What Courtesy Looks Like When You Travel
Travel doesn’t just move people from one map point to another. It opens doors—to lives lived differently, to rhythms unfamiliar, to faces that might say little but still stay with you. Being a respectful traveler begins right there, in that space between your world and someone else’s. Whether crossing continents or simply visiting a neighboring region, each trip offers the chance to step into someone else’s world for a while.
But for that to mean something—for it to feel real—it helps to show up differently. Not as a guest who expects comfort, but as one who listens first. Being a respectful traveler starts long before arrival. It’s a way of looking, of walking, of choosing to be more aware. Of how places breathe. Of what communities protect. It’s not about being perfect—just present.
Protecting what makes a place unique doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as small as waiting before photographing. Sometimes it’s knowing when not to speak. Respecting traditions, avoiding waste, seeking out those who care for the land—these aren’t rules. They’re choices. And with each one, doors open wider.
If you’re looking for simple, thoughtful ways to travel with more care, the global code of ethics for tourism offer a clear and gentle path. No dogma—just awareness, and a few habits that leave room for the places we pass through.
A few rules for better travel
Not rules in the strict sense—more like quiet reminders. The kind that make moving through the world smoother for everyone.
- Language
It doesn’t take much. Just a few words. A greeting, a thank you, maybe a phrase scribbled on paper before the trip. Fluency isn’t expected. But effort? People notice that. And it softens things, even in a hurried exchange. - Respect local customs
Traditions may feel unfamiliar. Sometimes surprising. But they exist for a reason. Dress codes, greetings, gestures—all carry meaning. A swimsuit that fits the beach may not fit the market. And what seems strange from the outside might, in reverse, feel just as odd to others looking in. - Noise
Late nights are part of the journey, sure. But doorways echo. Walls are thin. Not everyone’s on holiday. And while sleep comes late for one, it starts early for another. Courtesy is simple. And rare enough to be remembered. - Customs and manners
What feels normal at home might raise eyebrows elsewhere. Leaving food on the plate in one culture might seem rude. In another, it’s a sign of appreciation. In Japan, certain table habits carry deep symbolism. In France, affection on the street is just part of the scene. Context shifts everything. Reading a little before you go—worth it. - Taking photographs
A camera can distance, even when the intention is good. People aren’t monuments. A simple “hello,” a nod, or asking with a smile—these open moments that no zoom lens ever will. And sometimes, leaving the camera behind lets you see more clearly. Some things aren’t meant to be captured. Just remembered. - Space
Taking up less often means more. On a train, on a bench, at a café—leaving room, not blocking the way, might seem small. But it matters. Thinking of the next person, the one approaching, the one waiting quietly behind, is also a way of traveling light. More discreet. And often, more respected. - Waste
It’s not always easy. No bins, no recycling. But what we leave behind says a lot. Bringing back your plastic, folding up your picnic, slipping a wrapper into your pocket… These are small gestures. Often unnoticed. But over time, they shape a different way of moving through a place. A mark you choose not to leave.
- Language
