Talking about travel and culture gets me thinking about so many different things. Whilst going on holiday or visiting another place is something many of us do for fun, it is a complex and multi-faceted experience which can reveal a lot about ourselves and the people around us. Going on exchange and spending an extended time in France made me realise that what is considered 'polite' is actually very subjective and culturally dependent. What we may consider to be impolite here might actually be a sign of appreciation and courtesy in another country. Another interesting element of travel is the importance of language and the common occurrence of mistranslation. Many words can be given an equivalent in another language however they are very rarely exactly the same in their meaning and use. Additionally, some words don't exist in other languages, for example, there is no word for "siblings" in French, you just have to say "brothers and sisters."
Something else that comes up a lot for me is the privilege and ethics of travel. I love traveling and I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have these opportunities and to be in a position that I can work and save money to go overseas. Despite always doing my best to be considerate and respectful, I sometimes feel uncomfortable in my role as a visitor, tourist or voyeur, especially in places struggling with poverty or over-tourism. I think it is important to see the people in the places you visit as actual individuals, not just a part of the landscape. Each person you pass has a life and a family and dreams and desires just like you.
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