If you are looking for more travel tips watch these videos!: th-cam.com/play/PLBmF7uPtI-4FkVJVfUeYExFKdSK7z60NA.html For more expert advice with planning your travels, check out my how-to-travel e-book: bit.ly/httravel-ebook
For Americans traveling abroad especially, watch your volume. I never understood the stereotype that Americans are loud until I went to Spain and realized that I couldn't hear anyone's conversations because they speak much quieter than we do!
Great point. Often, Chinese and Americans are quite loud. Now, that's perfectly fine and a defining part of our cultures. In fact, it's something to be proud of to be sure. In many contexts, however, it's inappropriate and rude. Good point that you make here.
Yes seriously though! I live in America and even here it bothers me when some people can't control their volume. Paying attention to how the people around you are speaking helps a lot on figuring out how loud you can be without being rude.
I think people should know there are places for everything. There are quiet restaurants that people go to for an experience not only food. But there are also restaurants that you can talk loudly and enjoy
I do find, however, that when I'm behind the lens, I am more interactive and not as passive in my experience. I get to frame and tell the story as I wish. I get to be in the moment just the same as a person observing from the sideline or meditating on the sounds of the concert or relaxing on the beach. Just because my cathartic and meditative state is behind the lens, just because my art and craft is behind the lens, doesn't mean it hinders or obfuscates my experience in any fashion. Cell phones on the other hand...don't get me started on their stupidity!
Good one, I agree. Of course I would take pics and few videos for memories but wouldn’t want to use all of my time doing that, because I would miss out on being in the moment and fully experiencing the trip.
Excellent point. I tried to video blog and you miss so much time looking through the lense, zooming, adjusting, still managing peripherals, etc. For me it was the equivalent of watching a video about the beach instead of being at the beach.
Another tip for souvenirs. Don’t always buy them in the closest shops to whatever attraction you are at. A lot of times these items aren’t even made in that country and are just cheap replicas. Take the time to find authentic vendors especially if you are buying big ticket items like blown glassware in Venice or handmade rugs in Morocco.
A lot of my friends that visit Australia want to get Indigenous artwork or boomerangs, and I always have to drag them away from the $5 shops that have cheap replicas. The good stuff is gonna cost you $$$ but it'll last a lot longer, and you're supporting a real Indigenous artist.
I agree that items are probably better authentic vendors. I wonder if while on a group trip that opportunity will come up? On those kind of trips the schedule is already set up.
I really really love tip #20 about the haggling thing. It really gets under my skin when I see tourists from first world countries who earn some of the strongest currencies in the world trying to take advantage of these poorer people who depend on tourism for their lives. Like the extra dollar or two isn't a big deal for us but goes SO FAR in these countries. You travel to support local tourism or you don't. The whole culture of it this and this "beg-packing" idea makes me really upset so I'm glad you said it. :)
When you go to somewhere like Vietnam where you can haggle everything. There are people that take advantage of you because you will pay so much more and if you're travelling for money's you need to.
Haggling to the last straw is just as bad as the stupid tourist that feels so sorry for people - and then overpays for everything. Most stuff tourists buy is just junk anyhow and soon gets discarded once home.
It is unsocial to the locals if you pay high prices. The merchants generally earn a lot but can tell you so sad stories about their eight hungry kids... Don't fall for it.
hears a tip when u go out drinking never get a drink in a glass drink (or if you do never let it leave your sight) stick to bottled drinks as it makes it harded to get spiked, trust me i've been spiked like this
One mistake i've made when entering a few restaurants abroad was waiting by the entrance expecting somebody to direct me to a table when actually I was just meant to pick a table myself.
Made a few of them: Relying on GPS, not having toilet paper, money for WC, definitely not having snacks, not accounting for multiple legs on the flight and charges for bags on every leg of the trip rather than just each way (expensive), picking bad location. Haven't had much trouble with cultures and people. Staying calm and respectful keeps you out of situations. Excellent video. Well put together.
I find naples scary for crossing the road, traffic lights and crossing are like a suggestion. My tip is to wait till a few locals cross and walk with them
In Europe make sure you validate your public transport ticket before you start your trip. An unvalidated ticket is the same as no ticket and they will fine you bigtime and you pay on the spot.
If you get on a train forgetting to validate your ticket, immediately seek the conductor do not wait until he finds you. The conductor usually will not fine you.
One thing I do when going to a country is try and find out where the locals eat. When I went to italy, nearly every resterant I ate at had only italian people in. Restaurants with tourist sitting outside tend to be overpriced and not that great
That thing with friendliness is so annoying to me. Everyone says that europeans are not friendly or they don't have a good service. The only thing I can say to this is no! We may not have servers here that kiss your ass like in the US, but that is because our servers get a good salery and don't necessarily need a tip. We are friendly, we just don't see the need to ask you every minute if everything is okay. So just accept that and don't say we're rude
I agree I'm American and I can't stand when other Americans say Europeans are rude just because they have different social customs. Being overly friendly to strangers can be a bad thing too. Sometimes strangers will try and have a full on conversation with me and I'm just like I don't even know you why are you talking to me haha
I have to agree with this. In latin america we have the same situation. People are nice if youre nice to them and while tipping is a thing were insulted if you think that because youre paying for a service or product youre immediately a higher ranking human.
Michelle Rosenfeld don’t think you can paint all European cultures with one brush, there’s many different countries with different customs. I recall English and Italian waiters being very friendly while I have to admit that most German servers I dealt with were not the best at customer service.
