As I travel, I always carry a few gifts with me to present to new friends along the way. These three are big hits.
#1 Colorful Stickers
I choose stickers because they’re easy to carry, fun and colorful, and you can engage the children by asking them to choose their favorite one. Also, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with smiley faces, stars, and rainbows.
Note: Sometimes I carry universal favorites like Hello Kitty, but never country flags or symbols of American hegemony, such as Mickey Mouse.
#2 Bracelets
I’m a fan of supporting local businesses, especially women-owned shops. Whenever I come across a sidewalk stand with colorful bracelets or earrings, I stop to browse.
I usually carry 5-10 small trinkets with me to give away at my next stop. For instance, in West Africa this past spring, I picked up 10 beaded bracelets to give away over the next few months. In Central Asia, it’s camel-hair woven bracelets picked up in Turkmenistan.
#3 Books & Pens
I love to support local schools and am happy to visit to provide an English class or two. (I’m a very fast talker – so advanced classes only!). Before my visit, I pop by a local stationery store to buy 30-50 notebooks and colored pens as gifts.
If I’m looking for a school to donate to, I’ll ask the kitchen or cleaning staff at my hotel or a taxi driver. They’re usually happy to direct me to their kids’ school.
Note: I never insist on meeting the children and ask permission before dropping off the school supplies. Sometimes, the head masters will ask me to distribute the goodies, but sometimes I simply leave them for the principal to pass out the supplies as they see fit.
What friendly gestures are part of your travel routine? Has presenting a gift ever had an unintended consequence?
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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked “Explore the World with Nomads.”