Hi, just for curiosity...i travel every year, and I since I live in europe, I travel to other continents, and at least 2 months before leaving i search in the web for local newspapers, and this fact helped me in some occasions, such as strikes, art exhibitions, sports events, among others, and the result is often great, because when you speak with the locals, and demonstrate that youīre up-to-date, people are more helpfull. <BR>so...do you read the newspaper ?

Seems like a good idea; presuming you can read the language! But I have to wonder if a little knowledge in this case can be a dangerous thing. I know some people who might read a few articles, think they are an expert and then want to debate everything. I maintain it's best to ask lots of questions and listen to the answers. People love to talk about what they know. Fewer people like to listen to what you know.

There are newspapers (including the IHT) on line, as well as TV stations, so if you don't understand the language, at least you get pictures! <BR> <BR>Of course, every time I pull up a Paris newspaper or French TV website, the dreaded 'greve' word appears and I panic for a nanosecond.

well katherine, I have to admit that the first time I did this, I somehow "looked" like an expert, but I had the good sense not to get too deep on things such as political affairs, or economic affairs, and to maintain a certain "low profile". <BR>For example, this september iīm going to the UAE, more exactly to Dubai, and Iīve been reading the gulf news online, and they have interesting news, like summer surprises in shopping malls, new bus routes,modern art exhibitions,and "trivia" news and all this is interesting, but, I cannot ever start a political discussion there, because it wouldnīt be polite

NEEDINFO, <BR>Your initial post in this thread seem to imply obtaining as much information in advance about the country that you are about to visit in order to put a positive impression on the locals. <BR>Then, in your response to Katherine, you imply that it becomes dangerous to know too much and become an expert. <BR>So where do you really stand on this?

itīs easy to understand. What "turn me on" is a good painting exhibition, or a public cultural event, or such a simple thing as a new bus service, and if you, while "dressing the skin of a tourist" ask someone more details on a specific item you that you read, this "opens a couple of doors". -for example - <BR>Two years ago, I went to Morocco, and the moroccan football national team had an important match for an african competition. I pick a cab, and noticed a small flag ( with something written in arabic ) and with a ball. <BR>I ( in my basic french ) managed to make a conversation, and had a discount on the price, and almost a private driver that waited while I visited a museum, and took me back to the hotel for free. So this day-to-day information can work fine, but more "heavy" subjects can be...tricky...but all this depend with the people youīre talking with, the place ( a restaurant is different from a bus ) and the all atmosphere. <BR>note: if anyone needs some web adresses for newspapers, and if I can help, just ask <BR>

Confused, are you trying to pick a fight? I wasn't implying anything. I was postulating that perhaps some people read a little, THINK they have become an expert and want to debate every issue. In which case a LITTLE knowledge can become a dangerous thing (I didn't coin that phrase). You must know people like that. I also said that Needinfo's idea sounded like a good idea. It's hard to imagine that one could truly become an expert in 2 months. My primary point is that I find it's always best to ask questions and listen to other's answers. Curious, do you enjoy talking with "know-it-alls"?

once again...it depends on what youīre interested about. But one thing you can be sure, is that knowing a little about those local news will have a surprise effect on the others and itīs a fantastic "ice breaker". <BR>I suppose that "confused" point is - so youīre going to the middle east, are you going to start talking about israel or palestine ? - <BR>the answer is easy. of course not ! itīs not polite, it can be very undiplomatic, and considered offensive if you donīt mesure your words. <BR>But, if I was heading to Spain, I didnīt have problems in asking to someone ( if the ocasion was right -for example to cab driver ) what was is opinion about the financial scandle. <BR>This way, you can establish contact with locals, and learn a bit more, and ..hei...isnīt that what keeps us travelling ?

Katherine, <BR>I was addressing my post to NEEDINFO. Based on NEEDINFO's last reply, I think I now understand what NEEDINFO is talking about (and I agree with NEEDINFO). <BR>If you feel bad about being dragged in to my post to NEEDINFO - relax, it won't happen again. <BR>

Confused, So sorry... I misread! I better go back to listening more carefully.