No need to take offense she's just saying different countries have different norms and mannerisms, nothing wrong with that. She's simply pointing that out.
I am American, and actually find it quite annoying when our servers have to ask every 10 minutes if the food is ok, or filling up our water glasses. so because of that I like the service in Europe. however it's just part of american customs.
Yes Google doesn’t always know the right address! In places like Thailand and Indonesia some places don’t even have an address!! I find having translator app open can help sometimes to help with the language barrier or having your hosts phone number who knows the local language so a taxi driver or whoever can ring them and discuss in the local language - this is a good idea!! And haggling is hard because people in markets often work hard to make a living and to be consistently fighting over every penny must get tiring. Plus travelling in counties where haggling is common are often “cheaper” to tourists so it’s probably not a lot of money anyway and it’s nice I give them a bit extra :) Loved the video and the energy!
Tissue is great. Baby wipes are better. And yeah, pay toilets. Learned that in India. And that country is tips, tips, tips. Definitely needed to practice haggling there. Ran out of cash, did not have debit card, and credit cards are NOT accepted everywhere. So I missed out on some things, but learned from my mistakes.
as an American we kinda stick out no matter what. And even when we blend in a little we're toast the second we speak. Been told to try and act Canadian a few times :)
Not dressing like a tourist can be the most challenging. How do you tuck away your camera say a DLSR Nadine? I get not having it in plain site around your neck, but people will see a camera bag and thus you're a tourist. Screenshot your instructions before you leave your accommodation people because there's not always wifi.
The pedestrian one is so true. I went with my parents on a trip to Europe not too long ago. In Rome my Mother crossed the street, thinking it was safe because it was a pedestrian crosswalk, and if I hadn't yelled at her, she would have been hit by a car. Versus, in Paris, they were a lot politer. They would have the right away and they would usually still let us pass, which was pretty sweet. Just depends on where you're at.
Common sense is NEVER ever assume a car will stop for your dumb ass to cross the street. Many of them may not even be looking at you - they are on their phones.
Can you do a vlog going through an airport and on the plane, the next time you travel? When everyone I know is going travelling, I like to watch airport videos (How I got onto your account). If you can, that will be really cool and a nice video to add to your account. And if you want, you could add hacks on what to do on a long haul flight. Love your account!
Good informative video. Reminded me of many an old movie scene where the English speaking visitor is convinced that the "natives" of any non-English speaking country would be able to understand English if you just spoke it to them SLOWLY and LOUDLY enough. I have found that no matter how discretely you dress, the local people will almost always know you are a foreigner as soon as you open your mouth. Foreigners act like foreigners in foreign countries; your haircut,your shoes even the cologne or perfume you wear, etc. can be dead giveaways. Best to find out about tipping customs BEFORE you leave home. Believe it or not, in some countries tipping is considered an" insult". You gave good advice about food while traveling. If one is staying at a decent hotel, chances are they will fix you something or you can do it yourself before you leave for the day. Although it can be" risky", depending on where you are, do try the local cuisines and avoid wasting time trying to find the local MacDonalds, Pizza Huts, KFCs, Starbucks,etc.("'You ain't in Kansas anymore!"). USE COMMON SENSE, BE RESPECTFUL & HAPPY TRAVELS!
That Google one really got me in Salvador, Brazil. It showed me the "fastest" way from my apt to the supermercado. Halfway on about a 10-min. walk, one of the streets Google said to turn on was more like a series of alleys that felt like I was walking through peoples' back yard. Since I had groceries, I took Uber on the way back and he took me on major streets to get home.
LOL. (#1 MIstake) First solo trip. When to Venice, was not used to culture of area, didn't print out instructions but had access to them, and then got lost because they reuse street names in Venice so it took me to the address but in the totally wrong part of town. Met many wonderful people though. Also when I was almost to the place, it is in a building through the outdoor seating area of a restaurant, the satellite couldn't get my location so took me an hour to find the door 200 ft from me.
This video would be perfect to watch if you are travelling to Turkey or any non-western country. Almost all of these were relevant when I travelled there, especially the language barrier, toilet paper, and mannerisms in restaurants, which took me aback at first. I've been that guy that takes photos of everything to the point of being annoying. I've learned to sometimes just enjoy what I'm seeing, and asking permission to take photos goes a long way. I also love the not buying souvenirs on Day 1 is an excellent tip, as well as the other photo tips. All great tips that even seasoned travelers often don't consider. Great video!
The one about inappropriate photos 'there are better photos online than your sneaky photo' - SO TRUE! Additionally, when I'm out, I'd much rather have a photo of my experience of a place, tourists and grey skies and all, than a perfect Instagram photo..
Instead of taking so many photos, try drawing what captures your attention instead. I did this while traveling in England, and it not only made my experience more immediate; it kind of sank in to me, and I remembered so much more about it later. It makes the experience fresher and more personal. You don't even have to be that good an artist. I took a small wire-bound sketch book that I could lay out perfectly flat, a pencil, eraser, small pencil sharpener, watercolor pencils, a small brush, and a little zippered bag to carry them in. The great thing about watercolor pencils, aside from great color, is that you don't need to carry water around with you. You can bring up the color later, at your leisure, with the application of a small wet brush!
Thank you for the great tips! I agree that people should find out a little bit before visiting a new culture. Tourists should accept the lifestyle in the different country and not behave unpolitely.
