While travelling in India I was completely oblivious to local customs and made the mistake of going out with my shoulders exposed. I was met with anger disgust by the local women who gathered around me and started to hiss and spit. A gentleman emerged through the circle of offended women, put his jacket around my shoulders and escorted me back to my hotel and explained that shoulders should not be exposed in public, before disappearing never too be seen again.

roxy

During my last visit to Bangladesh, one day I over shopped holding too many grocery bags thus could not safeguard my daughter of 3, whilst walking back to our car. From a group of street children who target potential people such as me, a young boy wearing nothing but a dirty vest, cargo shorts and no footwear approached and advised me that he wanted nothing in return but wanted to help me with the bags so that I could see to my child. No matter how sincere he was these common generic lines were used to lure clients. To test him I agreed giving him the bags and directions to our car. After 15 mins the boy returned, he simply glanced and nodded to acknowledge that he had done this and stood back by his group. Not only so but our car had arrived which indicated that the driver and him had words thus the driver came to assist also. I felt compelled and gave the boy all my pocket cash of 500 taka for his sincere kindness.

Anwar

I arrived into Busan alone on the ferry after spending some time in rural Japan. The contrast was immediate; noisy, bold and a bit overwhelming. I hadn't banked on it being dark on arrival, on the port being a long way from the city centre and on there being no obvious public transport! I have to admit I didn't like South Korea when I first arrived. I had resigned myself to the long, dark walk into town (trying not to think what my mum would say!) when Hee-sook approached me and in perfect English asked if I was OK and offered me a lift to the nearest underground with her Husband and daughter - wonderful! After a quick chat in the car, she invited me to stay in their home. I ended up staying with them for 3 nights, went to a birthday party with her daughter, a bath house with her mother and they insisted on feeding me and even giving me presents. They completely changed my view of Korea and it remains one of my favourite trips ever. Kamsamnida Hee-sook, Mi-ho and Mi-jin.

Amy

We had run out of our last Venezuelan currency, the ATMs refused to take our cards and at the last minute the electricity failed at the bus terminal rendering our Mastercards useless. We had to get to on the 7am bus to ensure we got to Caracas on time to catch our flight to Quito and in turn our flight back to the UK. Panicking, we uprooted the contents of our backpacks in a desperate search for loose coins and bills tucked into the pockets of dirty clothes. We were interrupted by a wizened old woman who grabbed our hands and thrust into them a roll of faded scrappy notes. She insisted we bought our tickets and wanted no recompense although when we finally reached Caracas we were able to show our gratitude with the return of the money and a large piece of cake!

emily

This goes back many, many years. I was traveling from Manila to Baguio by bus. I has the victim of a pickpocket just before I boarded but did not realize it until we were well on our way. No ATMs in those days, so I had no money for my bus fare and no way to get any until we got to Baguio. A kind soul paid my fare so I would not be tossed off the bus in the middle of the trip with no bank or other source of money nearby. He went his way when we got there, not waiting for me and I never saw him again - and never got to repay him directly, but I make it a point to help other travelers in need when I can.

Albert