Diplomats spend their whole careers living and traveling overseas. They have to immediately immerse themselves in a wide range of places around the planet. These ambassadors and attaches deftly manage to cross borders and cultures. I had to learn a lot of these nuanced navigational skills during my 12 years as an American diplomat. So let me share a few of their tricks and tradecraft to try out on your next trip.
Be ready for the worst
The first thing a diplomat does when planning a mission is to prepare for what could go wrong. I've found that too few regular travelers take the time to consider this crucial step. So before you head out on a trip, explore recent risks and consider what you would do in the event of a crisis.