This friendly woman pointed us to an out-of-the-way historical site

One of the first things the seasoned Western traveler to Bangladesh will encounter is the lack of signage in English. To us here at WoWasis, it was most apparent beginning with the main train station in the country’s capital of Dhaka. There is zero signage in English and even the numbers are listed in Bengali. Which means good luck on finding the right ticket window, a discernible train schedule, the right platform, or the right train carriage. In addition, uniformed train personnel are nearly impossible to find. But there is a solution, which is exactly the solution you’ll need to every dilemma and question in the country. The solution is the friendly Bangladeshi people. 

As with this schedule board in the Khulna depot, Bangladeshi train stations rarely have signage in English

Bengladeshis will always come to your aid, in big ways. We’ve had then lead us to the proper ticket windows, to our train cars, and even lend us sleeping bags on cold winter trains (neither trains nor hotels have heaters in Bangladesh). There is a bonus to being forced to rely on Bangladeshis: Western travelers are rare in Bangladesh, and for many locals, you will be the first visitor from your country (including the U.S.) that they’ll have ever met. They’ll always ask you what you think of their country. Be sure you tell them you love it, which shouldn’t be difficult, as the country is terrific. Bangladeshis are proud of their country, and absolutely beam when you tell them how much you’re enjoying yourself there. 

So the very real lack of Western signage has two immediate benefits: you’ll meet tons of warm, friendly Bangladeshis you never would have encountered had you been totally on your own. And you’ll have most of the country’s historical sites pretty much to yourself, no tour buses, screaming tour guides, or waiting lines. 

Oh, there’s a third benefit, too: the children. All over the countryside, small groups of elementary school-age children will follow you around, smiling and talking to you (yes, they’re learning English in elementary school). They’ll tag along, take you everywhere, and they don’t beg or panhandle (maybe occasionally one will ask for a pen). They’re not jaded by having seen thousands of foreigners and are sincerely welcoming. We guarantee that the kids of Bangladesh will be one of your happiest memories of the country. How often have you had the opportunity of creating a first impression of your own country to someone new? You can do it here, hourly. 

Bangladesh’s biggest asset is her people. Signage is awful and the travel infrastructure is always challenging, 24 x 7. So you’ll have a great opportunity to encounter some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, who’ll take special pride in helping you out. The glass you initially thought was “half empty” is, as you’ll find, in reality “half full.” Lack of signage can be frustrating, but with a small change in attitude, it turns into a positive: you get to meet more people. 

Enjoy Bangladesh!