Category: Lifestyle

Are you ready to laze about the beaches of the Costa del Sol, explore Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, or check out the vibrant nightlife of Ibiza? You’ll enjoy yourself in Spain if you avoid doing these five things.

Eating When You Want To

What time do you normally eat? Well, that’s too early for Spain. Lunch usually happens from 2 PM to 4 PM and that’s the main meal of the day, and the only time you can order such stomach-filling specialties as paella. Dinner begins at 9 PM or 10 PM and is usually a light share of tapas among family and friends.

You’ll do better at breakfast from 7 AM to 9 AM, which is usually grab-and-go if the Spaniards eat anything at all. You might as well fill up during the mid-morning snack from 10:30 AM to noon, or the afternoon snack, which happens from 5:30 PM to 7 PM.

Being On Time

Spaniard like to enjoy life. They don’t see the point in running around and trying to get a million things done every day. If you’re going to be someplace anyway, what is the point of rushing to get there? It’s not uncommon for events like tours to start 10 or 15 minutes later than advertised. Being late doesn’t show disrespect or carelessness. It’s just the way things are.

Calling Everybody Spanish

In the US, everybody is American. In France, everyone is French. In Spain, the person you’re talking to can be Basque, Castilian, Valencian, or a member of any of the 17 autonomous regions and 2 autonomous cities. Each of these areas has a strong sense of identity, its own culture, and often, its own language. Knowing who is from where shows respect. For example, those in Barcelona are called Catalans.

Avoid comparing one region with another and talking about regionalism in general. Instead, focus on what makes each area unique.

Speaking English to Everyone

Everyone speaks English in Europe, right? Maybe not in Spain where only about 27 percent of the population knows some English. And most of them live in the large cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga, or tourist resorts like Marbella or Ibiza. In fact, about 60 percent cannot speak, read, or write English at all.

Fortunately, Spanish is the easiest foreign language for English speakers to learn. You probably already know a few of the words, such as hola, gracias, and bueno. Speaking to the locals in their own language is always appreciated and makes them more likely to try to communicate with you.

Shopping in the Afternoon

After a morning of sightseeing, you’re eager to do some shopping in the afternoon. Don’t. Shops in Spain typically shut down from 2 PM to 5 PM. The custom originated from the Spanish siesta, when the locals took refuge from the hottest part of the day by sleeping.

Nowadays, very few are sleeping at those times. Instead, most are relaxing and taking their long lunches, which is why most restaurants and cafes are open in the afternoon. Large department stores and supermarkets may be open in the afternoon but government offices usually close for the day by 2 PM.

The Philippines was once an American colony. But that doesn’t mean that what works in the USA will work in the Pearl of the Orient. So if you want to enjoy the hospitality, food, and weather of the Filipinos, avoid doing the following five things.

Being Confrontational

Filipinos value friendliness, being pleasant, and social harmony. They don’t like confrontation, especially with strangers, and prefer to pretend that things are okay even when they’re not. If you get angry or start shouting, they’re likely to just leave you alone rather than deal with you.

And you’ll probably never know how you offended them in the first place because they prefer being indirect. You probably won’t get a direct “no” to any of your request. But if they start hemming and hawing or saying things like “We’ll see,” that’s as close as you may get to a negative response.

Criticizing the Country, Its People, and Religion

How would you like it if a tourist comes to your city and starts saying bad things about your country? Filipinos would feel the same way. If you criticize the Philippines, you’re like to draw significant ire and be perceived as making comments about things you know nothing about.  

As with most countries, religion is also a sensitive subject. Many Filipinos take pride in being the only Catholic majority country in Southeast Asia and are devout in their religious practice. You’ll receive tolerance for your own religion, and people will also expect you to be tolerant and respectful of theirs, too.

Showing Off Your Valuables

Smartphones, GoPro cameras, laptops, and wallets are all fair game for the pickpockets and snatchers that inhabit Manila and other large areas. So keep them out of sight and you won’t be a target. Avoid using valuable tech, except in well-protected spaces, and don’t walk while you’re talking on your phone. A thief on a motorcycle can easily swing by and grab what you’re holding.

