Culture Shock in Japan

Japan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Politeness and humility are of top importance. According to a writer named Anna Haines on Microsoft, here are some customs she witnessed in Japan that she wished the US would adopt

Public bathrooms are spotless

-According to Anna, the public bathrooms appear as if they belong in a five-star hotel. They were technologically advanced to the point where the lid lifts automatically upon sensing someone approaching. There are also electronic bidets that are self-cleaning or have heated seats

Many hotels provide complimentary pajamas, slippers and toiletries

-Hotels in Japan will often provide complimentary pajamas, slippers and other bathroom articles you would need. The bathroom articles were of a high-grade luxury brand and often include face cleaner and moisturizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush. Anna said she has never gotten this level of hotel amenities in the US, where only small travel size bottles of shampoo, lotion, conditioner and body wash are offered. The bottles being only big enough to get 1-2 days use out of before they empty

-Also, they offer pajamas. Really high quality pajamas. So high quality you almost consider buying them

Airports have separate slippers for walking through security

-It might sound strange, but Japan is the country where you use different types of slippers for different types of activities. Anna found that there were slippers provided for walking through security. It's a custom in Japan to remove shoes before entering any indoor spaces. It helps keep things clean and tidy, and is also considered respectful

Hardly any public trash cans, but the streets are spotless

-Anytime you have trash to dispose of, public trash bins are all but absent. One would think this is an incentive to litter. But, according to Anna, after asking a local, she was informed that the absence of public trash bins is because the local Japanese residents hold onto their litter until they get home, where they can dispose of it there

Public spaces are quiet, creating a calm atmosphere

-One would think that in any large spaces, it would loud, noisy, just plain irritating to the senses. In Japanese culture, it's completely normal to keep to yourself. Even if someone were traveling with another person, they were conversing softly. Public calmness and quietness are a strong feature in Japan

7 Ways to Avoid Looking Like an American Tourist, per Fodor's Travel

Fodor's Travel is the most highly ranked, most highly successful travel company in the world. They write highly informative travel books that are a must read for anyone hoping to travel. They have compiled a list of things to do to avoid looking like a typical American tourist.

Now, there's nothing wrong with being an American tourist. Anytime you go on vacation, depending on where it is, you are bound to encounter at least one or two American tourists. The thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to be the "ugly American tourist", who is loud, refuses to speak another language, is rude, with poor manners. That reflects badly on other American tourists who are incredibly self-aware of the local customs and is trying to appear respectful of the local culture. In other words, if you act like a bad tourist, that will negatively impact other tourists from your home country

Rethink the Maple Leaf

-Normally associated with Canada, Americans seem to think it was a good idea to sew a maple leaf patch on to their possessions. Normally, the only people who actually do that are actual Canadians. They might do this to differentiate themselves from French Canadians, who hail from areas like Montreal or Quebec. Americans who sew on the maple leaf patch might know less about Canada than they actually think. And, unless you've spent significant amounts of time in Canada, leave the maple leaf patch alone

Turn down the volume

-Americans have a reputation for being loud and almost obnoxious. Outside the US, people speak in lower volumes. Not everyone prefers a loud conversation. And unless you grew up with someone who was hard of hearing and required loud speaking, that's fine. But still turn down the volume on your speaking. Use what some people call your "indoor voice"

Understatement is key

-Americans tend to overstate things. Using words like "amazing", "fabulous", getting excited over small things. Remember that outside of the US, people tend to understate things. They don't get overly excited over small things

Dress codes

-Some countries are conservative in their dress codes. It's a very common thing anymore to see American sports team jerseys on people outside of the US, or other American brands on people outside of the US. Dress for what you plan on doing. If you are doing hiking, wear the appropriate gear. Avoid clothing with American logos or or English-languages slogans / sayings. These items, ironically, are not uncommon in countries that sell resale clothing (lots of thrift store clothing from the US sold at deep discounts overseas). Compartmentalize your clothes. Spandex pants, running / basketball shorts, t-shirts / tank tops and sports bras are for the gym. Simply put, don't stick out. Dress casually if you're out and about in a major capital city. Dress up nice if you plan on going to a fancy restaurant or a night bar hopping. For example, in England baseball hats are not a common sight. Wearing a baseball hat might bring attention to you.

