Global Goose – Digital Nomad Travel Resource Travel and Work Anywhere In the World
Previously we featured an article about the advice that your parents told you which doesn’t really apply when you travel around the world. However, there are also some examples of parental advice which are very appropriate for travelers.
Here are a few of the things that your mom and dad told you which you should keep in mind while you are exploring foreign lands:
Eat Your Vegetables
The days have long past since your parents made you finish all of your broccoli before you could go and play. However, just because you are by yourself on the other side of the world and no one is there to tell you not to eat MacDonald’s for lunch every day, doesn’t mean that you should.
When you travel around the world it can be very tempting to let your health slide and start indulging yourself in junk food and excessive drink. Travel is hard on the body so you need to keep yourself healthy. If you abuse your health too much you will feel gross and sluggish and have no energy to enjoy your travel adventure. Also, you will be embarrassed to show off your travel photos because of that newly emerging double chin and beer gut.
Keep the junk to a minimum and try to eat as many healthy meals as possible which include vegetables, fruit, grains and lean protein. Get your exercise, get lots of sleep and treat your body well.
Just Try It Once, You Might Like It
Your parents used to use this line to get you to try anything you were hesitant about from turnips to tofu. They knew that your aversion to something new was probably just because it was unfamiliar.
When you travel around the world, you will come across unfamiliar things every day, from new foods to foreign drinks to different cultural activities. This is part of the adventure of traveling, so even if you are not sure about whether you will like something be sure to try it anyway.
You might discover on your trip to Scotland that Haggis is actually more delicious than it sounds, or find out while you are visiting Newfoundland that deep fried cod tongues go really well with a cold pint of the local lager. The same goes for any sort of new experience while you travel around the world, including riding an elephant in Thailand, bungy jumping in New Zealand, dancing the tango in Argentina, or taking a traditional sauna in Finland. Even if you are not sure that you will like it, go ahead and give it a try!
Use Your Inside Voice
Remember when you used to get reprimanded as a child for shouting loudly indoors? It’s still a good idea to remember to keep your voice down when you travel around the world.
There are many reasons for this. You don’t want to be the obnoxious tourist who encounters a local person that doesn’t speak English and thinks that his request will be understood if he only speaks loudly enough. This doesn’t actually work and will make the other person feel insulted and make you look like a jerk.
Also, remember that in some locations thieves and pickpockets will be looking for foreign tourists. Speaking loudly and obnoxiously in your own language or accent will single you out as an obvious target.
Another reason is that in other cultures such as in parts of Asia, it is considered rude and threatening to speak loudly in public. Keeping your voice down is a way of showing respect to others.
These are just a few things that your parents told you which you should remember while you travel around the world. If you can think of any other examples of parental advice that applies to travel, please share in the comments below!
©Global Goose
I am terrible with eating vegetables, I still need my parents around to remind me!
French fries are potatoes, so they count as vegetables, right?
If so, I’m good!
It’s funny how parents advice always comes right back to you. Good or bad, mum goes everywhere with you. I totally agree with many of the points you have made. Travelling is all about new experiences and adventures. Be bold.
My mother used to say when you visit people: “Don’t be rude; Eat what you are served”. However, she didn’t anticipate that I would go gallivanting around the world. Whenever I’m faced with food I can’t quite identify. I often wonder whether she wouldn’t want to amend this rule now
I think your mom was right, it’s good advice to eat what you are served because in many cultures it would be very insulting not to. However, it can be daunting when something strange and unfamiliar is on your plate! I guess all you can do is take a few bites and smile.
They taught me it’s impolite to stare. I agree with this especially if there are some unruly locals. You wouldn’t want to have a fight on your hands with someone that doesn’t speak your language. I also agree you should eat your vegetables. I never disagreed as a kid though because I was a vegetarian.
I have one thing to say regarding the food advice. Even though it would be great to try all of these new foods, please be cognizant of the differences of how food is prepared in these countries versus of how they are prepared in the US.
With the amount of allergies that so many children seem to develop nowadays, don’t think it rude to ask what kind of oils or with what type of herbs and vegetables the foods are prepared in, for example, peanut oil.
You don’t want a great experience to be ruined by a near death experience.
As A mom to a 2 year old I find it really hard to enforce rules on vacation even though I know I should. I just always feel so guilty doing it. I think that the only rule that should really apply is behaviour and time outs
lol@ the poster who mentioned french fries as a veggie. My DS tried to pull that one on me last week lol
The part about the food is very true – when I moved to Cape Town, there were meals that I was not familiar with but I manned up and I ate them with a smile. Well, it turns out that most of those meals are now my favourite meals!
I still eat my vegetables especially broccoli
Also, I still hear my late mother’s voice, as well as my father’s, telling me to stay alert whenever I am walking around town or anywhere on my own.
This is awesome advice. I think that “healthy” might be relative to where you are, though. Drinking water may seem healthy, but if you are in a place in which the water is bad, you may have to think twice before just drinking any old water. When I was in central Asia, I had to find imported German water. It would have been UN-healthy to drink local water or eat vegetables rinsed in local water.
My parents always encourage me to try out new things. This paradigm has influenced my passion and inclination to travel. I have always been in a crave for new adventures and my family would be the first one to support me. My parents also reminded me that there are a lot of things I could learn from adventures.
Love the advice! I try to live by “try it, just once.” It makes life far more interesting.
I know I would never have hiked up a waterfall if I wasn’t of the mindset that I should try everything (within reason) just once. If I don’t like the experience, I don’t have to do it ever again.
It’s also really fabulous to travel with a friend who also believes in the “try it, just once” philosophy. That way, you are both ready to give it a go when cool opportunities pop up.