GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 107
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [View: Neutral opinion.]
With the trends of globalization, people are traversing the continent from west to east and vice versa more frequently than ever before. Many people think that tourists should respect local traditions and behaviour while others beg to differ and believe that the recipient country ought to welcome cultural diversity. In this case, I opine that both viewpoints have their merits.
To commence with, many argue that visitors should respect the local tradition, culture and lifestyle. According to them, by respecting the local way of life, foreigners will be welcomed by the local people. In consequence, they can develop a harmonious relationship with the host nation, which in turn stimulates greater integration. Apart from it, newcomers would get first-hand experience with local customs and traditions, which allows them to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle. As a result, they can acquire knowledge and skills. For instance, foreigners can learn the local language of the host country by taking the opportunity to have real-life practice to master the language.
Similarly, the host country also reaps the benefits of cultural diversity by welcoming tourists and their heterogeneity. A host country can create a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, which in turn develops a keen sense of tolerance between foreigners and the local people. In fact, cultural differences help us comprehend different perspectives within the globe in which we live. As a result, it helps dispel negative prejudices and personal biases about various racial, cultural and ethnic groups. In addition to this, cultural diversity makes a country a more attractive place to live in. For example, citizens from diverse cultures contribute to different experiences, solving problems, language proficiency, and new approaches to thinking to name but a few.
In conclusion, a recipient country should always welcome people from diverse cultures and tourists ought to respect local ways of living as well since this attitude is mutually beneficial.
Model Answer 2: [View: The host country should welcome cultural differences.]
There are differing views on whether visitors to other countries should conform to local customs and behaviour or if the host country should embrace cultural differences. While some argue for the importance of adhering to local customs, I believe that host countries should welcome cultural differences for several reasons.
On the one hand, proponents of conforming to local customs argue that it shows respect for the host country’s traditions and values. They assert that visitors should adapt to local norms in order to avoid causing offence or disrespecting the local culture. For example, in conservative societies where modesty is highly valued, it may be expected for visitors to dress modestly and adhere to specific codes of conduct.
On the other hand, those who advocate for welcoming cultural differences emphasize the benefits of diversity and the enrichment it brings to societies. By embracing cultural differences, host countries can foster inclusivity, promote mutual understanding, and create opportunities for cultural exchange. This can lead to increased tolerance, acceptance, and appreciation of different perspectives and ways of life. For instance, when host countries allow visitors to express their own cultural practices, it can create a more vibrant and diverse social fabric that contributes to the overall cultural richness of the nation.
Furthermore, embracing cultural differences can have positive economic implications. In many countries, tourism plays a significant role in the economy. By allowing visitors to celebrate and share their own cultural practices, host countries can attract a broader range of tourists who are interested in experiencing diverse cultures. This, in turn, can lead to increased revenue from tourism-related industries and stimulate local businesses.
In conclusion, while some argue for visitors to conform to local customs and behaviour, I believe that host countries should welcome cultural differences. Embracing diversity not only promotes mutual understanding and inclusivity but also has economic benefits. By celebrating and accepting different cultures, host countries can create an enriching and vibrant environment that contributes to the cultural fabric of the nation.
Model Answer 3: [View: Visitors should respect local customs and behaviour.]
In modern times, travel has become an increasingly popular way of discovering new cultures and experiencing different lifestyles, and a large number of tourists travel to other countries as a result. While some people believe that visitors to other countries should be welcomed and allowed to behave as they wish, others believe that they should respect local customs and traditions. In this essay, I will discuss both perspectives and argue that it is important for visitors to respect local customs and behaviour.
On the one hand, some people believe that tourists should be allowed to behave as they wish, and that host countries should be welcoming and tolerant of different behaviours. They argue that local customs should not be imposed on visitors and that everyone should be free to express themselves as they wish. Moreover, some countries are known for their liberal attitudes, and visitors may feel uncomfortable if they are required to follow strict customs.
On the other hand, there are several reasons why visitors should follow local customs and behaviour. Firstly, local customs and traditions are often an important part of a country’s heritage, and visitors should respect them. Secondly, visitors who do not follow local customs and behaviour can cause offence and even create tension between themselves and locals. For example, visitors to Muslim countries who dress inappropriately or drink alcohol in public can cause offence to locals who consider such behaviour to be disrespectful.
