In a recent survey done by TNS Infratest for Expedia, www.expedia.ca, 4 500 hoteliers announced that Canadians are kind, polite, clean and calm tourists. Canadians ranked 3rd behind the English and the Japanese who came in first as the world’s best tourists. 

Hoteliers were polled last June 10th to 23rd. Participants filled out a questionnaire evaluating tourists from 27 countries according to 9 criterias: politeness, willingness to speak the local language, interest in local cuisine, propensity to spend, generosity, cleanliness, discretion, elegance and strong tendency to complain.

To be a good appreciated tourist, find out and respect:

• the culture, especially what is inappropriate or forbidden. For example, since 1992, there is a gum chewing ban in Singapore. It has been revised in 2004 and is now solely available in pharmacies for medical purposes where one must present their id card and a prescription.
• greetings and polite words: hello, goodbye, please and thank you.
• greeting behaviours: handshake, kiss, bow or other.
• tipping practices.
• dining etiquette.
• dress codes.
• business practices: punctuality, business cards and gift exchanges.

When in Rome do as Romans do !