A headline that got me thinking about women who travel with The Women’s Travel Group. Today’s paper announces an innovative air pod which automatically translates foreign languages via AI. For those of you who travel a lot, you know that cultures use the same words differently. So how will this AI get the nuances? Time will tell.
Over the years, we’ve witnessed many misunderstandings when visiting other countries. My own experiences living overseas were full of snafus. Example: a new London friend and I were making arrangements to meet. She said she would “call on me” I took it to mean a second phone call. Nope, she appeared at the door as “call on” means “meet” in the UK. I wrote the birth date of my son in European format month/day/year. When he entered school in he US, they put him in the wrong grade.
On a recent trip, we had an upset woman. She thought she ordered a meal to share with her friend. The waiter brought 2 meals and 2 bills to the table. She said she was cheated. In Europe it is rare to share main course. Sharing is sometimes even considered impolite. Portions are usually smaller and most diners finish their meal solo. Her words might have been understood by the waitstaff; but local customs over ruled.
We Americans talk to everyone: the people at the next table? someone in a hotel lobby? to Front Desk personnel about non hotel subjects? Spontaneous talking to strangers is very American. Women have expressed unhappiness at foreigners’ lack of warmth and seeming coldness. Reticence is not the same as lack of friendliness. It is just how other cultures relate to strangers. I was having lunch in a Miami hotel coffee shop with a friend. My husband’s important UK client (dressed in a dark suit and staying at the same hotel) walked by. My friend thought he was the maitre d. She asked him for more coffee. He was shocked, but got the pot and refilled her cup. He then sat down with us. What would those air pods done to fix this scene?
Another misunderstanding that leads to even even anger might be a street crossing. In many foreign cities, the car has the right of way, not the pedestrian. Travelers might think the driver is rude or aggressive; no, the car goes first. When in doubt as to who has the right of way, watch locals and walk with them. Jay walking is part of Americans’ lives. Not so in other countries so don’t do it unless you see locals jaywalking also.
Before your steam up, remember: Words might be the same but customs different. Some other things we do that might get negative reactions: we hug relatively new acquaintances, we walk around with drink containers even in nice restaurants, we talk politics and money with strangers, we complain to the wrong person. It is also rare to ask for what we call a doggy bag. For some hearing this, it means the food is only good for a dog.
Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group, award winning tour company for women and their organizations.
