This is a collaborative post
It is important to understand that when we travel we are in a place with different rules, culture, language and often different ways of seeing life. It is important to have respect and certain manners when visiting another country.
Luckily there are ways to be a good tourist and they are easy to put into practice. If you are visiting a country that is not your own it is important to know them to enjoy your trip to the fullest and not be a headache for the locals.
Try to learn their language
This point is important mainly because the lack of communication if you are a tourist can play against you. A good tourist must learn the language of the country he/she is visiting, that way he/she will be able to ask for typical dishes, indications of places he/she wants to go and will show respect for the culture of the place he/she is visiting.
In addition, some locals do not like it when a visitor speaks in a language different from their own because they have to make an effort to understand each other. It is much easier if everyone communicates equally. For that, there are Spanish courses in Barcelona where you can learn in a few classes the basic rules of the Spanish language.
Spanish language course Barcelona offered to the tourist can be useful and funny. Being short courses they seek to be dynamic in the way of teaching, promoting socialization among all students and generating a warm atmosphere to learn and at the same time to know the culture of the country.
Know the country’s rules
Each country has different regulations and it is important to know them before visiting. For example, there are countries where you can be arrested for smoking, others where you must cover some parts of your body out of respect. There are some places where they are very strict with tourists who breaking the rules.
It is important to know, for example, the environmental laws to know what you can and cannot do in public spaces. In the current context, it is really important to comply with sanitary rules, such as the use of masks in private places and respecting the protocol to take care of your own and other people’s health.
Know the traffic rules
Traffic rules are important whether you are a pedestrian or you decide to drive in the country where you are staying. There are many countries that are very respectful of pedestrians, who always have priority on the road.
In addition, there are other countries where traffic is chaotic and you must watch out for buses or trucks. Traffic lights around the world work differently and in some countries there are traffic lights for pedestrians. To avoid unnecessary fines we recommend that you learn the traffic rules even if you are visiting for a short period of time.
Respect the rules of each tourist site
Each monument, church or emblematic place has its own rules and regulations. In some you must remain silent during the entire tour as a way of showing respect for the culture. There are other places where you cannot eat or drink anything and there may even be reprisals if you do.
Other historical sites, such as museums, have specific rules about touching or photographing the works, even posing near them. To some people these may seem like extreme measures but every culture must be respected and therefore complied with.
Respect the cultural norms of each country
This is related to the mentioned above, however it is important to emphasize that each culture has different moral values, religions, and ways of relating to others. For example, typical ways of visiting a place, typical dress, footwear, ways of showing respect.
If you travel to a place because you are interested in its culture, ideally you should respect it and move within the country following its values. Although in some countries the tourist is not required to do the same as the person who lives there, it is important to have at hand information about their culture.
Decide before which places to visit
Many people in Barcelona are uncomfortable with the crowds they suddenly receive at their places of work or daily visits. This happens because tourists do not usually plan their visits and end up going at times when there are more people.
Although Barcelona is a tourist place and its monuments, squares and coasts are always inhabited, it is good to ask the people who live there at what time of day is a good time for sightseeing and plan them when there are fewer people or in a more spaced way.
This will allow you to have a calm stay with a perfectly organized trip and people from Barcelona can continue with their routine without facing a magnitude of people that impede the daily functioning of their lives.
Another thing that rather than rules are positive choices for the trip is to check the weather before traveling. Clothing should be comfortable and if you are traveling in summer it is better if it is light and comfortable to avoid heat stroke.
You should always be hydrated and have a bottle of water with you because generally tourist tours take hours and it would be a waste of time if you miss something because you are not sufficiently prepared for the trip.
Finally, it is important to remember to always carry a bag or a backpack where you can dispose of your garbage, because environmental care is fundamental in every trip. When we are visiting another country we must be responsible with the garbage we generate and throw it in a basket or leave it at the hotel when the excursion is over.
Now you are ready to enjoy your trip to Barcelona and be an excellent tourist. Remember that if you are respectful of the culture and follow all the rules you will probably be well received not only in Spain but anywhere in the world.