Why Travel Makes a Better Businessperson

I live in Minnesota now, but I was born in Wichita, Kansas. I’m as "white" as any other U.S. Caucasian, but my skin happens to be much darker than that of most Minnesotans. It baffles them, and I’m asked on a very regular basis, "What are you?" or "Where are you from, seriously?"

Recently at the airport, a well-meaning local walked up to me and shouted, "HELLO, ARE YOU GOING HOME TO HAWAII??"  Sigh. Even if I were Hawaiian, I'm not deaf.

Most of us know that in general, people from other countries hate Americans. Well-traveled Americans know this, and if they’ve been the least bit studious of other cultures, they know why. Have you ever heard someone say: "As an American citizen, you should travel overseas at least one time. I can’t put my finger on it, but for some reason it just makes you a better person." I firmly believe this, and I can even "put my finger on it!"

Cultural awareness makes all of us better people. We may not be willing to embrace certain aspects of certain cultures (Indian food may not be for everyone, for example), but when we learn why people do the things they do, or that they’ve been doing it for hundreds of years, it gives us a broader perspective to understand the politics and motivation that different groups of people have to live, thrive, and survive.

This is true within the borders of America, too.

For example, it just amazes me how many Minnesotans I meet who have never left the state. They’re very colloquial people, the Minnesotans, and they are fiercely proud of their state. They were born here, raised here, they married their high-school sweetheart here, they vacation here, and for the most part, they see no reason to go anywhere else BUT here. Consequently, ethnic restaurants rarely do well here, and there are very heated discussions on talk radio about immigration and cultural diversity, even though U.S. Census data shows that most cities in Minnesota are more than 90 percent Caucasian.

A Minnesotan traveling to New York or Texas would experience an enormous cultural shift. They'd be as curious about how New Yorkers could possibly live where they do, as New Yorkers would be about why on earth people would endure the cold weather of Minnesota.

Understanding culture means understanding what motivates and impresses people. Culturally aware people make better business people.  From sales to support, increasing your cultural awareness means a better understanding of your business peers, customer base, and competition. So as you travel, look around. Pay attention. I have listed a few different tips here that will help you become a better student of culture while you travel:

1. There’s no better way to observe the local culture than to stay in a B&B or a local motel. Make friends with the proprietor and ask questions over breakfast or dinner.
2. While on vacation, try to keep it slow. Don’t hop from city to city every other day to "canvas the area" and don’t spend all of your time on the tours.
3. When you do visit a tourist site, take equal time to see the people. Eat locally and shop locally.
4. Be open to new menus. Personally, I never wanted to eat a testicle, for example, but I certainly had a "ball" during the Rock Creek Lodge "Testicle Festival" in Clinton, Mont.
5. Take the bus once in awhile, or a taxi. Ask your local cab driver to wait while you shop and smile and talk to him/her. Ask about restaurants or other points of interest that he/she can show you that might not be on the map.
6. Leave your resort! Resorts are expensive anyway, so go for a walk among the locals. You will learn things about how local people live their lives that will surprise and educate you.
7. Don’t "feel sorry" for people. In some countries or neighborhoods, local folks may be just as accustomed to their local way of life as you are back home watching your satellite TV and tweeting on your cell phone. Bringing an attitude like, "Awww, look at that poor woman, honey, give her some money!" can be very insulting. How would you feel if Donald Trump tossed $100 at your feet because of his perception of your "poor living conditions?"

For goodness sakes, don’t slow your voice down and talk loudly or shout at people! People who don’t speak English aren't suddenly going to understand it if you scream it at them! Here's an idea, bring along a language dictionary and make an effort to speak the local language; quietly. You'll be surprised at how quickly people will respond to you!

EXTRA:  Please feel free to leave comments on this article! If you have questions for Ken regarding business travel, hotels, airplanes, etc, please send him a "Tweet" on his twitter account.  You can also follow Ken on Twitter @foodbreeze!