Question: Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Other disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.
Tourism has become significantly vital to the various countries' economy. It also brings about more diversification and knowledge of different cultures. Nonetheless, many tourists' behaviours and customs have been openly denounced by the locals. Thus, these issues have stirred continuous and countless debates among the locals and foreigners on whether a foreign visitor should abide by local customs and behaviour.
In many host countries, some foreigners behaviours are deemed terribly unacceptable. However, these foreigners' behaviours are in fact normal and non-aggressive in their own countries. For example, ripping open a packaging to examine the product is totally intolerable and it is also considered as a criminal act in Japan. But increasingly numbers of Chinese tourists have been spotted carrying out such attempts and claimed that this is normal in China. These acts have caused many Japanese people to be upset. As a result, the Hokkaido Tourism Organisation came up with a booklet for travellers which based on etiquette.
Some westerners have also been viewed as unruly and disrespectful in various parts of Eastern Europe and Asia. They have the habit of drinking alcohol or staying out late until the wee hours such as 3am or 4am. The majority of them, tend to talk loudly or even shout in public after being intoxicated. This surely has caused a great disturbance to nearby houses where the locals are sleeping peacefully. Yet, such behaviour is prevalent and regarded as acceptable in western countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, not every single foreign practices and behaviour are considered inappropriate. And if foreigners are obliged to abide by local customs and behaviours, then there will certainly be a lack of diversification. This will deter the locals from gaining, understanding and learning more about people from around the world. Also, foreigners might shun visiting countries which have such beliefs as they would not like to visit countries which might become hostile or xenophobic towards them if they do not conform. Needless to say, such countries which experience the avoidance of foreigners would possibly face a decline in their economy and deemed as undiplomatic.
In my opinion, I think that foreigners should be given the choice to follow the local customs or behaviours and host countries should welcome cultural differences. However, the locals or authorities of the host countries should censure or criticise foreigners when they behave inappropriately, obnoxiously or disrespectfully.
Tourism has become significantly vital to the various countries' economy. It also brings about more diversification and knowledge of different cultures. Nonetheless, many tourists' behaviours and customs have been openly denounced by the locals. Thus, these issues have stirred continuous and countless debates among the locals and foreigners on whether a foreign visitor should abide by local customs and behaviour.
In many host countries, some foreigners behaviours are deemed terribly unacceptable. However, these foreigners' behaviours are in fact normal and non-aggressive in their own countries. For example, ripping open a packaging to examine the product is totally intolerable and it is also considered as a criminal act in Japan. But increasingly numbers of Chinese tourists have been spotted carrying out such attempts and claimed that this is normal in China. These acts have caused many Japanese people to be upset. As a result, the Hokkaido Tourism Organisation came up with a booklet for travellers which based on etiquette.
Some westerners have also been viewed as unruly and disrespectful in various parts of Eastern Europe and Asia. They have the habit of drinking alcohol or staying out late until the wee hours such as 3am or 4am. The majority of them, tend to talk loudly or even shout in public after being intoxicated. This surely has caused a great disturbance to nearby houses where the locals are sleeping peacefully. Yet, such behaviour is prevalent and regarded as acceptable in western countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, not every single foreign practices and behaviour are considered inappropriate. And if foreigners are obliged to abide by local customs and behaviours, then there will certainly be a lack of diversification. This will deter the locals from gaining, understanding and learning more about people from around the world. Also, foreigners might shun visiting countries which have such beliefs as they would not like to visit countries which might become hostile or xenophobic towards them if they do not conform. Needless to say, such countries which experience the avoidance of foreigners would possibly face a decline in their economy and deemed as undiplomatic.
In my opinion, I think that foreigners should be given the choice to follow the local customs or behaviours and host countries should welcome cultural differences. However, the locals or authorities of the host countries should censure or criticise foreigners when they behave inappropriately, obnoxiously or disrespectfully.
