Agree, there’s plenty of “developed world” savior arrogance about in travel circles, as well as various professional contexts as well.

Your observations regarding travel in India resonate with me. A mental surplus helps, especially but not always, in allowing us the space to perceive our own biases. And that perception, to my mind, allows us the openness required to kickstart empathy.

Getting to know a bit of their life, dreams, happiness, and struggles — I like that. If travel teaches nothing else, it does seem to suggest that we have a lot in common with which we can relate to one another.

Empathy is absolutely important and can affect those around you, when you lead by example. I do feel though, you need a mental surplus in order to help others. As an American in India at the moment, it can be difficult to show empathy as you’d never put your wallet away with people constantly in your face looking for a handout.

Great article, totally agree with this. In India in particular, we found the effect of us mimicking the famous ‘head wobble’ incredible for helping us show empathy and openness to connect with the locals we came across. It typically changed their whole attitude towards us and resulted in a reciprocation of it, usually followed by warm open questions that sparked lots of wonderful conversations and understanding about each other that otherwise may not have happened, especially on train journeys!

Ah, the Indian head waggle. I have been working on that since my first visit almost 20 years ago. Requires a bit of dexterity. I’m glad to hear that you found India so rewarding, particularly in the area of relating and expressing and developing empathy. There certainly is plenty of opportunity in India given its diversity. We also find India and its people quite open in terms of interaction, so it’s as good a place as any to exercise the empathy muscle.

Agreed — Indian trains are a microcosm of Indian life.. I hope you had the chance to travel on all classes. Very eye-opening, and not just on the 3rd class trains 🙂

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Laura.

I can agree, our reactions are about the only thing we can control..

Thanks for your comment and spurring some additional thoughts, Mike. I’m with you regarding intent. Often, it’s not malicious, though the outcome in the short- or long-term can be destructive. I think it’s often deceptively easy to see what appear to be “obvious” solutions when one stands on the mountaintop of privilege. The problem occurs when, as you point out, one comes down to arrive at ground level only to find circumstances different and more complicated. Perhaps that’s where maybe I ought to have suggested a dash of self-awareness be thrown into the suitcase along with empathy.

Thank you, Sinh. Empathy is good for all living creatures, really. And I could not agree more that empathy would be a good behavioral starting point to solve many of our problems in this world.

Thanks for your perspective, Jeff. I really appreciate your comment, including the concept of mental surplus. I also appreciate the various circumstances that can help to create a deficit, including some of the challenges of traveling in developing areas, parts of India included. Although I appreciate where your sentiment comes from, I’m not sure that empathy needs to be rationed per se. Perhaps our reactions ought to be balanced and measured in light of our empathy?

This reminds me of an article we wrote that breaks down our approach to begging. Would be curious to get your thoughts.
https://uncorneredmarket.com/should-travelers-give-to-kids-who-beg/