Kindness and Generosity leave your footprint on the road!
When embarking on a journey to foreign lands, it is crucial to understand the significance of displaying kindness towards others. Being kind while traveling abroad not only fosters positive interactions with locals but also helps in creating a harmonious environment. Kindness can bridge cultural gaps, break down language barriers, and leave a lasting impression on the people you encounter during your adventures. Whether it’s offering a smile, lending a helping hand, or showing respect for local customs, acts of kindness can go a long way in making your travel experience more enriching and memorable.
When traveling abroad, there are plenty of opportunities to show kindness, especially when visiting off-grid places. HOW TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES? JUST KEEP AN OPEN EYE!! SEE THE WORLD AS A RESEARCHER!
Simple acts of kindness are not only good for the person receiving them but also for the one giving. Research validates this fact (as a researcher, I love these findings!!! 😉
Kindness differs from charity in that kindness is about being considerate. Consideration can take many forms, such as treating all people equally and respecting other people’s cultures. Charity, on the other hand, is more about generosity.
Acts of kindness are much more fun when done as a group! This means that you create ties with someone else to do something good. This is not the only positive element. The most important element to giving a hand and showing kindness is that you are showing the host community (the locals) that you are embracing them and you care.
Tipping
Budgeting for tipping is essential when planning your travels and should be included in your overall travel expenses. It is often overlooked as a travel cost, but tipping is a way to show gratitude for someone’s efforts and is crucial for many service workers to earn a living. Imagine relying on tips to make ends meet – it’s necessary to acknowledge the importance of tipping in these situations.
In some countries, bathroom attendants, elevator attendants, and cleaners work just for a tip (yes a job). Tips must be given to the person directly without other folks involved 😉
At times we don’t see what goes on “behind doors” of some businesses, but sometimes business owners take away the tips left (I honestly have proof of this statement in many places). Look around to ensure no insider sees it and just hand that much-needed tip when receiving good service!
Buying Products from Vendors
People make a living selling anything around the world, from peanuts, balloons, popcorn, sunglasses, socks, and mobile accessories, to sandals. You name it! Supporting a country also means buying products from street vendors, who are not able to rent a place but work hard every day to make a living.
Here I traveled with a peanut and coconut vendor right next to me, I took advantage and bought a delicious peanut chunk with coconut! fresh and delicious! (yes, always make sure those food items are clean and safe). The vendor was coming back home from his daily shift from 7 am to 6 pm.
Loving Treatment of Animals
I always had an inexplicable passion and love for animals and I always look for opportunities to help them when I see them in need.
When you see an animal that is either hurt, in need, or abused, just step in. We all know what to do. Here on the left is “Teresa” in Sinai. She was held by some children who were mistreating her. These kids were not taught by their parents that dogs were good, they learned to fear them and hurt them. Fortunately, we found her and gave her some safety. In due time a pack of dogs rejected her…but we tried. Always try, the power of intention is amazing.
Loving Treatment of Working Children
Sometimes you are sitting at a table, eating a meal, and all of a sudden a little head pops up, wanting to sell you a piece of candy or a religious image (or many other things). These children did not learn to sell on their own; they have a sad story. These children are either sent by their parents to sell, by their abductors to sell, or they have some other painful story. Saying hello and acknowledging them is a big one!
Fulfill a Need as a Group
Sometimes those needs are quite pressing; it is just a matter of keeping an eye on them and seeing beyond yourself when you travel. In this case, one of the workers had a bicycle with no brakes and tires that were raw to the bone, completely falling apart. Yet, he came to work every day with a big smile. Why? Because he had a job! In many places, having a job is a luxury. Let’s think about that…and feel grateful. VERY grateful…
The group of people who stayed at the same place as me collected some donations, and we bought him a new bicycle. However, one issue arose after giving him the bicycle: he didn’t want to use it because it was brand new! He was afraid of getting robbed.
A benefit of being kind is that it releases serotonin and dopamine, which give you a great feeling of satisfaction! How do you feel when you think about something you did for someone else voluntarily? Hmmm…