If you’re coming in by plane, avoid putting anything valuable in your checked-in language. Baggage theft is common at Manila Airport. In fact, before leaving the airport, check your bags. You can then deal with any missing items right then and there.

Arriving on Time

There’s real time and Filipino time, particularly when it comes to parties or other social gathering. The latter means that it’s perfectly acceptable for events to start 15 minutes to an hour late. This most likely came during the Spanish colonial period when being late signified someone’s importance in society. It’s best to avoid sticking to hard and fast timetables, especially when meeting people.

Disrespecting Elders

Filipinos recognize and revere the value that elders bring to society because of their experience and wisdom. In fact, honorifics are built into the language to show respect. Treat older people with deference and they’ll consider you a cultured individual who honors Filipino ways.

Do not use first names to address someone older. What is seen as a sign of familiarity and bonding in America is considered rude in the Philippines. Among the titles you can use with older folk, other than their names, are tita (aunt), tito (uncle), lola (grandmother), lolo (grandfather), ate (older sister) and kuya (older brother).

The Chinese can’t wait to share their thousands of years of history, food, art, and customs with foreign visitors like you. But only if you avoid doing these five things on your visit.

Touching Someone

What do you do when you first meet someone? Shake their hand. And, maybe, when you say goodbye, give them a hug or a kiss. But don’t try that in China. Touching strangers is a big no-no, even though most Chinese are fine with walking arm-in-arm with friends and family members. A verbal greeting or farewell, accompanied by a nod or wave of the hand is all you need to establish contact.

Using Chopsticks Incorrectly

Forget about forks, spoons, and knives. The far simpler chopsticks are used to eat most everything. If you don’t know anything about using these highly refined tools, learn from a knowledgeable friend or relative, or by watching tons of YouTube videos on the subject.

One common mistake: holding them too close to the tapered end, which makes morsels harder to pick up. Holding them further toward the top gives you a greater range of motion. And just as you would never stick a knife and fork into a steak so they stand straight up, you should never stick your chopsticks in rice so they’re sticking up.

Accepting Anything Immediately

Yes to the peanuts, no to the shrimp, and how about another glass of wine? It makes sense to immediately accept things you want and say no to things you don’t. Not in China, though. If you take a bit of candy or that gift right away, you’ll be seen as greedy, desperate, or uncouth. Better to refuse at least twice because that’s proper etiquette.

And if you’re the giver, don’t take “no” for an answer. Your guest is only being polite. Ask a few times until he or she says yes.

Drinking the Tap Water

Tap water in China is fine for washing your hands, brushing your teeth, or taking a shower. But don’t try drinking it because it’s not safe. It may have all kinds of bacteria, sediments, and heavy metals. Bottled water is available everywhere. In a pinch, you can always use the kettle in your hotel room to boil the tap water before you drink it.

Getting Angry in Public

Shouting at someone for poor customer service may be what’s done in Brooklyn but it won’t do in Beijing. Unlike in America where you’re number one and have to stand up for yourself, the Chinese value group harmony above individual needs. You should never embarrass anyone, make them uncomfortable, or have them lose face. Getting angry in public only reinforces stereotypes of Westerners being loud, unruly, uncivil, and obnoxious.

If you have a problem, go ahead and scream and shout within the walls of your hotel room where nobody can hear you. And then see if you can talk to the object of your disdain privately, quietly, and politely.

The guidebooks are clear on what to do in tourist Italy: visit the Colosseum in Rome, ride a gondola in Venice, and eat a pizza in Naples. But if you want to get to know the real Italy, try these five strategies.

Take a side street.

Know why all the famous sites of Italy are so crowded? Because that’s where all the tourists go. Then they descend on all the nearby shops and restaurants to pay outrageous prices for trinkets and grub that no self-respecting Italian would ever touch.

But take a side street and you’ll discover places that the locals visit where the food is cheaper and the surroundings more authentic. The cup of espresso that cost €15 on St. Mark’s Square in Venice tastes so much better at €1.50 in some no-name cafe. And you get to drink it standing up like a real Venetian.

Go slow.

If it’s Monday, it must be Milan. Or maybe it’s Matera? How will you really know if you’re hell-bent on seeing the entire country in seven days? More importantly, if you’re just running from site to site for photo ops to post on Instagram, how will you tell the difference among locations?

