Customs to Remember When Visiting Third-World Countries

Traveling to a third-world county requires patience, the ability to adapt and acceptance of different ways of life. There’s culture shock, and then there’s third-world shock. See below for tips to prepare for your third-world experience.

Research

Before you leave your home culture, scour some travel blogs or guidebooks to pick up on how people live in your country of destination. How do people greet each other? Are any common hand gestures considered rude or disrespectful? Learning a few basic phrases in the native language isn’t a bad idea, either.

Know the cultural norms

From clothing choices to dining etiquette to tipping for services, brush up on the way people conduct their daily lives and prepare accordingly. If you are visiting a Muslim country and you are a woman, toss a scarf and some long skirts into your luggage to avoid feeling overexposed.

Eat and drink with care

Food and hygiene standards in developing countries are not always on par with those in the first world. Pack some over-the-counter digestive aids in the case of exposure to undercooked food or contaminated water.

Keep an open mind

Third-world countries offer plenty of incredible sights, sounds and smells, some of which may be unfamiliar and possibly unappetizing. You have chosen to visit this place for a reason, so appreciating the nation in its raw state is part of the experience.