Dear tourists in Guatemala:
Stop taking photographs of indigenous people like they are animals in a zoo. One of these days you’re going to get bitchslapped, and you’ll deserve it.
Dear female backpackers in Guatemala:
If you’re not at the beach, stop wearing short-shorts. It is totally inappropriate in such a conservative country. And it’s not even that hot here!
Dear Guatemalan businesses:
It is not my fault that you can’t make me change. As far as I’ve heard, banks will happily make you change. Use them.
Comments 2
I laughed when I read your first “PSA” because I am guilty as charged with this one. I love taking pics of the locals on my travels rather than myself or my traveling companions. They’re so much more interesting to look at later.
But I agree, that it’s definitely disrespectful. In fact, when I was in the Caribbean earlier this summer, I was doing exactly this. It turns out these people weren’t all that indigenous either and they were pretty annoyed.
Any tips for travelers who still want to take photos of the indigenous people w/o disrespecting them? Perhaps use a small point and shoot with high optical zoom from afar?
Posted 19 Aug 2009 at 6:35 pm ¶I’d recommend the following guidelines:
if the photo is going to focus on a person or a group of people, then always ask. if they say no, don’t take their photo.
cityscapes that don’t focus on specific people you shouldn’t have to ask for. however, if someone looks annoyed, don’t take a photo.
Posted 19 Aug 2009 at 10:38 pm ¶Post a Comment