I would add always get enough sleep.. especially if you're traveling overseas, gotta keep the time changes in mind. I personally suffer from bad migraine attacks, where I get visual disturbances and slurred speech in addition to the terrible headaches, I have had them happen when traveling, and it was my worst nightmare, so getting enough sleep for me is absolutely critical. Also getting plenty of sleep just makes you feel better anyways and you will enjoy yourself a lot more than you would if you were lacking sleep.
great vid. I was in Peru last month for 3 weeks and so much of what you say here is common in Peru. you have to pay for the bathroom, no toilet paper etc... if your going to the market with a native scope it out and then let them go ahead of you and ask prices because the seller will always give you a more expensive price then a person from there.
Number 4 is so true!! I always carry with me flushable toilet paper wipes. They come in travel sizes so it is very easy to carry in purses. They have saved me many times! :D
Kind of a mix between knowing local laws and customs, and dressing like a tourist; dressing respectfully in areas that have different customs. If you're from Europe or the US, it might be frustrating to you personally that some countries expect women to dress conservatively, but don't disrespect the culture when you're a visitor. I would definitely also add looking up alternative routes if you're driving in case there are accidents or road closures.
I love that shirt! Your first one is one is my FAV! Don't count on your device even working when you get to a new country. Print out your docs! Great list Nadine! Sharing for sure XO, Kelly
I'd say interrupting the normal flow of things. In New York, tourists walk slow or take up the whole sidewalk and make it impossible to maneuver around them. Another mistake we made in Italy was not validating our train ticket before we boarded. Silly little mistake cost us 50 euro! -Brian
Research the public transit and pricing guide for that transit before you go. You don't want to think you are staying in a prime cost zone only to arrive and realize your hotel is 2 miles outside of the prime zone making all your transportation costs more than you budgeted for.
you are soooo cute! i love your videos. i've travelled a bit in my 44 years (on my own and with family my kids) and i thought i was fairly saavy, but your perspective and experience is refreshing and i always get a couple tips to consider from your videos, and you make me feel me like I'm not going to be alone out there. i'm going to have my husband watch your videos! happy travelling!!!!!
number 15 is SO true! I know that everyone likes different things for example in a museum, but who the hell needs a picture of every damn thing they see?? most of the pictures will just land on a computer or USB-stick anyway and never be seen again. really liked this video, proud of myself that I haven't done every mistake on that list haha
research tipping customs; in some places tipping is compulsory, in some places its considered rude to tip. research common tourist scams and keep your belongings in sight all the time- its incredible how fast thieves can act. be prepared for customs! not so bad if its quiet, but if its busy go through your bag before you get in line, put your belt and watch in your bag and have your laptop and liquids bag out. also check if there's anything unusual you wont be able to take through (for example food, anything made of wood or muddy boots in Australia)
Great video Nadine! I'll remember these next time I travel 😊❤❤ Ilysm your one of my fave youtubers: your so kind, your videos are great and your just amazing! ly from the UK xx
Hey Nadine, I love your videos and you inspire me so much! Would you be able to do a video discussing your trip to New Zealand when you worked/lived there? I'd like to live/work somewhere for 6 months to a year after I'm done school but have no idea where to start. Any tips/advice would be really helpful!
Try not to look like you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going. I did in the Paris metro and was targeted by a scammer. Luckily, security was watching and scooted the guy away before anything happened.
Getting ready for my 2nd trip to Europe. Totally forgot we had to pay for public restrooms. So many good tips. The biggest rookie mistake I made in Paris was assuming people would be polite getting on the metro. It was insane and you really have to push your way in (which is totally against my nature). The first time getting on I almost got my arm caught in the door as it was closing because I was too slow. Thank goodness for the guy that pulled me back onto the platform.
There's many prices in Indonesia: 1. Cheapest price for local people with the same language. 2. Price for same Indonesian from others regions. 3. Price for Indonesian Chinese coz they're rich wkwk. 4. Price for poor countries tourists from Africa or PNG. 5. Price for Asian rich countries like Japan or Korean or China. 6. Price for black Americans or British or European. 7. Price for white bule or westerns... the most expensive. So you can ask you're local or guide to buy something wkwk
The toilet paper thing is super important in Asia. But in terms of friendliness, it's variable. I found people in Japan, Ireland, Canada and Spain to be friendly, much more so than Germany and Paris where I didn't find people as helpful. But I guess I didn't speak their language, so that must have contributed as well
Great video and thanks for highlighting the haggling issue. I think that when we're visiting a country poorer than our own we should consider the price of paying more than what the locals pay (and this mostly happens) an act of charity (unless you feel the person is trying to rip you and EVERYBODY off ie his suppliers etc - and sometimes you get that feeling about a vendor - in which case you can just walk away, you'll probably find something similar quite easily, maybe just a few stalls away even); yes, you should haggle a bit - not to do so is often insulting - but don't go overboard and DON'T start negotiations unless you're convinced you want the item; once you start negotiations, if you change your mind often you're really letting down the vendor - as Nadine pointed out this is their LIVELYHOOD, it's not a game to them! Remember the times you've been turned down for a job you were really wanting and consider that when you start haggling for an item in a poor country
Most of what tourists buy is just junk or close to it. Often it is made in China or somewhere similar. Just be sure to not look down your snobby nose at other fellow tourists who do what is expected of them - negotiating.
It's a bit irrelevant but have you ever been in Portugal?? I've found your channel quite recently and your videos are very useful for organizing my trip there next year!!
I never see my photos. I just take random random pictures, maybe share one or two, and then store all the rest. I've made it a personal "goal" to make photo albums the old school way, maybe I'll get to it this year.
