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.
Read This Next
How To: Attend a Hindu Wedding
How To's
Mar 18, 2015#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedRestaurant
May 13, 2024Where to Dine in Bismarck, North Dakota
Looking for international eats in the Midwest? You can find them, somewhat surprisingly, in Bismarck. Try one of these three restaurants when you’re in town for a refreshing taste of the unexpected.
Sponsored Content
Your Home Away from Home in Dallas
Open spaces, open thinking and open expression thrive at Aloft Dallas Downtown.
Hotel
May 13, 2024Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell Presents Sweet Summer Fun
This summer, head to Northern Arizona’s Canyon Country with Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell, the basecamp for exploring top destinations and home to the area’s only Adventure Concierge.
Airlines
May 13, 2024Air New Zealand’s Electric Flight Initiative Prepares to Take Off
Air New Zealand recently announced plans to introduce all-electric cargo flights by 2026 using The Beta ALIA electric cargo aircraft, which weighs 3 tons, exceeds 39 feet and can reach speeds up to 168 mph. Test flights have shown it can cover nearly 300 miles on a single charge, with a charge time of 40–60 minutes. The aircraft will collaborate with New Zealand Post to shuttle mail.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Hotel
May 10, 2024This Hotel Brand Just Launched New Dry Beverage Program
As more and more travelers embrace the sober lifestyle, more and more travel providers are rolling out new offerings to cater to them. Loews is just one of the most recent to do so, with a new dry beverage program dubbed Free Spirits by Loews Hotels.
ShareThis