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How to Deal with Racial Biases and Social Stigmas on your Motorcycle Trips?
Posted: Feb 01, 2021
Traveling is usually associated with a lot of fun and entertainment - and that is true as long as you do not get out of the comfort zone! But real travelers know that it is not all unicorns and rainbows. If you really want to see the world with your own eyes, then you are going to have to deal with racial biases and social stigmas on your trips. Here are a few simple tips to deal with this ugliness on your road trip. Let's take a look!
Do your research well
The best way to deal with the problem is to avoid it completely. In order to be able to do that, you will have to do your research very well and find out about the political situation at the destination. You can get a good grasp of the social psychology of the people in that country or locality just by reading about the latest news coming out of that place. Do a quick Wikipedia search to know about the spread of the demography, as well as its religious bifurcation. If you see a certain section being overpoweringly strong, there is a very good chance that they will be racially or socially biased against everybody else. In that case, find out the rules and regulations of their society and try to follow them as much as you can in order to avoid drawing attention to yourself if you are of a different race or religion. For example, while traveling to Muslim countries, try to keep your head covered if you are a woman, and don't indulge in drinking or partying publicly because that can definitely draw the ire of the local authorities. Keep a finger on the political pulse and it will be fine as long as there isn't a history of that country blowing up with racially biased outbreaks.
Keep an open mind
During the research phase, you are going to discover a lot of information about the destination country. That does not often mean that everybody in the country was a participant in something negative, or they all share the same negative mindset. If that were true come out your own country and the political affiliations, you have does have a few negative niggles here and there in the past- that's for sure- but that does not mean everything is bad about your country or your political affiliations. Similarly, give the benefit of the doubt to the people of the country you are about to visit and keep an open mind. Do not start a conversation with a social or racial bias of your own! Never make any comments or observation that might provoke them to get defensive, or offensive. The primary goal of your trip is to enjoy and explore- not to antagonize!
Never get into an altercation
Has somebody made a provoking comment against your beliefs? If that is the case, just let it go and do not get into an altercation especially if you are alone and in a hostile situation. Never make the mistake of assuming that other people will take an unbiased and impartial view of your comments or believes or come to your aid if you get into a fight! If you see the situation deteriorating into an argument, apologize and get out of the place as safely as possible.
Accept the situation and focus on being safe
When you are on a road trip, your sole focus should be on being safe rather than trying to change the belief after local people. Always accept whatever the situation demands- even if you do not totally agree with it in your heart and focus on being safe. We strongly recommend you wear all motorcycle safety gears, including a full-face premium motorcycle helmet while riding through hostile areas come out or even in places that you do not anticipate any trouble because a motorcycle helmet will not only save you against road rage, accidents another riding related incidents- it can also save you if there is a sudden escalation in matters resulting in a fist fight or shoving match.
Have an exit plan
Irrespective of whether you are going on relatively safe destination, or place strife with political turmoil, always have a backup plan to get out of the place as fast as possible. For that, you are going to need a lot of money, so give at least 30% after funds as emergency money and use it to get out of the troubled place to safety. While choosing a travel insurance plan, it is also important to pick a plan that covers such emergency situations, often known as the exigency clause.
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