Probably you’re never going to read anywhere else, how to use the 48 laws of power when traveling. So, if you are a stalwart traveler hone in on this kooky article.
The 48 Laws of Power is a book authored by Robert Greene; the book is a New York Times best seller.
You can use these laws to manipulate the masses but it is better to use the laws to know when you’re being manipulated.
Just like in Shaolin laws, the catch is not to bully but to be able to defend yourself in the eventuality. Interestingly we are now going to see how we can use the 48 laws of power when traveling.
How can we use the 48 laws of power positively to our advantage and the community at large? Without much ado, let us delve in and get started.
Law 1: Never outshine the Master.
Always make those above you feel comfortable if not superior. In this context, if you are doing a Safari and on a game drive.
Remember your Guide knows places no one knows and, in this case, he’s your master.
Listen to them even when you think you might know much. Always give them a chance they will always mention something you will never find on the internet.
However, if you try and outshine them in no minute they might feel less knowledgeable and hold up the only information you could have oozed from them in your entire Safari.
Law 2: Never Put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies.
You probably used to have a certain Tour Agent or an Agency or even a certain hotel and it came to a point that you guys disagreed and you went on to rather replace them.
The day you will need better services, better experience, and most of all best deals. Phone or email this former agency and highlight your previous bad experience.
It`s given you will get VIP treatment since they will be down to earth trying to impress and win you back.
Law 3: Conceal your intentions.
Whenever you’re booking a flight online, probably you want to search for different airlines to compare prices.
Always use the incognito tab since the cookies will always sell you out. This Law 3 of the 48 Laws of Power is all about being discreet and guarded.
Law 4: Always say less than necessary.
This is one of the best 48 Laws of power I use whenever I am booking a Trip. So, you want to travel and you approach an Agency or tour Company.
You approach them either through email or other means and you start a conversation. This is the catch; the sales agents are trained to read you psychologically.
The more you reveal details, the easier for them to know how much they are going to charge you. Always just give the necessary information about your trip and leave it at that.
This is going to save you some change.
Law 5: So much depends on reputation guard it with your life.
Whenever you visit a foreign country, always remember what you do is not about you but your country. If you never tip, you will paint your country as stingy tourists. (Learn here how to Tip while on Safari)
Are you being racist? Rude and arrogant? C’mon, man. Represent your country well be good and enjoy your Trip or Safari.
If possible be kind, smile at people and be a little friendly and just enjoy your moment.
Law 6: Court attention at all Costs.
Never let yourself get lost in a crowd or be buried in oblivion. Stand out. How many people in Kenya have stood out and have been given free trips and Safaris?
The recent Chief from western Kenya stood out from the crowd by making dance moves that made everyone happy over the festive season.
Court attention and it will reward you handsomely.
Law 7: Get others to do the work for you but always take credit.
How to use Law 7 of the 48 Laws of Power when Travelling is a sagacious move to always apply when you think of traveling locally or internationally.
Get an agent to do all the work for you, in the end, it will be cheaper, faster, and less grapple.
Why do it yourself when there are devoted agencies to do it for you?
Then you will get compliments like,
“Oh, Mr/Miss, you planned a nice trip to (whenever)”, and you will be like, “Oh, thank you”. This is how we do.
Law 8: Make other People come to you – Use bait if necessary.
This Law 8 of the 48 Laws of Power best applies If you are a Solo traveler. At some point, you might need company or better still have someone to talk to.
Use your charms and make sure it is they who approach you since when you force the other person to act, you are the one in control.
Lure them with fabulous gains then “attack” if need be. You definitely hold the cards.
Law 9: Win through your actions, never through an argument.
Any momentary triumph you think you win through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory. It is more advisable to win through actions.
Demonstrate, show evidence if you have, and settle the altercation you have quietly.
For example, you paid for full board accommodation but upon checking in. The receptionist tells you, you are booked on half board.
At this moment you are tired, probably hungry, and just want to check in, eat and rest. At this juncture, you’re likely to scold and shout which is unnecessary.
The least you can do is tell the receptionist, maybe it’s a mistake but no problem check me in first I will sort this out later.
Then way after, you come with your emails or payment evidence. That is how you sort issues but not yell all over! like a madman.
Law: 10 Avoid the Unhappy and the Unlucky.
This Law 10 of the 48 Laws of Power is a bit controversial.
You may feel like you are helping a drowning man in the sea but you are only precipitating your own disaster.
I am not saying you should never help but always try to associate yourself with the happy and the fortunate.
You are on a vacation to relax not a charity or in some counseling session.
Law: 11 Learn to keep people dependent on you.
Never teach them or reveal too much information so that they can do without you.
Do you have a group you travel together and you are the only one conversant with your yearly trip?
Make them depend on you to always arrange probably with your Tour Agent and they will always include you in the group.
They will never leave you and with time you may be going for that particular trip for free while they pay it for you indirectly. Just play your cards well.
Law: 12 Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.
This Law 12 of 48 Laws of Power is a cheeky one and you should use it selectively if necessary.
One sincere and honest move will cover all the dozens of dishonest ones.
