You’re a Guest, Please Act Like One: The Secret…

Not long ago, I was soaking up a tranquil afternoon, as a guest, in the Bahamas on a beach in Nassau. Stealing a moment to leave my day to day chores behind, I wandered further from my hotel than I’d realized.  Unfazed by the distance, I located a haven and settled in on the powdery sand, dozing off for a moment in the soft Bahamian breeze. When I awoke, I was out of water & slightly parched. Sleepily, I gathered my things. Before trekking the mile back to the hotel, I decided on stopping at a local market I knew of,outside the hotel zone.

Once inside the store, you quickly recognize , this is not a touristy shop, just a simple local food market. I gathered my water and a couple snacks taking my place in line. In front of me, checking out his items, was what appeared to be a casually well-dressed, respectable man. Though, as we all know, looks can be deceiving. A moment after I lay my items on the counter, waiting my turn, the man in front of me unleashes a tirade on the gentleman ringing up his items. Taking the change the man handed him from his purchase he throws it back at him, then yells, “What the hell do you expect me to do with this?! I gave you American money & you give me change in Bahamian money?! What would I want your money for? I have a yacht outside, I’m leaving this God forsaken island the minute I get out of your store!” Continuing the insults, he thought it best to add a few more jabs. “I WANT American Dollars back! Do you know what that looks like?!”

After witnessing this horrific behavior, I felt an absolute need to defend this poor clerk. Embarrassed, he apologized over and over again. He was clearly unable to defend himself, in fear of losing his job. It was necessary to not hold my tongue, so I belted out “EWWWW! Did you really just speak to him like that?! You’re out of line! It’s no wonder people despise Americans! That’s disgusting!” Grabbing his American Dollars off the counter, he mumbled a few explicit words my way and stormed out. I felt so sad for the man ringing me up. I apologized for his behavior, and yet he still wanted to say he was sorry, he should have known.

This is just one example, of many, entitled & obnoxious behaviors I’ve witnessed in my travels. Being raised to believe you should always act appropriate in another person’s home as their guest, I apply that to my travels as well. You are a guest, wherever you go, once you leave your home. Before I leave for a vacation, anywhere, I take the extra time to learn about where I’m going to make sure I am always at least trying to be appropriate.Case in point, I spoke with a friend of mine from France a while back. I was curious. Why do you hear so often that people in France have no tolerance for Americans?  So, I asked her. Her answer was a fixable problem & an understandable slight.

 She replied, “We don’t despise Americans. We find them to be rude”. So, of course I can’t stop there, I asked her, “How so?” She lit me up with some facts I was embarrassingly unaware of, by continuing. The majority of the world, when they go to school, as part of their studies they are REQUIRED to learn the English language. They feel for commerce and advancement in their own life, it will help them and their country. However, when Americans go to school they learn a second language of their choice, for less than a handful of years in their education.  She went on to explain “When Americans come to France, they don’t even have the respect, as a guest in our country, to TRY to speak our language. However, they ASSUME, when arriving in OUR country, the whole world knows and understands the English they speak. Like it’s a foregone conclusion we should all just ‘get it’! They even have the audacity to be impatient and indignant if we don’t understand them. It’s rude!”

I couldn’t argue her point, it’s valid! Just as Americans feel disrespected when people come to America and don’t tip their servers. Every country has acceptable behaviors. These expectations are not to take advantage of people’s ignorance in a foreign land or show dominance, but to give them the best experience while visiting. Traveling to a new place, it’s always a good practice to make it a point to learn about some local cultural do’s and don’ts. It’s also very much appreciated, any where you go, to learn a few basic lines in their language to make sure you can communicate…….even if it’s just your basics. Take advantage of the language classes I have listed on my Travel Shop, to learn those few simple lines before you go. Keeping in mind, we are always a guest in their home, country, restaurant & hotels, will build a better experience for everyone. Hopefully, that extends an offer that’s genuine, for us to join them again!

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