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Few things are more aggravating than people not respecting things that ought to be respected, like mother nature, sites of great significance, or stop signs, for that matter. And unfortunately, many of them are often disrespected by entitled tourists, who tend to feel like the world is their playground.
If you haven’t encountered any of them yet, first and foremost, consider yourself lucky, and secondly, brace yourself for some vexing images. We have found pictures of some of the most entitled and ignorant tourists out there, and put them on this list, which could be considered a manual on what not to do when traveling. Scroll down to find them below, but do it at your own risk, as you might get quite annoyed before even reaching the end of the list.
Below you will also find Bored Panda’s interviews with the team of Arctic Adventures, a tour operator in Iceland, as well as professor at the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dr. Rachel Dodds, who were kind enough to answer a few of our questions about entitled tourists.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Found This Review For My Local Laundromat In A Beach Town, Looks Like The Owner Has Had Enough Of The Entitled Tourists
“It is never great to have ignorant and entitled tourists, as they can destroy property, disrespect local cultures and traditions and annoy local residents as well as other tourists,” Dr. Rachel Dodds, an expert in sustainable tourism and professor at the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in Toronto, Canada, told Bored Panda.
However, according to Dr. Dodds, what is considered troublesome tourist behavior can vary depending on local norms; for example, spitting in public can be considered rude in some places, but not in others.
“At times, what is acceptable or normal to one culture may be disrespectful to another so it is very important for the destination and attractions to be clear on expected behavior.”
In order to do that, some cities—such as Amsterdam, for instance—have implemented marketing campaigns set to draw clear guidelines regarding what behavior is or is not acceptable.
“Many destinations have started to do this and it isn’t a moment too soon. Just because a place wants tourists, this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t outline expectations for visits,” Dr. Dodds emphasized.
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#2
The Employee Knew English And Was Trying His Best To Get His Message Across
#3
Bamboo That Grew Up During The Pandemic Without The Effect Of Tourists' Touch
It goes without saying that entitled tourists can be seriously annoying; their selective vision focused on the best spot for taking a picture and ignoring everything outside of that—be it people or signs—is just one of the many reasons why.
But it’s not only about being annoying. Safety is a big issue, too, as failing to see certain signs can be dangerous to both the tourist themselves and those around them.
“Tourists who disregard established rules not only jeopardize their own safety but also pose risks to others and the environment,” representatives of Arctic Adventures—an Iceland-based tour operator offering a variety of activity tours across the country—told Bored Panda in a recent interview.
#4
All Of The Tourists Who, Collectively, Have Not Preserved Mount Everest The Way They Should. We Need To Do Better
Sonia Bailey 9 months ago
They should ban climbing Everest altogether and employ the Sherpas to enforce this. Absolutely disgusting, and the place is a graveyard for the many foolish people who sadly lost their lives here.
#5
There Are Several Reasons To Visit The Former Auschwitz Concentration Camp, But Goofing Off Really Shouldn't Be One Of Them
madeleine f 9 months ago
Some people can't resist making everyone moment about themselves - self awareness = 0. 😡
“While incidents involving entitled tourists are relatively not frequent, their impact can be significant,” the team of Arctic Adventures added, also pointing out that in Iceland, incidents caused by ignorant tourists unfortunately do occur, which only emphasizes the importance of proactive safety measures.
“Preventive measures such as fines can serve as deterrents, but we believe that education and awareness are equally essential in fostering responsible behavior among tourists,” the tour operator noted.
#6
This Beautiful Flower Field Got Trampled By Tourist
#7
How On Earth Can You Smile In That Place?
#8
Tourist Climbed On Ancient Egyptian Antiquities
Discussing the preventive measures for aggravating tourist behavior, Dr. Rachel Dodds shared that in her opinion, positive encouragement is better than negative, as people often ignore signs and increasing fear isn’t always successful.
“That being said, following through on consequences is important,” she added, pointing out that it’s crucial that locals stick to the same rules as they expect visitors to do. That’s what, according to the expert, makes dealing with visitors similar to raising children in a way: “If I don’t let my child jump on the beds in my house, why would I let their friends do it?”