Small Talk opportunities are available

-Americans love to start off conversations with "What do you do?", meaning what type of work do you do? In the rest of the world, this may not fly. This could be considered inquiring about someone's social or status, which is a big no no in some countries. Let them bring it up. For example, in France it's common to acknowledge strangers, but not to start conversations. In Germany and other similar cultures, it's a common sight to see debates about topics that would even shock Americans. Do research prior to your trip to avoid any errors

No eating and walking

-Some cultures consider eating and walking around poor manners. Japan, for example, is one country that frowns upon eating and walking around. It's far less common outside the US to see people eating and walking, riding in vehicles or on public transportation. In other countries, food is meant to be purchased and consumed while seated. Eating and walking around is considered rude in Europe, East Asia and in many Muslim countries

Smile smartly

-While in the US, smiling is considered a warm expression. Outside the US, it could be a minefield waiting to detonate. In some countries, smiling is only reserved for friends or family while in other countries, it could be taken as a sign of romantic interest. Countries like Australia or Canada are similar to the US only in the sense that locals will smile as a way of a polite greeting.

The Takeaway

-The big thing is simply do research on what is good and not good in the country you plan on travelling to. The whole point of travelling is to see new sights, including meeting new people. When you meet new people and learn about them, you provide opportunities for them to learn about you. Simply be self-aware and everything will go smoothly. And, when in doubt, ask a local what to do to avoid making errors. They will deeply appreciate your efforts because it will show them that you are making a genuine effort to be respectful

Tips from Professional Traveller Rick Steves on How to Avoid Being the "Ugly Tourist"

"Ugly Tourist" is not a reference to physical appearance. It's coined to tourists who act like they are at home, despite being in other countries. They will not speak a word of that language, take selfies everywhere and just have no consideration from others. Professional travel expert Rick Steves has come up with a few ways to help those who travel outside the US to avoid being the "ugly tourist".

Travel like a cultural chameleon

-First things first, remember that you are in a different country. They do things differently. Look around at you and see what the locals are doing. Try to imitate them. Learn a few words in the local language. Learn the basic greetings of hello, goodbye, I'm sorry, thank you and please will get you far. Even if you mispronounce it, the locals will appreciate your effort. And, when in doubt, ask the locals what word is correct. Explain to them that you want to make sure you are using their language correctly. They will appreciate the consideration.

-You must also take, into consideration, local dress codes. Some countries are highly conservative. They don't necessarily like tattoos being on full display. They may not be used to the "alternative edge", as some people put it, that some people have. Japan, for example, is a highly conservative country. The locals will be dressed casually or business professional, depending on their destination. They tend to prefer that tattoos not be on full display because of the strong cultural connection to the form of organized crime from their country, called the Yakuza, who is known for heavy body tattooing. Some countries have relaxed dress codes while others are a bit more conservative. For example, if you are visiting cultural / religious sites, conservative dress is key. Research what the dress codes are prior to going to avoid any sort of error on your part

-The big thing to do is research. Do a lot of research prior to your trip to see what local laws and dress codes are like, see what the local eateries look like, what the local customs dictate and more. So that, when you do go, you'll know what to do to avoid errors. And, when in doubt, ask the locals. Ask them questions and let them know that you are asking to make sure you avoid any issues. They will appreciate that very much

Little things make a big impact

-It's said that little things go a long way. This applies to travelling outside your home country. This refers to making as little impact on the environment as possible. Don't litter, respect wildlife. Locals, in years past, are getting strained to the point of protest with overtourism. People come and destroy the local sights. In Rome, one couple inscribed their initials on the Colosseum while another tourist drove a Maserati down the Spanish Steps. Locals are getting sick and tired of ignorant travelers

-This bad behavior is mostly to blame because of social media. It seems that bad behavior is what gets maximum views on the internet. People can't seem to get enough of videos where people misbehave on vacation. Rick Steves says put down the camera and engage with the locals and the local culture. While photos are great, you sometimes miss out on the moment you're trying to capture. One good way to positively impact the destination you're visiting is to support local shops, restaurants and markets, instead of hitting the international chains. You'll get a travel experience like no other. Rick Steve strongly warns against the tourist shops. He says just ignore them

Types of People Who Should Never Go On a Cruise

Cruises are nice. They're relaxing, with fun games and activities on board. You can meet people and more. But, according to Microsoft channel Cheapism and writer Saundra Latham, there are certain types of people that should avoid cruises at all costs

