, don’t yell in sacred cultural
buildings, etc. Most of all, be patient with the people
around you; you’re intruding on their way of life. They
are graciously allowing you the opportunity to be part
of their daily lives, and it may take time to adapt both
on their part and yours. So keep your temper under
wraps and your smile readily available. It leaves
everyone with a better impression.

5. 4. DON’T ACT LIKE AN IDIOT WHEN THEY TAKE
PHOTOS OF YOU.
 Travelers take a lot of photos of the
local people, but for some reason they
frequently get uncomfortable when
the locals ask for photos of them. Just
keep in mind that for them it’s the same thing. You’re
different, unique, and maybe your hair color, freckles,
height, tattoo, or dress is something they don’t see very
often. It’s actually a good thing that they are interested in
you in return. It gives you the opportunity to share a bit of
your culture with them in exchange for all they are sharing
with you. Making them uncomfortable about being
interested makes you look rude and inconsiderate. Either
ignore the photo-taking or get involved and help them
make it a great memory. Personally, I take the photo with
them and then ask for one in return; it’s in some of my
favorite photos!

6. 5. TREAT ESL SPEAKERS LIKE
HUMAN BEINGS.
 All too often, travelers unknowingly have un-informed biases or
stereotypes about foreigners. Assume that everything you’ve
heard about them may be wrong; you probably haven’t heard
about their country or lifestyle from their point of view yet and
what you learned was probably skewed.
 But most importantly beware the bias against ESL speakers. First
off, there’s the “Traveler’s Tone.” It’s that condescending tone
people frequently adopt when speaking with ESL speakers; the
one that sounds like they are talking to a child. Avoid it; they may
not pick up on the words, but they are certainly registering your
tone. Also don’t assume that they can’t understand you just
because English isn’t their first language; they may have been
studying it in school since first grade.
 Finally, remember that they are in fact human beings with many
of the same thoughts, lives, emotions, and experiences as you.
They deserve your respect and to be treated like the intelligent,
experienced, thinking adults/young adults they are.

7. 6. BE RESPECTFUL OF THE WOMEN.
 This is especially true for men traveling abroad.
Remember that these are the sisters, daughters, wives,
and mothers of people just like you.
 Also keep in mind that they may have religious,
cultural, or societal rules that keep them from behaving
in certain ways and you need to respect that. There are cultures
where women don’t wear certain clothes, don’t touch men they
aren’t married to, etc. Don’t touch a woman, even on the
shoulder unless you know it’s okay. Be careful how you speak to
her, and treat her with the utmost respect. This doesn’t mean
you can’t have fun; just be aware of their boundaries.
 Also remember that there are certain cultures that place
women in a certain level of respect. You may be expected to get
up and give a woman your chair on the train; you may be
expected to open the door for her; etc.