Monday, April 28, 2014

What we can learn from the title ugly American...

Our view of American Tourists is the ugly American... ..
From Germany to Granada, we hear and see tourists speaking and yelling in English and amazed others don't speak English,.. In the USA, people have voted for English only laws... but when we go abroad we expect the rules to change... 

One of the best parts of travel is to become a part of another culture and country... 

There is a new dynamic that is the exact same perspective but from yet another country... 
This CNN article from 2013 discussed the same learning curve Americans have had now is being traveled thru by the Chinese Tourists as they now begin to become one of the largest traveling countrymen...... 


When traveling, as when you go to another persons home, remember to understand the culture and expectations.. You are a guest.. (no matter the color of your credit card) and all of the manners your parents taught you as a child can make your overseas trip a delight... 

Appreciating how many ways different cultures do and handle situations is exciting and broadens ones world view and makes one more accepting of "the other" even when back at home... 

So as you read the CNN article understand that everyone has been the new tourist and has gone thru the learning curve.. 

A polite reply or gentle comment can go far to help our Guests in American, have a pleasant experience and allows us to enjoy the hospitality that America can be known for.


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Travel for cultural understanding, reviving my Blog....

I am not suggesting that we go to a war zone and begin to sing we are the world. I am suggesting that  travel is a great educator and wonderful way to bring people together. 

When I first started a travel company (now closed) I had visions of bringing people together and helping them explore the world... What I now know is there is so much more to the job.. I made the decision to close the "travel agency" down almost 4 years ago... The stress and factors that are out of the Travel Agents control were (for me) measured higher on the chart then the joy of seeing someone enjoy a new destination... 

For a while, I have put travel writing and my belief in the benefit of travel on the shelf.. Trip Advisor continues to post my reviews of locations and restaurants.. which is wonderful... and it is now time for me to pick up my walking stick and begin to blog again... 

My commitment is one post a week... maybe every two weeks... My first new post will be on Monday, April 28th, 2014.

I will be highlighting various locations, best ways to really see the world and sharing articles written (with credit given) about cities, near and far... 

Fair Dinkum means Truth or honest.. in Aussie.. 

Please feel free to share my upcoming posts as desired.

Kendall
Fair Dinkum Travel