New Mexico is a part of the United States, but it can sometimes feel quite foreign, particularly in the high mountain Spanish villages and in the Indian pueblos. Basic courtesy still rules—starting with limiting your cell-phone use in public, which is looked on with a bit of derision in both the cities and the small towns. Also, women should dress somewhat modestly for visiting the older Catholic churches—at least put a layer over a tank top.

New Mexico is not a wealthy state, and the gap between rich and poor can be very wide. People don’t generally appreciate conspicuous displays of wealth, and it’s doubly rude to flash cash, fancy gadgets, and jewelry in tiny villages and pueblos. (On the flip side, well-off tourists who dress in tattered jeans and beat-up shoes are also a bit confounding; locals tend to dress as well as they can.) Be thoughtful when taking photos, particularly of people’s homes—always ask permission, and consider that some of the more “scenic” elements of New Mexico are also the products of poverty, which some people may not be proud of your capturing on film.

You can help the local economy by favoring New Mexican–owned businesses, rather than chain operations. Also try to buy directly from artisans wherever possible. In these situations, don’t get too bent on bargaining—the item you’re buying represents not just raw materials and hours of work, but a person’s particular talent, skill, and heritage; insisting on an extra-low price belittles not just the item but the artisan as well.