Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Five local customs we just can't follow
Travelers are a pretty tolerant bunch. Travel actually breeds tolerance because it gets rid of the ignorance on which tolerance is based. There are times, however, when we can't bring ourselves to follow certain local customs. Here are five things a lot of people find a bit too hard to swallow, in one case literally.Using your hand as toilet paper
Using the left hand to wipe your posterior is a time-honored tradition in many parts of the world. It's probably more common than toilet paper, and is certainly more ecologically sensitive and effective. With a bit of finger work and some water, your bum will be sparkly clean. As a Pakistani friend explained to me, "Imagine you were covered in shit. Which would you rather have me do--wipe you down with paper towels or hose you off?" Impeccable logic. I'm still not going to do it.
Eating dogs, cats, and rats
Exotic dining is one of the great pleasures of adventure travel, but sometimes it can get too exotic. We've been trained since birth that certain animals are food, and certain animals are cute and cuddly and should be named Pookums. It's hard to rewire the brain after such training. I've never been offered dog, although considering some of the places I've eaten I may have had it without knowing, but I'd have some trouble downing a Doberman or chomping on a Corgi. There are other animals we've been taught are unclean, like rats and insects, yet rats and insects are popular food in many cultures. I've tried pureed ants. Not bad, but I'll skip the rat soup. User heyduke2009 over at Gadling's flickr pool was brave enough to order it, but his photo doesn't show any bite marks!
Disrespecting women
Call me politically correct, but I happen to think women are equal to men and should be treated accordingly. Some cultures think of women as property or sex objects. While parts of the Middle East can be bad with this, northern India consistently ranks at the top of the list of places where women travelers are harassed. One favorite trick is to "accidentally" brush against a woman in a crowd. Women can expect to be felt up on a regular basis, like once every few minutes in some places. This treatment isn't just reserved for Western women either. I complained about how my wife was being treated to a female Indian friend and she just sighed and said, "Yeah, it started happening to me when I was about ten." Strangely, when my wife went to southern India for three weeks, it didn't happen once!
And yes, our culture has a way to go too, but at least in the West a woman can go shopping without getting groped.
Mentioning God every other sentence
This is an annoying custom we find right here in the good old U S of A. "I'd like to thank God for helping me make that touchdown." "I missed my bus and it was in an accident. God saved me!" "This can won't open. God damn it!"
OK, assuming there's an all-knowing, all-powerful being who created the universe, I really doubt it (not "he", there is no Celestial Penis) gives two hoots about some football game. Yet we constantly bring God into the most trivial aspects of our lives, and the not-so-trivial too. Good luck getting elected to public office if you don't mention God in your campaign speeches. The only other place I've seen this custom get so rampant is the Middle East. There should be a survey of political speeches of Arab and American politicians to find out which ones invoke God more often. Much of the rest of the world, especially Europe, finds this habit of ours weird and a wee bit creepy.
Talking during movies
Spain is my adopted home. I love the Spanish--they're attractive, funny, and know how to party, but they commit one cardinal sin--THEY TALK DURING MOVIES!!! Why would you plunk down good money to go to the cinema and then not pay attention to the film!? A friend of mine who likes opera says they do it there too, so this isn't a class thing. Once some people sitting near her got into such a loud argument that she couldn't hear the singer, yet nobody told them to shut up. It's considered completely normal. This noise pollution is made worse by the fact that when Spaniards are in a group they all yammer away at the same time, only half listening to everyone else.
Are there any local customs you just can't follow? Gripe about them in the comments section!
This is an annoying custom we find right here in the good old U S of A. "I'd like to thank God for helping me make that touchdown." "I missed my bus and it was in an accident. God saved me!" "This can won't open. God damn it!"
OK, assuming there's an all-knowing, all-powerful being who created the universe, I really doubt it (not "he", there is no Celestial Penis) gives two hoots about some football game. Yet we constantly bring God into the most trivial aspects of our lives, and the not-so-trivial too. Good luck getting elected to public office if you don't mention God in your campaign speeches. The only other place I've seen this custom get so rampant is the Middle East. There should be a survey of political speeches of Arab and American politicians to find out which ones invoke God more often. Much of the rest of the world, especially Europe, finds this habit of ours weird and a wee bit creepy.
Talking during movies
Spain is my adopted home. I love the Spanish--they're attractive, funny, and know how to party, but they commit one cardinal sin--THEY TALK DURING MOVIES!!! Why would you plunk down good money to go to the cinema and then not pay attention to the film!? A friend of mine who likes opera says they do it there too, so this isn't a class thing. Once some people sitting near her got into such a loud argument that she couldn't hear the singer, yet nobody told them to shut up. It's considered completely normal. This noise pollution is made worse by the fact that when Spaniards are in a group they all yammer away at the same time, only half listening to everyone else.
Are there any local customs you just can't follow? Gripe about them in the comments section!