Tip # 6 is great! I always get $50 in singles before I travel so I have enough for tips. Also helpful for those times you are buying from a vendor that claims not to have change, you can pay the exact amount.
if you're a women, they might ask you to cover your hair/head in certain countries, and always do that when entering a mosque. also, in a lot of places of worship, they'll ask that you cover your legs and chest and I'm pretty sure that applies for both genders. just do it and be respectful. (source: I watch a lot of travelling videos)
I'm going to India (Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Goa) over the month of January. Do any other viewers have any tips that are especially helpful for India? It will be my first time travelling in a non-western country.
The bathroom tips! When I went to Italy I was so shocked and confused that I had to pay to use a public restroom and that they don't keep toilet paper lol definitely not something I knew but something I learned as a stupid tourist 😅
I remember going to thw Philippines and I was out with my mom, brother, aunt, and my cousins and I actually had to go to a public toilet since we were shopping. Without thinking about it, I went to the toilet, made a big dump and... no toilet paper. I just wanted to punch myself. I just sat there panicking. So my cousin asked me if I even brought my toilet paper and I was like ".... no" so 15 minutes later, I got some my toilet paper. Lesson learned. Take toilet paper with you
Getting into a Taxi late night. I did that in Tijuana a in the early 2000s and got robbed by my taxi driver. I also used the atm over the boarder and ended up dropping my atm card on the floor. Someone picked it up for me but when they gave it to me it was no longer my atm card.
Checking to see if you need visas when transiting through airports. I'm thing about going to Singapore and Malaysia this spring and so many of my flights require visas to get through the airports in China
Also, making sure you have access to water when you're out and about. We got charged $17 CAD for tapwater in Prague this summer... should have just gotten beer
I once had to wait at the airport in Panama City and realised that my bag that I carried on my shoulder was too heavy and stuffed. So I just put everything I didn't need in my carrie on. So I just opened my carrie on in frobt of a lot of people not caring if there was a thief or something. Looking back that was pretty stupid, but I was only 16 so....yeah😅
Please donn't think like that. If you'll be forever waiting for someone to joun you you can waste a lot of time. I travel alone and trust me I have fun :) You can go to places your friends or someone you're traveling with might not like. Sometimes it is nice to have someone by your side, but if you have the oportunity to go now, just do it! ;)
I just went on a 3 week trip to Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland on my own! It's great because you can do what you want, when you want. Spend as much time as you want and see what you are really interested in. And you can probably find people from hostels to do activities with while you're there. It really is a great experience!
![[กูเพิ่งซื้อมึงปิดหนี] 20 นาที ผมรีวิวเกมที่แย่ที่สุดในโลก CONCORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XhC-3q3Ii7I/mqdefault.jpg)
If you are looking for more travel tips watch these videos!: th-cam.com/play/PLBmF7uPtI-4FkVJVfUeYExFKdSK7z60NA.html
For more expert advice with planning your travels, check out my how-to-travel e-book: bit.ly/httravel-ebook
For Americans traveling abroad especially, watch your volume. I never understood the stereotype that Americans are loud until I went to Spain and realized that I couldn't hear anyone's conversations because they speak much quieter than we do!
Great point. Often, Chinese and Americans are quite loud. Now, that's perfectly fine and a defining part of our cultures. In fact, it's something to be proud of to be sure. In many contexts, however, it's inappropriate and rude. Good point that you make here.
Yes seriously though! I live in America and even here it bothers me when some people can't control their volume. Paying attention to how the people around you are speaking helps a lot on figuring out how loud you can be without being rude.
This!
I think people should know there are places for everything. There are quiet restaurants that people go to for an experience not only food. But there are also restaurants that you can talk loudly and enjoy
As an American, I struggle with not being so loud myself
I would add this one: Put the camera down chill for a moment and take in the beauty of where you are.
YES!!!! They spend so much time on the phone or camera and then they miss the beauty of the trip
I do find, however, that when I'm behind the lens, I am more interactive and not as passive in my experience. I get to frame and tell the story as I wish. I get to be in the moment just the same as a person observing from the sideline or meditating on the sounds of the concert or relaxing on the beach. Just because my cathartic and meditative state is behind the lens, just because my art and craft is behind the lens, doesn't mean it hinders or obfuscates my experience in any fashion.
Cell phones on the other hand...don't get me started on their stupidity!
Good one, I agree. Of course I would take pics and few videos for memories but wouldn’t want to use all of my time doing that, because I would miss out on being in the moment and fully experiencing the trip.
Excellent point. I tried to video blog and you miss so much time looking through the lense, zooming, adjusting, still managing peripherals, etc. For me it was the equivalent of watching a video about the beach instead of being at the beach.
Another tip for souvenirs. Don’t always buy them in the closest shops to whatever attraction you are at. A lot of times these items aren’t even made in that country and are just cheap replicas. Take the time to find authentic vendors especially if you are buying big ticket items like blown glassware in Venice or handmade rugs in Morocco.
A lot of my friends that visit Australia want to get Indigenous artwork or boomerangs, and I always have to drag them away from the $5 shops that have cheap replicas. The good stuff is gonna cost you $$$ but it'll last a lot longer, and you're supporting a real Indigenous artist.
I agree that items are probably better authentic vendors. I wonder if while on a group trip that opportunity will come up? On those kind of trips the schedule is already set up.
Agree! Even those replicas can find it easily at Aliexpress... So you don't need to carry them on the luggage.
You are right! These days it all comes from China anyhow.
I would also add to carry hand sanitizer as well as a lot of places bathrooms will not have soap.
