Forest Visiting Etiquette

Remember, if your safety is compromised, anyone who attempts to help rescue you will certainly have their safety compromised too.

Etiquette in the Forest
by Gabriella Kanyok

The other day, I had changed my high heels for comfortable shoes, and we spent a day up in the forest exploring. It was challenging, but fun. And I wouldn't be me, if at the end of the day, I didn't have some tips for you about how to behave in the forest. Here are my tips:

• Stay safe – First of all, for your own safety and the safety of others, a predictive and appropriate behavior is important. In unseen passages, as well as in narrow or steep places, obstacles and other people can appear at any time. Staying at such points is also a risk. Path conditions and weather conditions influence the experience. For fast descents, you have to be aware that at any time that wild animals can also cross your path. Remember, if your safety is compromised, anyone who attempts to help rescue you will certainly have their safety compromised too.
• Take care of your surroundings – You are not at home. You are a visitor. Please be respectful, protect animals and plants and behave as appropriately as a visitor should.
• Make yourself visible – Make yourself visible to other hikers in a polite manner. When you meet others, greet them. 
• On a faster treks – If you wish to overtake other hikers, alert them in time. If someone is traveling faster or in another direction, let them pass you. We are all in favour for resting and relaxing in nature. Hikers should all be able to enjoy the experience and help create a friendly coexistence.
• Keep it clean – If you leave your waste or rubbish, you endanger the animal and plant life while destroying the picturesque landscape for others, as well as yourself. Please collect together all your non-organic rubbish and place in the litter bins provided on the way, or take it home with you.
• Don’t forget the pets – If you bring your dogs, please clean up after them. Basics!
• Forest fire hazards – Whilst you may roast some bacon - in a designated area - (I know, Hungarian bacon roasting aka "szallonasütés" is a very Hungarian activity and tradition) or smoke cigarettes, please ensure that any fire and/or cigarettes are never left unattended. Make sure that they are extinguished properly.
• Take care with glass – Importantly, do not leave bottles or glass, broken or otherwise as it can act as a magnifying glass and start a fire. Also, glass can be a danger for children and animals.
• Lastly – Enjoy the nature!

Gabriella Kanyok is a diplomatic protocol, etiquette and communication expert with more than 10 years' experience in working with EU institutes, NGOs, internaionalorganisations, and supporting professionals. She not only advises and trains government- and EU officials, and businessmen in the field of diplomatic protocol and business etiquette, but she leads the communication department of an international organisation. Gabriella holds a Master’s degree in International Studies, and a Master’s in Protocol, Diplomacy and Cross Cultural Relations. She speaks Hungarian, English and French, and is currently learning Mandarin Chinese.

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia