Tips for traveling to Asia

If you are a non-Asian, especially if you are Caucasian, and you somehow have to stay in an Asian country for a while, I have some tips for you. This is probably useful for those who are traveling to Asian countries too.

However, even if you are Asian but you have a different skin colour, e.g. Indian versus Chinese and vice versa, this might be applicable too.

The reason why I am writing this is because I have traveled to some countries. I am now currently living in Indonesia, again, after living in Melbourne, Australia for 11 years. I made friends with a couple of expatriates and I used to work as a journalist for an English newspaper in Jakarta hence my acquaintances.

I listened funny stories and experienced some too from different sources.

What people might think of you:

1. You must be very rich (OMG, 1 USD buys 9,500 Rupiah) and most likely are not familiar with the cost of living here and therefore, if there is no fixed price, I will try to increase my profit margin by 100 percent. If you haggle, then I will then go from there.
2. If you are a guy, there is a possibility that you are interested in the exotic girls you find here and therefore, if I happen to have ‘connections’ I will introduce you to some ‘girls’ and they don’t cost much.
3. You can’t eat spicy food
4. You have to eat cheese and steak every day
5. You hate Durian (it’s a smelly fruit but delicious)
6. Your knowledge of Asian food is limited to rice, noodles, curry
7. You have a sensitive stomach and you will get a diarrhea if you eat on the street (hawker’s food). You are probably too disgusted to eat it anyway
8. You are paranoid about the squatting toilet
9. You must always use tissue after you go to the toilet and because you only wipe your butt with toilet papers you must be dirty
10. Your body odour smells like cheese. You can’t stand the heat and perspire a lot and therefore will smell like cheese
11. If you are a guy and you are trying to approach an Asian girl one of this might come across her mind:
a. I can probably have a better lifestyle because he is rich (if the girl is a gold digger)
b. Does he think that because he is white, he can just ask me for a date and try to sleep with me because he thinks that he is special? (if the girl is not a gold digger, most likely educated abroad)
c. Is he one of the “Oh-I-Love-Asians” guys whom jerk off while watching Asian porn? (If you make it obvious)

d. If I go out with him or marry him, will he have an affair with my maid since everyone here will seem exotic to him? (if she had a bad experience in the past and most likely insecure in return)
e. Do I look like a prostitute? (If she happens to be in a bar that is known as a pickup place)
f. Oh, he is a nice guy and I like him (If you are both on the same boat hence smiley faces during your conversation)

TIPS:

