When visiting a foreign country, especially one with an unfamiliar language, grab a book of matches from the hotel where you’re staying as soon as you arrive.
If you get lost in town during your stay, and you know just a little of the language, the book of matches will be a great way to show locals where you need to go, and have them direct you to the right place.
If you’re going on a cruise or traveling for a special occasion, you’ll undoubtedly pack a few pieces of jewelry. Finding a matching set of earrings in an overstuffed travel-size jewelry case can be frustrating.
To avoid this problem, follow these tips:
If your hosts offers you something you really don’t want to taste and you don’t want to be rude, say you are allergic to an important ingredient of that dish.
For example, if your hosts offer you some balut (fertilized duck egg), gently tell them that you are allergic to duck or amniotic fluid. And make sure you don’t eat roasted duck in front of your hosts later!
In many poor countries, offering a visitor meat is among the most flattering and respectful things a host can do. As such, claiming to be a vegetarian — even if it’s true — can be very insulting and confusing to your host.