Advice | How to be a better tourist and not annoy locals

I find that people who stretch themselves financially by going into debt to travel rationalize being stingy, such as not tipping appropriately, by pointing to the cost of their trip.

It’s understandable that they want to watch every penny if they know that when they return, they will face a credit card bill with a 20 percent-plus interest rate.

So, save and go. You are more likely to be a better, more generous traveler when you aren’t worried about the debt you will face when you return home.

My husband and I like to find places far less traveled by the visiting masses. This serves two purposes. We get to relax without the crowds, and we support vendors, artists and restaurants that don’t see the same traffic as the tourist traps.

Trendy places that cater to tourists often have higher prices, so we can save money by finding less popular parts of a city or town.

Yes, tipping is not expected in many cities abroad, and that is a welcome practice for many Americans suffering from tipping fatigue back home.

However, you may meet a host of folks — guides, street musicians, luggage handlers or housekeepers — that you should tip, even if a gratuity is not expected.

Even when a tip is included, it’s nice to have cash on hand to show appreciation for people who go above and beyond in their service.

Before you go, ask questions about the local tipping culture so that you are prepared to support those working to serve you.

Keep this in mind: Travel industry workers are not your servants.

You are a visitor and should respect the places you visit and the people you meet. You would think this advice goes without saying, yet social media postings and news reports tell a different story.

Is that selfie you want going to damage property or disturb the harmony of the place you visit?

Spending a lot of money on your trip doesn’t entitle you to act ugly. Don’t vex the locals with bad financial behavior.

If you are visiting a country where you know the cost of living is high, or its citizens are living below the poverty line, pack your generosity.

In addition to your vacation costs, consider the impact of donating much-needed items to residents or schoolchildren. Is there a local charity you can support?

Let me also revisit the issue of tipping.

A question I get often is: Should you tip on the pretax bill?

The general tipping guide for the Emily Post Institute, which offers etiquette advice, says you tip pretax. However, some servers argue that quibbling over whether you should tip pre- or post-tax is petty.

For example, let’s say your meal pretax is $100. With a 6 percent sales tax, the bill is $106. Before taxes, a 20 percent tip would bring the bill to $120. At $106, including tax, your bill would be $121.20.

So, no, you aren’t going against etiquette protocol to base your tip on just the meal and not the tax. Neither should you be called a miser if you tip pretax. However, the extra money could go a long way for someone trying to make ends meet on a low-wage salary.

Don’t be that tourist who shortchanges locals working in the travel industry. Frugality doesn’t mean you have to be miserly.

If you want more personal finance advice that’s timeless, order your copy of Michelle Singletary’s Money Milestones.