Today, thanks to the increasing easier access and advances of transport modes, more and more people travel to faraway places and even abroad. When they encounter totally new cultures and traditions, some people think it necessary to strictly follow them, while some suggest the host countries should accept cultural differences. Here we will look at the two views and share my own thoughts.
Many people think the purpose of travelling is to experience and learn new cultures and traditions of the destination, and assimilate as much as they can. The result is surely rewarding. Diversified values and ideas can help people broaden horizon and be more open-minded. However, unconditional acceptance is not always good, as there are some fundamental values and principles people should hold on to, including some religious principles that relate to one’s personal identity.
On the other hand, some people think a better way is for the host countries to accept visitors and welcome the existence of cultural differences. People from distinct cultural backgrounds will bring new elements in those host countries, which may lead to healthy diversification and growth, but it’s also possible to exert disruptive impact on local lives. Take my hometown as an example. The small town has been developed into a tourism destination for the past two decades and stipulated to accommodate visitors’ demands and habits. New and exotic restaurants and stores were opened, as well as many entertainment places. Lives of local residents were impacted due to noise, traffic, conflicts and so on.
To sum up, there are benefits and risks when visitors meet new cultures. People should be cautious in taking things to extremes. Personally I would recommend people open to learning new cultures and the host countries be inclusive of differences, in a way that is mutually acceptable and beneficial.
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