“Saying something is wrong is negative, but saying something is different keeps it more positive.” – Erika Bud

Traveling for a vacation out of the country, especially for the first time, is often met with so many feelings. Excitement, exhilaration, anxiety, joy, nervousness, eagerness, and amazement are a few emotions that most people experience. When you travel to another country, so much is unknown. What will feel familiar, and what will feel wrong? But wait, is it really wrong just because it’s not familiar?

Why travel to another country?

When people travel it’s important to remember why they are traveling to another country. Are they trying to find what they have at home somewhere else? This is likely not the case. Most people travel out of the country because they want to see a place they’ve seen on television or heard about from friends. They want to see a historical site or experience scenery they can’t see in their own country. They want to try their favorite foods from the countries where the food originated. There are so many reasons people travel out of the country, but it is not usually because they want to experience what they have at home.

Countries and cultures are different

While people are traveling to another country to see something they can’t see or experience in their home country, the part that seems the most difficult for travelers to grasp is that not all countries and cultures are the same. Yes, this seems obvious, but nonetheless, this is often forgotten when people go on their overseas travel adventures. So many people travel to other countries surprised when they discover things are not done the same way as in their home country or foods do not taste the same or even that people do not act the same way.

One word makes all the difference

There are many ways in which this is demonstrated by travelers. When you travel to countries like Australia, Ireland, or England, their steering wheels are located on the right side of the car, and they drive on the left side of the road. Travelers often refer to drivers in these countries as driving on the “wrong” side of the road. Most travelers would be surprised to know that around 35 percent of the world’s population drives on the left side of the road. In many countries, local markets are quite common. Visitors can buy fruits, vegetables, seafood, clothes, and souvenirs all in one market. Bargaining is also common at these markets. This is a vastly different concept for shoppers who are used to a grocery store or mall for their shopping. But does different mean wrong?

Different is different to you

Does anyone like being told they are wrong? Can a person walk up to their boss who has a different idea than they do and tell them, “Your way is wrong. My way is right”? They could, but it likely won’t go well. Does it ever feel good when a friend says you are wrong for thinking a certain way? When countries have different ideas of how they should lead their country, does it ever go over well when they are told it is wrong what they are doing? Different is often not wrong. It’s simply different to you. People must do their best to remember that it’s right to someone else.

The power behind different vs. wrong

So why is it so powerful to remember that different is often not wrong? Because if travelers can remember this, it will completely change their perspective. Think about it. Saying something is wrong is negative, but saying something is different keeps it more positive. This change in perspective will not only make a traveler’s experience more enjoyable, but it positively affects their relationships at home and work as well.

Broaden your perspective and stop judging

This is one of the biggest reasons why it’s so important that people continue to start to travel overseas or continue traveling overseas with their children. Almost everyone has friends, family, or coworkers who are from a different country. Imagine if things they did or said that were different from the norm because of how they were raised were looked at with curiosity instead of annoyance and an eye roll. People might discover there’s a better way of doing something or just be kinder by treating them without judgment. Nobody likes to be judged. As stated by Dr. Wayne Dyer, internationally renowned author and speaker in the fields of self-development and spiritual growth, “Judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.”

The exceptions to being wrong

Now there are some countries that have such a different culture, people often believe it goes against their citizen’s civil rights. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinions or views. This is something, however, that a traveler should know before they visit that country. It is not advisable to travel and experience what a country has to offer but offend them because aspects of their culture are viewed as wrong. This is disrespectful and will likely not result in a good trip. If feelings are this strong about a culture, there are other ways to safely fight for one’s beliefs and try to work toward change.

What are your thoughts on deeming something wrong when you travel overseas? How do you feel when someone tells you that your way is wrong? I would love to hear from you! Please post your comments below.

To hear more about family travel abroad experiences, travel tips, and more, listen to the Planes, Trains, & Kids Abroad travel podcast at:  https://bigworldpub.com/listen-to-travel-podcast/

Written by: Erika Bud. You can find out more about the author, the Travel Rangers book series, and travel podcast at:  http://bigworldpub.com/

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