Avoid Legal Difficulties and Expense: Know Local Customs and Laws Before Your Trip

Renate sputtered with rage. "I was accused of shoplifting. I told the manager that I did not steal anything." Renate is new to the United States. She is unaware that shoplifting is concealment of merchandise, not stealing. Europeans customarily place groceries in a cloth shopping bag prior to paying.

Americans are just as likely to run afoul of foreign customs when they travel. The classic example is the American boy who vandalized cars in Singapore. Little did he know that in that strict Asian country he faced the possibility of being caned within an inch of his life. Harmless infractions such as chewing gun are punishable by draconian penalties in this well-ordered but no-nonsense society. Without President Clinton's intervention, that young man might be crippled.

Photography is another potential trouble area. For many years, tourists who innocently took pictures of military installations or police stations in Eastern European countries could find themselves at the wrong end of an uncomfortable grilling. The destruction of photographs and camera alike was routine.

Clothing is another danger zone. Female travelers must familiarize themselves with the requirements of modesty when traveling in Muslim lands. Females may also inadvertently give off signals of being "loose" or available by practicing common American customs. In many countries, females are closely chaperoned and a lone female traveler may face harassment or worse.

One of the most dangerous areas is changing currency. In the Czech Republic it is illegal to export the Krona. Tourists who forget to change their bills may be left with unexchangeable cash on arrival in the United States. In Mexico, travelers are given a receipt for their cash at the time it is exchanged. Lose or toss that paperwork, and you may be parting with additional cash in the form of bribes to keep out of the local lock-up.

Since the consequences of innocent mistakes range from uncomfortable questions to jailing, time spent learning local laws and customs is time well spent. A quick phone call to the country's embassy prior to travel is an excellent idea. Many credit card companies such as American Express offer valuable information for travelers. Still another possibility is questioning an immigrant from that country or a traveler who has recently returned. A guidebook such as Fodor's or Lonely Planet makes an excellent addition to the luggage, as does a small notebook or laptop computer.

Business travel can be particularly fraught. Common American gifts like clocks are taboo in Japan where the word for "clock" and "death" are uncomfortably close. When serious dollars are involved, taking a seminar on local manners may be an excellent idea.

Although we live in a global society, customs are unique to each area. A sophisticated traveler's inquiries pay off in a smoother trip.

Sources

http://www.etiquettecentre.com/