Most business trips are so quick that sometimes it would seem like one spends more time traveling in the air or on the road than on the business meeting itself. For busy bodies and those who are always on the go, it is a very rare occasion to actually be in one foreign place long enough to enjoy the view.
The tragedy is that they would fail to appreciate the perks of being a tourist, if only for a few hours. What’s the use of traveling halfway around the world if all you would ever see is one conference room after another?
You need not sling a camera around you neck or walk round gawking at every single thing you lay your eyes on. All you need is a little street smart-ness, feet well equipped and well trained for some walking and a moment long enough to step back, relax and enjoy the view.
Walk the streets and do a little people-watching. You’ll get to appreciate a culture more if you take a less intrusive stance. Ask your contacts about any nearby tourist spots. Don’t be afraid to trade your stiff suit for more comfortable clothes, you can change back to your costume afterwards. Try the native cuisine. Be friendly.
Bring home a treasure of stories that you can share to your kids.