#9
Taking Selfies With Filters On Outside Auschwitz
#10
In A Very Working Class Neighborhood That Has Been Especially Hard Hit By The Typhoon. How You Have The Nerve To Beg For Money To Fund Your Travels Around Asia Is Completely Beyond Me
Begging for money in a wet market as people around you try to rebuild their shops and lives. I've always hated begpackers, but this is especially infuriating.
#11
What Rules. I'm Special
Craig Boddys 9 months ago
All fun and games until the kid gets attacked. Should gather all the arseholes like these idiots up, put them in a glass box, and have a "reverse zoo", where the animals can come and look at the reason humanity is doomed - the dumb are only outnumbered by the dumber.
Despite being one of the safest countries in the world for both citizens and visitors, Iceland can be quite dangerous for those willing to ignore warning signs or safety measures. Unfortunately, there have been quite a few stories of tourists getting themselves into trouble for failing to follow warnings—those regarding certain natural occurrences, for instance, which become great reminders of how powerful and awe-inspiring mother nature can be.
Take water, for example. A TikTok video went viral in November last year, showing tourists getting caught by a so-called “sneaker wave” on Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland. While the tourists luckily managed to escape the unexpected grip of the wave, the netizens in the comments didn’t hold back from sharing what they thought of such behavior and couldn’t emphasize the importance of paying attention to the warning signs enough.
#12
Tourist Engraves The Name Of His Girlfriend With Keys On The Colosseum, Rome. He Faces A Fine Of 18,000 Euros. As A Roman, I Wish They Would Ban Him From Rome Forever
#13
Tourist Season On
#14
Tourist Unleashed A Confetti Gun Onto The Ephemeral Pools And Petrified Lands Of Snow Canyon State Park
I AM A LOLLY SNEK (she/her) 9 months ago
These kind of people just dont care. This kind of stuff is why so much of our environment is so messed up. Come on humans. You can do better.
But Iceland is far from the only beautiful place where some tourists can show off their least appealing traits; and they don’t always have to be hazardous to be seriously troublesome. Some visitors are exceptionally aggravating because of how disrespectful they are, especially regarding sites of great cultural or religious significance.
In places like that, it’s especially important to keep in mind that while the site might have no special place in your heart, it does to other people. (Hence the sign saying not to climb it, step on it, or touch it, in most cases.) But unfortunately, some visitors seemingly fail to understand it.
#15
People Who Break Stalactites To Use It As A Souvenir
#16
Do Not Cross The Line
Jrog 9 months ago
Yeah, DON'T. Those are REAL soldiers, with REAL training and REAL weapons. The best outcome is you find yourself a loaded SA80 trained on your face with an angry Scotsman yelling "GET BACK". Every single time I have been to the Tower of London I have seen some tourist, usually a girl and typically American or Asian, try the same idiotic selfie and acting shocked afterwards.
#17
Tourists Disrespect Wild Sea Lion And Invade Its Space. Even When It Tries To Scare Them Off, They Laugh
Some sites of great significance—be it an historical location, a building, or a natural wonder of some sorts—have earned the title of a World Heritage Site, provided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (or UNESCO in short), which entails protection by an international convention administered by the organization.
As of January 2024, we are one heritage site shy of 2000, with the majority of them located in Italy, China, and Germany respectively (based on data from 2021).
#18
Everyone Is Standing In A Semicircle Because Everyone Can Enjoy The Piece Unobstructed? No, They Are Just Making Space For Me
Jack Burton 9 months ago (edited)
never understood why you would want a s****y pic of a classic historical painting like that. You can have any HD copy for free on internet, what is the point of having a bad picture on your phone of such a great work. Or just watch and enjoy.
#19
Karen Goes To A Plantation But Doesn't Want To Learn About Slavery
#20
Went To The Beach At Margate And Wish I Hadn't. Is It Because The Council Is Not Putting Bins On The Beach, Or Is It The Visitors' Fault? Either Way, It's A Shame
Sonia Bailey 9 months ago (edited)
It is not hard, when you go to a beach, to take a bag for rubbish with you 😡😡😡😡 I always do, because it's not f*****g rocket science!
Despite holding the title of the country with the most World Heritage Sites, Italy is not home to the most popular tourist destination city-wise. According to Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023, it was Paris in France that attracted the most visitors over the last year, followed by Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Madrid (Spain), Tokyo (Japan), and Amsterdam (the Netherlands) respectively.
