20 Things Every Smart Traveler Should Know

[ashling]

http://landlopers.com/2013/03/11/smart-traveler/?fb_action_ids=10151484518494457&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210151484518494457%22%3A256843127785151}&action_type_map={%2210151484518494457%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map=[]

paid me, they won’t pay me, I just thought it would be a good idea to offer resources.)

1. Wash clothes in a sink
2. How to use needle and thread
3. Where the nearest embassy is
4. To keep an emergency stash of money
5. Art of haggling – Although for many of us the practice of haggling is an alien concept, it’s a vital skill to possess in many corners of the world. How to haggle while you travel
6. How to say “No, thank you,” wherever they are –
7. Drive stick shift (manual)
8. Travel light
9. Swim –
10. The basics of geography
11. How to use a compass
12. Proper use of chopsticks
13. Importance of travel insurance
14. That local grocery stores are awesome
15. How to change a tire
16. Sleep anywhere
17. Three good jokes – The ability to add levity to any situation is a great skill to have, even if some things may be lost in translation. If you’re not a naturally gifted joke teller, take some time to learn a few and keep them in your travel arsenal. Pretty Good Jokes
18. Exercises you can do in a hotel room
19. Basic first aid
20. Take a decent photo

[Stuart G]

1. Thank you for posting..

Some excellent points made.. great post. Although intended for overseas travel, most of these could be emergency use for long trips in the U.S.A. especially how to drive a stick shift..and change a tire. you never know when..

[DFW]

2. Although I have always driven a stick shift

I still got thrown for a loop when I rented a small car in advance one time, and upon arrival got presented with a British-made car with a stick shift. Never having driven a car with the driver's seat on the right before, it was an adjustment that had a few near-fatal consequences until I got used to it. It was on a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, so it wasn't like I could go back and change it.

And find out in advance if haggling is part of the culture you are going to visit. Otherwise you come across as a jerk. Yes in Latin America, Russia, Hong Kong. Never in Scandinavia, Japan, Switzerland, just to name a few.

[Ikonoklast]

4. My biggest problem was shifting with my left hand.

Took a bit of doing to get used to, felt all 'wrong'.

[DFW]

5. I had that problem plus one other annoyance

Never having driven on the left before, especially on mountainous roads 1¼ lanes wide, shared between my small rental and large 40 year old buses driven by drivers not used to (or interested in) sharing the road with anyone, I had a VERY hard time staying alive.

[Ikonoklast]

6. Ha! I called that the "I Have Bigger Tires Than You, So You Better Yield Or Die!" rule of the road.

Only lost one wing mirror because of that rule, still alive, so it's all good.

Oh, and if they could physically do it, every sheep walking leisurely down the middle of the road would turn and give you the finger when you blow the horn at them.

[In_The_Wind]

3. Check!

Pack a sharp knife, spoon and fork.