Respect where you are

There is one ironclad rule that all international travellers should abide by (maybe through a blood oath or something goth like dat):
You respect the local laws, customs and traditions of wherever you visit.
Examples: you can learn how to bow properly in Japan or catch up with happenings in Hong Kong and by extension, the PRC. Or even the food scene in Singapore.
But most importantly, you need to observe what laws are important wherever you are. Especially when it’s printed in big red type on your arrival card. Like this.

Think of visiting other countries like visiting people’s houses. You in their house, you follow their rules. And don’t expect special “rights” simply because of the color of your passport (or the “rationale” for breaking this kind of law).
The freedom to make your own decisions is the most precious of freedoms. The responsibilty for the aftermath is, again, borne by the individual.
Pretty deep for THIS blog, eh?