Why visitors should follow local customs and behaviour

6band

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think host country should welcome cultural differences v. 3

In the present day situation, the peoples interest in flying to other countries is increasing at more than an expected rate due to many reasons, most likely, education, tourism etc. This essay will discuss whether one travelling to another country should adopt their cultures or the host countries sh...

The lifestyle of people hass been changed day by day, people love to travel more frequently to new place with new customs,traditions and behaviour as well. Some people say that visitors should learn and follow the local customs and behaviours of that particular country before travelling. However, other people argue that tourists, as consumers have a right to do what they want. In this essay we will discuss about relevant arguments.

Obviously, it is necessary for tourists , to know the local norms and values to some degree. Firstly, it will help them feel comfortable with local inhabitants and avoid conflicts during their trip. Secondly. if the traveller will obtain information before the visit then it will ease them to adopt to the new situations. If they will accept the people and their culture and values, accordingly local people will accept and welcome them which may fulfill the purpose of their visit. This will also help in communication and would definitely have a sense of respect to someone in a foreign country. In this way one may prevent oneself from getting into a situation of cultural misunderstanding. The more visitors will give respect to local culture the more they will receive love and kindness from local people and will enjoy the trip throughly.

However, for the visitors it may be difficult in some extent. As a host country, it is responsibility to show a warm welcome by trying to provide visitors with friendly surroundings with less cultural shocks. In addition, the more visitors will come, the country's economy is also improved, and will spread the informations of different cultures. The local people will also get opportunity to learn others cultures and traditions while staying in their own country. The host country should accept the cultural difference.

With all this taken into account, In this age I believe both the visitors and hosts should welcome cultiural differences. There are many nations accepting cultural differences which may help the travel industry and tourists may have more fun and love to visit that country again and again. However, a traveller should always remember to respect the customs and behaviours of their hosts.

Essay topic

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Here is a sample response

More and more people are now traveling to other countries for higher studies, medical treatment, business and tourism. Some people feel that visitors should follow the culture and tradition of their host country when they are abroad. Others, however, feel that the host nation should respect cultural diversity. In my opinion, visitors should respect the local culture. The host country should also show a willingness to embrace cultures from around the world.

There are several advantages to respecting diverse cultures. To start with, it creates a cosmopolitan environment in the country and develops a sense of tolerance in the people. This attitude will benefit them when they visit another country. Another benefit of embracing diversity is that it makes life more interesting. Variety, after all, is the spice of life. When people belonging to different cultures live in one place everyone will be able to enjoy a variety of cuisines, wear different kinds of clothes, celebrate exotic festivals and learn several languages. This not only makes life more interesting but also helps the local economy. The United States and the European Union nations are home to people from all over the world. Their success and their growth rates are a result of their willingness to accept the best talent from all over the world irrespective of their cultural backgrounds.

While it is true that a nation can benefit from cultural diversity, it does not mean that local cultures and traditions should be ignored. They should be promoted too and a nation can encourage visitors to follow the local customs; however, in my opinion, imposing them on a visitor is unwarranted. Visitors who follow the local customs also benefit. They have better chances of blending themselves with the local community. They also enjoy greater degree of acceptance.

To conclude, a host country should always welcome diverse people with diverse cultures from all over the world; however, this should not be at the expense of the local culture.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Here is a band 8 IELTS essay on this topic written by one of our students. Need help with IELTS writing? Get your IELTS essays, letters and reports corrected by me.

Band 8 IELTS essay sample

Some people are of the opinion that foreigners visiting a country should respect / follow / adopt the local culture and their ways of interaction while others think that the receiving country should embrace the foreigners and their culture. I believe that respect should be mutual.

It is the responsibility of the host country and the visitors to embrace each other’s culture. It is advantageous for the visitor to respect the local culture of the place they are visiting. Being open minded and curious will help the visitor to absorb the new ways of life. This will help them to be at home in their new place and make local friends. It also reduces chances of conflicts with the local people. Most people are passionate about their culture and when visitors show disrespect to it, they may react. Unfortunately, conflicts with the local people will kill the joy of traveling for the visitors.

On the other hand, the host country also benefits when they make their visitors feel welcome. When the local people help the visitors to integrate themselves into their society by accepting the foreign culture more foreigners would want to visit that country. This will boost the economy of that country. In addition, when the local culture embraces the new cultures, it only makes the local culture even richer. In my opinion, both the visitors and the locals should understand that differences are normal and showing respect to each other’s culture will only strengthen the bonding between people. Cultural exchange will benefit both parties. When I visited Japan, I learnt the language and tried to discover the things that are important in Japanese culture like ikebana, origami and tea ceremony. This helped me to make local friends. Japanese people, for their part, made me feel welcome and they wanted to know about my tradition and practices. This exchange of culture made my experience a memorable one.

In conclusion, both the host nation and the visitors benefit when they respect each other’s cultures and lifestyles. For the hosts, it is an opportunity to attract more visitors and for the visitor, respecting the local culture makes the journey more enjoyable and less stressful.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

With the trends of globalization, people are traversing the continent from west to east and the vice versa more frequently than ever before. Many people think that tourists should respect local traditions and behaviour while others beg to differ and believe that the recipient country ought to welcome cultural diversity. In this case, I opine that both viewpoints have their merits.

To commence with, many argue that visitors should respect the local tradition, culture and lifestyle. According to them, by respecting the local way of life, foreigners will be welcomed by the local people. In consequence, they can develop a harmonious relationship with the host nation, which in turn stimulates a greater integration. Apart from it, newcomers would get first-hand experience of local customs and traditions, which allows them to immerse in the local lifestyle. As a result, they can acquire knowledge and skills. For instance, foreigners can learn the local language of the host country by taking the opportunity to have a real-life practice to master the language.

Similarly, the host country also reaps the benefits of cultural diversity by welcoming tourists and their heterogeneity. A host country can create a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, which in turn develops a keen sense of tolerance between the foreigners and the local people. In fact, cultural differences help us comprehend different perspectives within the globe in which we live. As a result, it helps dispel negative prejudices and personal biases about various racial, cultural and ethnic groups. In addition to this, cultural diversity makes a country a more attractive place to live in. For example, citizens from diverse cultures contribute to different experiences, solving problems, language proficiency, and new approaches of thinking to name but a few.

In conclusion, a recipient country should always welcome people from diverse cultures and tourists ought to respect local ways of living as well since this attitude is mutually beneficial.