Tourists! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

whalley_range · 08-09-2006, 01:21 PM

A rant about tourists. Don't know where to post this, just wondering if anyone shares my views. Theses views are focused particuly(sp?) on adults from 18 to 70, who travel in tour groups around Europe.

Why do they go around in big tour groups in which the leader holds up like an umbrella for them to follow. They are grown adults, why do they need to play follow the leader! What happens if theres two tour groups with the same umbrella? I've never seen it, probably chaos if some people follow the wrong one.

Why do the dress like morons? It seems they have lost all their sense of dress as soon as their first day of their holiday arrives. Black socks and strap on sandels with shorts! Why, oh why!

Why do they carry very expensive, professional camera equipment around their neck? If they are pro's then no problem, but if they are just the average joe in the street and are taking photos of pointless things to bore their neigbours, Bob and Joan, then why bother?

Why do the ones how have those small digital cameras, insist on looking back at the photo as soons as its taken? Surely it takes all the fun out of it. Theres something exciting about using camera film and waiting until the film is developed before you can view the photo. Digital takes all the fun out if it.

I could go on and on. And I will tommorow, when I have more Interent credit.

**omisan** · 08-09-2006, 01:41 PM

I don't think you're gonna find much defense of these big-group tourists on this site, that's for sure! Maybe the digital camera part... the great thing about digital is you can take and re-take your photos until you get the perfect snap.

Anyway, while I'm all up for making fun of tourists (who isn't?) I'm not that down on 'em. They provide well for local economies by overpaying for everything, ensure that cool street artists can continue to make a living, and are great to laugh at when you're chillin' in a park/square/other public area and a busload of 'em pulls up looking totally confused.

I'm thinking of taking a local tour of San Francisco with one of those big groups and bollixing it all up by being the jackass local who constantly contradicts the guide... what do you think?

**Slacker** · 08-09-2006, 01:46 PM

Oooh I HATED those tourist groups!!! Especially at places where you'd go to look at a statue or something, because these big groups would come and stand in front of the statue blocking the whole thing!! Arg!!

whalley_range · 08-09-2006, 02:10 PM

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Anyway, while I'm all up for making fun of tourists (who isn't?) I'm not that down on 'em. They provide well for local economies by overpaying for everything, ensure that cool street artists can continue to make a living, and are great to laugh at when you're chillin' in a park/square/other public area and a busload of 'em pulls up looking totally confused.
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Good point that.

But I was in Darwin once and some kinda of festival of the 1st of July, loads of street stalls and that by the beach. There was this rat arsed Aboriginal bloke doing this dance with some rubbish decoration on his face and he was doing some kind of dance. I knew he was pissed and just doing it for beer money, can't remember why though. What got me though was that I watched him for a bit and some old American women, who was stood next to me in one of those shitty visoer caps, turned to walk away and I heard her say to someone I presume to be her husband, "how quaint".

That really wound me up, I found it rasist and snobbish, its probably the main reason that I have a thing about tourists.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Slacker @ Aug 9 2006, 09:46 PM) [snapback]134368[/snapback]</div>

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Oooh I HATED those tourist groups!!! Especially at places where you'd go to look at a statue or something, because these big groups would come and stand in front of the statue blocking the whole thing!! Arg!!
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Excellent point. They never fucking move!

**lauren313** · 08-09-2006, 03:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whalley_range @ Aug 9 2006, 09:21 PM) [snapback]134363[/snapback]</div>

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Why do they go around in big tour groups in which the leader holds up like an umbrella for them to follow. They are grown adults, why do they need to play follow the leader! What happens if theres two tour groups with the same umbrella? I've never seen it, probably chaos if some people follow the wrong one.

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Haha, my dad used to do that when we went on holidays when I was little. He'd hold up his hand and wave if we were in a really crowded place. How lame.