When we were growing up my elder brother sometimes would be so mean and harsh to me. Especially during the day but in the evening when he knew it was time for mom to be home from work.
He would be so overly nice to me that I would forget and that is how he would disarm me not to report him.
He was using this law unknowingly.
Law: 13 When asking for help, appeal to people’s interest, never to their mercy or gratitude.
This can be manipulative to the core but it always works. Whenever you need a favor or some help.
Always offer something to the one helping you, something beneficial.
So, how can you apply this law when traveling?
You need a discount from a hotel or an Agency. If you tell them you would like a discount, they are unlikely to listen to you.
However, if you are bringing something tangible to the table, for example, you have a group. They will drop everything and listen to you.
If you want a free room in a hotel, it is unlikely to get one but if you’re a travel blogger whereby you can exchange their exposure to your readers you are likely to get the best room in the hotel and probably even pay for your flights and transfers to and from the Hotel.
Law: 14 Pose as a friend, work as a spy.
You want to travel to a certain destination and you have no clue how much it would cost you! You befriend Tour Agencies by sending emails to several of them.
Then through them, you will get to know the range price and then strike an offer for all of them, then from there you will get to PICK the one you want to travel with.
Law: 15 Crush your Enemy to Totality
Even in the movies, that mafia Boss who finishes a rival partner’s family but leaves that little baby girl/boy.
You know what happens, the baby girl/boy ends up taking revenge on behalf of the family.
So, how can this 15th Law of 48 Laws of Power be applied when traveling? Avoid conflicts or any altercation as much as possible and if it happens, leave no traces.
Law: 16 Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor.
If you are used to booking a certain Hotel or using a particular Tour Agent. It will reach a point you will lose value as much as you are paying.
It is at this point they don’t have to work too hard to impress and certainly start taking you for granted just like in relationships. Unfortunately, that is just the way it is.
Law: 17 Keep Others in suspended terror, cultivate an air of unpredictability.
This law talks about predictability, don’t be obvious, don’t be a calendar where everyone can read you, a certain day of the year you will do ABC.
Create mystery whenever you travel, and let the surrounding people work hard to even guess your next move.
Law: 18 Don’t build a fortress to protect yourself – Isolation is dangerous.
Whenever you are on a trip, I know it is tempting to Isolate yourself from others but that is dangerous and you become an easy target.
Instead, interact with the other tourists as much as you would like to be left alone.
Law: 19 Know who you are dealing with – do not offend the wrong Person.
People are different and especially when you travel to a destination you are not familiar with. Just because someone stepped on your toe doesn’t mean you start world war 3.
They say or even if they don’t say sorry, rub it off and move on. Bruce lee once said, “A fight avoided is a fight won”.
Law: 20 Do not commit to anyone.
When booking a trip or Safari, do not commit too early to any of the Tour Companies you would like to book with.
String them along and they will pursue you with great offers. Don’t rush until you are convinced.
Law: 21 Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker.
The goal is to SEEM dumber than your mark. The trick is to make your victim feel smarter than you. This law 21 of the 48 Laws of Power perfectly applies at the Curio Shops, Maasai Village Visit, taxi transfers in Cities, and airports.
Whenever they mention a price to you, always divide it in half as your final offer. This doesn’t mean you are mean, you can always tip. It is just a way of avoiding being taken advantage of just because you are tourist.
Law: 22 Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform weakness into Power.
Don’t scuffle for a place during Peak Season, surrender and save more money and wait for low season. You will visit the same destination at half Price with less traffic.
Law: 23 Concentrate your forces.
Intensity defeats extensity every time. You will gain more by finding the rich mine and mining it deeper, than flitting from one mine to the other with no tangible results.
So, how can we apply this law 23 of the 48 Laws of Power when traveling?
Save a little year after year, be patient, and then one day surprise yourself and the world with one major dream destination of all time.
Law: 24 Play the Perfect Courtier.
Be assertive especially when traveling. Learn to see yourself as others are likely to see you, so you can avoid behavior that others might find offensive. Especially when interacting with fellow tourists or strangers.
Also, if possible, learn to control your emotions by disguising your real feelings and fabricating whatever emotion is required.
Law: 25 Recreate yourself
Besides building yourself you can use drama to confuse or deceive. You should learn to enlarge your actions through dramatic techniques.
Be able to know your audience on what can bore or interest them to your advantage.
So, how can you use this law 25 of the 48 Laws of Power when traveling? Be open for an adventure, and don’t be a party pooper to your fellow tourists, especially in a group joining Safari.
Law: 26 Keep your Hands Clean
You must conceal your mistakes at all costs and make sure your hands are not soiled by nasty mistakes and deeds.
Use others as scapegoats and cat paws to disguise your involvement. Remember you represent your country or the place where you come from.
Our good name and reputation depend more on what we reveal than what we conceal.
Law: 27 Play on people’s need to believe to create a cult-like following.
Everybody wants to believe in something, if you have a group you travel with, become the focal point by offering them a cause, and new faith to follow.
How do you achieve this? By keeping your words vague but full of promises just like a politician.
