What I have learned: tips and guideline

Since I have been travelling and especially to Asia I learned a couple of things:

1. Wherever I go I will be likely the only black person in my neighbourhood or at least the only black woman!

2. Meeting other black people doesn't mean you are getting new friends... 

3. Some other westerners are just...impossible to hang around with (bad behaviour, clueless about the dos and don'ts, a nasty complex of superiority etc).

4. Be friendly and you will attract friendly behaviour back: a smile is a free gift and it never harms.

5. Tears are a fearsome weapon for a woman, in some cases, as it just makes people uncomfortable. 

6. Being a foreigner gives you some free pass (sometimes) when it comes to cultural habits but don't be a moron, educate yourself before leaving.

7. Men are men wherever they come from, except that in Asia shyness is a keyword (for the good and the bad)!! 

 8. Never make someone lose face (public humiliation is really a thing) unless you want an enemy someone to be angry at you for a lifetime.

9. Try to keep you calm whatever the situation is. Getting angry will only make things worse. 

10. If you have the opportunity kids are the cutest and funniest to hang around. 

11. Summer is definitively not the best season to travel to Asia: monsoon, heat, humidity, bugs... Choose the one you like the most

12. Shopaholic people you better be a size 0 to 3 if you want some funky clothes!! 

13. Bargain, bargain, bargain all day, all night, all the time.

14. Know when to stop bargaining. Sometimes you don't even need to bargain...

15.  Enjoy the difference even if it's driving you nut.

16. Drugs are illegal but alcohol is "free"! But too much of alcohol is not good for your health and safety.

17. Sometimes you just can't escape bribery. If you are a victim of it..then just let it go (I know a bad thing to say) you can find yourself stuck in a nasty situation. And please don't try to bribe anyone (officials mainly) or you can find yourself in a very very bad position

18. Don't find yourself in any position that you have to face the law. You won't like it at all! 

19. Learn about the soft power policy. 

20. If you are a sensitive person then you have to suck it up! You will always have some ignorant peeps making nasty comments 

21. You are a foreigner automatically people think that you have money...Just be humble no need to flash out your Cartier watch or your LV bag ^ ^ (fake or not)

To be continued...