Michael Lawrence you knew corona was coming 😂😷
I really really love tip #20 about the haggling thing. It really gets under my skin when I see tourists from first world countries who earn some of the strongest currencies in the world trying to take advantage of these poorer people who depend on tourism for their lives. Like the extra dollar or two isn't a big deal for us but goes SO FAR in these countries. You travel to support local tourism or you don't. The whole culture of it this and this "beg-packing" idea makes me really upset so I'm glad you said it. :)
When you go to somewhere like Vietnam where you can haggle everything. There are people that take advantage of you because you will pay so much more and if you're travelling for money's you need to.
Haggling to the last straw is just as bad as the stupid tourist that feels so sorry for people - and then overpays for everything. Most stuff tourists buy is just junk anyhow and soon gets discarded once home.
It is unsocial to the locals if you pay high prices. The merchants generally earn a lot but can tell you so sad stories about their eight hungry kids... Don't fall for it.
hears a tip
when u go out drinking never get a drink in a glass drink (or if you do never let it leave your sight) stick to bottled drinks as it makes it harded to get spiked, trust me i've been spiked like this
that's so sad! :O
Shipping a souvenir home is probably going to be more expensive than the souvenir itself...
Then don't buy it at the beginning of the trip
I would love to see a video about interesting laws you have run into/heard of around the world.
Eating, drinking or carrying Durian fruit to the underground in Asia is usually fined up to 500 dollars.
also being gay is illegal in many countries
Don't walk and eat in Japan
In Germany it's illegal to put your tent up in a random forest - UNLESS it doesn't touch the ground
like? Floating tents are fine I guess
One mistake i've made when entering a few restaurants abroad was waiting by the entrance expecting somebody to direct me to a table when actually I was just meant to pick a table myself.
thats pretty funny actually
sophie cackett that's interesting. Like where?
Cesar Vides that happened when I was in Perú
Took me a while to figure that one out myself.
I did that one, too! Lol! I was like, "...that bitch!"
Made a few of them: Relying on GPS, not having toilet paper, money for WC, definitely not having snacks, not accounting for multiple legs on the flight and charges for bags on every leg of the trip rather than just each way (expensive), picking bad location. Haven't had much trouble with cultures and people. Staying calm and respectful keeps you out of situations. Excellent video. Well put together.
OMG #15 is sooo accurate. I HATE going through photos, absolute worst part of travel... right behind unpacking when you get home
I'm about to travel through Europe for a month and have been binge watching all of your videos. They have been so helpful, thank you, Nadine!
Girl me too!!! I’m doing my first solo trip in Europe for a month. Good luck and be safe!
I’m planning my trip to Europe in 6 months, I wanna go there for one month. How much cash should I approximately take with me please? 😊
I find naples scary for crossing the road, traffic lights and crossing are like a suggestion. My tip is to wait till a few locals cross and walk with them
As someone who works downtown in a touristy city every single one of these tips is spot on.
Mexico is good for charging you before using the washroom... also lots of public places don’t have toilet seats...squat squat squat
In Europe make sure you validate your public transport ticket before you start your trip. An unvalidated ticket is the same as no ticket and they will fine you bigtime and you pay on the spot.
well depends on the country really, most will send the bill home...
If you get on a train forgetting to validate your ticket, immediately seek the conductor do not wait until he finds you. The conductor usually will not fine you.
I always buy a t-shirt or hoodie with the city name xD and wear it! I know it's very touristy but it's my tradition
One thing I do when going to a country is try and find out where the locals eat. When I went to italy, nearly every resterant I ate at had only italian people in. Restaurants with tourist sitting outside tend to be overpriced and not that great
That thing with friendliness is so annoying to me. Everyone says that europeans are not friendly or they don't have a good service. The only thing I can say to this is no! We may not have servers here that kiss your ass like in the US, but that is because our servers get a good salery and don't necessarily need a tip. We are friendly, we just don't see the need to ask you every minute if everything is okay. So just accept that and don't say we're rude
I agree I'm American and I can't stand when other Americans say Europeans are rude just because they have different social customs. Being overly friendly to strangers can be a bad thing too. Sometimes strangers will try and have a full on conversation with me and I'm just like I don't even know you why are you talking to me haha
I have to agree with this. In latin america we have the same situation. People are nice if youre nice to them and while tipping is a thing were insulted if you think that because youre paying for a service or product youre immediately a higher ranking human.
Michelle Rosenfeld don’t think you can paint all European cultures with one brush, there’s many different countries with different customs. I recall English and Italian waiters being very friendly while I have to admit that most German servers I dealt with were not the best at customer service.
No need to take offense she's just saying different countries have different norms and mannerisms, nothing wrong with that. She's simply pointing that out.
I am American, and actually find it quite annoying when our servers have to ask every 10 minutes if the food is ok, or filling up our water glasses. so because of that I like the service in Europe. however it's just part of american customs.
Thank you for mentioning #17! It’s so frustrating to see other travellers being disrespectful by taking unnecessary pictures.
I was so pissed after a girl in my group took photos of the Book of Kells (in Trinity College), when “no photographs” is CLEARLY marked!
I would be too. That's like one of the only things we've got that's of high value. And camera flashes could damage the book
Many sites also have a "no flash" photo rule. I use an iPad which does not have a flash but takes amazing photos in dim light conditions.
Yes Google doesn’t always know the right address! In places like Thailand and Indonesia some places don’t even have an address!!
I find having translator app open can help sometimes to help with the language barrier or having your hosts phone number who knows the local language so a taxi driver or whoever can ring them and discuss in the local language - this is a good idea!!