Filed under: Food and Drink
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrea Jul 21st 2010 1:37PM
I went on an exchange program to France when I was in high school and I was shocked to notice my host family and the other students would all wear the same outfit for one week before changing clothes. I was encouraged to do the same but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. In a 'traveling with just a tiny backpack' scenario, sure I'll repeat my outfits but not when I have a full wardrobe and laundry facilities at hand. I need variety!
Cornelius Aesop Jul 21st 2010 2:30PM
It's more fun to fling than whip, hehe.
What about monkeys, don't eat the monkey.
As for the god damnits I don't think that it is the same as the thank god for this and that speeches. If I say god damn it, it is no more different than me saying shit, I don't actually see poo but it is understand that I am displeased about something.
corina Jul 21st 2010 4:13PM
God is good ,God is great, And I thank him everyday for his goodness and mercy, he did it all for you and me,
Jeff Jul 21st 2010 3:09PM
#5! Totally! And we're getting worse about it here, too, which is why I hardly ever go to the movies anymore and just wait for the disc to come out. I was at a Broadway show with my boyfriend, who's more easily irritable than I am, and I heard the people behind us speaking Spanish before the show started. I warned him that they were going to talk *the whole time*. I was not proven wrong.
Joao Almeida Jul 22nd 2010 4:08AM
Spaniards talk all time, I bet even during sleep!
Just a thought from a quiet portuguese...
Patrick Bennett Jul 22nd 2010 10:29AM
Hmm... I can't get behind the toilet paper vs hand bias. Using your hand isn't just more ecologically sound and more logical... it's also a superior means of cleaning your bottom.
No, I don't practice it home in New York, but when away, in places like Morocco, I welcome the opportunity.
But then again, I enjoy yelling at the movie (along with everyone else) right here in Brooklyn and have enjoyed guinea pig in Peru... so there's that.
Cyber Mar 14th 2012 3:17AM
I can't help wondering how one pulls up one's pants with one hand. I've tried and I just can't seem to do it well, and most places one would need to use the hand for wiping don't allow you to wash your hands *before* dressing.
Unexpected Traveller Jul 22nd 2010 11:02AM
I agree with all these whole heartedly.
Thing is, there are customs that a traveller is not really expected to notice or need to use .. but you would if you get to live there: http://wp.me/ppqxP-4M
Animesh Dec 21st 2010 8:27PM
This is ridiculous.
I'm talking about the "Disrespecting Women" part. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I'm not saying it doesn't happen and I'm not condoning it, but to go so far as to call it a local custom? Really?
If you were to go to a town where drunk driving and related accidents were rampant, would you call it a local custom to drive drunk and mow down pedestrians?
pancho shiell Jul 23rd 2010 1:16AM
That skinny rat has no meat. Maybe it's just for seasoning.
Hey, why use the hand for gooey ass-wipe when hose squirting does the job hygienically. And bidets in nice hotels and homes are sooo much cleaner than toilet paper smearing, also saves a few trees.
When in Rome...laugh and speak Italian.
Pancho NY
arex Jul 26th 2010 7:48AM
Sean, really? A jab a religion?
seanmcl Jul 26th 2010 7:51AM
No, a jab at people trivializing religion by assuming that every little bit of their lives is of all-consuming importance to some supreme being.
Denise Michaels Jul 26th 2010 3:46PM
I went on a cruise in the Caribbean several years ago. On one of the islands decided to take a tour around in a van with a dozen other people. I think it was Barbados. One man from the boat said, "Damn, this sure doesn't look like Texas. All they have are beaches and banana trees."
If you want it to look like Texas (or wherever you're from - why not just stay there? Yes, there are some customs I won't engage in like this post says. But don't be the ugly American. If you want people to all speak English - don't go to Mexico where everyone speaks Spanish. If you have to have a beer or a cocktail every day - don't go to a country where no alcohol is served.
On the other hand, as a woman, I wouldn't go to a place where women are institutionally dissed, like in the Middle East. Won't give 'em my money.
Hopefully I can steer clear of the joints where "wok your dog" has a completely different meaning from "walk your dog."
Denise Michaels Excellent Adventure
http://www.DeniseMichaels.com
Kirk Mar 17th 2012 12:58PM
Sean - I am also annoyed and creeped out by people who trivialize God by invoking Him all the time. I find it especially annoying in sports (does God love one team more than the other, or is he listening to the prayers of one side but not the other?).
But another tradition I just cannot follow is being disrespectful of others' beliefs. No matter where I am, I always try to show respect for the religious beliefs of others. You showed yourself to be just as intolerant as "ugly Americans" by your disrespectful "Celestial Penis" line.
RM Apr 14th 2012 3:01PM
Hmm, thought provoking article and comments.
Personally I've always found crunchy, well-cooked bugs easier to stomach than rodents.
And as for cleaning with the left hand, as long as there is plenty of water, it is MUCH more sanitary than wiping with paper. I mean would you wipe your dirty dishes with paper and put them back in the kitchen cabinet, rather than wash them?
RM
http://www.AdventureAdvice.com