archives: Culture
One Frenzied Weekend In Fes
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Stunned silence, and some obvious disbelief, hung in the air. As if it proved anything, Denny reassured us, “It’s true. Just heard it.” More »
Studying In South Korea: An English Teacher Asks How Much Is Too Much
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The way I see it, studying in South Korea is out of control. More »
Tourism And The “Preservation” Of Culture: A Rebuttal
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I find the loss of traditional cultures distressing, but I don’t think that allowing traditional cultural practices to be commercialized and purchas More »
Cooking in Lahore: An American Woman In A Pakistani Kitchen
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An American expat in Lahore gets a glimpse into the lives of Pakistani women. More »
On Blogs Of The World, Intercultural Marriage, and Travel Writing: An Interview With Liz Chatburn of Pocket Cultures
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Liz Chatburn, managing editor of Pocket Cultures, shares her perspective on being part of a cross-cultural couple, how blogs could change travel in th More »
The Origin of The Ugly American
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Exploring the history of the ugly American abroad. More »
Group and Ceremony: One Expat’s Experience With Japanese Culture
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Group and ceremony. They have been the hardest part of adjusting to life in Japan. More »
Burakku: Black Culture In Japan
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“Kokujin kakkoii!” is what I was often told whenever I asked what was behind the admiration of black people. Basically, I was cool, simply for bei More »
Tales From The Frontier Of Expat Life: A Memsahib In Pakistan
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It is in Pakistan that I have had to come to grips with the inherent advantages and disadvantages of historical and cultural white privilege. More »
Traveling As A Mixed-Race Couple In Asia: No, Sir, I Did Not Buy My Wife
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There is a lot of subtext crammed into the nine-word question “Where in the Orient did you meet your wife?” More »
Gringos In Mexico And That Elusive Quest for Authenticity
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We got out of the bus in Mitla, blinking, stumbling, little swirls of dust rising around our feet, plunk, plunk, plunk, one gringo after another plunk More »
How To Express Your Emotions (Or Not) In Other Cultures
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How emotional expression varies across cultures, and why it's a good idea to keep your anger to yourself in Thailand. More »
Does Travel Abroad = Less Conspicuous Consumption At Home?
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Exploring the potential of travel to alter the way we think about our needs and lifestyles at home. More »
Getting Hassled In Top Travel Spots: Preventable or Inevitable?
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In many popular travel "destinations," travelers are little more than a path to the cash. More »
What Makes Travel Abroad Unique, and Why Should Americans Do It?
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So many travelers seem to assume that traveling abroad in and of itself is a good thing, and the fact that Americans don't do more of it is a bad thin More »
Indulgence in New Orleans: A Guide to 7 Classic Desserts
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In New Orleans, you should leave room for dessert. More »
Ignorance or Bravery? A “Moral Holiday” in Indonesia
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In coming to Indonesia, I had been looking for that thrill of raw experience that only traveling can give you. But here was a sensation I hadn’t qui More »
A Video in Honor of Mexican Independence Day
Sing along to "Mexico Lindo y Querido" in honor of Mexican independence day. More »
Singing Karaoke in Japan
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On a 17 year stint of bachelorhood, between wives number two and three I found myself doing a lot of bar-hopping... More »
A Traveler’s Guide to Culture in Nepal
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Mix the lentils with your rice; throw the meat on top; mush those juicy flavors together! More »
11 Weird Japanese Foods
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These are the slimiest, hairiest, chewiest and smelliest foods commonly eaten in Japanese households.
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Weird Laws from Around the World
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Just when is it legal to wear hot pink pants? More »
The Minority Perspective
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I returned to America with a strong belief in the importance of respect and understanding within the global community. We must all be responsible, com More »
Expressions that Define Cultures
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Think of these expressions as ways to get inside of a particular worldview, and to show the locals that you've got an awareness of their cultural valu More »
8 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Thailand
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Welcome to Year 2552. More »
8 Tips For Successful Foreign Adoption
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Given time and oodles of love, adopting a foreign child will be the most rewarding journey you can imagine. More »
TravelFish Wants YOU To Get Offline
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Switch off your laptop, walk across the room and introduce yourself to another traveler. More »
10 Thai Customs To Know Before Visiting Thailand
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Know when to Wai in the Kingdom of Thailand. More »
5 Asian Food Blogs To Read Before Traveling To Asia
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Consider food blogs as travel guides that give you another angle through which to experience culture.
And prepare to get hungry. More »
10 Indian Customs To Know Before Visiting India
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Please don’t expect snake charmers and wise men to meet you at every street corner. More »
Why Would Anyone Ever Want To Leave America?!?
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I’d love this country if it weren’t populated with total idiots… More »
The Corrupting Influence Of The City!
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The further you get from the cities, the more viciously backwards with respect to medicine, hygiene and hospitality the people get. More »
5 Common American Gestures That Might Insult The Locals
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Do you know what the thumbs-up sign means in Iran? Hint - the answer rhymes with "cup snores". More »
10 Korean Customs To Know Before You Visit Korea
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Visiting Korea? Make sure you know about the culture before you arrive. More »
The Best And Worst Toilets In The World
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Turner Wright searches high and low for superlative crappery. More »
7 Reasons To Take A Cooking Class
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Cooking classes are great ways to learn about local food and make new friends. More »
6 Products That Would Never Sell in the U.S.
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Real Products that could never enjoy success in the U.S. market. More »
Escaping the Expat Trap: How To Live Like a Local When You’re Abroad
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Following these simple rules will make your experience abroad 10x richer. More »
5 Lessons Learned After Studying Abroad
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Everyone has preconceptions about studying in a foreign country. . .Learn how to get past them. More »
Teaching English In Japan Is Awesome and Sometimes Hilarious
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You never know what your students are going to write. More »
10 Customs You Should Know Before Studying Abroad or Traveling in Israel
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From partying in Tel Aviv to walking through the world's most conservative communities. . . More »
10 Japanese Customs You Must Know Before a Trip to Japan
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The following Culture Crash Course will help you ease right into Japan. More »






