And haggling is hard because people in markets often work hard to make a living and to be consistently fighting over every penny must get tiring. Plus travelling in counties where haggling is common are often “cheaper” to tourists so it’s probably not a lot of money anyway and it’s nice I give them a bit extra :)
Loved the video and the energy!
Yeah, Google + Thailand= wrong soi
#15 used to be me. Now I have thousands of photos I can't bring myself to delete or look through because it's just wayyy too much.
The English part is so true taking example China, Japan or South Korea not many know English (Koreans know more but still )
Tissue is great. Baby wipes are better. And yeah, pay toilets. Learned that in India. And that country is tips, tips, tips. Definitely needed to practice haggling there. Ran out of cash, did not have debit card, and credit cards are NOT accepted everywhere. So I missed out on some things, but learned from my mistakes.
as an American we kinda stick out no matter what. And even when we blend in a little we're toast the second we speak. Been told to try and act Canadian a few times :)
If you aren't fat and don't wear sneakers or talk loud then chances are you won't be mistaken for being American.
Can you do a video on how many countries you have being to
Your info is spot on. Thanks for your tips great video well done
Not dressing like a tourist can be the most challenging.
How do you tuck away your camera say a DLSR Nadine?
I get not having it in plain site around your neck, but people will see a camera bag and thus you're a tourist.
Screenshot your instructions before you leave your accommodation people because there's not always wifi.
The pedestrian one is so true. I went with my parents on a trip to Europe not too long ago. In Rome my Mother crossed the street, thinking it was safe because it was a pedestrian crosswalk, and if I hadn't yelled at her, she would have been hit by a car. Versus, in Paris, they were a lot politer. They would have the right away and they would usually still let us pass, which was pretty sweet. Just depends on where you're at.
Common sense is NEVER ever assume a car will stop for your dumb ass to cross the street. Many of them may not even be looking at you - they are on their phones.
Thanks for watching!! Got any other mistakes I might have missed? Have you done any of these?(it's okay, we all have, I won't judge :P)
Hey Nadine Not packing light while travelling!
Shoes shoes shoes take as many shoes with you as possible. Even the lightest shoes you have may harm your feet .
*21.Don't take pictures of people without their autorization*
check the weather, many people where not expecting the snow here in the UK these last few days!
Also check the local news before travelling. its no fun finding yourself in the middle of a riot..
Can you do a vlog going through an airport and on the plane, the next time you travel? When everyone I know is going travelling, I like to watch airport videos (How I got onto your account). If you can, that will be really cool and a nice video to add to your account. And if you want, you could add hacks on what to do on a long haul flight. Love your account!
As a non native English speaker, it should probably be "you can get by with English pretty darn well", shouldn't it?
Yes, you are correct :)
I picked up on this
lol
😁
Good informative video. Reminded me of many an old movie scene where the English speaking visitor is convinced that the "natives" of any non-English speaking country would be able to understand English if you just spoke it to them SLOWLY and LOUDLY enough. I have found that no matter how discretely you dress, the local people will almost always know you are a foreigner as soon as you open your mouth. Foreigners act like foreigners in foreign countries; your haircut,your shoes even the cologne or perfume you wear, etc. can be dead giveaways. Best to find out about tipping customs BEFORE you leave home. Believe it or not, in some countries tipping is considered an" insult". You gave good advice about food while traveling. If one is staying at a decent hotel, chances are they will fix you something or you can do it yourself before you leave for the day. Although it can be" risky", depending on where you are, do try the local cuisines and avoid wasting time trying to find the local MacDonalds, Pizza Huts, KFCs, Starbucks,etc.("'You ain't in Kansas anymore!"). USE COMMON SENSE, BE RESPECTFUL & HAPPY TRAVELS!
That Google one really got me in Salvador, Brazil. It showed me the "fastest" way from my apt to the supermercado. Halfway on about a 10-min. walk, one of the streets Google said to turn on was more like a series of alleys that felt like I was walking through peoples' back yard. Since I had groceries, I took Uber on the way back and he took me on major streets to get home.
I see the Parthenon I click! Proud Greek 🇬🇷💓
LOL. (#1 MIstake) First solo trip. When to Venice, was not used to culture of area, didn't print out instructions but had access to them, and then got lost because they reuse street names in Venice so it took me to the address but in the totally wrong part of town. Met many wonderful people though. Also when I was almost to the place, it is in a building through the outdoor seating area of a restaurant, the satellite couldn't get my location so took me an hour to find the door 200 ft from me.
This is wonderful! You brought up so many great points!
This video would be perfect to watch if you are travelling to Turkey or any non-western country. Almost all of these were relevant when I travelled there, especially the language barrier, toilet paper, and mannerisms in restaurants, which took me aback at first. I've been that guy that takes photos of everything to the point of being annoying. I've learned to sometimes just enjoy what I'm seeing, and asking permission to take photos goes a long way.
I also love the not buying souvenirs on Day 1 is an excellent tip, as well as the other photo tips. All great tips that even seasoned travelers often don't consider. Great video!
Great advice Nadine.
I haven't made any of those mistakes yet, but there's always tomorrow! :) I am fortunate that not eating has little to no effect.
I dress like a tourist everyday without even trying
VICTORIA LN haha😂👌🏻
One of the most helpful videos I've seen for soon to be first time travelers like me.
P.S. your hair looks really good in this video.
The one about inappropriate photos 'there are better photos online than your sneaky photo' - SO TRUE! Additionally, when I'm out, I'd much rather have a photo of my experience of a place, tourists and grey skies and all, than a perfect Instagram photo..
