Ethical Travel - Shameless Sightseeing Experience
Travelling is an assault on the senses and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Considering that, is it any wonder that sometimes we do stuff we shouldn’t? Well whether you’ve taken a sneaky picture when you shouldn’t have, pointed a fascinated finger, stared or somehow offended someone ‐ this column is for you. Feeling guilty? Don’t. We’ve all been there but an ethical traveller you can be prepared. Besides you’ve already got the best antidote against blushes ‐ common sense. This month, we show you how your noggin is all you need for a shameless sightseeing experience.
Story Highlights
- Places of worship ‐ Clothing and Etiquette
- Historical Sites ‐ Minding Your Manners and Your Mouth
- Group Tours
- Use Your Head
Places of worship ‐ Clothing and Etiquette
Places of worship often attract visitors for their art and architectural heritage. For example Italy’s Santa Maria delle Grazie holds Da Vinci’s Last Supper while Turkey’s Hagia Sofia was built as a church, converted to a mosque and is now a museum, not to mention a famous example of Byzantine architecture.
First thing remember that you’re in a place of worship. Before you go, some prep work could save you a lot of blushing. It would after all be a bummer to rock up and be denied entry because you’re dressed inappropriately. For example ladies ‐ if you’re going into an Eastern Orthodox or a conservative Catholic church, bring a scarf to cover your head. In addition, bare arms may be offensive along with short skirts and tight clothing. Packing a long sleeved shirt and a long skirt keeps you modest and won’t take a lot of room in your bag. And guys ‐ appropriate dress isn’t just for the ladies. If you’re visiting a synagogue, wear a yarmulke ‐ the thin, rounded skullcap worn by Jewish men. The bottom line is this ‐ modest dress can’t miss.
Behaviour wise, a bit of etiquette always helps. Most people, for example, know to remove their shoes before entering a mosque. But when you sit down, would you think to make sure your feet weren’t pointing towards Mecca, thereby offending nearby worshippers? Knowing stuff like this is the difference between people tolerating you as a visitor or welcoming you as a guest.
Historical Sites ‐ Minding Your Manners and Your Mouth
Yes, potentially everything you see fits into this category. However, history buffs stand aside because for some people, there’s also an emotional attachment to a place. So how should you act as a visitor? In cemeteries, battlefields and at monuments remember that people around you may be paying their respects to fallen relatives and friends. If you disagree with something, this aint’ the time to practice politics. Furthermore this might sound obvious, but don’t take anything. You might think that flowers, rocks, dirt or even blades of grass are good souvenirs, but actually when you take them, you’re defacing property.
Group Tours
Knowing what you want to do before you go is a good idea, but if you’re short on time then consider joining a tour. Who cares if you look uncool? Think of everything that you’ll learn and this stuff ‐ unlike the everything covered above ‐ is something you can take home with you.
Want to make your tour experience better? Having been a guide myself, I can tell you that it works best if you pay attention and don’t argue with your tour guide. We mean well, we’re here to help and if you know it already, don’t interrupt because others are there to listen and learn too.
Use Your Head
Overwhelmed? Well remember that you’ve already got the best defence against offending and it’s perched right between your shoulders. Use your head wisely and you can’t go wrong, no matter where you go.
‐ Jackie Ready
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