On the ethics of choosing where to travel
In a previous post, I talked about how danger zones can be turn out to be the best travel destinations. The big problem is that they’re often accompanied by less-than-savory regimes.
For example, I really want to visit Uzbekistan, because it seems to embody my travel fantasy of mosques, souqs and monumental Islamic buildings. But its government gives me pause.
The dilemma is that tourism will always benefit the government of that country, whether directly or indirectly. One way to minimize this is to do extensive research and make sure to only patronize privately-owned businesses run by ordinary civilians.
I do like to think local people will benefit from interaction with travelers. They can find out about the outside world, tell stories about what it’s really like in their country and of course make some much-needed money that can feed their families.
It’s possible to get carried away by conscience, though. Practically every government in the world has done something objectionable. If we avoided nations with bad governments, many of the most interesting places would have to be struck off our itineraries.
How do you guys deal with this dilemma?
September 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Whether or not you like the government or political system in which you are traveling, I think you have to offer due respect to that particular system. By doing so, you are less likely to stand out as a “foreigner” and you are less likely to induce defensiveness and suspicion from others. What frustrates locals, I think, is when you deliberately do something that is offensive to their culture; therefore, you have to respect the tenants of their cultural norms, whether or not you agree with them. At the same time, you have to maintain some personal integrity, so you have to respect the cultural tenants without compromising your own value system. I think traveling this way takes some personal maturity, as you will have to stay separate and aware (not naive of potental danger/threat), while at the same time, trying to become “part of” the other culture. I spent two years living in Turkey as the daughter of an American military officer. This was back in the early 80’s when the political climate of the country was generally friendly to Americans, yet the Turkish government was going through some rather internally turbulent times (at one point, contending with a military coup). What I learned from my experience, as I watched my father interact with the culture (as a I was about nine years old at the time), was that when you treat others with respect and reverence, they tend to treat you in that manner, as well. Also when you manage your fear, and maintain a position of interest in knowing about others, you will often break through cultural barriers and will be embraced. I also learned that when you are humbly and fearful reverent, when that emotion is due (i.e., when you realize that you may have inadvertently committed an act of offense in that culture or when you have been sorely misunderstood by someone), you will save yourself a lot of grief. It all goes back to treating others how you would wish to be treated if they were visiting you in your own home country. It’s about being an informal diplomat. I doesn’t matter what stereotype the less conscious predecessors of your “tribe” may have demonstrated, you can always strive to show others the true spirit of human brotherhood or sisterhood and you are more likely to be embraced in kind. Aggressive pride, will only breed aggressive pride. –Christine