The whole pedestrian thing. Hahaha Rome. It's like playing frogger for real lol
Instead of taking so many photos, try drawing what captures your attention instead. I did this while traveling in England, and it not only made my experience more immediate; it kind of sank in to me, and I remembered so much more about it later. It makes the experience fresher and more personal. You don't even have to be that good an artist. I took a small wire-bound sketch book that I could lay out perfectly flat, a pencil, eraser, small pencil sharpener, watercolor pencils, a small brush, and a little zippered bag to carry them in. The great thing about watercolor pencils, aside from great color, is that you don't need to carry water around with you. You can bring up the color later, at your leisure, with the application of a small wet brush!
Thank you for the great tips! I agree that people should find out a little bit before visiting a new culture. Tourists should accept the lifestyle in the different country and not behave unpolitely.
You need to visit Armenia !!! It has plenty of touristic and historic places
I would add always get enough sleep.. especially if you're traveling overseas, gotta keep the time changes in mind. I personally suffer from bad migraine attacks, where I get visual disturbances and slurred speech in addition to the terrible headaches, I have had them happen when traveling, and it was my worst nightmare, so getting enough sleep for me is absolutely critical. Also getting plenty of sleep just makes you feel better anyways and you will enjoy yourself a lot more than you would if you were lacking sleep.
great vid. I was in Peru last month for 3 weeks and so much of what you say here is common in Peru. you have to pay for the bathroom, no toilet paper etc... if your going to the market with a native scope it out and then let them go ahead of you and ask prices because the seller will always give you a more expensive price then a person from there.
Thanks for the great advise, it's really very informative video. 👍
Number 4 is so true!! I always carry with me flushable toilet paper wipes. They come in travel sizes so it is very easy to carry in purses. They have saved me many times! :D
Kind of a mix between knowing local laws and customs, and dressing like a tourist; dressing respectfully in areas that have different customs. If you're from Europe or the US, it might be frustrating to you personally that some countries expect women to dress conservatively, but don't disrespect the culture when you're a visitor.
I would definitely also add looking up alternative routes if you're driving in case there are accidents or road closures.
I love that shirt! Your first one is one is my FAV! Don't count on your device even working when you get to a new country. Print out your docs! Great list Nadine! Sharing for sure XO, Kelly
I'd say interrupting the normal flow of things. In New York, tourists walk slow or take up the whole sidewalk and make it impossible to maneuver around them. Another mistake we made in Italy was not validating our train ticket before we boarded. Silly little mistake cost us 50 euro! -Brian
Research the public transit and pricing guide for that transit before you go. You don't want to think you are staying in a prime cost zone only to arrive and realize your hotel is 2 miles outside of the prime zone making all your transportation costs more than you budgeted for.
I liked the haggling tip the most because they are completely true and your reason is sensible and relate able! Amazing job.
Actually making some good points, different to all the other traveling tip videos. Was a bit of an eye opener. nice work!!
Always have small bills for tipping & separate your money in different places. Don't keep it all in the same place in your purse.
you are soooo cute! i love your videos. i've travelled a bit in my 44 years (on my own and with family my kids) and i thought i was fairly saavy, but your perspective and experience is refreshing and i always get a couple tips to consider from your videos, and you make me feel me like I'm not going to be alone out there. i'm going to have my husband watch your videos! happy travelling!!!!!
number 15 is SO true! I know that everyone likes different things for example in a museum, but who the hell needs a picture of every damn thing they see?? most of the pictures will just land on a computer or USB-stick anyway and never be seen again.
really liked this video, proud of myself that I haven't done every mistake on that list haha
I did #19 in Bogota on my first day, not realizing that there was a specific pedestrian walk sign. Green doesn't always mean "walk".
Nadine, again, you are seriously the most sweet and amazing person. Thank you for this, especially #17! 💚
Yeah, on number one - anyone there try putting Hollywood Sign in GMaps while in LA... It will "certainly" get you there :)
The Tourist lol I did!
research tipping customs; in some places tipping is compulsory, in some places its considered rude to tip. research common tourist scams and keep your belongings in sight all the time- its incredible how fast thieves can act. be prepared for customs! not so bad if its quiet, but if its busy go through your bag before you get in line, put your belt and watch in your bag and have your laptop and liquids bag out. also check if there's anything unusual you wont be able to take through (for example food, anything made of wood or muddy boots in Australia)
Great video Nadine! I'll remember these next time I travel 😊❤❤ Ilysm your one of my fave youtubers: your so kind, your videos are great and your just amazing! ly from the UK xx
Hey Nadine, I love your videos and you inspire me so much! Would you be able to do a video discussing your trip to New Zealand when you worked/lived there? I'd like to live/work somewhere for 6 months to a year after I'm done school but have no idea where to start. Any tips/advice would be really helpful!
Try not to look like you don’t know what you’re doing or where you’re going. I did in the Paris metro and was targeted by a scammer. Luckily, security was watching and scooted the guy away before anything happened.
Haha love this and this idea! Thanks for sharing- hopefully the people will listen!! Where is your beaded bracelet from?? Love!
Getting ready for my 2nd trip to Europe. Totally forgot we had to pay for public restrooms. So many good tips. The biggest rookie mistake I made in Paris was assuming people would be polite getting on the metro. It was insane and you really have to push your way in (which is totally against my nature). The first time getting on I almost got my arm caught in the door as it was closing because I was too slow. Thank goodness for the guy that pulled me back onto the platform.
Have you been to Bali? Do you have videos about what to pack for a tropical vacation?
