Guide to Civilized Tourism

Table of contents :
01. Code 
of 
Conduct 
for 
Civilised
 Tourism

02. Practical 
Tips 
for
 Civilised 
Tourism
03. Common 
Signs 
and
 Telephone
 Numbers


Citation preview







GUIDE TO CIVILISED TOURISM 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CHINA
NATIONAL
TOURISM
ADMINISTRATION

2





CONTENTS 
 01





P5


Code
of
Conduct
for
Civilised
Tourism


P6


A.
Standards
of
Civilised
Conduct
for
Domestic
Chinese
 Tourists


P8


B.
Guide
to
Civilised
Conduct
for
Chinese
Tourists
Abroad


02





P11
 Practical
Tips
for
Civilised
Tourism








P12
 A.
Common
Sense
for
Civilised
Tourism








P28
 B.
Elements
of
Civilised
Tourism
 P38
 C.
Customs
and
Taboos
of
Main
Overseas
Tourist
 Destinations


03





P43
 Common
Signs
and
Telephone
Numbers








P44
 A.
70
Signs
Commonly
Seen
in
Public
Venues
 P54
 B.
Tourist
Assistance
Organisations
and
Their
Contact
 Numbers
 P56
 C.
Select
Embassies
and
Their
Contact
Numbers


3



 
 
 


4



 
 
 
 01
 





Code
of
Conduct
for
Civilised
Tourism

5


A.Standards
of
Civilised
Conduct
for
Domestic
Chinese
 Tourists
 Creating
a
civilised
and
harmonious
tourism
environment
is
a
primary
 concern
for
every
tourist.
Being
a
civilised
tourist
is
everyone’s
duty.
Please
 observe
the
following
standards:
 1. Keep
the
Environment
Clean
 Do
not
spit
out
chewing
gum
or
spit
on
the
ground;
do
not
litter;
do
not
 smoke
at
no‐smoking
venues.
 2. Observe
Public
Order
 Keep
voices
low;
wait
patiently
in
the
queue;
do
not
block
streets
by
 walking
side
by
side;
do
not
speak
loudly
in
public.
 3. Protect
the
Environment
 Do
not
walk
on
lawns;
do
not
pick
flowers
and
fruit;
do
not
chase,
beat
 or
feed
animals.
 4. Preserve
Cultural
Relics
and
Historic
Sites
 Do
not
deface
cultural
relics
or
historic
sites
with
carvings
or
graffiti;
do
 not
climb
on
or
touch
them;
take
photographs
only
when
permitted.


6


5. Care
for
Public
Facilities
 Do
not
dirty
hotel
amenities;
do
not
damage
public
bathrooms
and
other
 facilities;
do
not
be
greedy
with
complimentary
items;
do
not
waste
 water
or
electricity;
do
not
waste
food.
 6. Respect
Others’
Rights
 Do
not
insist
on
taking
photographs
with
foreign
visitors;
do
not
sneeze
 in
front
of
other
people;
do
not
occupy
public
bathrooms
for
long
 periods;
respect
the
work
of
service
staff;
respect
the
customs
of
all
 ethnic
and
religious
groups.
 7. Be
Polite
to
Others
 Dress
neatly
and
appropriately;
do
not
bare
your
chest
or
back
in
public;
 show
courtesy
to
elders,
children
and
people
with
disabilities;
show
 courtesy
to
ladies;
avoid
swearing
and
using
foul
language.
 8. Promote
Healthy
Recreation
 Reject
superstitions,
pornography,
prostitution,
gambling
and
drugs.
 





7


B. Guide
to
Civilised
Conduct
for
Chinese
Citizens
 Abroad
 Chinese
citizens:
when
travelling
overseas,
be
polite
and
dignified.
 Pay
attention
to
hygiene,
protect
the
environment,
dress
appropriately,
 keep
voices
low.
 Be
courteous
to
elders
and
children,
be
helpful
to
others.
Put
others
first,
 especially
ladies.
 For
appointments,
be
on
time,
wait
in
line,
do
not
cross
the
yellow
line.
 
