Towards Other-Regarding Travel

Abstract

The focus of this essay is how people respond to cultural difference, and, specifically, two tendencies. One tendency is to romanticize the cultural differences encountered. Another tendency is to rush to a negative judgment about the specific people involved, and about their culture more generally. In this essay, I illustrate these tendencies by analyzing the difficulties my students, my family and I had adapting to Chinese culture, and by drawing on examples from my own previous experiences. I then propose a third, contrasting mindset that involves suspending judgment in order to better understand and appreciate cultural differences. This third way fosters other-regarding travel. My aim is to help students make the most of their cross-cultural experience by suggesting ways they might learn to appreciate cultural differences, gain heightened self understanding, and foster goodwill among their in-country hosts.