It’s better to slow down and focus on one location. You’ll start noticing the details and get a better feel of what real life is like for the locals who live there. Who knows, they may even call you by name and invite you in for some wine once they see that you’re a constant presence.

Get on a train.

Know how Italians go from Rome to Milan? They get on a train. If you follow their example, you’ll be rubbing elbows with the natives and seeing the beautiful countryside pass by you. Taking the train is comfortable, inexpensive, and fast. That trip between Rome and Milan? On the high-speed La Frecce, it takes under three hours.

Learn the language.

It’s lovely to say and even more beautiful to sing: the Italian language. And it’s what they speak in the boot-shaped peninsula. Knowing the local dialect will give you insights into how the people of Italy think, feel, and see the world. Plus it shows the person you’re speaking to that you care about his or her culture and country.

There’s no shortage of ways to learn: online courses, smartphone apps, desktop programs, and even live language classes. And your Italian adventure visit begins, not when you set foot in the country, but when you learn how to say buon giorno.

Eat a gelato.

Gelato fills the stomach when you’re hungry and cools the body when it’s hot. This Italian version of ice cream differs by area. In Florence, the mix calls for more eggs. In Southern Italy, there’s more sugar. And flavors vary by area: try pinolata (pine nuts) in Florence, torrone (nougat candy with honey and nuts) in the Amalfi Coast, and gelso (mulberry) in Puglia.

For the most authentic flavors, look for gelato that is house-made (fatto in casa) and has subdued colors. Varieties made from true bananas, for example, are always gray and never bright yellow.

Because of the global economy’s current state, there are a lot of people around the world that are looking for greener pastures, and it makes sense. You want to be able to have financial stability and have a place where you can safely raise a family. With higher quality of life, though, typically comes higher cost of living. What are the most expensive countries in the world? Here are the five that stand out the most.

5. Barbados

The second smallest country in terms of population in the top five, Barbados has around just 287,000 citizens and is situated in the Caribbean Sea. A haven for tourists, Barbados caters more to those that are visiting rather than living there. Though rent is much lower than it is in the US (more than 50 percent less), it still costs around $1,080 for a single person and $4,000 for a family of four to live there before rent.

4. Iceland

The first of the European countries on the list, the beautiful Iceland has a population of just around 370,000 and growing. The total estimated cost without rent for a person in Iceland is about $1,115 while a family of four is about $4,120. So what makes Iceland so expensive? There really isn’t much land on which you can live. The scarce housing and import costs make Iceland a bit more expensive, but with a solid GDP per capita, residents are able to manage.

3. Norway

One of the countries that is seen as a standard for quality of living, Norway has around 5.4 million residents and a very rich history. While it might be cheaper to rent an apartment or house in Norway compared to the United States at nearly 40 percent lower costs, everything else is going to be more expensive. Excluding the rent, Norway’s costs are about $1,100 per person and around $4,000 for a family of four. Norway residents don’t do too badly for themselves, though, with a GDP per capita of $62,183.

2. Switzerland

It won’t surprise many to see Switzerland on the list as the country is known for its financial prowess on a global scale. These days, Switzerland has a population of around 8.5 million people and boasts a GDP per capita in the top 10 worldwide at $66,307. The average cost of living without housing for a single person is around $1,500 per month while a family of four will have to spend around $5,400. Switzerland also boasts one of the highest purchasing power index ratings.

1. Bermuda

A territory comprising over 180 islands, Bermuda sits off the coast of North Carolina, although it’s a British territory. The current population of Bermuda is around 64,000. Choosing to live in Bermuda on your own, you’re likely to pay nearly $2,000 per month, and that’s without any rent payment. A family of four can expect to pay nearly $6,900. Bermuda also has the most expensive groceries in the world, as well as restaurants. The import costs alone are what make things so expensive in Bermuda, but the luxury living due to the banking industry also boosts things greatly.

