January 15, 2012
- All plane tickets are changeable no matter what is written on them, and any fees for changing can be waived with the right airline agent.
- When you exchange money, hang on to the receipt until you’ve left the country. Once in a great while, someone at the airport will want to see proof of all your foreign exchanges.
- Never assume that your taxi driver knows where your destination is. Double-check and get him to ask someone before you go if there’s any doubt.
- The police are not always your friends.
- The concept of personal space means very different things in different countries. You kind-of have to get used to that.
- Be careful with all hand gestures, including the “thumbs-up” sign and the “a-OK” sign. Both of these signs are highly provocative in some places.
- Be prepared to represent your country, whether you care about politics or not.