I know, I know. Going on a holiday is supposed to be a fuss-free and relaxing thing -- spending hours preparing for a trip can seem like a chore for some. Who wants to feel like they are working when they are supposed to be enjoying their leave, right?

But think about it. You’re essentially going to visit a foreign land where all the conveniences of home are absent and cultures could be completely different too. Should you really throw caution to the wind and expect everything to go smoothly without at least some sort of preparation?

Hand on heart, you probably do some of these things, and it’s not too late for you to avoid them:

1. Expect everyone to speak English and get offended when they don’t

There are 7.5 billion people in the world, of which 360 million speak English as a first language while anywhere between 470 million and more than 1 billion speak it as a second language (according to Wiki).

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So you shouldn’t be surprised that 80% of the world may not speak English proficiently or even any at all. Take a chill pill the next time someone you encounter overseas does not understand you.

No, repeating yourself slowly and loudly does not help either.

What you could do is print out a list of commonly used phrases in the native language of wherever you’re visiting and whip it out the next time you need help while overseas.

2. Not buying travel insurance

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If your car comes with a spare tyre, do you remove it and drive around without it? No, right? You’ll still leave it in your car in the event you get a flat tyre.

That’s just like travel insurance. It may not be used most of the time, but when an unforeseen situation arises, it is absolutely helpful.

Flight delays, misplaced baggage, injuries/illness while overseas and sudden closure of travel agencies are actually not as uncommon as you think.

3. Think that there will be rubbish bins everywhere

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We’re spoiled for rubbish bin choices in Singapore. They’re everywhere.

But that’s hardly what you’ll experience overseas. So go prepared knowing that you’ll have to keep your sweet wrappers in your pockets until you return to your hotel room.

4. Not reading terms and conditions of tour packages

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We all love a good deal. But it all gets shot to bits when we get blind-sided by all the subsequent terms and conditions we were not prepared for. We get enamoured with all the juicy deals and great promises listed on brochures or made by salesperson that we forget that there may be strings attached.

Worst part, we sign contracts with travel agents and service providers willingly without reading the T&Cs. And then kick up a big fuss if things don’t turn out as expected when we technically agreed to the T&Cs by signing them.

So do yourself a favour and read through T&Cs. 15 minutes of solid reading is better than feeling like you got “cheated” for something you signed up for completely willingly.

5. Walk around alone at night like it’s NBD

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Here’s another thing Singaporeans take for granted -- the fact that they can walk the streets alone in the middle of the night and nothing happens.

Surprise! It is not recommended to do so overseas unless you are super familiar with the lay of the land.

Our low crime rate is a severely underappreciated fact. If you don’t see any locals traipsing around at night, perhaps you should not tempt fate.

Doesn’t help if, as a tourist, you are constantly whipping your phone out to Insta everything -- this just screams “Hello, world! I’m a tourist! #SelfieGameStrong #YOLO #EatPrayLove #EasyTarget”

6. Didn’t check if your tour agency is a licensed one

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Remember what we said about not reading the terms & conditions? Well, don't be too enamored with the tour package or price and forget to do the most basic check of ensuring that your TA is licensed!

Only shop with a licenced travel agency. Travel agencies licensed by STB are required to comply with regulations that can help ensure that consumer interests are protected.

You wouldn’t want to sign up with a shady rogue agency, would you?

7. Leave your bag/mobile unattended

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Another one of those habits we have because of the safety of home.

True story -- seasoned thieves will target tourists who leave their valuables on the table while they are eating. These thieves posing as clueless tourists will approach the table, spread a large map over the table and ask for directions. When you’re done helping them, or even rejecting them, they’d swipe your mobile phone off the table without you even noticing.

Be vigilant and keep your belongings close to you at all times.

This post is sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board -- all they want is for you to enjoy your holiday experience.