 


8


Be
a
civilised
hotel
guest,
do
not
damage
amenities,
eat
quietly,
avoid
waste.
 Promote
healthy
recreations
benefiting
body
and
mind;
firmly
reject
 gambling
and
pornography
or
prostitution.
 When
sightseeing,
observe
local
rules,
customs
and
taboos;
do
not
give
 offence.
 If
you
have
problems
or
questions,
consult
the
local
consulate.
Travel
in
a
 civilised
manner
and
stay
safe
all
the
way.
 
 
 


9



 
 
 


10



 
 
 
 02
 





Practical
Tips
for
Civilised
Tourism


11


A.
Common
Sense
for
Civilised
Tourism
 1.

Act
appropriately
and
with
calm
and
confidence;
speak
politely
and
 discreetly;
avoid
uncivilised
language
and
behaviour.


2.

Use
“please”,
“thank
you”,
“excuse
me”,
“sorry”,
“pardon
me”
and
 other
such
polite
phrases
frequently.
When
we
leave
our
country,
we
 become
guests,
and
we
must
treat
our
hosts
with
civility.
Say
“good
 morning”
in
the
morning.
Say
“sorry”
when
you
make
a
mistake.
 These
standards
apply
in
all
countries.
 
 
 





12






 3.

Do
not
spit
out
chewing
gum
or
spit
on
the
ground;
do
not
litter;
do
 not
relieve
yourself
in
random
places;
do
not
pick
your
nose,
pick
 your
teeth,
cough,
sneeze
or
engage
in
other
vulgar
behaviour
in
 front
of
others.
 
 



 13






 
 4.

Throw
food,
paper
and
other
rubbish
into
garbage
bins;
do
not
litter;
 also
pay
attention
to
the
classification
of
garbage.
 
 





14


5.

Do
not
smoke
in
places
where
smoking
is
prohibited
or
in
air‐ conditioned
venues.
When
smoking
at
venues
where
smoking
is
 permitted,
consider
the
comfort
of
others.
 



 
 6.

Do
not
take
photographs
in
places
where
this
is
prohibited.
Where
 the
use
of
flash
is
prohibited,
please
conscientiously
switch
off
your
 flash.



 7.

Do
not
occupy
public
bathrooms
for
long
periods.
Do
not
leave
 footprints
on
toilet
seats.
Remember
to
flush
the
toilet
after
use.





15






 
 8.

Care
for
cultural
relics
and
historical
sites.
Do
not
climb
on
them,
 touch
them,
or
deface
them
with
carvings
or
graffiti.
Take
 photographs
only
when
permitted.








16



 
 9.

Be
courteous
and
considerate
when
taking
photographs
at
scenic
 spots.
Do
not
fight
or
quarrel.
Do
not
insist
on
taking
photos
with
 others
or
prevent
others
from
taking
photos.
Say
“thank
you”
when
 asking
others
to
take
pictures
for
you.






 17


10. Follow
rules
and
regulations
such
as
“no
smoking”,
“no
food
and
 drinks”
and
“no
photography
with
flash”
when
visiting
museums,
 churches,
art
galleries
and
temples.
Do
not
touch
exhibits,
cultural
 relics
and
other
items
without
permission.
 11. Be
orderly
when
queuing
in
public.
Do
not
push
or
shove.
Queue
 jumping
is
shameful
wherever
you
are.
 12. Do
not
shout
or
be
rowdy
in
public.
Do
not
lie
down
or
remove
your
 shoes
or
socks
in
public.
 13. Understand
and
respect
the
religious
beliefs,
customs
and
taboos
of
 other
places.
Do
your
best
to
adhere
to
local
customs.
 





18



 
 14. Dress
neatly
and
appropriately
for
the
venue
you
are
visiting
and
the
 activities
you
will
be
doing.
Do
not
go
out
bare‐chested.
Do
not
go
 out
with
uncombed
hair
or
a
dirty
face.
At
formal
events,
try
to
dress
 formally
or
professionally.
 





19






 
 15. Be
orderly
when
checking
into
a
hotel.
Respect
the
staff
and
respond
 politely
when
they
greet
you.
Be
clean
and
hygienic
and
look
after
 the
amenities
in
hotel
rooms
and
public
places.






