#1
Bored Panda reached out to redditor u/scoopy-frog to hear about the inspiration behind the intriguing thread, as well as to shed some light on what they value the most about travel and what to keep in mind when you go abroad.
"I was inspired to ask the question because my husband is from Brazil. When I met him, he had only been in America for 3 years, and a lot of our early conversations were about our different cultures," the OP opened up to us that this topic has long been on their mind.
"I loved the discovery and the way the conversations diversified my worldview, and wondered what perspectives people from other countries might have," the author explained that they were very curious to hear what some of the other Reddit users had to share on this question.
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We were interested to hear the redditor's thoughts as to what makes for a truly good traveler and what everyone should probably keep in mind when interacting with various cultures abroad. The key here—as in most areas of life—is having respect and being flexible.
"Be respectful. Remember that you are the foreigner, and your location isn't required to conform to what you're comfortable with," u/scoopy-frog stressed the fact that it's up to the individual to adapt.
"Take the opportunity to go outside yourself. If something seems extraordinary, don't be afraid to question it to learn more, but be mindful that you're experiencing someone else's way of life."
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However, there are lots of people around the world who have never even taken a single step abroad. Bored Panda asked u/scoopy-frog what advice they'd give someone who's scared of travel.
Here's what they told us: "No matter where you go, there will be someone you'll connect with. Humanity's deepest instinct is for connection and camaraderie, and even cultural or language barriers won't hinder positive interactions and experiences."
The OP continued: "It's jarring to be taken out of what's familiar, but what will be discovered is beyond imagination."
Travel is much more than just about the amazing sights, nature, and architecture. Sure, they're an essential part of any trip. But what truly turns a trip into an adventure is the people we interact with.
#7
“Visit a restaurant dumpster just before dawn? Tear open a box of kitten chow on the back patio?”
“They like cat food?”
“Yes, the like cat food and if you actually do that you will see 6 raccoons the following evening…”
“In the woods.”
“Exactly where in the woods?”
“I think they dig burrows at the base of….wait a minute, are you going to take your sons skunk-watching?”
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To put it simply, people are social animals and they need deep, meaningful relationships to thrive. An 85-year Harvard study conclusively found that it's not wealth or our careers that truly make us happy, healthy, and living longer—it's the positive relationships we have in life.
So it only makes sense that you try to connect to as many locals as possible during your travels. And many of them will be happy to connect with you, in turn, provided that you show them and their culture the respect they deserve.
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Going abroad can be overwhelming at first. Though, if you already know a bit about the local culture and you’re willing to learn the language, things are far easier.
Theory and practice are very different beasts, however. Learning about a country from articles and videos won’t fully prepare you for the nuances of actually living there. That’s why having a friendly local (or two!) to help you out is so important. They can clue you in about the various nuances and faux pas of everyday life.
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The sign of a good guide is that they’ll be aware of at least some of the common questions and problems that foreigners have upon arriving. We’re often so used to daily life that we forget how some ‘common sense’ things aren’t all that clear to others from abroad.
It’s only by changing our environments that we become acutely aware of all the things that we take for granted. Whether that’s orderly traffic, the super friendly local wildlife, or literal castles everywhere.
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When it comes to interacting with wildlife—whether the raccoons in Japan or the opossums in the US—it’s absolutely essential that you respect the animals. To put it bluntly, you don’t want to harass them or make them feel unsafe. Don’t try to feed or touch the wildlife, unless you’re in an environment that explicitly allows these things.
Obviously don’t, under any circumstances, frighten or try to ride wild animals. Nor should you pick up animals just so you can snap a selfie for your social media pages. Keep a respectful distance and admire these beings from afar.