In addition, visitors who follow local customs and behaviour are likely to have a more positive experience of the country they are visiting. By showing respect for local customs, visitors are more likely to be welcomed by locals, which can lead to more positive experiences and better cultural exchanges. In contrast, visitors who behave inappropriately can offend and create negative stereotypes.
In conclusion, while some people believe that visitors to other countries should be allowed to behave as they wish, it is important for them to respect local customs and traditions. By doing so, visitors are more likely to have a positive experience of the country they are visiting and create better cultural exchanges.
Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
It is a commonly held belief that it should be mandatory for visitors to stick to the particular rules and traditions of the country they are going to. Opponents of this view claim that it does not have to be obligatory and therefore assume that nations should be more open when it comes to cultural differences. In this essay, I am going to take a look at both these opinions and share my point of view. I personally believe that tourists should respect local customs while the host country should be tolerant of visitors.
First of all, being aware of distinguished customs would make an individual ready to face unexpected situations. If people decided to go out of their comfort zone, the least they can do is search for details of the local rules and customs they must follow. Would it be essential to obey the rules? As a matter of fact, hundreds of travellers get arrested every year in different countries as a result of their inappropriate behaviour. In my opinion, local authorities have the right to punish people who violate rules and laws. So, specific customs and rules must be followed on each nation’s territory. As an illustration, a British couple got arrested in Qatar as a result of them disrespecting Muslim traditions and showing emotions in public. It definitely expresses the concerns people might have and it refers to the importance of obeying rules.
On the other hand, a popular tourist destination should be open-minded in order to attract more visitors and therefore boost its economy and travel industry. It would make sense for them. If a modest Middle Easter country had less strict rules, it would make them popular among wealthy western tourists. Several countries have lifted their restrictions regarding dress codes and behaviour so that they would experience an increase in the number of foreign visitors they receive. For instance, its significance can be observed if thinking about Dubai. It had been a strict city with serious rules and now it is one of the most sought destinations for tourists due to relaxed rules and regulations for visitors.
All things considered, visitors are advised to be aware of the customs they should obey in order to avoid awkward situations. However, countries should also improve their abilities to accept cultural differences. This would likely lead to some positive changes.
Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Two important determinants of modern society – globalization and tourism, force current planet dwellers to travel and immigrate for both leisure and work activities. While some believe that travellers have to follow local traditions and customs, for the social safety ground, others believe that the host country should accept visitors’ traditions. In my perspective, visitors should follow the customs and manners of the host country to avoid misunderstandings.
Proponents of accepting the customs and habits of foreign visitors often point to the numerous benefits of such a modern trend. To begin with, the fact that it would increase the sense of tolerance and diversity of various traditions in the host country. There are countless examples from the most developed countries which have accepted and successfully used the customs and traditions of newcomers for the country’s benefit. An example of such a modern and successful trend might be observed from the most developed countries in the world like the USA and Canada, where the various national and religious groups bring their own traditions to enrich local people’s cultural and diet traditions. As a result, nowadays people in Canada and the USA present in cosmopolitan population with the range of healthy dishes from the globe. This example supports the claim that locals should accept new customs and practices for their own benefits and cultural diversion.
Nevertheless, despite some valuable arguments listed above, not all nations in the world should accept the traditions of the guest nations, especially if travellers visit countries with rich, ancient cultures, with strictly adhere to national and social rules, patterns and habits. There are numerous examples when the visitors from the wester countries were assaulted by the locals, due to the disrespectful behaviour towards to the local traditions from the holidaymakers. Citizens from the western world often act and dress freely, drink alcoholic beverages, and act freely. Gullible youngsters love to copy newcomers’ habits and might forget their own traditions and even embarrass their own friends and relatives. All aforementioned facts could spoil local culture and traditions, not to mention that it will ultimately lead to social tension and even to interethnic conflicts based on the misunderstanding of each other cultural preferences.
In conclusion, while accepting newcomers traditions and cuisine might be useful for the new nation as it increases the diversity of the country, it is absolutely inappropriate for some ancient cultures to follow visitors’ traditions and customs. It is quite essential for the guests to follow the host country’s traditions to avoid interethnic tension and misunderstanding.