Knowing the right words to use or not use is very useful when crossing borders (and probably when talking to powerful officials generally). One strategy is to u

Knowing the right words to use or not use is very useful when crossing borders (and probably when talking to powerful officials generally). One strategy is to use the least specific language you can that's still truthful. For example, I've heard of developers get turned away at the border because they began by saying they were "speaking at a conference/giving a workshop" and noting they were being paid or having their expenses covered as if that makes it more legitimate. Instead, you'd start by saying you're "attending a conference." This is something border officials encounter 1000 times a day and will rarely question further. Likewise, if you're planning to record a podcast or take some photos at a conference, you don't mention that unless asked specifically because otherwise it puts them on the track of treating you like a member of the "foreign media" and demanding the relevant visa for that when it's really not relevant for most people doing such things as a side effect of their attendance.