Etiquette and Courtesy for Tourists & Visitors

Respect goes a long way where ever you travel.

Please don't mistake curiosity for nosiness. If they are asking these questions it's quite possible they are trying to learn, possibly so they don't commit a faux pas. A polite "I'd rather not answer" should do the trick. That said...

1. Follow the rules. Period. This includes in RV parks. If the rule is no dogs then don't take your dogs, etc.
2. Agree about the parking issue. Have been too many places where rigs are just taking up too much space.
3. Behave. Don't exhibit bad behavior under the guise of "I'm a tourist".
4. Look up the word "respect" in the dictionary and practice it.

As long as you are polite about it...most people are happy to talk about themselves and their religion.

They aren't obligated to discuss but if they refuse to discuss, they don't get to complain when misconceptions abound.

This is particularly important in a tourist area. If they come across as standoffish or rude when polite questions are made, expect it to hurt the local tourist business.

I really don't get the post? I guess if you are offended easily you shouldn't be living in that type of area to begin with. Like the person that buys a home next to the train tracks and complaines of the noisy train . If someone asks questions nicely, it shouldn't be a problem. If they dont ask nicely then the problem is with the attitude rather then the question itself. I do agree with the parking, i can always walk a bit to get to where i need to be. But some towns don't have rv parking. And you only choice is to take up 2 regular spots? What do you do then? Move on to the next town?

valhalla360 wrote:
As long as you are polite about it...most people are happy to talk about themselves and their religion.

They aren't obligated to discuss but if they refuse to discuss, they don't get to complain when misconceptions abound.

This is particularly important in a tourist area. If they come across as standoffish or rude when polite questions are made, expect it to hurt the local tourist business.

And ask about where I live as well. I live one of the prettiest parts of the world. I am glad to talk about it. I may be able to help you find something. As for my cloths. It is what it is.

If I didn't approach and engage in a conversation with the guy and his 2 girls in the horse drawn buggy I wouldn't have had a the great experience that occurred.
Learned a lot first hand about the Amish Culture and people.
even got invited to their farm which was a real blessing.

At CG right near Devils Tower, WY we came out one morning to find 6 Japanese girls sitting at our pic-nic table having their breakfast.
Instead of running them off we engaged with them. Found out they thought they were in a 'park' .....very apologetic about taking our space/table and were ready to pack up. We convinced them to stay, finish breakfast and enjoy their moment. Very interesting conversation.

Engaging with folks IS part of Life's Journey and can be beneficial to both.

Good stories Old-Biscuit! :)

Old-Biscuit wrote:
If I didn't approach and engage in a conversation with the guy and his 2 girls in the horse drawn buggy I wouldn't have had a the great experience that occurred.
Learned a lot first hand about the Amish Culture and people.
even got invited to their farm which was a real blessing.

At CG right near Devils Tower, WY we came out one morning to find 6 Japanese girls sitting at our pic-nic table having their breakfast.
Instead of running them off we engaged with them. Found out they thought they were in a 'park' .....very apologetic about taking our space/table and were ready to pack up. We convinced them to stay, finish breakfast and enjoy their moment. Very interesting conversation.

Engaging with folks IS part of Life's Journey and can be beneficial to both.

I think the Amish are most likely accustomed to that. This friend and his neighbors feel as though tourists are treating them as objects or characters put on display instead of hard-working residents. Cultures differ. The picnic table incident happens often. I pretty sure my friend isn't addressing that.

Crowe wrote:
Please don't mistake curiosity for nosiness. If they are asking these questions it's quite possible they are trying to learn, possibly so they don't commit a faux pas. A polite "I'd rather not answer" should do the trick. That said...

1. Follow the rules. Period. This includes in RV parks. If the rule is no dogs then don't take your dogs, etc.
2. Agree about the parking issue. Have been too many places where rigs are just taking up too much space.
3. Behave. Don't exhibit bad behavior under the guise of "I'm a tourist".
4. Look up the word "respect" in the dictionary and practice it.

Crowe, good list of pointers.

There are places in the US and Canada where curiosity IS viewed as nosiness or rudeness. Asking personal questions about someone's clothing is considered rude in a number of places. Bringing up someone else's religion isn't considered polite either, in my friend's area or in a number of places. Very personal questions (clothing, religion, politics) are not a good way to interact in a community and with a people who are new to you.

Man.....
If I hadn't been the nosey 'tourist' during our 7 yrs FTng I would not have gotten the 'inside scoop' that only the 'locals' know

Even when I was overseas I was that nosey tourist asking all kinds of questions, seeking information, gaining advice/knowledge

Respect should be key.
Give it and get it back

But their are some folks that just don't want to engage...they should quietly disengage

It never dawned on me to ever ask someone about the clothes you wear. I can't even imagine a conversation where that would come up, or why I would even care.

"Hey man.. why do y'all wear those overalls? Is it to keep the spaghetti sauce from staining your new t-shirts?" (kidding of course).

That's just weird...

Mike