Making an effort to be courteous can gain you points with the Maui locals. RELATED LINKS Back to Maui City Guide

The phrase "hang loose," with its accompanying hand gesture (thumb and pinky extended and the three longest fingers curled into your palm), is much more than a gimmicky slogan to print on bumper stickers and souvenir T-shirts. Hawaiians really do tend to live by a different set of social rules than people on the mainland, and the more you can adapt your mindset to the local way of thinking, the more likely you are to enjoy your time in the islands.

Simple greetings can go a long way toward getting you off on the right foot, and in almost any encounter, it doesn't hurt to slow down and make some small talk before getting around to the business at hand. At breakfast, smile and say "Good morning" to the waiter before ordering coffee. Ask the gas station attendant "How's it going?" before asking for directions. And any time you feel yourself getting anxious about a glitch in your rental car booking, a leaky pipe in your hotel bathroom or a hamburger that's taking too long to arrive, remind yourself that getting hot under the collar can quickly get you branded as an uptight mainlander who doesn't deserve the time of day.

In essence, the aloha spirit is about showing respect for others. Almost invariably, if you hang loose and send out good vibes, the locals will show genuine respect for you in return.