10 things you should never tell locals when traveling abroad if you want to be invited back

Traveling abroad can be one of the most enriching experiences of your life.

You meet new people, taste unfamiliar foods, and start seeing the world through different lenses.

But as anyone who’s spent time overseas knows, not every conversation goes smoothly.

Sometimes, what sounds harmless back home can come across as rude, arrogant, or just plain tone-deaf in another culture.

So before you head off to your next destination, here are ten things you should never tell locals if you want to make sure you’re invited back.

1) “This place is so cheap!”

It’s tempting to say this when you realize your meal costs less than your daily coffee back home.

But think about it from the other side. What sounds like enthusiasm to you might come across as condescension to someone living there.

I learned this the hard way in Vietnam.

I was chatting with a local chef over street-side noodles and said, “This meal would cost triple back home.”

He smiled politely, but later I realized it could have sounded like I was bragging about my relative wealth.

A better approach is to compliment the quality, not the cost.

Say something like, “This is one of the best meals I’ve had on my trip.”

That way, you’re showing appreciation without turning it into an economics lesson.

2) “Everyone here is so poor”

Even if you’re struck by visible poverty, pointing it out doesn’t do anyone favors.

Locals know their reality far better than you do, and comments like this can make you sound pitying or ignorant.

Remember, wealth looks different everywhere.

In some cultures, success isn’t measured by bank accounts but by family, health, or community ties.

If you want to discuss inequality or development, save that for private reflection or a more appropriate setting.

When speaking with locals, curiosity and respect go much further than unsolicited observations.

3) “We do it better back home”

This is a guaranteed conversation killer.

Whether you’re talking about traffic, customer service, or how coffee is made, comparing everything to how it’s done “back home” instantly sets up a hierarchy, and not in your favor.

Every place has its rhythm and its reasons for doing things the way they do.

Instead of judging, try asking questions like, “How did this tradition start?” or “What’s the story behind this dish?”

You’ll learn something new and maybe even see why your way isn’t necessarily the best after all.

4) “Is it safe here?”

There’s a difference between researching safety and blurting out fear in front of locals.

Imagine someone visiting your hometown and asking you that question.

How would it sound? Probably like they’d already made up their mind.

When you say this to locals, it suggests you don’t trust them or their environment.

If you’re truly concerned, discreetly check government travel advisories or ask your hotel concierge in private.

In most cases, locals are proud of their cities and will go out of their way to make sure you feel safe, so meet that pride with a little faith.

5) “I can’t eat this”

Food is a huge part of culture, and refusing a dish outright can come off as disrespectful.

Of course, if you have allergies or dietary restrictions, that’s fair game.

Just explain them politely. But saying “I don’t eat that” without trying or showing curiosity can feel dismissive.

In Morocco, a host once offered me sheep’s head.

I wasn’t exactly thrilled, but I remembered something I’d read in Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential: food is more than nourishment, it’s an invitation.

So I tried a bite. Turns out, it wasn’t bad.

Even if you can’t eat much, show appreciation.

Say, “That looks amazing, thank you for sharing,” or try a small taste before declining more.

Respect goes down easier than criticism.

6) “I don’t like the weather here”

Complaining about the heat in Thailand or the rain in London might feel like small talk, but it’s not always received that way.

Locals live with that weather every day, and hearing a tourist whine about it can come off as tone-deaf or ungrateful.

Try flipping the script.

Instead of complaining, ask how locals cope with it.

“How do people here stay cool in summer?” or “What’s your favorite rainy day meal?”

These kinds of questions not only avoid negativity but can open doors to new experiences you’d never have had otherwise.

7) “Why don’t people speak English?”

This one still amazes me.

You’re in their country, after all.

Expecting everyone to speak your language is peak travel arrogance.

Learning a few local phrases like hello, thank you, or please goes a long way. Even if your pronunciation is off, the effort shows respect.

It’s also a fun way to connect.

I once tried to order in broken Italian at a café in Florence.

The barista laughed, not mockingly, but with delight that I was trying.

He ended up giving me a free biscotti “for effort.”

Language is connection. When you show you’re willing to meet people halfway, they often meet you the rest of the way.

8) “It’s so weird here”

Different isn’t the same as weird.

What feels strange to you is perfectly normal to someone else.

That’s the beauty of travel, it jolts you out of your comfort zone and into someone else’s way of life.

Describing things as weird subtly places judgment on another culture’s norms.

Next time you’re tempted to say it, switch to words like interesting, unique, or unexpected.

These invite curiosity instead of criticism.

After all, one person’s weird is another person’s Tuesday.

9) “I could never live like this”

When travelers say this, they usually mean “I’m not used to it,” not “This is unlivable.”

But to locals, it can sound like you’re dismissing their entire way of life.

I once overheard an American tourist in Bali say this after seeing a family of five on a scooter.

Sure, it looked chaotic, but that family was laughing, chatting, and moving as one.

There was beauty in that moment if you chose to see it.

Travel isn’t about replicating your home in a different time zone.

It’s about stepping into someone else’s version of normal and appreciating it for what it is.

10) “You’re lucky I’m here spending money”

This one’s the worst, yet I’ve heard it more often than you’d think.

Tourism brings money, yes, but that doesn’t give you moral superiority.

Locals aren’t props in your vacation, and a smile or tip doesn’t erase bad manners.

Respect doesn’t come from your wallet.

It comes from how you treat people.

Be gracious, be patient, and remember that most locals are just trying to live their lives while you pass through for a week or two.

Gratitude leaves a far better impression than entitlement ever could.

The bottom line

The way you talk to locals while traveling says more about you than about them.

It reveals your curiosity, humility, and ability to see beyond your own bubble.

No one expects you to get it right all the time.

You’ll slip up, ask clumsy questions, or mispronounce something.

That’s fine. Intent matters more than perfection.

What makes a traveler memorable, for the right reasons, is how they listen, learn, and engage with genuine respect.

At the end of the day, travel isn’t just about ticking places off a list. It’s about leaving every destination a little better than you found it, even if it’s just through kindness and good conversation.

If you can do that, you won’t just be invited back.
You’ll be welcomed back.