20



 16. Tipping
service
staff
is
a
custom
in
many
countries.
Please
tip
when
 you
find
the
service
commendable.
 
 17. Observe
proper
etiquette
when
dining.
Be
polite
to
elders.
Look
after
 women
and
young
children.
 





21



 
 18. Take
normal‐sized
servings
at
a
buffet.
Try
to
finish
the
food
you
take.
 Do
not
waste
food.
 





22


19. After
eating
at
a
fast‐food
restaurant,
take
your
rubbish
with
you
and
 return
the
trays.
 
 20. Be
on
time
to
catch
your
plane,
train
or
public
transport.
Be
 cooperative
at
check‐in
and
security
checkpoints.
Do
not
carry
 prohibited
goods.
 
 21. On
public
buses
and
trains,
young
passengers
should
sit
towards
the
 back
where
possible
and
leave
the
front
seats
free
for
elders,
women
 and
children.
 
 22. Be
punctual
and
orderly
when
touring
in
groups,
and
avoid
disrupting
 the
itinerary.



 23



 23. Obey
traffic
rules.
Do
not
run
red
lights.
Do
not
jaywalk.
Do
not
stop
 to
chat
on
roads
or
footpaths.
Stand
on
the
right‐hand
side
on
 escalators
and
leave
the
left
side
open
so
others
can
pass.
 
 24. Protect
the
environment.
Do
not
catch
or
take
any
marine
life
when
 diving.
 





24






 25. Respect
life.
Do
not
pick
or
damage
flowers
and
fruit.
Do
not
chase
or
 feed
animals.
 
 26. Promote
healthy
recreation.
Resist
superstitious
activities,
 pornography,
prostitution,
gambling
and
drugs.
 





25






 27. Arrive
early
when
going
to
the
cinema
or
theatre.
If
arriving
late,
ask
 the
staff
to
help
you
find
a
seat.
Keep
quiet.
 
 28. Respect
the
actors.
Applaud
at
the
end
of
a
performance
to
show
 appreciation.
Stand
up
to
clap
for
a
curtain
call
at
the
end
of
an
entire
 performance.
Be
understanding
if
and
when
an
actor
commits
an
 error,
and
do
not
boo
and
hoot
or
jeer.



 
 26


29. When
watching
a
sporting
competition,
respect
both
teams
as
well
as
 the
referees.
Observe
order
and
the
rules
of
the
game.
Do
not
lose
 control.
Do
not
scream
or
shout.
Do
not
swear
at
referees
or
athletes.
 Do
not
throw
things
onto
the
field.
Do
not
enter
the
field.
 
 30. Take
your
rubbish
with
you
when
leaving
a
sporting
venue
and
throw
 it
in
the
garbage
bin.

 
 





27


B.
Elements
of
Civilised
Tourism
 [Pages
28
–
37
omitted]


28


C.
Customs
and
Taboos
of
Main
Overseas
Tourist
 Destinations
 I.
EUROPE
 1. In
England,
do
not
casually
ask
others
“Where
are
you
going?”
or
“Have
you
eaten?”
 as
you
do
in
China.
It
is
considered
impolite.
 2. In
Spain,
ladies
wear
earrings
when
going
out;
failure
to
do
so
is
seen
as
risible
and
 akin
to
going
naked.

 3. In
France,
do
not
bring
chrysanthemums
or
yellow
flowers
when
visiting
someone’s
 home.
 4. In
Italy,
do
not
give
handkerchiefs
as
gifts.
Italians
regard
handkerchiefs
as
unlucky
 because
they
are
used
to
wipe
away
tears
when
parting
with
loved
ones.
 5. In
Germany,
do
not
snap
your
fingers
at
anyone.
This
is
the
way
dogs
are
summoned.

 6. In
Greece,
do
not
casually
raise
your
thumb.
A
thumbs‐up
is
a
highly
insulting
gesture.
 7. In
Hungry,
do
not
break
glass
or
mirrors.
It
is
considered
unlucky.
Do
not
point
your
 finger
at
anyone’s
face.
 8. In
Scotland,
do
not
buy
stones
as
souvenirs.
 9. In
the
Netherlands,
filling
a
coffee
cup
to
the
brim
is
taboo.
It
is
considered
impolite.
 The
Dutch
believe
two‐thirds
full
is
the
correct
level.
 10. In
Denmark,
a
guest
should
not
propose
a
toast
before
the
host
does.
If
you
say
 “skol”
during
a
toast,
you
must
drink
your
whole
glass.


