Why You Should Talk to People Who Live Where You're Visiting
Ravelling is one of the most exhilarating and fulfilling activities someone can have. Even if you're an extrovert or an introvert, there's something about travelling that completely transforms your life. Travelling's advantages, on the other hand, don't just appear; you have to work for them.
When you arrive in a new place as a foreigner, meeting locals might be one of the most significant things you do since it opens a world of possibilities for you. After reading this post, we hope you will feel compelled to meet locals the next time you visit a new nation, as you will be astonished at how useful this can be. Expect to see:
Go Couchsurfing!
As a starting point, Couchsurfing is a terrific place to meet people who reside in the area you're visiting. The site isn't just a location to receive free lodging; it's much more. There are meet-ups, group activities, and members who will gladly meet you for coffee and show you around, even if they can't lend you their sofa. A Couchsurfing meet-up I attended in Denmark ended up with me joining a family for their weekly supper.
Use Meetup.com
Meetup.com is another excellent resource for finding new friends. There is a broad range of groups on this site where you may meet people who share your interests, despite being more official than Couchsurfing.
Do you want to make things in Australia? Take part in a knitting group. Check out our guide if you want to network with Hong Kong's business community. Make plans to attend a business-related event.
The awkwardness barrier might be reduced by finding others who share your interests. How amazing would it be to meet someone from another country with a similar interest? If I met someone from Sydney who also liked Prohibition-era taverns, we could talk about it for hours!
Exchange Languages
Attending language exchanges is also a good idea. Language learning forums, discussion boards, and websites abound for people in the country (mostly English). Either attend one of these gatherings or locate a language partner. Someone who knows the area well and has many friends may be a great option for this type of person.
An obvious fact that many individuals fail to notice is this. Googling terms like "language exchange in X" might help you identify local activities based on your interests, much like when you're at home.
Don't be a Stranger
Take a chance and meet strangers on the street from time to time. It's impossible to predict what will come out of a lighthearted talk. Take a small group tour from a local, for example. Inquire about local life and what it is like to grow up in that place throughout your visit (without being annoying).
After the tour, if the guide sees that you're nice and interested in the culture, they may invite you to join them for a drink or dinner afterwards. I've heard from some tour leaders who have gotten along well with their tour attendees.
In Belize, while hitchhiking, a nice man took us to his restaurant and bought us drinks. He even drove us to our next location the following day! Getting to meet people in a new city has never been easier because of the advent of the sharing economy in recent years. With this, budget travellers may save money while having the opportunity to socialise with locals in various situations!
Use Local Rides.
When it comes to automobile services, Lyft stands out. Similar to Uber and Sidecar, Lyft allows local drivers to give rides at a reasonable fee to anyone in their area. As good as Uber is, Lyft stands out because its drivers, who operate their vehicles, are encouraged to add their personality to the journey, while clients feel at ease riding in the front.
It's also worth noting that Lyft offers a unique programme called Lyft Creatives, which allows community drivers to offer a variety of themed rides, such as Cookie Wars Lyft and Harry Potter Lyft.
What Are Your Most Pressing Questions When On Vacation?
In my piece on social travel applications, I initially recommended Ask a Stranger. Travellers may use this app to ask questions about the area they're visiting, and residents who know the answer will be rewarded with points for their time.
Users receive 100 free credits just for joining up, equivalent to 99 cents, and it costs 10 cents to ask a question. Faster replies that get good feedback from the person who asked them are given more points.
Also, you can ask locals for $5 on Local, a website where you can inquire about anything — from hiking trails to restaurants to the best places to drink wine and admire the city's architecture — and get answers from people who live there.