I have never been interested in cruises. Especially after all of the negative news I've seen on the news outlets on TV. After reading this article, I can say I'm definitely never taking a cruise

Germaphobe

-If you fear germs and other bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing agents, then cruises are not for you. Not everyone follows the same health standards. Some people have such poor hygiene habits that, it's because of them, that colds and flus often spread. Even prior to COVID-19, cruise ships made the news almost every other day for an outbreak of this or that. One day, it could be the E.Coli virus. The next day, it could salmonella. The day after that, some sort of nasty stomach bug. Basically, cruise ships have the unfortunate stigma of being floating petri dishes, viruses and bacteria waiting in secret to attack. Not only that, but the cabins have also been included in the bad news because of bed bug outbreaks

Claustrophobic

-If you don't like tight, cramped quarters, cruises are not for you. In years past, cruise ships have gotten bigger, becoming almost like floating cities. Unfortunately, while the ships have gotten bigger, your cabin has not benefitted from extra space. The typical hotel room is about 330 square feet of space while the typical cruise ship cabin is only around 140 square feet of space- a claustrophobe's nightmare

Trying to lose weight

-This is the last place you need to be. Cruise ships have all you can eat buffets, just like many all inclusive resorts in tropical destinations, like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and more. If you're trying to watch your weight, then it will be hard. There are the all you can eat buffets serving up every kind of food to accommodate passengers with different preferences. Poolside grills offer up hot dogs, hamburgers and other unhealthy items. But, there is a way to get around it. Self-control. Simply eat the healthy items at restaurants and you will need not worry about gaining weight. So, essentially, those looking to watch their figure can go on cruises as long as you maintain self control and do it right. And plus, if you do want dessert, see if fresh fruit is offered. It's guaranteed that it will be

Being nickel and dimed

-Sure, being on a cruise is nice. Most food, entertainment and accommodations are included. There are, however, a lot of little things no one tells you are not included. One thing that is definitely not included? Alcohol and soft drinks. Fancy a la carte restaurants. The onboard casino. Spa treatments. These all cost $$$$. Of course, the excursions off the ship cost money, so does the internet access, aka Wi-Fi and the shops on the ship selling souvenirs. So, if you like to drink it up like there's no tomorrow on vacation, then you best bring a lot of $$$$

Seasickness

-Some people suffer from the nausea and vomiting often known as seasickness. The rolling motion of the ocean can often make people queasy. Anyone who has never been on a cruise is in for a surprise. Sure, the ship might have stabilizers to keep it calm, even in choppy waters, but you're still likely to be touched by seasickness, even if you're at the front or back of the ship or on higher decks

Savoring Your Destination

-The whole point of a vacation is to go and have a good time, see the sights, savor the destination. Seasoned travelers warn those who travel that it's not a good idea to hop from one place to another. You won't get the full experience each destination has to offer. It's hard to enjoy a place when you're rushing about. Cruises might be nice, and the on-shore excursions might be lovely, but the hard truth is that you will only have about 5-9 hours to fully explore the area once the ship docks. This is simply not enough time to eat, go sightseeing or do much before it's time to re-board the ship. The main point is if you are the type who likes to wander and see the sights, don't look into a cruise

Immersion in different cultures

-Being on cruise, you can leave the US and feel like you never left. There is not much in the way of international cuisine. The buffet will have what almost every American wants for breakfast-bacon, eggs, sausage. Your dining companions may be from just a few states away, with a slightly different accent. Unfortunately, when the ship docks, you and the other passengers will be funneled into places selling cheaply made, tacky souvenirs. If you're the kind of person that likes to immerse themselves in the local culture of other countries, you're better off avoiding cruises and going to the country you want and immersing yourself in that culture. The locals will like hearing you want to see what the they are up to

No internet

-Cue the horror movie music! Heaven forbid someone go one minute without internet. Some people can't live for a second without internet. But, typically, the whole point of a vacation is to disconnect from technology. Live in the moment. Create new experiences. A lot of cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, but they charge for it. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines offers Wi-Fi for $15 a day. Which means, that if you are taking massive amounts of photos, it would be prudent to upload them to the internet at home, using your own internet that you pay for. Using the Wi-Fi on a cruise ship will be spotty at best because everyone is using the Wi-Fi. Which means that speeds will be reduced to a crawl, at best