#21
Tourist Told To Stop Being Disrespectful To The Queen's Guard By Armed Police
Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het 9 months ago
Aaaand only a couple of days ago, another armed police officer had to tell a bunch of tourists to politely fűck off while they were harassing a cavalryman on guard duty.
#22
Signs Are Not For Me
#23
How To Suck At Being A Tourist In Thailand
While tourists flock to cities all over the world, not all of them are equally excited to greet them. According to The Independent, some places, such as Barcelona in Spain, Santorini in Greece, Koh Khai islands in Thailand, and Cinque Terre in Italy, just to name a few, seem to resent tourists for one reason or another. Needless to say, visitors such as the ones on this list do not make their reputation any better; and neither do the ones on this list.
#24
"Please Do Not Climb"
Jrog 9 months ago
Mispresented. The photo shortly predates the climbing ban enforced in June 2019. The tourist are going up the hill on an official, marked path that at the time of the photo was still accessible, despite the Anangu local population campaigning for closing the path altogether. Not doing so was a matter of personal choice, the "traditional law" mentioned was not "actual law". after the government finally announced they accepted the requests and before they enforced the closure of the path, there was a short spike of touristic visits from people climbing for the last time. That's when the photo was taken.
#25
Tourists Trampling The Garden For The Perfect Selfie
Rocgrrl429 9 months ago
Infuriating behavior! I'm the sort that will say something to idiots ignoring signs to respect nature ...
#26
It's Ridiculous That Someone In Another Country Would Not Learn My Language
Zedrapazia 9 months ago
Italians can speak English if they refuse to do it, that probably means you were a rude jerk to them.
#28
These Wonderful Tourists In Canyonlands National Park
#29
Tourists In Rome Using The Famous Fountain As A Pool And Then Complain When Police Fine Them
Megan Curl 9 months ago
Curious if someone knows if there are signs saying no bathing or something like that. Personally, I wouldn’t do it because it’s disrespectful and pretty gross.
#30
Putting Your Child Next To Fragile LEGO Buildings Despite Numerous Signs Saying Not To
#31
Naples, FL. Major Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Site. Memorial Day Vacationers Left Their Trash On The Beach For The Turtles To Crawl Through
#32
A Transportation History Museum With Carefully Preserved Cars Is Not Your Instagram Photo Stage
#33
I Want To Speak To The Manager Of France
#34
These Tourists Thought It Would Be A Good Time To Chase Native Wildlife
#35
Jam-Packed Heathrow Airport During Christmas Time. It Gets Worse When You Realize That It’s Disability Priority Seating
#36
These Kinds Of People
#37
Entitled Tourists
They had a picnic in front of a geological outcropping, refused to move for geology students trying to survey the region, let their kid deface the cliff, swam on a red flag beach (where swimming is banned), and left their food wrappers and plastic plates on the beach.
Verena 9 months ago
But imagine global outcry if people were actually made to clean up (or drowned*). Social Media, newspapers and lawyers would insult the city council/rangers, and nobody would be on their side. About drowning: Every year +/- 10 stupid persons die at our beaches. Mostly in combination with Social Media idiocy. Swimming at night, swimming when red flag is out (there is a chance of being rescued, though), swimming in foul weather on lonely beaches, using floaties during off-land wind, going swimming despite of warning about currents, walking out during tide despite warnings not doing so,.... . Warning = Beach guards or multi-language signs of the size of a lorry explaining why certain actions are a dumb thing to do. Most tragic recent years was a 14-year old wanting to film herself swimming into the sunset, got caught in a current that took her out into the ocean and was found dead a week later at the foot of a boring island. Most kids are never found back.