There's many prices in Indonesia:
1. Cheapest price for local people with the same language.
2. Price for same Indonesian from others regions.
3. Price for Indonesian Chinese coz they're rich wkwk.
4. Price for poor countries tourists from Africa or PNG.
5. Price for Asian rich countries like Japan or Korean or China.
6. Price for black Americans or British or European.
7. Price for white bule or westerns... the most expensive. So you can ask you're local or guide to buy something wkwk
The toilet paper thing is super important in Asia. But in terms of friendliness, it's variable. I found people in Japan, Ireland, Canada and Spain to be friendly, much more so than Germany and Paris where I didn't find people as helpful. But I guess I didn't speak their language, so that must have contributed as well
Great video and thanks for highlighting the haggling issue. I think that when we're visiting a country poorer than our own we should consider the price of paying more than what the locals pay (and this mostly happens) an act of charity (unless you feel the person is trying to rip you and EVERYBODY off ie his suppliers etc - and sometimes you get that feeling about a vendor - in which case you can just walk away, you'll probably find something similar quite easily, maybe just a few stalls away even); yes, you should haggle a bit - not to do so is often insulting - but don't go overboard and DON'T start negotiations unless you're convinced you want the item; once you start negotiations, if you change your mind often you're really letting down the vendor - as Nadine pointed out this is their LIVELYHOOD, it's not a game to them! Remember the times you've been turned down for a job you were really wanting and consider that when you start haggling for an item in a poor country
Most of what tourists buy is just junk or close to it. Often it is made in China or somewhere similar. Just be sure to not look down your snobby nose at other fellow tourists who do what is expected of them - negotiating.
It's a bit irrelevant but have you ever been in Portugal?? I've found your channel quite recently and your videos are very useful for organizing my trip there next year!!
Great video Nadine! This is seriously a great list! The one about haggling is so true!
I never see my photos. I just take random random pictures, maybe share one or two, and then store all the rest. I've made it a personal "goal" to make photo albums the old school way, maybe I'll get to it this year.
Tip # 6 is great! I always get $50 in singles before I travel so I have enough for tips. Also helpful for those times you are buying from a vendor that claims not to have change, you can pay the exact amount.
Yup!! Exact change is key!
if you're a women, they might ask you to cover your hair/head in certain countries, and always do that when entering a mosque. also, in a lot of places of worship, they'll ask that you cover your legs and chest and I'm pretty sure that applies for both genders. just do it and be respectful. (source: I watch a lot of travelling videos)
I'm going to India (Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Goa) over the month of January. Do any other viewers have any tips that are especially helpful for India? It will be my first time travelling in a non-western country.
The bathroom tips! When I went to Italy I was so shocked and confused that I had to pay to use a public restroom and that they don't keep toilet paper lol definitely not something I knew but something I learned as a stupid tourist 😅
Erin Ladrini mi96v9
Thanks for the tips... its help
I remember going to thw Philippines and I was out with my mom, brother, aunt, and my cousins and I actually had to go to a public toilet since we were shopping. Without thinking about it, I went to the toilet, made a big dump and... no toilet paper. I just wanted to punch myself. I just sat there panicking. So my cousin asked me if I even brought my toilet paper and I was like ".... no" so 15 minutes later, I got some my toilet paper.
Lesson learned. Take toilet paper with you
Love theses !! Especially the toilet paper and change for the washroom
Good one Nadine. I am guilty of taking too many pictures but I can't help it.
Hey Nadine, do you have any tips for long bus rides (8-24h)? Nobody does those kind of trip videos
Getting into a Taxi late night. I did that in Tijuana a in the early 2000s and got robbed by my taxi driver. I also used the atm over the boarder and ended up dropping my atm card on the floor. Someone picked it up for me but when they gave it to me it was no longer my atm card.
Your channel has grown so much. Congratulations.
Checking to see if you need visas when transiting through airports. I'm thing about going to Singapore and Malaysia this spring and so many of my flights require visas to get through the airports in China
Also, making sure you have access to water when you're out and about. We got charged $17 CAD for tapwater in Prague this summer... should have just gotten beer
Great tips! love these types of videos Nadine!!
Thanks for mentioning some of the more culturally sensitive areas/topics regarding respect and mindfulness!
9:16 My existance is illegal in over 70 countries lmao, but I didn't plan on going there anyways so yeah
In many countries - especially in East Europe, tipping is considered rude. Just my 2 cents
Gratitude 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Great video, thanks for making it!
I once had to wait at the airport in Panama City and realised that my bag that I carried on my shoulder was too heavy and stuffed. So I just put everything I didn't need in my carrie on. So I just opened my carrie on in frobt of a lot of people not caring if there was a thief or something. Looking back that was pretty stupid, but I was only 16 so....yeah😅
These are great tips!
There's so much Freedom by traveling solo. Stay in hostels and you will quickly make friends :)
Please donn't think like that. If you'll be forever waiting for someone to joun you you can waste a lot of time. I travel alone and trust me I have fun :) You can go to places your friends or someone you're traveling with might not like. Sometimes it is nice to have someone by your side, but if you have the oportunity to go now, just do it! ;)
I"ve made the best friends by traveling solo.
I just went on a 3 week trip to Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland on my own! It's great because you can do what you want, when you want. Spend as much time as you want and see what you are really interested in. And you can probably find people from hostels to do activities with while you're there. It really is a great experience!
i love these types of videos nadine!!
When you're out of money, go teach! You are a born teacher.
Thanks Nadine! Greetings from Berlin 😄