Anyhow, I have no real opinions on tourist groups. Sure, it can be annoying, but some people just don't feel confident enough to take trips on their own. And why should they sit at home and not get a chance to see the world, when they can get out and about with the added security of being with someone who knows where they're going/what they're doing?

Hmm, I guess maybe I do have an opinion after all!

**tumblezweedz** · 08-09-2006, 10:56 PM

I agree Lauren, I'd rather everyone had a chance to get out and explore the world, and if a tour is the only way they'll have the nerve to do it (not everyone has copious amounts of courage or a supportive group of friends to give them pep talks) then so be it. I've been a bus tour guide and have dealt with everything from the incredulous naif to the obnoxious local (Omi :greenguy: ) and there are lots of just normal people on board too.

Sometimes (though it often seems they're all Americans), the tours are from countries where independent travel is either difficult (eg China) or less accepted (Japan, Poland) and going in a group is just the acceptable way of doing things. I like to see people having a chance to go at all, rather than being stuck at home inside their misconceptions. Snobbery and racism do raise their ugly heads just about everywhere - even sometimes in open-minded circles, and just about all of us are capable of making a remark that might sound to others offensive...maybe your visor-wearing lady in Darwin was an expert in aboriginal ceremony, recognized that the guy was having her on, and made a sarcastic (and she thought, private) remark to her husband who understood it in the manner in which it was intended.

I agree there is a group mentality that sets in when you bustle 45 people around to look at a million sights in one day, but I have concluded that at the end of it, if one person goes home with a changed perspective on the world, then that's a net gain.

It's true that tours (and this is the fault of the leader, I'd wager) have a sense of entitlement to enter first or stay as long as possible - after all, that's a claim that's generally made by the tour companies, and they're paying big bucks for the privilege of speedy entrance - remember that 90% of the people there have never traveled before and it probably doesn't even occur to them that they're being rude. Not excusing rudeness, just pointing out inexperience. Next time you're cursing a blocking group, take a moment to enjoy the fact that you can wander around the entire museum at your leisure, finding hidden treasures, and return to the masterpieces later in the day when most of the tour groups have moved on.

Clothing - aye, there's a mystery. But some people dress that way at home, and really, so what if they look weird? Plenty of backpackers look rather...scruffy after a couple of weeks on the road, and I know I had some strange get-ups when my dirty clothes pile far outweighed my clean. I don't know how old you are, but I'm old enough to look back at my childhood photos and wonder what on earth apparel companies were thinking making clothes like that?

They have expensive equipment because they've been saving up for the trip of a lifetime and want to document every second of it. And if they've got digitals, they can look and make sure they've got the pic they wanted. How many times have I wanted to do that with my film cameras? I normally don't use the viewing window on my digital, but my kids are absolutely fascinated to see themselves right after I've taken a picture - they hate it when I take my film camera. It's just fun. As for boring the neighbours, well, let's face it, we all do that when our photos come out - we all want to share our experiences, our adventures, the sights that have made an impression on us...and it's a rare friend who will genuinely exult in them as much as we do. When I got home from my first trip and showed my best friend my pictures from Poland, all she could think of to say was, "It's so grey." Here were all these vibrant memories, all this history, all this rebirth (it was just a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall) and all she could see was "grey".

I've wondered about the umbrella thing, too. There can't be that many different coloured umbrellas in the world, can there? At least some of them have a logo on, so you know you're following the right one! I've seen some tours where everyone is given a matching bandanna to tie round - to help the tour guide identify their charges. That seems to make more sense to me, though it does look a bit funny to see forty-five people wearing purple scarves round their necks. I guess the answer there is you have to do something, what else is there? So far, we've resisted the impulse to dress our kids in matching t-shirts when we go...

Having said all this, with the exception of the odd city sightseeing tour, I'm not one for taking bus tours - I do prefer going at my own pace, but then, I'm blessed with enough courage (at first) and experience (now) to know I'm going to survive, and with the support of friends and family when I start making my pie-in-the-sky plans.

