The Thursday Ramble: Culturally Open Minded Travel

 

About three months ago, Angus in Scotland posted a link to an article about first impressions of life in the United States. The article talked about how visits to the United States impacted the thoughts of visitors from Iran, China and Russia.  Reading the article made me think, about how travel changes us. Timely as I am headed out on a grand adventure. 

People live differently in different places. The biggest differences are in international travel, though even from region to region within your country you will find differences. Differences in culture, in norms of behaviour, differences in language, the way homes are built, in the way that people live. 

There is much to be learned from the differences in culture.  To benefit from travel, I need to be culturally open minded. To expect that things will be different. To accept that what is different is normal. 

When I travel I suspend judgement. I remind myself that no one way is inferior or superior. This is the hardest thing for most people to do. When I judge another culture against my norm, I fail to understand the culture. 

I have learned many things when traveling, that have improved my life. I have tried not to try to change cultures, when I travel. I suspend judgement, and travel with a culturally open mind. 

What will I learn on this grand adventure?  

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May.