38


II.
SOUTH‐EAST
ASIA
 11. In
India,
the
left
hand
is
considered
unclean.
Do
not
touch
others
with
your
left
hand.
 Do
not
touch
another
person’s
head.
Leather
made
from
cows
cannot
be
brought
 inside
temples.
Do
not
photograph
any
Indian
women
without
permission.
 12. In
Thailand,
do
not
comment
on
members
of
the
royal
family.
Do
not
touch
another
 person’s
head.
Purchasing
alcohol
after
2
A.M.
is
prohibited.
Do
not
point
at
things
 with
your
feet.
 13. In
Nepal,
do
not
touch
the
locals’
belongings
with
your
feet.
Women
should
not
wear
 revealing
clothes.
Leather
and
fur
goods
are
prohibited
in
temples.
When
walking
 around
a
temple
or
pagoda,
go
clockwise.
 14. In
Cambodia,
a
host
greets
guests
by
putting
both
hands
together.
Guests
should
 return
the
greeting
by
doing
likewise.
Do
not
talk
while
sitting
with
crossed
legs.
Do
 not
touch
another
person’s
head.
 
 





39


15. In
Singapore,
do
not
chew
gum.
Do
not
eat
on
subway
trains.
Do
not
carry
durians
on
 buses.
Throwing
cigarette
butts
on
the
ground,
spitting
or
jaywalking
will
get
you
 fined.
 16. In
the
Maldives,
fishing
without
permission
and
picking
or
trampling
on
coral
are
 strictly
prohibited.
Wash
sand
off
your
feet
before
entering
hotel
rooms.
 
 



 
 17. In
Japan,
do
not
adjust
your
clothes,
touch
your
head
or
touch
your
hair
while
dining.
 Wear
socks
and
remove
your
shoes
when
visiting
a
Japanese
home.
 18. In
Korea,
do
not
pick
up
your
chopsticks
before
your
elders.
Turn
your
face
away
 from
others
when
drinking
alcohol.
 19. In
Hong
Kong
and
Macau,
smoking
is
prohibited
in
all
air‐conditioned
spaces.
 Purchased
food
cannot
be
exchanged
or
refunded.


40


III.
MIDDLE
EAST
AND
AFRICA
 20. In
Muslim
countries,
do
not
offer
to
shake
hands
with
local
women
or
photograph
 them.
 21. Supermarkets
in
Muslim
countries
do
not
sell
alcohol.
Do
not
discuss
pork.
 22. In
Muslim
regions,
ladies
should
not
wear
revealing
clothes.
Men
should
not
wear
 jewellery
in
public.
Do
not
hug,
kiss,
dance
or
even
hold
hands
in
public.
 23. In
Iran,
do
not
discuss
babies’
eyes.
 24. In
Africa,
do
not
use
your
left
hand
to
greet
others.
The
fashionable
way
of
greeting
 in
Africa
is
to
raise
your
right
hand
and
show
your
palm
to
the
other
person,
as
if
 saying
“there
is
no
rock
in
my
hand”.
 25. It
is
best
to
address
Africans
by
nationality.
 26. African
people
dislike
the
words
“Negro”
and
“black”.
Emphasising
differences
in
 skin
colours
is
the
greatest
taboo
in
Africa.
 27. In
Algeria,
handshakes
must
be
firm.
A
limp
handshake
is
considered
discourteous.
 28. In
Algeria
and
Guinea,
female
tourists
wearing
white
clothes
or
capes
will
be
 respected
by
locals
and
everyone
will
make
way
for
them.


41



 
 
 


42



 
 
 
 03
 





Common
Signs
and
Telephone
Numbers


43


[The
final
three
sections
of
the
guide
are
omitted:
 A.
70
Signs
Commonly
Seen
at
Public
Venues
 B.
Tourist
Assistance
Organisations
and
Their
Contact
Numbers
 C.
Select
Embassies
and
Their
Contact
Numbers]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 September
2013
 44