**patchouli Lover** · 08-10-2006, 06:26 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(omisan @ Aug 9 2006, 03:41 PM) [snapback]134364[/snapback]</div>

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I'm thinking of taking a local tour of San Francisco with one of those big groups and bollixing it all up by being the jackass local who constantly contradicts the guide... what do you think?

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hehehe

Chocolaty Claire · 08-10-2006, 06:44 AM

Yes they crack me up too, but they dont do my head in enough to have a rant. I think its a very shallow view to put em down like that.

They only reason they follow the tour leader like a flock of sheep is that they dont do independant travel, actually we should be praising them for getting out of the country.. especially the USA, isnt it something like half of Americans never leave the States? - hats off to em i say, if they get the urge to go overseas and see the world. Its clear that they actually have something in common with us Packers. The only difference between them and us is that they have had a different upbringing & way of life & need to travel like this or they wont go to other countries full stop.

**raoulduke** · 08-10-2006, 06:47 AM

^^^^^^^^^
If I was a little smarter that'd be exactly what I would have said.

**Slacker** · 08-10-2006, 01:45 PM

There were only a few places when the tourist groups really annoyed me.

And it was mainly at the Vatican.

Waiting in line for 3.5 hours was a loong time. And these tour groups would leave 1 person in line. Then as the line got shorter the rest of the people would get into their tourgroup line making the whole line longer. Not to mention that they were willing to sell spots on their tour to people walking along the street. I understand its all good and well for them, they are making money its their job etc. etc. but its still annoying!!

And then in the vatican museum, which is less like a museum and more like a coral, I was trying to look at Lycoon and his sons, and tour group after tour group kept comming in and standing RIGHT in front of it, so I had to wait FOREVER to get a decent picture...and other times, i'd be taking a picture of something, and a tour group would walk right in front of me!!

In some cases though, I would recommend taking a tour group, such as Egypt, yes I was just there....sometime when I get around to writing all my shiznitz up I'll tell you why

**TheWills** · 08-11-2006, 12:23 AM

I think most of ya know how I feel about tourists. Mind you the ones you forgot are the ones I hate the most......Resort Tourism. They just get pissed all inclusive for one week and puke everywhere and yell and scream around and say ¨hey I went to Mexico for a week"
you then reply how was it
"It was rad I got sooo drunk we were up at noon and drunk by one didnt get to bed till 6 am then did it all again"
AND THATS ALL THEY DO GAHHHHH
Resort tourists F-U
Worst part is that I know that in like a year or 2 Im gonna do it as well probably with the old lady.....the things we do for love *sigh

whalley_range · 08-11-2006, 02:54 PM

Tumbleweed, where do you find the time to write a reply that lengthy and informative?

You and Chocolate Eclair made some very valid and right points. I probably am swallow and sound prejudist, its just that i'm not much of a people-person. Its not just tourists that wind me up, most people do. Like the people who take fucking ages at cash machines, and then just stand there, blocking the way, when they are finished chatting shit to their nobhead mates, I could go on and on.

But i'll stop because I already sound like a tit. I'm a nice lad really when spoken to, give helpful directions, have manners, open doorways etc etc. Its just that I have a pesamistic outlook on life.

**Jen05** · 08-11-2006, 08:18 PM

My only real pet peeve with hard-core tourists is the whole talking really loud and obnoxiously. But there certainly are more positive aspects for tourism, and I guess the really odd tourists might provide some entertainment! I try to blend in when I'm travelling, but my friend that I went to Europe with was all about it. I admit, sometimes I'd model the whole tourist get-up (sandles, camera on neck, sweatshirt tied around waist, passport pouch) just to piss her off. Man, we travelled well together!!

DJ_VeeeNoM · 08-12-2006, 08:30 AM

Why the odd combination of hues when matching? Why? And oh the hats oh those wal-mart hats!

