Salwen arrives at this conversation after questioning himself on his international spending habits: At what point does one extract his/her wallet, and at what point does one walk away? Is there a correct answer?
It's an interesting line of questioning, and I find the subject matter of the article very compelling; however, I can't help but disagree with many of the comments that Salwen makes.
Salwen states that he and his wife "overbuy gifts for [themselves] and others." I'd argue this is one of the more wasteful ways in which to travel, particularly if those gifts are nothing more than cheap trinkets. So much of traveling, especially internationally, is about immersing oneself what the location has to offer: its culture, its cuisine, its scenery—not its ability to cater to tourism.
I think its best to buy sensibly. Instead of funneling your money towards standard souvenirs, try spending on something unique to the region, or something that you genuinely covet. You're feeding the local economy and you're getting something distinctive in return. Items like handmade jewelry, hand-woven rugs, and pottery, are created at the hands of locals and hold a stronger tie to the region than a factory-made product. I own paintings, clothing, and jewelry that are a lot more valuable to me than a plastic pen boasting the name of a city.
Salwen also addresses the issue of panhandlers, a situation that presents itself everywhere, but particularly in the world's least developed countries. I tend not to give to them, since many are being exploited—how to distinguish between organized begging and genuine deprivation?—but recognize that in many regions, panhandling is a part of the culture, particularly given the level of poverty inundating these places. The dilemma of giving, or even the notion that altruism be conditional, is a conversation for another time, though.
But Salwen advises people not to give on the grounds that doing so sends the wrong message about "dependency and the value of work." As I mentioned above, traveling to a new region is about experiencing a different culture, and oftentimes, that culture includes locals living in extreme poverty. It's not my place to come in as a foreigner and educate someone on how to earn a living, and the idea of doing so seems more than a little arrogant and self-aggrandizing.
On the topic of haggling, Salwen believes that it's better not to decrease your price offer, but rather to increase the quantity received. There's nothing wrong with doing that, but there's nothing wrong with negotiating a lower price, either. In many places, haggling is a part of consumerism, so it's completely expected. Plus, vendors tend to be business savvy; they will inflate their asking price towards tourists, so there's nothing wrong with playing the game, so long as you do it fairly. Rarely will a seller agree to a price that isn't providing them with a profit.
I understand the desire to travel rationally and ethically, but the problem is that these are subjective tenets. The manner in which Salwen travels responsibly comes off as condescending at times, rather than honorable. Instead, the best way to travel ethically is to do so as an educated traveler. That means being aware of customs, knowing what actions are and aren't within the realm of etiquette, and having an understanding of where your money goes when you spend it. Don't be rude and overtip at restaurants, just because you have the money, but don't be a cheapskate and never open your wallet, either. Respect and awareness will go a long way in making you a generous and responsible traveler.
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