Traveling is something that almost all of us love doing, but there is one drawback. People tend to feel ill after arriving home, and a lot of it has to do with exposure to people and places that they’ve never experienced before. You don’t have to be one of the countless many to have to spend your time returning home lying sick in bed, though. If you’re careful, you can be healthy before, during and after your next vacation. We’ve come up with some tips for every traveler to follow to stay healthy and happy while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Sanitize Everything

One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic taught a lot of people is the importance of sanitizing. For many years, most people simply thought of sanitizing their hands. Since 2020, though, we’ve learned to sanitize just about anything that we come into contact with. Whether it be your airplane seat, the counters in the hotel room or anything in between, it doesn’t hurt to have some sanitizing wipes on hand and plenty of hand sanitizer. 

2. Stay Hydrated

It’s something that we all know but not many of us do, and that’s making sure you get enough water on a daily basis. It’s even more important to stay hydrated when you’re on the road. If you’re sitting in your living room and feeling a little dehydrated, that can be a quick fix. When you’re wandering through the streets of a city that’s far away from home, though, that’s a completely different story.

3. Mind the Elevation and Temperature

Another big reason why you’ll want to stay well hydrated when traveling is because you might not be used to the climate of your destination. Let’s say you’re from Nevada where you’re used to 100 degree temperatures and you see 90 degrees in Florida and don’t think it’s too bad. That is, until you experience humidity for the first time. It will take some time to adjust, and it’s the same case for elevation changes. You might be feeling a bit out of breath when visiting a place like Denver for the first time.

4. Take Your Vitamins

Nothing is more important for your health while traveling than your immune system. Of course, the best way to boost your immune system is to make sure that you’re getting enough vitamins on a daily basis. Whether it be a multivitamin or something like Emergen-C, anything that you’re adding to your diet helps. Even while you’re already on the road, get plenty of fruits and vegetables to increase your vitamin intake.

5. Don’t Trust All Food

Not all fruits and vegetables will be safe, though. When eating at a place that you’ve never been, always be hyper aware of what food you’re putting into your body. Always do your research and look at reviews on Yelp and Google to see if anyone has had an experience with health hazards. All restaurants should also contain a grade from a local health inspector.

Each year, more than one-third of Americans will go on a vacation, and this includes more than 40 percent of those traveling with their children. When you go on a vacation, you want to make sure it’s an experience that you or your family will never forget. However, when you get back into the grind of everyday life, it can be easy to forget some of the details of the memories you made on your trip. If you want to make sure those great moments aren’t lost to time, here are some ways that you can keep those memories sacred on your next vacation. 

1. Stay Away from the Phone (In Most Cases)

We all know that we’re living in an age where people are glued to their phones for a majority of the day. Not that it’s a bad thing as we want to stay connected, but when you’re on vacation, it’s best to keep the phone away for the most part. Don’t leave your phone in the hotel, though. Simply switch it to airplane mode to avoid any incoming calls or texts and use your phone as a camera to capture some of the best moments of your vacation.

2. Get Chatty With the Locals

As North Americans, we tend to be a bit extroverted by nature. While not every country will appreciate our outgoing personalities, there will be plenty that will welcome you with open arms. When you start talking with locals, you’ll be submerging yourself into the local culture. This will help you locate some of the best spots to visit and which places have the best food. You can also make some lifelong penpals, so don’t be afraid to talk in a place where nobody knows who you are.

3. The Pen is Mightier

The best way to remember details from your experiences is to write them down. This is why people keep journals or diaries, so don’t be afraid to do the same when it comes to your vacation. Take note of the people you met, the events that happened and the places that you saw. When you read the journal many years down the road, those memories that you had will come flowing right back and bring a warm feeling.

4. What’s in the Box?

A lot of people collect souvenirs while they’re on their vacations, but they can tend to get lost in storage within a standard Amazon box. Instead, try to design a unique looking small box where you can keep some of your most cherished memories of your trip. This could include small trinkets, pictures, little notes or anything else that you can think of. You can even make an entire shelf devoted to your vacation boxes.

5. Pin to Win

One great way to remember a particular vacation or all of your vacations is to get yourself a world map. After visiting a destination, make sure to place a pin in the city you went to. Don’t be afraid to use different colors, either. For instance, use one color to mark a place that you definitely want to visit again because you enjoyed it so much. You can even mark places you don’t want to see anymore.