Frequent Travelers Share The Etiquette They Wish Every Traveler Followed

Whether you're a first-time traveler or an experienced traveler who has been racking up the flight miles for years, there's always something new to learn or something that you could do differently.

In one Reddit thread, frequent travelers decided to share some of the rules of etiquette that they follow while traveling and that they wish more people would follow. "Rules" might not sound like a word you want to hear on vacation, but listening to these travelers could make a trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Learn The Local Rules

unnamed city in asia
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Daniel Hooper
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Daniel Hooper

"Before traveling to another country, learn about local etiquette and try to abide by it while you're there." —Reddit / not-a-real-username

It makes it easier for you while you're visiting and makes it more enjoyable for the people who actually live there to manage tourists.

ADVERTISEMENT

Don't Crowd The Baggage Belt

ADVERTISEMENT
baggage claim in san jose international
Photo Credit: Tony Avelar/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Tony Avelar/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"When you get to the baggage carousel, stand 1–2 steps back from the edge of the belt. This helps others see the bags, and lets people dart in and out to collect theirs should it come before yours does." —Reddit / UnusedWhitespace

ADVERTISEMENT

Wait Your Turn

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1177050438
Photo Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"Don't stand in the boarding line until it's your turn." —Reddit / JimmySaulGene

ADVERTISEMENT

You've got an assigned seat, there's always going to be a spot for your bag somewhere on the plane, so there's no need to crowd the gate.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Your Vacation Is Not Special"

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
baggage check in line up
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Phil Mosley
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Phil Mosley
ADVERTISEMENT

"You are not the only traveler. Everyone in the airport is somewhat disoriented; everyone on the long-haul bus is tired and cranky; everyone on the plane is cramped. (Almost) everyone at the beach is on vacation, and almost everyone in the beach bar is too. Your vacation is not special." —Reddit / scubasue

ADVERTISEMENT

Try Not To Be The Person Shuffling Bags At The Baggage Check-In

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
baggage weigher in chicago airport
Photo Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"If available at your airport, weigh your luggage at the scales provided prior to waiting in the check-in line. You really don't want to hold up the rest of the line while you scrounge through your luggage in front of everyone to remove 2 pairs of jeans." —Reddit / cousin_geri

ADVERTISEMENT

Don't Make Yourself At Home Until Everyone Is Seated

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
empty row of aircraft seats
Photo Credit: Peter Titmus/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Peter Titmus/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"If you board a plane in an aisle seat and nobody is (yet) sat in the seat(s) next to you, don't buckle up and settle in for the flight—yet! Even worse, don't assume that the seats are going to stay empty, and start spreading your belongings around." —Reddit / newlosernew

ADVERTISEMENT

Staff Are People Too

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
disney world resort restaurant mickey mouse
Photo Credit: Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"Be respectful to waitstaff. Yes, you are on vacation. But if you're in someplace like Disney or a theme park, understand that those people are still people" —Reddit / emiijii

ADVERTISEMENT

Let People Off Before You Get On

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
people getting on subway in caracas
Photo Credit: YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images
Photo Credit: YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"Letting people off the train/bus/tram before rushing to get on. Seriously annoys the hell out of me." —Reddit / willZmode

ADVERTISEMENT

The unspoken rule is you should let people off before you push your way on, but that's the problem with unspoken rules, they're not always followed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Only The Flight Crew Are Allowed To Blind People

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
sun coming in plane window
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Bambi Corro
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Bambi Corro
ADVERTISEMENT

"When it's morning on a plane but the cabin is still dark and people are still sleeping with the window shades down, don’t be that guy who blinds 50 people by opening the shades." —Reddit / diatomicsoda

ADVERTISEMENT

You Chose Not To Seat Swap, Now You Sit In Silence

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
plane aisle seat view
Photo Credit: Pexels
Photo Credit: Pexels
ADVERTISEMENT

"A couple was traveling together and booked a window and an aisle seat hoping no one would sit in the middle seat. I got assigned that middle seat. I asked if either of them wanted to trade and they both said no. I put on my headphones and started to watch a movie and they started to talk across me to each other. I said no! You guys don't get to talk across me for an 8hr flight if you don't want to sit together." —Reddit / jo_li-ja

ADVERTISEMENT

Clean Up After Yourself

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
cleaning floor on high speed train
Photo Credit: Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"Clean up after yourself. Don't dump all of your rubbish on the floor and expect the air hostesses to pick up after you." —Reddit / Blackcaaaat

ADVERTISEMENT

Yes, they'll take your garbage from you, but you don't need to make their job harder or worse.

