Comments on: Why not liking a “cultural difference” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a racist

By: Alastair McKenzie

Alastair McKenzie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:33:35 +0000

Interesting subject… and an interesting point that Steve McKenna raises about the difference between tourist hotspots and backcountry.

I dislike it too, for what it does to me. After 100 un-wanted approaches, do I give the 101st the open-minded attention it might deserve?

By: Steve McKenna

Steve McKenna — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:25:24 +0000

PS…Dreadful traveller cliche perhaps, but I must admit whenever I’ve got ‘off the beaten track’ and got myself lost in non-touristy areas of said annoying places, I’ve generally been met with smiles and ‘hellos’ and none of the irritating aspects of the touristy areas. Mumbai especially.

By: Steve McKenna

Steve McKenna — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:49:15 +0000

I’ve faced these ‘cultural’ quandaries in most places I’ve been in the last year (in India, SE Asia and Latin America). It can wear you down – especially if you let it. I usually find saying ‘no gracias’ (or the equivalent) about 10 times, trying to be as friendly as poss and walking away, works – eventually. In India, it’s slightly harder. I think we’re aware before we head to such places what’s in store for us, especially if they’re in any way ‘touristy’ spots. Being pestered is annoying, but it goes with the territory. Many of the locals are desperately poor, so you can’t blame them for wanting to extract a few pennies from the ‘rich’ foreigners. I guess you don’t have to like it and if you hate it that much, the simple answer is not to go to the more notorious places. But sometimes it’s a case of having to grin and bear it so you can enjoy what else their city/country has to offer….and realise that we’re actually pretty lucky to be swanning around while the ‘beggars’ and vendors struggle to make enough cash to feed themselves and their family!

By: David

David — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:45:58 +0000

Thanks for the comments, chaps. I’m glad it’s not just me.

I agree Tim – poverty/ earnings gaps have a lot to do with it although it doesn’t necessarily follow (for example, it’s rare to encounter it on the Pacific Islands).

I most certainly don’t bar travelling to anywhere, but those places known to be bad for it will always slip down my list.

By: Tim Richards

Tim Richards — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:27:10 +0000

Hmm I dunno David, if you barred travelling to every place where this sort of thing happens, you’d be restricted to Western countries and some of Eastern Europe. Badgering tourists is more a function of the difference between the income of tourists and locals than any cultural factor, I think.

However, I agree you should not have to like it, and that doesn’t make you racist.

By: Cheryl Probst

Cheryl Probst — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:22:12 +0000

you better not go to China. Or learn to say “bu yao le” (I don’t want it) in an authoritative tone of voice. All this pestering drives me crazy! You are right on with this!

By: Molly McHugh

Molly McHugh — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:56:30 +0000

So right on.