MY PERSONAL RULES FOR SMART TRAVEL

1. You are not a tourist — you are a visitor, and as such you should view yourself as a guest in whichever country, city, or home you happen to be in. If you invited a stranger into your home, you would expect them to abide by the rules of the house, to behave respectfully, and to not trash or destroy your property. So too should you respect the rules and morés of the country you are visiting, and the people you meet along the way. Therefore…
2. Do not get into arguments with complete strangers over politics, religion, abortion, guns, gay rights or other divisive topics. 
3. Smile. Be polite. Be interested. Ask questions. Listen, and Learn. Share your stories.
4. Adopt the locals, and the locals will adopt you. If you are visiting a city for an extended period, try and eat regularly at the same restaurant, diner, or café during your stay. This gives you an opportunity to meet and greet the same people (owners, wait staff, regular diners) each time you visit. Don’t forget the first three Rules
5. Know your neighbourhood. If you are staying in accommodations in an unfamiliar city, take a stroll through the streets surrounding your hotel/apartment to orient yourself. Get a feel for the neighbourhood. Do this during daylight hours, not late at night! And especially not late at night on your own! (Did I really need to point that out?)
6. Know where you are. On your orientation walk look for prominent features (church spires, high towers, skyscrapers, unique examples of architecture), that are easy to see from a distance, and which you can use to guide you back to your accommodations.
7. Don’t miss the last bus/subway. If budget constraints force you to rely on public transport or your own two feet to get around the city you are visiting, know how to get back to your accommodations on foot, or by public transport — and don’t miss your last ride ‘home’.
8. Watch out for professional con artists and scammers. They are generally welcoming and friendly, and because you are following Rules 2 and 3, and want to be the perfect guest (Rule 1), you try not to ignore ‘friendly’ locals or treat them with disrespect. When you realise you are being conned, remember Rule 3 (up to a point). Smile, be polite, and say, “No thank you,” and walk away. Professional scammers can be very persistent. Keep smiling, keep repeating “No thanks,” and keep walking.
9. Watch out for professional pickpockets. These generally work together in threes. One will distract you, while the second will try and steal your wallet, purse or other valuables. If successful, this person will quickly hand the stolen item to the third person on the team who immediately disappears among other pedestrians or nearby passengers. And all this is happening while you are still being distracted by the first team member!
10. Travel light. In 2008 I embarked on my first international trip in more than 30 years. I packed all my ‘essentials’ in the largest suitcase I could find. When I stepped off the plane at Heathrow and began dragging that case through the airport towards the London Underground, I quickly realised I had packed far too much. That suitcase was like a millstone around my neck. On subsequent international trips my bags have become progressively smaller and lighter, and my body thanks me for that fact every time I collect my luggage from airport carousels. 
11. Learn where the public toilets/restrooms are! Obvious, I know, but just the same… Which brings me to …
12. Always carry toilet paper with you. Whether this be the last few metres of a toilet roll, tissue paper, or a collection of restaurant serviettes is not important. What is important is that you have something on hand in case of emergency — and it will be an emergency if you don’t have paper when you need it most!
13. Don’t forget a change of clothing. If you are planning to stay overnight in a hotel while in transit, do not send your main luggage through to your final destination leaving you with nothing clean to change into when you are ready to continue your journey. Pack a change of clothing in your carryon bag.
14. Keep an eye on departure gates. Don’t assume that the initial departure gate you have been given is the final departure point for your flight. Departure gates can be changed for any number of reasons so track your flight number via airport electronic departure boards to ensure you don’t miss your flight.

Feel free to add your own travel rules in the comments below…