11 unspoken travel rules that you should absolutely follow

Being able to travel is a privilege. We live in a beautiful time where the world is accessible to us, and we can even send our money across borders for less, AND use a multi currency card. Wow. Ok, that is my Wise plug over.

That being said, travelling can be long, smelly, sweaty, tedious. You can land and unintentionally insult locals, or worse.

Fear not.

I’m going to guide you. Help you. Transform you. Here’s a list of 10 unspoken travel rules you should 100%, no, 1000000% follow.

Rule 1: Use Wise you silly billy

1) Don’t tut at the crying baby

I won’t kid myself on this one. It isn’t delightful sitting on a plane or a choo choo train knowing you’ll be faced with hours of crying. But the parents are trying their best, and babies cry. We were all babies once.

2) Why are you taking your shoes off?

On a long haul flight wearing shoes isn’t nice, but bring slippers. Be organised. Nobody needs to see your feet. I don’t even want to see my own feet.

3) While we’re on the feet topic, do not put them up on or near someone else's seat

You know what’s worse than taking your shoes off? Taking your socks off.

4) Bureau de Change at the airport? More like Bureau de Rookie (that makes no sense)

Bet you thought we were past the Wise plug. Didn’t you? You were wrong. But seriously, banks and the Bureau de change can charge you way more than needs be when converting your cash, and getting yourself a multi-currency card can help you to pay like a local wherever you go so you aren’t getting ripped off. More on how wonderful we are here.

5) We all need to get off the plane, no need to shove.

Please don’t push your way off a plane. This is not Lord of the Flies. You will get off. You will see the light of day again.

6) Look into the tipping culture before you travel

Different countries have different tipping norms. Some welcome it, some really don’t.

7) Give the language a go

There is a 99% chance that you will be responded to in English, but it’s always nice to show locals that you’re trying, So look into some keywords before you travel. “Hello”, “Thank you”, “Can I have a beer please?”

8) Culture and customs

Much like tipping, it’s not a one size fits all in this world. In Finland personal space is valued, in Denmark and Amsterdam it’s blasphemous to get in the way of a cyclist, in England we have a secret passive aggressive way of saying things…”Kind Regards” more like “I have no regard for you or your day.”

9) Smelly food? How dare you?

Yes, yes, there will be hot food served on flights. But please try to keep the wiffy stuff to a minimum when you’re bringing your nibbles on a flight. No stinky cheese or potent fish please.

10) Blocking up the train isle with your suitcase or putting your handbag on a spare seat

Rude.

11) Having a tipple too many

You’re excited. You’re on holiday. Yay for you. But please don’t start the party too early.

Rule your money with Wise honey