How using public transportation can get you firsthand information when you travel
7:04 AM
When you plan on going
to a new place, you usually start planning your trip in advance. There are many
ways to get inside information in advance: browsing the web, talk to friends,
connect with locals, etc… However, the courageous ones among you can wait till
you get there and start getting firsthand information only while you’re already
“on the ground”.
Public transportation
creates a scenery for these awkward situations where you find yourself sitting
shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers. It’s a unique time slot where you
are allowed to just sit and stare around while waiting to arrive at your
destination. It's also an opportunity to use this time and try to get useful
and up-to-date firsthand information from the person sitting next to you.
Starting a conversation
with total stranger is not an easy task for all of us, however being a tourist gives
you a great starting point, as locals find tourists more friendly than
annoying*. And as a tourist you are probably
in the right mindset to introduce yourself with someone you don’t know**.
*According to PriceLine’s 2014 Tourist Card report “84% of
locals find tourists more friendly than annoying”.
. Some recommended
practices to start the conversation:
Airplane – As lots of us tend to get a bit tense on
airplanes, starting a chit chat with your neighbor can be a great way to
discharge it.
Bus – unlike airplanes, where you have no control
on the person you will be rubbing elbows against… on buses you sometimes get
the chance to choose who to sit next to, so try and pick someone you think can
give you the information you are looking for. Don't forget that taking a bus
ride is always a great way to discover different aspects of the city: you get
the chance to blend with the daily routine of the locals and view different
parts of a city, parts you probably won’t get to see following your travel guide
book.
Train – same as on buses: you might get to choose the
person to sit next to and if your neighbor is not up to a small-talk, take a
walk along the hall and you just might find someone else looking for a
conversation.
Taxi – should I say anything more about cab drivers?
These guys are just so anxious for a decent conversation; you can usually ask
them anything.
UberX, Lyft – these services are part of the growing
sharing economy services, enabling anyone to start using his car to take
passengers from place to place and make some money. So these services provide a
great opportunity to talk with locals and experience the sharing economy.
Underground – don’t try it, I wouldn’t…
General guidelines:
-
Present yourself as a tourist (as locals tends to be more patient
with tourists)
-
Older people usually has more patience.
-
Smile
-
Say thank you.
Good luck!
1 comments
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