Travel Guides

Before you board that plane for parts unknown, it pays to spend a few hours learning as much as you can about the local laws and customs of the countries you’ll be visiting. The world may seem like a global village, but there’s a world of difference between Kalamazoo and Kazakhstan.

If you first learn as much as you can about the country you’re going to visit the people and their customs and taboos you’ll be better able to cope with situations in which you find yourself. Bone up on the names of the leaders of the country: the president, prime minister, and royal families. Learn a bit about the local cuisine. The more you can do to distance yourself from that image of the “Ugly American” who doesn’t know anything about any country other than the U.S.A., the better.

Anybody Speak French?

Okay. So you’re going to France and don’t have a clue how you’re going to communicate. Don’t panic. Really, don’t. You’re not the first person and will doubtfully be the last to ever plan a trip to France and not have a clue about how to get by. But it’s really not as hard as it seems. You don’t have to learn much, just enough to help you get by if you need to.

While you can easily go to any book store, or even online and purchase a translation book, it’s not that hard to learn a few key words and phrases that might help you get by on your vacation. At least, it shouldn’t be. But then again, what basic French phrases does one deem important?