Be Better Blog

Tour Guide Edition:

If you live in any sort of place that people may want to visit, you are going to have to play tour guide once in a while. And normally…it totally sucks.

I’ve learned that living in NYC is pretty much a blessing and a curse…people always are wanting to stop in for a visit BUT you have to do things like wrestle hustlers on Canal street for faux-designer bags for them…so it really can develop into a resounding “meh” experience.

While on my recent California dream vay-cay…I realized a place can totally be transformed by who’s showing it to you. Now, Charlie, my personal tour guide, has perfected the way to show someone around the LA area. So much so, that it actually induced tears at one point. Yeah, he’s that good.

Here are 5 things I learned from him on how to be the BEST Tour Guide:

-Have a Plan, But Be Flexible: One thing I learned very quickly is that I was always asked what I wanted to do, but overall, Charlie had a plan. He’d thought about the logistics, so I wouldn’t have to. That makes for a very relaxing vacation and usually your guest just wants to spend time with you, more than anything… so don’t let the logistics get you bogged down. If you’re visiting and you have a list of things you’d REALLY like to do, send it to them ahead of time…that way they can make a plan and see how the time could play out best. But respect that they know the city better than you, so just trust them.

-Know Your Audience: When you’re playing tour guide…think about who you’re showing around. Interests are a great way to plan by, and your guest is going to have a way better time if the spots are tailored to their likes and dislikes. For me, seeing nature, vodka, meat, and art are things I’m in to. Guess what we did on my California vacation? Yep, you guessed it. (C wins all the points)

-Soundtrack: Music is key to the perfect touring experience. I’m convinced that the background music can make a situation go from eh to epic. Especially in the car. Don’t torture your guest into listening to weird experimental rock or talk radio…unless they are into that sort of thing. Also, the “game” or anything involving balls, is not an option for travelling noise. 

-Planned Rest: Sometimes the best time is downtime. Put some in there. Seriously. Just have some pockets of rest and relaxation…it’ll make the running around seem tolerable and actually can provide some of the best moments of your trip. Get a walk in, lay on some grass, nap in the afternoon…do it all.

-Inject Normalcy: I think my favorite way to travel is with a local. I f*cking hate feeling like a tourist and constantly having to check things off a list of “things to see”. Take your guests to do something that you normally do. Plan a dinner with friends, go to a local bar, or spend sometime just in town hanging out. Seeing how people REALLY live, can make a vacation seem stangely home-y and getting a taste of real life, may be just what you need to top off the perfect trip.

Cheers to many future vacations,

Chinae