Traveling is a fun and eye-opening experience, but it can also be extremely daunting and often frustrating if you’re not well-prepared. Some people find traveling for the first time to be intimidating because they don’t like the idea of putting themselves in an uncomfortable situation. They’re far from home, they don’t know the language, and they don’t have many (if any) friends to rely on. Traveling in a group can help alleviate some of that anxiety, but it’s completely understandable if someone finds themselves uncomfortable when traveling abroad.
But if you’re traveling for the first time and trying to get out of that comfort zone, then I’ve got a couple of tips to help you settle into the idea of going abroad. Here are some unspoken rules to help you avoid trouble and enjoy your vacation.
You don’t have to learn a new language, but it helps to learn a few phrases
Ignore anyone that tells you that you have to learn an entirely new language just to travel. It’s complete nonsense and you can do it without having any knowledge of the language at all. With that said, the less you know the more confident you’ll have to be at trying to communicate with body language and hand gestures. This can be extremely daunting for some people. I’m very expressive but sometimes that doesn’t get me too far. It can help if you have a translation app on your phone, but it’s much better if you can learn a few key phrases to help you get around a little more easily.
You should get to know what local services there are to help you out of a bad situation
When traveling for the first time, it’s never a bad idea to save a few numbers in your phone so that you have an easier time getting out of a sticky situation. One of the most important numbers is the local authorities. This generally gives you access to the police, firefighters, and also healthcare services. Just keep in mind that healthcare probably isn’t free, but out-of-country insurance exists and is included in most plans. Read the fine print before assuming that though.
It can also help if you have numbers for extra services should you end up in an accident. For instance, pedestrian accident lawyers are great to contact if you ever get injured. While most people would be happy to just leave the country without additional trouble, there may be situations where you need to get in touch with a lawyer or legal professional to help you overcome a dispute or serious accident. Thankfully, the authorities will help you find a local lawyer and offer additional services to help you out but do keep in mind that foreigners might not get strong representation depending on the country or the incident.
Don’t paint a target on your back as a tourist and you’ll avoid a lot of trouble
If you’re traveling for the first time then one of the most important rules to follow is to not stand out. The more you stand out, the easier it’ll be for people to target you for scams and to steal from you.
Even if you plan to travel for cheap, you should always avoid anything that sounds or looks too good to be true. When people start approaching you and trying to get you into a bar or sell you something on the street, then it’s a good idea to just ignore them, walk away, and continue doing what you were doing. It’s easy to paint a target on your back when you’re a tourist, but if you focus on trying to blend in and do as the locals do, then it can help you avoid any unwanted interactions.
It’s important to understand a country’s culture to some degree to help you avoid getting into trouble or standing out. Follow the rules, respect the culture, and try to avoid standing out. By following these simple steps, you’ll have a much more enjoyable time traveling.