ADVERTISEMENT

Watch Where You're Walking

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
photo of busy street people walking
Photo Credit: Pexels / Cameron Casey
Photo Credit: Pexels / Cameron Casey
ADVERTISEMENT

"Walking on the correct side. In countries where they drive on the right-hand side, people understandably walk in the same fashion and use escalators in the same way. However, this generally translates as the complete opposite for countries where it's left-side centric.

ADVERTISEMENT

"People who travel frequently know this and adapt accordingly to blend in seamlessly" —Reddit / NewLeaseOnLine

ADVERTISEMENT

Prepare Before The Plane Lands

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
passengers boarding plane
Photo Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"What I don't understand is... WHY IT TAKES PEOPLE SO LONG TO EXIT A PLANE?!

ADVERTISEMENT

"Before the plane has even reached the gate I’ve calculated my next moves. Everything is packed up and ready to go. I’ve already texted my ppl/checked Uber rates. The second my row FINALLY starts exiting, my suitcase is flung out of the overhead and I’d be off the plane in 30 seconds if it weren’t for the zombies in the aisles before me." —Reddit / danibaeee

ADVERTISEMENT

Look Up The Tipping Standard

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
busy restaurant setting
Photo Credit: Pexels / Marcus Herzberg
Photo Credit: Pexels / Marcus Herzberg
ADVERTISEMENT

"When you go to another country, check out the tipping etiquette. Yes or no, and if it is a consumer thing, then how much is recommended. Same ideal with table manners." —Reddit / amandak1992

ADVERTISEMENT

Keep Your Distance From Wildlife

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
bear in yosemite tourists taking photos
Photo Credit: APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo Credit: APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"Some people don't seem to realize that the wildlife in America are not toys. You can’t just sidle up to a big ol grizzly in Yellowstone and try to get a selfie. Also, don’t litter, these animals are in national parks for a reason." —Reddit / ForeignNecessary

ADVERTISEMENT

Keep Your Kid From Kicking The Seat

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
small toddler on plane
Photo Credit: Pexels / Johannes Rapprich
Photo Credit: Pexels / Johannes Rapprich
ADVERTISEMENT

"Stop your kid if they're kicking my seat, please" —Reddit / emil199

ADVERTISEMENT

Yes, flying can be long and boring for children, but that doesn't mean that their source of entertainment should be kicking the back of someone's seat.

ADVERTISEMENT

There's No Reason To Be Rude

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
tourists laughing and smiling
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Felix Rostig
Photo Credit: Unsplash / Felix Rostig
ADVERTISEMENT

"I'd suggest the best etiquette is just BE NICE. A lot of us are pretty tired. We often get to the airport early to not have problems and suffer those that don't. We often are on long or multiple flights, so we might be completely worn out. Sometimes things go wrong that can't really be blamed on anyone. Things just happen. Just be nice." —Reddit / I-seddit

ADVERTISEMENT

Always Bring Headphones For Your Children

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
kids in airport using tablet
Photo Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"Bring something to entertain your children on long flights. If that something had sound, make sure they're wearing headphones. You might be used to little Billy's screams and Paw Patrol, but the rest of the plane doesn't want to hear it." —Reddit / BearCavalryCorpral

ADVERTISEMENT

You Can Assume The First Few Rows Won't Be Yours

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
passengers boarding plane in norway
Photo Credit: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"If your seat is in row 30, don't start looking and counting at row number one. I can't believe how many adults don't understand the concept of counting when I see them stopping at every other aisle to check the aisle number when their seat is all the way in the back." —Reddit / bloatedkat

ADVERTISEMENT

It's Okay To Break The Rules Sometimes

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
group of passengers in airport
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Photo Credit: Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT

"Especially at airports, sometimes some people are in much more haste than you, give them way to catch their flight if you have the luxury of time. You don't always have to make people stand in line and follow the rules. Sometimes it's okay to let people go first." —Reddit / Wolfsangel-Dragon