How to NOT Be the Person That Gets the Stink Eye from Locals
You're smart and have common sense. But sometimes we forget...
After 29 years of travel to 40+ countries, I still see loads of oblivious tourists embarrassing themselves (and me if they are from the US) while on vacation. Many of these behaviors stem from simple cultural ignorance or hedonistic hubris. I cobbled together this list because these mistakes are all preventable, and at one time or another, I have been guilty of some of these myself! Have others to add? Let me know in the comments.
1. People who COMPLAIN
We have all heard the naysayers who, despite the incredible privilege of being able to travel, always find something to complain about when they go abroad. The people who…
Bitch about having to pay €14 for a coffee at a cafe in Piazza San Marco as they absorb one of the most beautiful public squares in the world…for as long as they like
Moan about the weather when it’s NOT sunny and 75° every day
Leave a snarky online review about a local Thai restaurant food being “too spicy” or a FREE walking tour being “boring”
Grumble about the lack of AC in northern locales experiencing unusually warm weather
Are impatient about the perceived lack of urgency related to restaurant service, especially when getting their bill or desiring another drink
Expecting all street or market vendors to accept “tap to pay”
Get upset about not getting ice in their water or “sauce on the side”
2. People who COMPARE
Why do people feel compelled to keep score on everything as it relates to their life in their home country? The people who…
Make a point of comparing the size of US homes/cars/anything to what’s typical locally
Assume their own customs are the “normal” or “correct” way of doing things
Cast negative judgments on local cleanliness, streets/sidewalks and infrastructure
Always say “Back in (my country) we…” in a manner that positions their home country/way of doing things as superior
3. People who skip CONSENT
Just because everyone has a high quality camera in their pocket does not mean they know how to wield it appropriately. The people who…
Enter a restaurant or small business with cameras rolling to capture the “authentic experience”
Take intimate portraits of individual people without their knowledge
Walk into an artisan workshop and start handling hand-made pieces without asking
Fondle fruits and vegetables in public markets without any intention of buying anything
Point their camera inside someone’s home fronting a narrow street
4. People who CLAMOR
It never ceases to amaze me how some people treat sacred monuments and scenic sights like a Disney theme park. The people who…
Treat sacred sites as exotic photo backdrops or playground structures without any respect for their delicate construction or revered status
Quickly jump inside cordoned off areas so they can get the best Instagram shot
Rush to get to the front of the line so they can get the best seat on a bus
Use selfie sticks on the edge of cliffs or climb out on dangerous outcroppings, causing anxiety and anger among all who see them
5. People who (over) CONSUME
One behavior sure to elicit eye rolls is someone who is all about gratuitous consumption while on vacation. The people who…
Overtly advertise their wealth with expensive watches, handbags, jewelry, clothing, etc.
Order insane amounts of expensive food at a restaurant and then end up not eating a significant portion of it
Leave the air conditioning on while out all day sightseeing
Spread out on beaches/parks or at outdoor music events when space is limited
Disregard urgent pleas from local authorities to conserve water during local droughts
Get too close to wild animals so they can get a selfie
Place their bag on the seat next to them on a busy metro or airport gate
Over tip (most common for Americans) or under tip based on local custom
Fly drones in busy areas where the sound could be disruptive or the privacy of onlookers is a concern
6. People who are COMBATIVE
Nobody likes an a**hole and I’ve seen plenty of them while traveling. The people who…
Are rude or condescending to restaurant or service workers
Aggressively haggle with local vendors over an amount that accounts for less than 0.0001% of their annual salary
Challenge tour guides on facts about a person or place
Get aggressive about queues or personal space
Complain about how food is prepared to a server or send food back if not to their liking
7. People who are CRASS
Continuing with the theme of #6, nothing irritates me more than people who are generally obnoxious. The people who…
Talk loudly in churches, museums or at restaurants
Talk on speakerphone within earshot of others (my #1 pet peeve)
Play music or videos in their earbuds too loudly on an airplane
Get drunk and rowdy in a quiet residential area late at night
Shout or wave down a server to get attention
Never bother to learn basic phrases in the local language
8. People who are CLUELESS
And sadly, the biggest category of them all. The people who…
Walk while scrolling through their phone and nearly head butt the person coming toward them
Waddle four abreast on a sidewalk at glacial speed, creating a human zamboni everyone else must dodge
Stand at a gelato stand and ask for three samples (one at a time, of course) while a line four deep grows behind them
Take a cheerful selfie in front of a somber memorial site
Even better, those walking while looking at mapping who suddenly stop, causing someone behind them abruptly swerve to avoid a collision
Ride an escalator side-by-side with their luggage, preventing anyone from passing
Wear inappropriately skimpy clothing inside a church or sensitive site where there is a social expectation of respect
Don’t remove their shoes when entering a mosque, Japanese home, or display the bottom of their feet disrespectfully (Asia, Middle East, North Africa)
Do inappropriate poses or gestures while taking photos with statues
What are some behaviors you have seen that make you want to smack someone upside the head?
Share it with other Substackers in the comments.