Don’t be ‘that person’: 9 essential rules of tour etiquette
By Lee Tulloch
Organised group tours can be a convenient and cost-effective way to travel, not to mention a wonderful way to make new friends. Travelling in a pack can also quickly lay bare what kind of traveller you really are, exposing your most appalling habits and behaviours.
For instance, are you someone who arrives early in the hotel lobby, ready and prepared with the correct (and culturally appropriate) attire for your bus tour pick-up? Or are you sleeping through your alarm after a big night and giving the tour guide a conniption, not bothering with learning any local greetings, or snapping photos of bystanders in traditional dress like they’re museum pieces?
Tour etiquette: embrace your group. This is not the moment to exercise your free will.Credit: iStock
If you want to play nice with your new tour companions and avoid being “that person” – the one every hapless guide and traveller hates – then etch these rules to memory.
Don’t go free-range
Embrace your group. This is not the moment to exercise your free will.
Don’t fall for device vices
No one wants to sit near you on a coach, train or plane and listen to your live commentary on Facebook or Instagram. We don’t want to hear about your business problems and relationship woes. We don’t want to share your music. Put your headphones or earbuds in. Children don’t get a free pass, either.
Give consideration a shot
It’s never okay to take a stranger’s photograph without permission and not just in countries where this is particularly sensitive. That goes for flight attendants and other people in your travel group. As for posting on social media – always ask first. Not everyone loves the concept of being “shared”. Don’t push people out of the way to get that “iconic” shot.
Don’t begrudge the tip
If you can’t afford some level of tipping, you can’t afford to go. Yes, it’s annoying that the tour company doesn’t pay your tour director and driver a living wage, but it’s not your place to question the local wage structure, unless you want to go to the barricades over it. Find out before you go what is expected and tip with a smile when you do it.
Observe local customs for dress and avoid revealing clothing when visiting sacred sites.Credit: iStock
Speak the lingo, or at least a bit of it
It’s good travel etiquette to at least know how to say “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye” within the country you’re travelling in.
Prepare yourself
It’s polite to be organised when the day starts. Bring the right clothing. (Don’t wear high-heeled sandals on safari.) Come with a water bottle or anything you think you’ll need, so you don’t have to interrupt the others by needing an unscheduled stop or detour. Above all, be on time, or even early.
Non-negotiable
Keep your forthright opinions on politics, religion and sexuality to yourself.
Cultural violations
Despite how many times they are asked not to, there are men who wear shorts and women who wear revealing clothing when visiting mosques and other sensitive cultural sites, arguing it’s their right to do what they like.
Not caring about animals
That horse carting you around Central Park in a buggy; the elephant taking you up to the fort in Jaipur; the donkey that carries you 500 steps in Santorini – they weren’t born to cart tourists around all day, and it’s more than likely that they are being treated cruelly behind the scenes.
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