Blog September 26th
Sportive Plus Blog | |
Thursday, September 26th 2018- by Jennifer Doré Dallas |
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Travel Tips for Plus Size Travellers |
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Ready to leave, but you have some insecurities? No worries, get ready thanks to my top travel tips. Whether packing your luggage efficiently, making sure you’re flying comfortably or learning about the local culture, you’ll have everything you need to create lasting memories! Prepare Your Luggage As a plus size woman, I have a hard time finding clothes or accessories overseas. So I have to make sure to leave prepared, with everything I need during the trip. Here are some tips I go by:
Fly comfortably! If you need a belt extension in the plane, it is possible to buy your own beforehand, if you are embarrassed to ask for one on each flight. If not, be the first to board and ask the staff discreetly. Sites like SeatGuru will help you view seat widths in advance, so you can leave without worries! Book your seat or arrive early at the airport if you do not want to be seated in the centre. Personally, I prefer the aisle seat because I’m free to get up, lean towards the free space or stretch my legs, etc. I can also overflow a bit on the outside if necessary. Learn About the Local Culture! Are you going to a country where you know little about the culture? It’s always a good idea to gather some information before you go to avoid missteps, but if you’re talking about being a plus size traveller, you also need to realize that appearance is not addressed the same way all over the world. For example, in Cambodia, women approached me regularly to ask me to touch my skin and then pinched my belly fat. The first time, I was very insulted, then, asking why they did it, I understood that it was on the contrary a nice thing, that to be fatter there is a form of wealth and that they just wanted to learn more about our differences. Also, while getting on a tuk-tuk, I have repeatedly been asked to change sides or sit in the middle because “you big”. It can be very destabilizing at first, but then you realize that weight does not have the same meaning, it’s a fact, not an insult or a reproach, in some countries. We must get used to the fact that our taboos are not interpreted as we would expect abroad! With these travel tips to get on the road as a plus size woman, I hope you enjoy a great holiday! Jennifer Doré Dallas
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