Chocolaty Claire · 08-16-2006, 02:07 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whalley_range @ Aug 11 2006, 01:54 PM) [snapback]134631[/snapback]</div>

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You and Chocolate Eclair made some very valid and right points. I probably am swallow and sound prejudist, its just that i'm not much of a people-person. Its not just tourists that wind me up, most people do. Like the people who take fucking ages at cash machines, and then just stand there, blocking the way, when they are finished chatting shit to their nobhead mates, I could go on and on.

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I've gotta say i'm with you on that one, thats one of my pet hates.. the whole point of Cash Machines is that you can get cash out in a jiffy not to check how much you have in one account, then another.. then ponder over how much youre going to withdraw.. ask yer mate how much you should withdraw.. then top up your mobile phone....grrr grrrrrrrr

SleepIsTheCousinOfDeath · 08-16-2006, 10:36 AM

The fucking umbrella follow me shit kills me. I couldn't even read all the fucking responses in this. Some serious rants. Do we have a solid definition of tourist yet? hmmmm

**travelchick75** · 08-16-2006, 12:58 PM

I wouldnt mind the majority of tourists if they werent so damn RUDE. It's like because they're on a tour they think that they can be pricks or something and stand right in your way because THEY'RE on tour. Kiss my ass rude tourists

DJ_VeeeNoM · 08-16-2006, 01:16 PM

Locals should have like Deer seasons for the ATTWDSWSS (Annoying tourists that wear dark socks with silly shorts) Hehe so you can hunt them down!

**lauren313** · 08-16-2006, 02:37 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SleepIsTheCousinOfDeath @ Aug 16 2006, 06:36 PM) [snapback]135159[/snapback]</div>

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The fucking umbrella follow me shit kills me. I couldn't even read all the fucking responses in this. Some serious rants. Do we have a solid definition of tourist yet? hmmmm
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I was thinking that same thing actually. According to my trusty dictionary, a tourist is "a person taking a visit or tour (esp. abroad) as a holiday". And an online dictionary defines a tourist as "a person who travels for pleasure".

So, by those definitions, I guess most of us are tourists to some extent.

I've always wondered what tpunkers think of the sort of holiday where you stay in one hotel for 2 weeks, do some sightseeing, maybe do the "touristy" things, and then just pack up and go home at the end of it. Personally, I've had holidays like that at least once a year, for almost every year of my life. I love it. But I kind of get the impression that some people are a bit... (I'm going to go with "snobby" but it's not really the word I'm looking for) snobby about that. No one in particular, it's just a feeling I get.

Anyway, give me a verbal beating now!

zleap · 08-16-2006, 05:13 PM

On your travels, you may get a job in a hotel or similar area of the tourist industry, and be hosts to these tourists, those same people will be paying your salary and perhaps leaving tips, if they can afford a nice camera you may find they leave bigger tips.

Paul[

quote name='whalley_range' date='Aug 9 2006, 03:21 PM' post='134363']
A rant about tourists. Don't know where to post this, just wondering if anyone shares my views. Theses views are focused particuly(sp?) on adults from 18 to 70, who travel in tour groups around Europe.

Why do they go around in big tour groups in which the leader holds up like an umbrella for them to follow. They are grown adults, why do they need to play follow the leader! What happens if theres two tour groups with the same umbrella? I've never seen it, probably chaos if some people follow the wrong one.

Why do the dress like morons? It seems they have lost all their sense of dress as soon as their first day of their holiday arrives. Black socks and strap on sandels with shorts! Why, oh why!

Why do they carry very expensive, professional camera equipment around their neck? If they are pro's then no problem, but if they are just the average joe in the street and are taking photos of pointless things to bore their neigbours, Bob and Joan, then why bother?

Why do the ones how have those small digital cameras, insist on looking back at the photo as soons as its taken? Surely it takes all the fun out of it. Theres something exciting about using camera film and waiting until the film is developed before you can view the photo. Digital takes all the fun out if it.

I could go on and on. And I will tommorow, when I have more Interent credit.
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