You don't drink

-If you are a recovering alcoholic, cruise ships may not be for you. Temptation is all around, with all of the alcohol floating around. There is, thankfully, plenty to do on board that does not involve alcohol. But, unfortunately, alcohol sales will always rule. Whether it's because you're a recovering alcoholic or simply a lifestyle choice to abstain from alcohol, it's completely up to you. Some who don't drink might find it awkward to be around those drinking and feel temptation is knocking at their door

Shy

-Feeling shy? Cruises may not be for you. Cruise ships can be loud, rowdy places sometimes. Not exactly good for someone who is introverted, or shy. A lot of people say that meeting new people is a massive perk to going on cruises. Most of the big cruise ships rely on assigned seating, which means you don't get a choice in who your table mates are. But, sometimes, this can be a good thing. It can give you the push you need to get out of your comfort zone. It's a daunting feeling, leaving your comfort zone, but sometimes it also feels good to try new things

Crowds and lines

-If there is one thing most people hate, it's crowds and lines. No one seems to wait anymore. Being impatient is a new thing. Boarding the ship and disembarking means loud crowds and long lines (or queues as it's said in England). In these lines, people fiddle with their luggage, find their cabin, etc. Also, eating at peak times, expect lines. The main pool deck will also be pandemonium. Trying to snag a choice lounger will be like almost impossible, especially if there are large families with plenty of children. There will be lines and crowds for everything

Solo traveler

-Cruising is more popular with couples and families with kids. Cruise ships have started attracting solo travelers with various things. The only thing keeping solo travelers away is the cost. The reason for the high cost is that you are one person that is occupying the space meant for multiple people. So your cost will be significantly higher. Cruise ships want to utilize the maximum amount of space, meaning they want to fill the cabins on board as much as possible. Meaning the more people they get on board, the more money they will make

Losing track of time

-A lot of people are guilty of that. They get so immersed in one thing that they forget to pay attention to the time. If running late is your trademark, beware of cruises. Cruise ships will not hesitate to leave late passengers behind. If you don't make it back by departure time, too bad, too sad, is the attitude. How you can get around this is by booking cruise-sponsored excursions. The captain of the ship is more likely to wait on these than other occasions. Otherwise, you will need to pay for lodging and airfare to either take you home or meet up with the ship at its neck dock

Eco-Friendly

-If you are eco-friendly, or a tree hugger as some call them, then avoid cruising at all costs. Cruises are not kind towards Mother Earth. There's, for one thing, air pollution. One study reported that passengers on board cruise ships are exposed to 60% higher amounts of pollutants than in normal settings. Next, there's water pollution. Studies show that a cruise ship carrying 3,000 people can produce 210,000 gallons of waste in one week, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Next comes noise pollution. Studies have shown that noise pollution can affect ocean wildlife. Most cruise lines nowadays are striving to be more Earth-friendly. The only cruise line to get even a C+ rating, according to Friends of the Seas, was Regent Seven Seas cruise line. They got a C+ on their 2022 Cruise Ship Report Card

Be Bear-Smart When Going Camping

It's only natural that when you go camping in the wilderness, that you're bound to encounter local wildlife. Especially bears. Bears can be dangerous because of their fast speed at which they can run, their long, sharp claws and their immense size. Here are some tips on how to stay bear-smart when camping.

According to the Ontario government's Bear Wise program, here are some tips they recommend on camping with bears in the area

Know your bears!

-Educate yourself on the various species of bear. There are numerous species of bear, from grizzly bears to polar bears to black bears and more. Depending on the region of the world you're in, you're bound to have at least one species of bear native to that area! In the US and Canada, there are three major species of bear: grizzly, black and polar.

Black bears aren't always black

-The only reason people call this particular species of bear black bears is because their fur is mostly black. This is the most common species of bear and is most often found in mountainous regions, like in parts of Canada and even in places like Gatlinburg, Tennessee. These bears can be black, blue-black, dark brown, cinnamon colored or even white

Grizzly Bears

-Mostly found in Western Canada and the United States, grizzlies are much larger than black bears and are more aggressive. They come in a wide array of colors, from blonde to dark brown

Polar Bears

-The fuzzy Alaskan and Northern cousins to the black bear and grizzly bear. These bears are particularly found in cold regions and are known for their fuzzy white fur. They are also said to hunt humans

Preventing Encounters

-The best tip to stay safe is to avoid encountering these large animals if you see them in the wild. Stay away from them if you see them. It's okay to take pictures of them, as long as you are doing it at a distance to where they don't feel you are threatening them

