Attitudes to Children

Practicalities Thinking it Through Local Culture Attitudes to Children 

Though parents mainly worry about their children not being welcome, the reverse can be an issue too.

In some countries, notably African and Asian ones, children may be treated as public property. This means they may be touched much more than usual; patted and kissed, or even have their cheeks nipped or pulled.

In addition to being physically irritating, being a permanent centre of attention can be wearing and is a real problem for very blond children.

The main solution is to make sure children have plenty of time without this attention (unless they enjoy it), either in your accommodation or in a protected enclave such a tourist swimming pool. Many hotels allow outsiders to use their pools for a fee. For little ones a sling or backpack, keeping the child away from other people's hands, may be useful.