Some of the proudest moments I have had as a traveller stem from times when I saw people coming together to behave with respect. Moments of silence and low whispers when entering a religious site, hikers snacking and putting the waste into their backpacks rather than on the ground, people taking turns photographing a popular subject, stepping to a side so the next photographer gets a clean shot. I notice. Every time. These situations always leave me with a smile on my face and the feeling that out in the real world, people have good intentions.

As travellers, we have a responsibility to respect the places we visit, and as humans we have a responsibility to respect the Earth and each other. So here are some tips to help you maintain your status as the respectful traveller I know you already are.

Recycle your plastics and minimize their use.

Littering is never acceptable.

If you can’t find a place to throw out that old coffee cup, hold onto it until you can. It’s simple. Waste is bad for the environment in the long term, and in the short term it looks terrible. If a country has welcomed you in, show them respect first and foremost by deciding you won’t do anything to destroy or harm their land.

Some countries are amazing at reducing pollution. Iceland in particular has chosen many sustainable living practices for its people and is just remarkably clean. They are able to boast clean drinking water out of all taps and flowing streams in the country.

Bermuda is also remarkably clean and you can stroll the streets without seeing a piece of litter. I’ve seen it, I know it can be done. Perhaps this is a nice goal for those of us from North America.

In Hawaii, rocks are not to be removed. It is an effort to promote leaving everything in its place.

Leave everything in its place.

I know, it’s tempting to take that incredible looking lava rock home as living proof you were camped out underneath of a volcano, but if we all took one, they would all be gone and no-one else would be able to enjoy them.

Same goes for offshore activities. Taking pieces of a reef is detrimental to it, as is handling it. Try your best not to touch.

In Hawaii, visitors are told that taking a rock off of the islands results in you being cursed by Pele, the goddess of fire, and she’s not a lady I would mess with.

A local’s home in Iceland. Remember, people live where you travel. Be respectful of them and their property.

Be respectful of the locals.

The people who live in your travel destination deserve your respect. Respect their culture. Ask questions. Make an attempt to converse with someone. Learn some facts about the place that you won’t read on the internet (unless you’re on my blog, hehe). Pull over to let people by if you are Sunday driving. Be kind to the people in the service industry. The list goes on.

Respect other travellers in all ways possible. Respect religion, personal space and right to travel just like you.

Be respectful of other travellers.

Remember you are not the only person on a trip. Others have paid good money just like you to enjoy their time.

Before you do something, think, “ if this was done to me, would it put a damper on my vacation? Would I want someone to stand in front of me without asking? Laugh at me or make comments while I take photos? Talk loudly and cause a commotion in a quiet place?”

Take turns. Be kind. Help each other out. It takes zero effort to be a good person.

Make an attempt, however small it may be, to conserve water as this is a finite resource.

Conserve water and energy.

Ok. Now I’m irking a few people. But the truth is, our fresh water supply is finite and our most common energy sources cause massive amounts of pollution. Many countries are very good at acknowledging this and trying to conserve.

Be aware of this and just try your best.

Start by, for example, limiting your shower time. I don’t expect you to become an environmentalist overnight, but try not to use up another country’s resources any more than you need. Again, respect.

Have a good time! Like me, in this photo of myself hiking one of Iceland’s glaciers.

Have fun!

The guidelines above may seem like rigid, no fun rules (gasp!) but we have fun on every trip we take while respecting them. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, just try.

Be loud when appropriate. Belly laugh when you open your camper door to a sheep staring you directly in the face. Sing loudly to the radio while taking a long drive to the top of a mountain at 3am. Take a path less traveled to get a new vantage point. Get lost. Joke and laugh with your waiter or bartender. Try new foods and get a taste of a new culture. You won’t believe how much you will learn! Travel is the greatest teacher.

As they say, don’t be a tourist, be a traveller. Travellers truly experience places by engaging with people and having respect. Tourists do not, and they truly miss out.

Happy Traveling!

Hill XO

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The Importance of Being a Respectful Traveller