Alpha Flight Guru Travel Blog
09.16.2013

Snafus of Travelers to Asia

Posted By Kellie0 Comments

Depending too much on your guidebook

And other common mistakes made while traveling through Asia.

Planning a trip to Asia soon but aren’t quite sure of cultural queues or other such matters to be aware of during your journey? If you are already having these kinds of thoughts and you came here for suggestions, clearly you’re a smart individual. Good for you! We are here to assist in the matters of travelling tips involving all things Asia… at least in this edition. We have compiled our top picks for ‘things you ‘outta know’. Keep in mind as we go along, that Asia is a HUGE place so not all rules apply everywhere. With that, let’s get started.

Personal Space:
Many of us enjoy our personal space and try to keep our ‘safety bubble’ from being penetrated by those unknown to us. You’re going to a country that holds nearly a sixth of the world’s population. It’s going to get crowded. You’re going to have to hold you ground as much as you can and just deal with the reality when you’re in line and your nose isn’t practically on the back of the person in front of you, there’s a good chance someone will cut in front of you. Try not to blame this on rudeness, that’s just the way it is.

Good touch / Bad touch:
In a place where personal space can sometimes seem non-existent, there are places like Thailand where the head is considered sacred and you best be careful to not even pat a child on the head –a seemingly warm gesture. In Korea, Thailand, China, Central Asia and the Middle East standing too close to or touching someone is a big no-no. Especially if two people are of the opposite sex. Where it’s crowded, you will obviously not have much choice in this. But in the matters of affection, it’s probably best to keep it to a minimum (but trust your best judgment)… If you need affection, that’s what hotel rooms are for. *insert wink*

Relying too much on Plastic:
Many people these days rely heavily on their credit/debit cards. We get it. They are convenient, at least in most cases. Local ATMs in Asia will often offer the best rates, assuming your bank at home doesn’t charge too steep of a fee. But, keep in mind, ATM networks can go down—often on islands and in certain parts of Asia, so you’ll need back-up cash. Luckily, dollars are widely accepted all over Asia.

Carrying Cash:
Cash, or more specifically the American dollar, is usually a widely accepted currency. It is always a good idea to at least carry some cash with you wherever you’re travelling. In places like Myanmar it is good to know that a crisp bill is much more accepted than a wrinkled, old dollar. So try to get some nice bills from the bank, and don’t fold them if possible. Whenever you are travelling it is always a good idea to carry some cash, but don’t go packing around a wad of ‘Benjamins’ like you’re Puff Daddy in a music video. It’s not only foolish, but dangerous and disrespectful to locals who might only make in an entire year, what you’re schlepping around in a fanny pack.

Wearing the color White:
Given that it’s after Labor Day anyway, put those white clothes away. It’s time. Obviously, you are an individual and free to do whatever you want, but you may want to consider what it means. In parts of Asia, white is a funeral color. Which is really just something to keep in mind given the off-chance you will be unknowingly mourning someone’s passing while on holiday.

Being inflexible:
Not talking about being able to put a leg over your head…. But flexibility is always your best bet. Planning too much and trying to stick too rigidly to an itinerary might set you up for failure. Asia can sometimes have a way of destroying the best-planned trips. There can be unexpected transportation delays, or places that are just too beautiful to see in only a few short hours. Trying to squeeze in too many stops in a short amount of time will only raise your blood pressure. It’s best to remember that life moves a little slower in developing countries. Don’t be shocked if your train that was scheduled to leave at 3pm finally pulls away from the station at 7pm!

Matters in Myanmar:
Since Myanmar is a neighboring country of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, travelers often think they can do visa on arrival like they can do when they land in the mentioned country, in fact, it is not feasible. A Visa to Myanmar should be done prior to the time you arrive by at least 3 weeks either with a visa stamp or visa approval letter. The other thing to keep in mind for a Myanmar trip is the price. As the demand goes over the supplying condition, Myanmar can be known as the most expensive destination in Southeast Asia. A room at 3-star hotel can vary from $50 to $80USD in winter time, while the transportation may cost up to $150USD for long day travel. Please expect to spend more money here than other countries in Asia

Let your Conscience be your Guide:
While having a popular guidebook can be comforting in a new place, keep in mind that the writers certainly did not have time to visit every hotel, every restaurant, and every attraction at each destination. Loads of places to eat, sleep and drink didn’t make it into your guidebook, not because they are bad places, but because they were overlooked.

Guidebooks are often only updated every couple of years, and over time a popular place can actually become corrupted because of all the patronage they receive from a steady stream of guidebook users. Ironically, you can sometimes receive the worst food and service in the top picks of guidebooks!
Instead of keeping your nose in the book, use your own judgment, take some chances, and ask fellow travelers who have been around a while.

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