While traveling to countries with distinguished cultural traditions, it is difficult to tell the difference between respectfully participating and appropriating said culture. Cultural appropriation can be defined as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”

To avoid the practice, follow these simple tips:

1. Ask before taking photos: Whether you are photographing a child or an adult, you must obtain consent. It is unethical to photograph everyone and everyone, especially without knowing their story. Converse with the individuals whom you photograph and do not exploit their culture through social media.
2.  When purchasing traditional clothing, know when to wear it: I have many friends who purchased Sari’s in India, for instance, and wore them to the Taj Mahal. While this was deemed acceptable by our tour guide, it would not be appropriate to wear the garb in an unrelated setting in America. Similarly to girls wearing bindi’s and headdresses to musical festivals, bringing Indian dress to America without context is offensive.
3. Honor the culture, rather than identifying with it: Not everything posits an artsy photograph. Rather, sometime you learn more from listening to others and striving to understand it, rather than taking it on. As an example, you need not caption your photos with Japanese characters that you do not understand. If you cannot read the language, do not pretend that you can.
4. Acknowledge the fluidity of culture: What you read and see in the media may not be the case. Do not assume that every Vietnamese person looks the same or that they embody the characteristics that you once learned they do.
5. Learn from the locals: Travel is beneficial because you will become a more well-rounded global citizen. Do not enter a country with the intention of “saving,” others. Instead, take each experience as a learning experience of your own.

Most importantly, ask questions if you are unsure whether something is culturally appropriating or not. It is better to err on the side of caution than to diminish an entire culture.

Photo taken in Myanmar, with permission from the school officials and children themselves.