Law: 28 Enter Action with boldness
Everyone admires the bold, no one honors the timid. Be adventurous, just like your fellow tourists, and try new adrenaline with boldness.
Law: 29 Plan all the way to the End.
Do you just hop in the next available taxi to the Airport without planning your trip? You should plan all the way to the end, and calculate the possible calamities in the case of eventuality what to and not do.
Don’t just travel have a plan.
Law: 30 Make your accomplishments seem effortless.
Make traveling seem easy and affordable, and avoid the temptation of the gram. You don’t have to reveal your budget to the world.
Law: 31 Control the Options. Get others to play with the cards you deal.
This Law 31 of the 48 Laws of Power goes to the Travel Agency team sales department: Always give your client options, the first choice is usually a decoy, the second one is your deal card, and the third one is an intrigue to go back to your deal card.
Law: 32 Play to people’s fantasies
No doubt there’s great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses. The truth is always avoided because it is unpleasing.
So, while on your trip or Safari, never appeal to honesty and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes from disenchantment.
Law: 33 Discover each Man’s thumbscrew
Everyone has a weakness which is usually insecurity which is uncontrollable emotion or NEED. When found it is a thumbscrew you can use to your advantage.
Law: 34 Be Royal in your own fashion. Act like a King to be treated like one.
While on your Safari or vacation, the way you treat yourself is the same way other tourists will treat you. A king respects himself and inspires the same sentiments in others.
Law: 35 Master the Art of timing.
Strike fiercely when it has reached fruition: Never be in a hurry as taking it slowly exudes power and confidence.
When it comes to traveling, timing is everything.
Don’t gamble on high and peak Seasons, traffic will be a mess and the cost will always triple! Why not wait for low season and get the same experience with low traffic and most importantly half the cost?
Law: 36 Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge
The more attention you give your enemy the stronger you make them. If there is a destination you want to travel to so badly but cannot afford at the very moment.
Don’t give the place too much attention, just know the place exists and you will visit someday.
Losing sleep over it can make you do silly regrettable things just to go to your dream destination. BE CONDENTED AS YOU WORK ON YOUR GOALS.
Law: 37 Create Compelling Spectacles
The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.
Law: 38 Think as you like but behave like others.
This Law 38 of the 48 Laws of Power is one of my favorite laws, it always keeps me out of trouble. If you make a show of going against them by flaunting your unconventional ideas.
People will only think that you want attention and that you look down upon them and they will always find ways to punish you for making them feel that way.
Only share your originality with tolerant friends who will appreciate your uniqueness.
Law: 39 Stir up Waters to Catch Fish
One of the most powerful tools is to make your enemies angry while you are staying calm. Rattle them while you hold the strings.
Law: 40 Despise the Free Lunch
What is offered for free is dangerous, sometimes hotels will give you offers of pay 3 get the 4th night free or at 50% off.
Now you only wanted 2 nights but the offer instigates you to get 3 nights instead so that you get the fourth free!
First off, you have gone out of your budget to add an extra night but in reality, you are paying for that fourth night indirectly.
They made you stay longer in the name of the “free lunch”.
Law: 41 Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes
If you succeed your great parent who had a name.
You will have to work twice as hard to outshine your parent or else you will get lost in their name never to make your own.
Law: 42 Strike the shepherd the sheep will scatter.
Trouble can easily be traced through a single strong individual. The stirrer, if you allow such people in a room, they will influence the others.
Neutralize their influence early by isolating them. If you’re planning a group Safari, don’t condone or indulge the irksome.
Law: 43 Work on the hearts and minds of others.
You must seduce others into wanting to move in your direction. A person you have seduced becomes your loyal pawn.
The best way to seduce someone is to operate on their individual psychology and weaknesses.
Law: 44 Disarm and infuriate with the Mirror effect.
You can easily neutralize an opponent’s impact by doing what they do.
How to do this perfectly? Mirror their psyches and seduce them with the illusion that you share their values.
Law: 45 Preach the NEED to change but never reform too much at once.
If you hold a new position of power, make a slow but sure change while respecting the old way of doing things.
If change is necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement from the past.
This goes out to Sales Agents, if a client needs a discount after you have sent them a Quotation, never give a direct huge discount.
Instead, you can opt to give them options with different prices.
Law: 46 Never appear too perfect.
Appearing better than others is always dangerous and perilous to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. They will start envying you and this creates silent enemies.
You don’t want that while on your group Safari, do you?
Law: 47 Do not go past the mark you aimed for: In Victory, learn when to stop
The 47th Law of the 48 Laws of Power. Don’t let success get into your head and start feeling special.
Just like that Gram viral song which goes like this: “I Don’t want to act too high and might because tomorrow I may fall down on my face”. Learn when to stop.
Law: 48 Assume formlessness.
“Be water my friend” – Bruce Lee. When water gets in a bottle it takes the shape of the bottle.
Adapt to changes with ease.
When you visit a foreign country or a destination follow the customs of those who live there.
Thank you for being with me up to this point, hopefully, you learned something. Would you like to have the book? Get it on Amazon below.