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Behavior Guidelines
How should I act while in a foreign country?
Do:
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research your host country before you travel
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be patient with the process and courteous at all times
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be considerate and aware that you are in a different culture
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remember that you are a visitor and a guest in their country
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listen to the advice of your guide or host
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show an interest in the host country's customs and culture and try to adapt to those customs
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go sightseeing and take plenty of photographs
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bring small gifts for guides and administrators
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dress appropriately for different occasions: meetings with officials, sight-seeing, etc.
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dress your child nicely when meeting with social workers or other people involved with the adoption
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be flexible about the length of your stay
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remember to be patient when there is a setback
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make apologies for mistakes made
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learn some of the country's language before you travel, and use it! Your efforts will be appreciated.
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bring the host country's language dictionary with you and try to learn more about the language while you are there
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remember that others will adopt through your source after you. Try to leave the country with a favorable impression as to not make things more difficult for those who follow you
Don't:
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be impatient
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be inconsiderate, loud, noisy, or argumentative
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overdo on alcohol
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put yourself on a time schedule and/or set guidelines that your hosts cannot meet or will have no inclination to try to meet
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try to "buy" your way for faster service
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seek or expect to find your culture in a foreign country
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form a clique with other Americans and shut out others
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be afraid to socialize with your hosts
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make demands and expect everyone to cater to you
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indulge in political conversation with people in your host country
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expect a foreign bureaucracy to work any more efficiently than that in the U.S.
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complain about or criticize different customs and attitudes found in the host country
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argue if you are told to return tomorrow by the orphanage, passport office, etc.
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be afraid to ask questions; but phrase them carefully
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expect sterile conditions. Remember that your child has made it this far, and will survive even of conditions are not up to your standards
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take offense if you are treated rudely or brusquely; the best way to handle such situations is to rise above them, stay calm, and not respond.
Reprinted (with minor changes) by kind permission of the Latin American Parent Association
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