#38
I Live In A Beautiful Place. Or At Least I Did Until My Little Farm Town Became A Tourist Destination. Sure Do Love All The New Campers
Verena 9 months ago (edited)
Hello from a beautiful village at sea. Luckily the local government banned all wild camping some years ago. Everybody camping outside a designated, managed, paid for area will be heavily fined. This includes roadside parking everywhere, parking over night at public parking places anywhere in- or outside villages. Big signs explaining this. The police especially goes along the notorious places at 2am, fines you and forces you to pack up and leave. As no official camp ground is open at that moment, the only solution* is to drive 1+ hour to the next highway and find a roadside service station. The excuse "too tired to drive" is not valid. It is your responsibility to find a place to sleep on time. Other option is letting your Camper/Caravan be towed to the next compound and find a hotel. Works like a charm, even in high season. *Edit: Some campings have a designated area at the entrance, which can be accessed 24/7. Arrive whenever you want, pay in the morning (and have access to all facilities).
#39
This Is So Disrespectful. Don’t Mess With My Mexican People
#40
It Angers Me To No End When You Come To A Beautiful Place And Other Tourists Feel The Need To Leave Their Deliberate Mark On The Local Beauty
Groundcontroltomajortom 9 months ago
Humans have already left enough of a (skid)mark on this beautiful planet :(
#41
When Tourists Can't Follow Instructions Near The DMZ
#42
People On Top Of The Sand Dunes When There Are Multiple Signs Saying Not To Climb On Them. These People Are Pointlessly Destroying Nature
#43
3 People, 12 Seats
#44
Tripadvisor Review Of A Maui Beach
#45
No Matter How Many Languages They Use To Warn People Away, Some Will Still Do Whatever They Want
#46
Tourist Stealing From A Fountain Where The Money Goes To Upkeep Of The Place And Charity
#47
Is Getting The Photo Really That Important
#48
Tourists Climbing And Destroying Cataract Falls Just To Take Selfies Despite All The Signs Saying To Stay Off Of It
Jrog 9 months ago (edited)
Local park had to close access to two beautiful waterfalls because a couple of imbeciles jumped the trail railing for a TikTok. She removed her shoes, climbed over a fence, walked past a few warning signs, fell 60 meters to her death while taking the photo; he tried to grab her, also fell and got paralyzed. All of this happened on a Sunday, with hundreds of people - including many kids- spectating. Not even the excuse of being dumb kids, they were well in their 40s....
#49
All Of These Pool Chairs That Are "Claimed" But Have Been Empty For The Past Hour While Everyone Else Has To Sit On The Floor
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Sonia Bailey 9 months ago
Could not through this list as my blood pressure is going through the roof. So many ugly, disgusting pieces of pond scum. I really hope that the people taking the photos of these disgraceful pieces of garbage actually called them out and reported them 😡😡😡😡
Tamiko 9 months ago
Same. Often visit places where you'll see parents ignoring signs and letting the kids touch or climb on things they shouldn't. Not been to many since covid, so I haven't been able to use my normal loud remark to my Mum or Dad "It's such a same so many children are growing up with parents that can't read"
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Rizzo 9 months ago
Conclusion: When extraterrestrials visit us some day, they are obliged to eliminate us for hygienic reasons.
Cosmikid 9 months ago
actually, we're already under Cosmic Quarantine - they don't contact us to avoid becoming contaminated.
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Molly Reece 9 months ago
This is why I despise people. Animals are creatures worthy of respect, humans, not so much!
Cosmikid 9 months ago
You might wish to notice that - the animals do not share your opinion.
Load More Replies... Sonia Bailey 9 months ago
Could not through this list as my blood pressure is going through the roof. So many ugly, disgusting pieces of pond scum. I really hope that the people taking the photos of these disgraceful pieces of garbage actually called them out and reported them 😡😡😡😡
Tamiko 9 months ago
Same. Often visit places where you'll see parents ignoring signs and letting the kids touch or climb on things they shouldn't. Not been to many since covid, so I haven't been able to use my normal loud remark to my Mum or Dad "It's such a same so many children are growing up with parents that can't read"
Load More Replies... Rizzo 9 months ago
Conclusion: When extraterrestrials visit us some day, they are obliged to eliminate us for hygienic reasons.
Cosmikid 9 months ago
actually, we're already under Cosmic Quarantine - they don't contact us to avoid becoming contaminated.
Load More Replies... Molly Reece 9 months ago
This is why I despise people. Animals are creatures worthy of respect, humans, not so much!
Cosmikid 9 months ago
You might wish to notice that - the animals do not share your opinion.
Load More Replies...
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