9 things your tour guide wishes you knew

As a frequent traveler for both work and leisure, I sometimes enlist the expertise of a tour guide. A guide can make (and occasionally, break) the way a newbie comes to experience a place. Fortunately, I've had many more winners than losers.

But when I learned members of The Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C. would be dropping by the Paste BN offices, I got to wondering the kind of advice they'd give clients to enhance the tour experience — from both the guides' and the visitors' perspectives. Here's what they said.

- Leave your backpack on the bus.

- Adopt a group mentality.

- Be flexible.

- Be civil (and no whining).

- Put away your cellphone when the guide is talking.

- Wear sturdy shoes and leave the flip-flops home.

- Take security measures seriously. Checkpoints aren't places for jokes.

- Read up on your destination in advance.

- Share your interests and background with the guide. Different perspectives can enhance everyone's experience.

Readers, what are your thoughts on getting the most out of a guided tour? Any best — or worst — guide experiences to share?