Since summer is almost here, that means one thing: summer vacation. If you have a big trip planned, you’re probably getting super excited about traveling and taking some time away from work/real life. And of course, the food. If you’re visiting another country, getting to check out the local cuisine is half (okay, maybe most of) the fun.
But even though you’re technically a tourist, you don’t necessarily want to come off as a tourist. There *is* a smarter way to eat when you’re traveling in another country as a guest. It can be easy to gravitate toward picks you already know, but that’s one of the worst things you can do on your vacation. Yes — it’s fun to see what Europe’s version of McDonald’s is like, but throwing away a dinner plan to play it safe is a rookie move.
Here are a few good tips on how to eat and how not to eat while you’re overseas, since yes — you can do it wrong.
Avoid chains altogether.
Seriously, the food at the Olive Garden in Brazil will taste surprisingly similar to the Olive Garden in the United States, but probably with a few tiny differences. That’s how chains work — no matter which one you go to, you know what taste you should be expecting. Yes, they’ll likely source their materials from different places and have dishes that better serve the overall population and its culture, but you’re not going to miss anything if and when you skip it.
See? Looks exactly the same.
Don’t be afraid to talk to locals.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with the language — that’s what translators are for. (And hey, even if you muddle things up a little, trying is still much better than being too scared to converse.) When you live in town, you know where the best places are. If you have kids, the locals might also give you some tips on places that are a little more kid-friendly, as sometimes it’s tough to tell before you sit down and order.
Research the tipping etiquette before you leave the house.
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You’ll want to be prepared and not feel confused at your table after you’re done eating. If you’re traveling to Rome, you should know that two-thirds of Italians don’t tip after a meal, per Italy Behind The Obvious. It’s only when food and service are above and beyond exceptional. That’s different than a trip to Mexico, in which the staff expects to be tipped at the end of a service — in dollars or pesos, not coins.
Be adventurous.
You’re on vacation! You’re in a different country! That means you shouldn’t stick to cheeseburgers — even if it’s your favorite food. The best part of traveling is really taking in everything the country has to offer, and that very much includes cuisine. If you’re in Thailand, go ahead and try a kai jeow for breakfast. If you’re in China, try skipping the rice and going for a mantou as a side.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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When you’re going out to eat, you’re surrounding yourself with people who love food so much that they chose to make it and serve it as a career. If you have any questions about the menu, don’t be too nervous to ask. You only get to make a certain amount of food decisions on your trip, so you don’t want to make a mistake and order something that’s a lot spicier than you were anticipating.
All in all, have fun! Eating is one of the best parts about travel, and you deserve to treat your taste buds.
Yummy Pro Tip:
Vacation time also gives you the opportunity to catch up on all the books you’ve been meaning to read. And if you’re passionate about food AND still unsure of what you’re going to dig into as soon as you land, A Fork In The Road (by James Oseland) gives you something to read *and* works as a travel food guide. You can buy it here for under $13.