Never surprise a bear

-This could be a fatal decision. When hiking, make noise when walking through the woods. This alerts bears in the area that you are coming. Bears will only attack if they feel threatened. Otherwise, they will turn and run. Bears don't like to be surprised. Making noise gives them time to make a getaway

Make noise

-Sing, use a bear bell, do anything to make noise. Making noise will let wildlife, especially bears, know you are coming, and they will run away. Purchase a "bear bell" to attach to you, your children or dog so they make noise when they move

Travel in groups or hike with friends

-Never travel alone in the wilderness. Bears are far less likely to approach a large group of people. Travel in groups for safety

Keep a safe distance

-Maintaining a safe distance not only keeps you safe, but it also allows the bear to stay safe. It will tell the bear that you are not a threat to them. If you see bears out in the wild, stay at least 100 feet away. You can take pictures or use binoculars, but do not approach the bear!

Keep a clean campsite!

-Bears love nothing more than food. If you have a messy campsite with food containers strewn about, then it's only natural that bears are going to smell the food and come to investigate. Bears have a highly strong sense of smell. Do not store food in your tent. Maintain a clean campsite and put food in a tightly locked cooler

Hang up your food

-It might sound strange, but if you use bear-resistant bags to hang food up in a tree, hang it up at least 4 meters off the ground and and 1 meter away from the trunk. While bears are good climbers, they won't be able to climb that high

Keep your dog tethered on a leash

-It's only natural that a dog will want to chase wildlife. Anyone who has walked a dog in a park can attest to their dog wanting to chase squirrels. Out in the wilderness, especially if you are camping in bear country, it's important to keep dogs safe by keeping them tethered on a leash or harness. A dog roaming freely could incite a defensive attack on the bear's part, or the bear could chase the dog back to their owner

Don't bother a bear!

-This is not a good idea. If you see a bear in the distance, simply stay away. Bears are dangerous and unpredictable, especially if they feel threatened. Simply leave the area and give the bear its space

Stay calm

-The last thing you want to do in a bear situation is panic. Staying calm tells the bear you are not a threat to them. Hearing you talk to them in a calm, clear voice that is not yelling, but calmly talking will tell them you are not a threat to them

Take shelter if you can

-If you have to, take shelter inside a vehicle or building if you encounter a bear

Do not run!

-If you think that, for one second, you can out run a bear, you're fatally mistaken. Bears can run at incredibly fast speeds. And with the weight of muscle behind them, that makes them even faster! They can run up to 50 km/hour and they respond to quick movement. The best way to escape the situation is to remain calm and back away slowly, keeping your eyes to the ground. Like any animal, if you look a bear directly in the eyes, they may take that as a challenge

If the bear is calm, keep quiet

-If you're yelling, then the bear is going to react to that. If you're calm, then the bear is going to react to that. If the bear is calm, quiet and not showing any sort of aggressive behavior, such as clawing at the ground, moaning or growling, the best option would be to avoid spooking the bear. Speak softly and calmly to the bear as you slowly back away. This will tell the bear you are not a threat

If the bear becomes aggressive...

-...then get noisy. Bears don't like noise. If they are exhibiting aggressive behavior, bang pots, make any kind of noise. This will make you seem scary and hopefully scare the bear off

Make yourself big

-It sounds strange, but if you make yourself seem bigger, the bear will be impressed with your size and decide it isn't worth the risk of injury to itself. This is only recommended if the bear is showing aggressive behavior

Don't climb a tree

-As mentioned before, in the tip about hanging food from a tree, bears are excellent climbers. Despite the popular myth that climbing up a tree will protect you from bears, it won't work. Bears are excellent climbers and will follow you right up the tree

Don't play dead

-This is an urban myth that doesn't work. Like the concept of climbing up a tree to avoid bears. Playing dead will not deter a bear. Authorities firmly believe that if you are attacked by a bear, the best option is to fight back as good as you can

When you encounter a mother bear with cubs

-The only time "playing dead" will work is in situations where you encounter a mother bear with her cubs. She is clearly not out looking for food. She will leave you alone as long as you leave her alone. Roll into a fetal position to protect vital organs

Bear Spray - Use as Needed

-When camping in bear country, it's a good idea to have what is called "bear spray". It's important to know how to use it. It can deter bears from coming closer or even attacking