Perception vs. Perspective: Travel Stories That Changed How I See the World

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I stepped inside to escape the midday heat. The woman behind the counter froze when she saw me. Her eyes held mine a second too long. A man in the back said something under his breath, and they both looked again. I almost turned around. I’d heard the stories—how Black travelers get treated here, how stares can turn into something worse. But I stayed. I pointed to a sign with jasmine tea and waited. She disappeared behind a curtain. When she returned, she carried the tea on a lacquered tray, with a plate of cookies I hadn’t ordered. She smiled and said, “You’re so pretty,” then sat across from me. I was perplexed. She wasn’t unfriendly. She was just curious and surprised. My perception told me to walk away. Perspective persuaded me to stay. That moment reminded me why travel changes your perspective. It chips away at fear, one unexpected kindness at a time.

Table of Contents

• Perspective vs. Perception
• 1. Pause and Observe: Start with Space
• 2. Question Your Initial Take: Look Again
• 3. Zoom Out: See the Bigger Picture
• 4. Reframe the Narrative: Flip the Script
• 5. Lean on Curiosity: Ask a Better Question
• Practice When It’s Easy
• Final Thoughts

Perspective vs. Perception

Travel invites us to see the world. But if we’re honest, most of us start by reacting to it. We arrive somewhere new, and our senses get busy trying to analyze the new sounds, smells, and faces. Our brains try to make sense of it quickly. That’s perception. But perception doesn’t always tell the whole story. It’s fast, emotional, and shaped by what we already believe. Perspective takes effort. It takes intention. But if you want to connect more deeply while you travel—not just pass through—you have to make that shift. Here’s how I’ve learned to do it, one moment at a time.

1. Pause and Observe: Start with Space

I remember walking into a quiet cafe in China. The man behind the counter didn’t smile or say hello. My first instinct? I wasn’t welcome. My perception told me to turn around.

But I paused. I ordered mint tea and took a seat. A few minutes later, he brought over fresh dates and a soft “welcome.” He wasn’t rude. He was reserved. My perception had filled in the blanks too fast. That uncomfortable tea shop moment reminded me exactly why travel changes your perspective—not all stares mean you’re unwelcome.

What to try: The next time you feel dismissed or judged, take a breath. Ask yourself: What am I noticing? Why might I be reacting this way? Creating space between what you see and how you respond makes room for clarity.

2. Question Your Initial Take: Look Again

In Vietnam, the market was loud and crowded. Vendors shouted prices. Hands reached toward me. My first thought? This is too much. They’re being aggressive.

But I spent more time there. I learned names. I talked to a woman selling dragon fruit while her toddler slept beside her. This wasn’t aggression—hustle, pride, and survival—their way, not mine.

What to try: When something feels offensive or chaotic, ask: Is this the only way to see it? Could there be another explanation? Your first take might not be the whole story.

3. Zoom Out: See the Bigger Picture

In Laos, I saw barefoot children, open-air homes, and women washing clothes by hand. My perception was pity. I wanted to help, fix, and uplift.

But I took a step back. These families cooked together, laughed freely, and showed us more generosity than we deserved. My narrow view of “better” didn’t fit here. I was the one learning.

What to try: Ask: How would I view this a year from now? What might someone who knows more see? Zooming out quiets your judgments and opens your mind.

4. Reframe the Narrative: Flip the Script

Our train was late in Italy, and it messed up our plans. I was tired, hungry, and annoyed. I kept thinking, “This day is a waste.” But as I sat there, I started to notice the people around me. A couple split a sandwich. A woman rocked her baby. Someone helped me move my bag without saying a word.

The delay didn’t ruin the day—it just changed the pace. Travel reminds you why your mindset matters. It changes your day, your mood, and sometimes changes your whole perspective when you travel.

Try this: When something small goes wrong, stop and ask, “What else is happening here?” That habit can shift how you see everything.

5. Lean on Curiosity: Ask a Better Question

On Jeju Island, my Korean friend Kyunghee and I traveled with a language barrier between us. We misunderstood each other more than once. But instead of assuming we’d made a mistake, we got curious. We laughed, pointed, and shared pictures. That trip was full of surprises because we stayed open to them.

What to try: When confused or disappointed, replace an assumption with a question. Is there anything else could this mean? What don’t I understand yet? Curiosity is the bridge between perception and connection.

Practice When It’s Easy

You don’t have to wait for a big moment. Start small. Stuck in traffic? Waiting in line? Instead of calling it a waste of time, see it as a breath. A break. A moment to look around. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to catch yourself before perception takes over.

Why Travel Changes Your Perspective

Perception happens to you. Perspective is something you choose. Travel becomes deeper, richer, and more human when you make that choice. You’ll still react. You’ll still get it wrong. But each time you pause, question, zoom out, reframe, or get curious—you create a better way forward. That’s why travel changes your perspective.

I wrote a post a long time ago about my frustrations learning French. Everytime I tried to practice they spoke English in return. I remember thinking they were so rude. And maybe they were– especially in Paris. But maybe they witnessed me struggling and tried to help. Maybe it was busy and they were trying to servuce everyone. Or maybe, they just wanted to practice their English with a native speaker. I should have given them more grace.

And isn’t that what we’re really here for?

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