Guidelines for Ethical Travel

The Internet is loaded with useful rules for travelers — from the Ten Commandments on Eco-Tourism issued by the American Society of Travel Agents to the Ecumenical Coalition's Code of Ethics. All are worth reading, and we provide a link to them below. Here at Ethical Traveler, our focus is on the positive impact travelers can have by being open, informed, and willing to immerse themselves in other cultures. In creating these suggestions, we've drawn inspiration from many — but our slant is plainly on the interpersonal aspects of travel.

1) BE AWARE OF WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING, and patronize locally-owned inns, restaurants, and shops. Try to keep your dollars (or baht, or pesos) within the local economy, so the people you are visiting can benefit most directly from your visit.

2) NEVER GIVE GIFTS TO CHILDREN, only to their parents or teachers. When giving gifts to local communities — from schoolbooks to balloons, from pens to pharmaceuticals — first find out what's really needed, and who can best distribute these items.
[See: "A Fistful of Rupees: Coping With Begging on Third World Trails"]

3) Before visiting any foreign land, TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN BASIC COURTESY PHRASES: greetings, "please" & "thank you," and as many numbers as you can handle (those endless hours in airport waiting lounges are a good time for this). It's astonishing how far a little language goes toward creating a feeling of goodwill.

4) REMEMBER THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF YOUR NEW CURRENCY. A few rupees one way or another is not going to ruin you. Don't get all bent out of shape over the fact that a visitor who earns 100 times a local's salary might be expected to pay a few cents more for a ferry ride, a museum entrance, or an egg.

5) BARGAIN FAIRLY, and with respect for the seller. Again, remember the economic realities of where you are. The final transaction should leave both buyer and seller satisfied and pleased. Haggling for a taxi or carpet is part of many cultures; but it's not a bargain if either person feels exploited, diminished, or ripped-off.

6) LEARN AND RESPECT THE TRADITIONS AND TABOOS OF YOUR HOST COUNTRY. Each culture has its own mores, and they're often taken very seriously. Never, for example, pat a Thai child on the head, enter a traditional Brahmin's kitchen, or open an umbrella in a Nepali home! (And if you've encountered any such situations, tell us about it in the Ethosphere!)

7) CURB YOUR ANGER, AND CULTIVATE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Anger is a real issue for westerners — even the Dalai Lama remarks on this. It's perversely satisfying, but it never earns the respect of locals, or defuses a bad situation. A light touch — and a sense of cosmic perspective — are infinitely more useful. As Wavy Gravy says: "When you lose your sense of humor, it's just not funny anymore."

8) It makes an enormous difference if you ARRIVE WITH A SENSE OF THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES faced by the people you are visiting. Our site will direct you to good profiles of most travel destinations; we also recommend you read the political and historic sections of your guidebook (Lonely Planet, Moon Publications, and Rough Guides are especially good for this), as well as a country's English-language newspapers.

9) LEARN TO LISTEN. People in other nations often feel underestimated or dismissed by American society. Such convictions lead to anger and resentment. As an American traveler, be aware that many people believe that having the ear of an American is tantamount to having the ear of America. They're right — when you come home, you'll spread the word about such encounters.

10) LEARN TO SPEAK. People from developed nations often express their opinions as if they are the absolute truth. We suggest tempering conversations with phrases like "I believe," or "My view is," rather than, "Everybody knows..."

11) The single most useful phrase any traveler can learn: "CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?" Rarely, in any country or situation, will another human being refuse a direct request for help. Being of service, and inviting others to reciprocate, is what the phrase global community is all about.

12) LEAVE YOUR MASS MEDIA-BASED PRECONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE WORLD AT HOME. The inhabitants of planet Earth will continually amaze you with their generosity, hospitality and wisdom. Be open to their friendship, and aware of our common humanity, delights, and hardships.

13) NEVER FORGET KURT VONNEGUT JR'S BEST LINE: "Strange travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God." In other words: go with the flow, and give free rein to your sense of adventure!

Please visit the Ethosphere if you'd like to add to this list, and/or share examples from your own travel experiences. Finally, for those who might be interested in other tips — and there are plenty — here are more websites featuring various codes, commandments, cautions, and encouragements for the world-wise traveler.

• www.responsibletravel.com/Copy/Copy100061.htm — Another good list of cultural and moral considerations.