1. In order to prevent getting ripped off, it is wise to actually do your research by asking your guide (hopefully he is nice) about the standards of living here. Useful resources will include local friends and colleagues. Never agree to pay the taxi driver if he does not have his meter on. You are most likely getting ripped off for twice the original fare. Hey, even I almost got ripped off when I was in Bali and I am Asian and I speak Indonesian. What I did was threaten the taxi driver to turn the meter on or I will get off right there on the spot. I always haggle when I am buying things where they don’t have the price tag on. I always start with, “What??? That is so expensive, you must be joking. Don’t put the price up please…. Pretty please?” It is actually useful if you actually learn these phrases in the local language. Online dictionary can be useful but better still, get someone to teach you how to say it in a less informal language with the right intonation and all. They will think that you have been here forever.
2. If you are not looking for a ‘lady companion’ for the night, make the involved party or girls who approach you sure that you don’t actually want to pay for a prostitute. They like tourists and expatriates because apparently you give more money and tips. But if you don’t give enough, they will pout and it is not pretty. If you choose to do it, play it safe and play it smart.
3. My friend’s husband actually loves spicy food and chili. He is German and he is amazing. He eats everything and if you are a beginner, always try in small amount and you slowly upgrade from there. Stomach cramp is quite the normal experience after you eat hot and spicy food. Even I still get it. Don’t get turned off by the colour or smell of the food. It can be quite a memorable experience.
4. If you are one of those people who need to have your cheese and steak everyday, it is a good idea to stock up when you find an imported cheese that you actually adore. Some supermarkets stock limited types of cheese. If you are looking for camembert, brie, blue vein or gourmet cheeses, you are mostly only able to find them at supermarkets targeting expatriates. However, most supermarkets have Kraft singles and Laughing Cow. Really good perfect steak is often hard to find and therefore, if you can cook, you are probably better of cooking your own especially if you are fussy about the definition of medium, medium rare, medium well-done and well-done. My experience is that usually, it is slightly overcooked and overpriced for the quality although I did find some places that serve steaks like they are supposed to.
5. You are probably turned off by the smell of Durian (a yellow fleshed fruit with thorny skin) so try a little bit while holding your breath. Even some Asians find it offensive but I am one of those who actually love it. But if you hate it, you hate it because the smell can be quite repulsive. If you actually like it, remember to drink a lot of water afterwards
6. Asian food is very diverse and I don’t agree that expatriates or tourists have limited knowledge on Asian food. If you happen to, though, I encourage you to try a little bit and if you have any food allergy or intolerance always ask if they put the ingredients in your food. Be aware that wheat and gluten intolerance is not cooks’ and food producer’s concern. Also, they use a lot of MSG in Asia. I sometimes ask them specifically to not add MSG into my food (mostly because I know that they might or that most of the other ingredients probably already have MSG added in it).
7. You might get diarrhea when you eat street or hawker’s food. Usually, the food might be contaminated, off or dirty. But also, it might also be because your immune’s system is not quite up to it yet because you have not been exposed to that specific strain of bacteria in your home country. If you are going to try the food, always drink bottled water because often, the contamination comes from the ice cubes in drinks. Also, it is probably beneficial if you drink or take probiotic bacteria supplement ( Lactobacillus Acidophillus, Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus Casei, for example). Often, you just need to build up your body’s resistance so just try them in small amount and always make sure that you take care of your health properly as there are tropical and other diseases that can be transferred from food or water, such as typhoid fever. Therefore, get your vaccines before you leave. I caught Typhoid fever, dengue fever and Rubella when I was here. It was not pretty but I survived because when I got sick, I knew that it might be because of my immune system and went to the GP straight away. But don’t let this put you off. It does not happen often but if you hear of an outbreak, you should be careful. Therefore, read the local English newspaper (if there is any) either online or get someone to buy it for you.
8. Hmm, the squatting toilet….. Most major or big shopping centres have sitting down toilets but if you go elsewhere there is a chance that you have to face the squatting toilet. Although I am Asian and was brought up in Indonesia until I was 15, I still choose not to use it unless if I really have to. If you have to use it, don’t forget to make sure that you have toilet papers or tissues. Most likely, the only available source of cleaning-yourself-up material is a bucket of water and ugh… I am not fond of it. It is useful to take this when you go out along with anti bacterial hand gel or wipes. I find places where they don’t have soap available and started to take my own soap for a while so that I can wash my hands properly after doing my business.
9. I use toilet papers and actually think that it is probably more hygienic than spreading germs everywhere using water and your hands. I therefore always carry my own in case they don’t have it available and you can think that it is unclean but I feel clean! So do what you feel comfortable with doing and just carry your own supplies after you “donate” your own “stock” if you think that you certainly can’t live without your supplies of personal hygiene need.
10. I don’t know why people think that Caucasians smell like cheese. Actually this is a notorious idea. I think that this is due to narrow mindedness or they just think that your feet odour is slightly different and it smells like cheese. If you have a body odour problem, though, personal hygiene and anti-perspirant deodorant is recommended because we sweat more here. I use them because I can’t stand the sticky and wet underarm feeling. Anti bacterial talcum powder is probably beneficial if you apply if after your deodorant. You can use corn starch if you can’t find any.
11. If you are a non-Asian trying to approach a local Asian girl, you will either be thought of as negatively or positively. Some tips for some common thoughts that runs in a girl’s mind are:
a. I can probably have a better lifestyle because he is rich (if the girl is a gold digger)
It this happens to you or might happen to you my suggestion is to play it cool and test the girl. If you happen to not worry and care about materialism, I’d say go for it and have fun. If you happen to fall in love with this girl and is looking for something more or just simply is not as rich as she thinks you are, tell the truth and probably say something like, “I only have 10 dollars left this month.” Look at her reaction. You can see where you can go from there. Stop paying for everything and buying things for a while. She will either: complain, don’t care or stray away from you. But if you are one of those guys who like spending money on his ladies, go for it and spoil them. Although, do not expect for anything in return, either relationship wise or sexually, as you may not get them.
b. Does he think that because he is white, he can just ask me for a date and try to sleep with me because he thinks that he is special? (if the girl is not a gold digger, perhaps educated abroad)
Actually, this happens sometimes. Just be yourself when you approach a woman, just like you are supposed to anyway, and be sincere about your intention because women can actually sense intentions. Although I have to say that this happens between Asians too. I think that boys will always be boys. If this is what you are after, make it clear and make sure that the lady is looking for the same thing. If you are totally smitten by her and not looking for ‘it’ tonight, then just converse and have a friendly conversation like you have with your female friends. This usually works if she finds that you are a nice guy and is actually open to new friendships.



c. Is he one of the “Oh-I-Love-Asians” guys who jerks off while watching Asian porn? (If you make it obvious)
I think that this is a double edged sword. Some girls like it when you say it, some don’t. Some will take it as a compliment, some as an insult. I think that women are just generally complicated just like men are. Although sometimes you are sincerely trying to sound your preference, make sure that you don’t do it in a cheesy sleazy way (unless that is your intention) and look beyond the outer appearance. There is no such thing as a typical woman. Women are special and complicated because they are a totally different gender. But is that not what makes us special?

d. If I go out with him or marry him, will he have an affair with my maid since everyone here will seem exotic to him? (if she had a bad experience in the past and most likely insecure in return)
This is related to some of the above points. Therefore, I don’t really know what more to say except be honest and be yourself. A developed notion about someone is often hard to break as it is often psychological. But, I think, if you are totally sincere, the other party should be able to sense it after a while. If she does not, you are free to make your own choice. If you intend to have an affair, either don’t get married or suggest an open relationship to avoid dramas.

e. Do I look like a prostitute? (If she happens to be in a bar that is known as a pickup place)
This is tricky because you can either be looking for a prostitute or are actually thinking that she is a nice woman. In which case, unless you get any signals from the woman, don’t say anything like “how much” or “let’s go back to my place” because there are pretty traditional and conservative women.


f. Oh, he is a nice guy and I like him (If you are both on the same boat hence smiley faces during your conversation)
This probably does not require further explanation other than congratulations and hope that it works out for you both.