Like every place, the Emerald city has those little things that make us unique to the rest of the country. So you’re not shocked when visiting Seattle for the first time when everyone’s wearing rain boots, here are some of the top quirks so you can prepare yourself.

Few cities capture your heart and won’t let go. Few places leave a mark on you that you won’t forget; those places that won’t leave you until long after you’ve left them. Chiang Mai has this lasting effect. Tucked away in the northern mountains of the beautiful nation of Thailand, known for its beaches and wild cities, it is a literal breath of fresh air.

A planner by nature (am I the only one who immediately turns to the “survival guide” section of any Lonely Planet?), I devoured packing lists and travel tips in the weeks before I boarded my flight to Kuala Lumpur. Here are a few things they didn’t tell me, and I wish they had...