One of the best ways to enrich ourselves with knowledge and experience is through traveling. Travel is one activity my family enjoys and strive to do at least every year. You can learn a lot about a place by visiting not just their famous tourist areas but more so the place where the locals hang out. Whenever I visit another place, I like trying out their local food and roaming around their markets and places of worship.

Another great way to experience the lifestyle and customs of another country is to be a house guest. You’ll be able to observe their customs and traditions at a closer range and though it may take some efforts to be connect with people from different cultures, but it would be worth the effort since the friendship and the experience you’ll bring home is a priceless treasure.

Here’s some tips I’ve gathered here and there and from my own experiences.

  • Before going on the trip, do some research. It’s really handy if you know a bit about the place where you’re going to. Check out local guidebooks, surf the internet and if you have friends who had been there, then ask them.
  • Learn their appropriate gift-giving traditions of the place you will be visiting. Learn also on the appropriate behavior on interacting with men, women, children, elders. Read about their traditions and be a keen observer when you arrive. Example, in some Asian countries, touching a someone’s head especially a child’s head has a negative connotation. Learn about things like this so you won’t offend your hosts or embarrass yourself.
  • If you get invited to someone’s home, limit your stay to just a few days. In short, don’t overstay your welcome. They might be obliged to urge you to stay longer but be considerate since having guests can be inconvenient and can cause a dent on your host’s family budget.
  • Be careful about the way you express your admiration for things you see around your host’s home. In some cultures they might feel obliged to give it to you if you are vocal about your appreciation for it.
  • Again, be observant. See how people inside the house behave and make it a model for your own behavior. Observe their schedules (esp. waking up time and try to be on time and be considerate.)
  • Join in on family activities. Have fun with your hosts. Don’t be a “killjoy”! Your host want you to have a good time and don’t be so picky and insensitive.
  • Dress appropriately. I once visited a house in a foreign country and the elders were really conservative so my shorts were left unpacked and I decided to use long pants at home. Be conscious also if hats and shoes are allowed inside the house.
  • Be aware that your stay might cause an economic burden on your hosts so help out on the costs. Pay for food purchases when in the market, treat your hosts if they accompany you sightseeing, eat as much as possible outside home, and limit your stay.
  • Be prepared to pay for the meal if you invite someone to dine out. Splitting the bill might be considered impolite in some cultures.
  • You might want to stock up on some food items your host family can enjoy after you have left, like cookies, rice, coffee, tea etc.
  • In some countries, it is customary for the host to refuse a gift before finally accepting it. Give your host plenty of opportunity to accept your gift.
  • Take photos and remember to send these to your hosts with a thank you note.