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30 Surprising Mistakes Tourists Make When Traveling Around The World, As Pointed Out By The Locals
After suffering immense losses during the pandemic, tourism is bouncing back this year. An increasing number of destinations, including the UK and Slovenia, are lifting all of their covid-related travel restrictions, and it's just what people need before their summer vacation—according to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the sector could generate as much as $8.6 trillion globally this year, which would be just 6.4% below pre-pandemic levels.
But before you pack your bags, we thought it would be a good idea to refresh our memory and learn something new about what not to do abroad. For that, we decided to take a look at a Reddit post that invited locals from all over the world to share the most common mistakes tourists make in their country and have a chat with Melissa about her blog on long-term travel, A Broken Backpack. Continue scrolling to check everything out!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
People think the Royal Guard in London are just men in silly hats that are not allowed to move.
They're military men who will knock you the f*ck out if you mess with them.
The Scout 3 years ago
Most ceremonial guards everywhere are highly trained elite soldiers, no matter how ridiculous their uniforms may look. The Royal Guard looks positively tame if compared with Vatican City's Suisse Guard in their lavish colorful renaissance uniforms, but if necessary, both can absolutely kick your ?ss.
Peter Korsten 3 years ago
On my honeymoon, I politely thanked the Swiss Guard after taking a few photos. They still ignored me though.
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Bacony Cakes 3 years ago
Protip: Don't f*ck around with a guy carrying an assault rifle with a knife on the end.
Nitro Codes 3 years ago
Or anyone with an assault rifle with a knife on the end.
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Ally MacMann 3 years ago
They're soldiers with the objective to guard the royal family and their property, it's as simple as that. Many of them are veterans of Iraq and/or Afghanistan. If you obstruct them in their duties they will react but you'd have to something pretty bad to get knocked out by them.
RoseTheMad 3 years ago
If you stand in their way, they will literally walk over you. Even if you're a kid. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6bpi5cSEAU4 lmao
David Brown 3 years ago
There are enough videos out there showing the queen's guard knocking the hell of dumb folks that this shouldn't even be an issue now. Undoubtedly some people just like being knocked on their ass.
Mim Sörensson 3 years ago
Pretty bad ass military men, I seem to remember being made aware of. Which makes a lot of sense, same here in Sweden - we prefer our royalty intact, as a rule.
mcborge1 3 years ago
They aren't allowed to talk to tourists unless they want you to move out of their way.. They will shout "Make way for the Queens guard!" very loudly at you if you are in their way. They will also never stop to give you time to move out the way so you better move fast.
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#2
They mainly visit London. The U.K. has great seasides like Cornwall, Devon, Dorset etc and British seaside holidays have a unique charm. There’s also Scotland and Wales. The north of England has a lot to offer (castles, The Lake District, history etc).
Tourists, don't snub the north. The North remembers.
Robert T 3 years ago
I think I'm going to have to start spreading rumours that the North is an awful place to visit. Too many tourists now for the locals to enjoy it any more. ;-)
Bill Bennett 3 years ago
Blame it on "Escape to the Country" which highlights all the outer regions of England, Wales, and Scotland.
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Donnie Mc00 3 years ago
the north also remembers that Scotland and Wales are part of the UK, but are listed separately because....yeah.. UK means England right?
Bacony Cakes 3 years ago
The Yorkshires are like a combination of Captain Planet and Emperor Palpatine. If you annoy them, they combine into one and zap you with lightning.
Katinka Min 3 years ago
The North is beautiful, but a lot of countries have great cliffs, fortress ruins and quaint seaside towns. Not many have a city as fascinating as London, though.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago (edited)
Thank you! Orkney and Shetland need more love-- I don't think a lot of international tourists visit unless they plan on heading on to Norway. Orkney and Shetland are wonderful places for travelers who adore the outdoors, hiking, photography, archeology (huge Nordic and Pictish influence), and the arts and crafts. I truly hope they have Up Elly Aa next year since it has been canceled for the past two years due to Covid.
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According to Melissa from A Broken Backpack, covid regulations should remain your top concern when you're deciding where to go next. "During the pandemic, it's important to look at the travel restrictions to enter the country, and also inside the country," she told Bored Panda. "Nobody wants to go somewhere where they need to stay in their hotel during a lockdown."
"Then, I always take a look at the distances between places I wish to visit, how to get there, and the average costs. The idea is to avoid being ripped off to reach our destinations, and to have realistic expectations," the traveler advised.
But there's more to consider, like "the visa situation, the currency exchange rate (I usually take a screenshot from the exchange rate so that I can quickly know the price of the things I wish to buy.), the language, how English-friendly the country is, how to get around the country, and of course, know the common scams," Melissa said.
"The idea is not to be scared, but aware and have a better experience at the destination."
#3
-Doing the Hitler salute or making Nazi jokes while visiting WWII memorials. This could get you arrested. -Going to the shops on sundays: not possible. -Standing on bicycle lanes. Seriously: If you stand there, you're officialy hated. (Germany, if you havent already guessed)
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
If you stand on the bicycle path in the Netherlands you'll either get run over or showered in expletives wishing you every possible terrible disease.
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
And given the Nederlanders' generally exceptional language skills, in more languages than you knew existed.
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Monic Krugell 3 years ago
"Doing the Hitler salute or making Nazi jokes while visiting WWII memorials." - You should loose your passport and be forced to stay home
Teresa Stabler 3 years ago
How can people be so hateful? That's just plain cruel!
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Sabse 3 years ago
Hitler salute is forbidden everywhere in Germany. You could get some trouble with cops or people.
Bacony Cakes 3 years ago
Why would you do that in the first place? What kinda jellyfish brain logic is that?
Terran 3 years ago
Many ignorant people do not realize, that Germany and Austria take their dark history very seriously and freedom of speech has it's limits. I think it's mostly ignorance on many levels.
Load More Replies... María Hermida 3 years ago
What kind of idiot does a Nazi gesture or tells Nazi jokes in a WWII memorial????? Really? I know people can behave like total assholes, but this is a total new level of idiocy and lack of empathy.
#4
People come to the US expecting to see too much in one visit. Unless you're prepared to shell out thousands of dollars on very coordinated flights, you aren’t going to see the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, the Alamo, Hollywood and Yosemite Park all in one week. It's a big country, so pick a few states and stick to that.
Ripley 3 years ago
This happens in Australia too. No, you can't see the Great Barrier Reef in a day trip from Sydney.
Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago
Yep. People underestimate how huge Australia is. The capital city of my state is a 16 hour drive away. The capital of the country is a 51 hour drive away.
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Kate Jones 3 years ago
I wouldn't even say a few states. I'd stick to one type of thing. If you are looking to see beautiful sites, go to Yosemite or book a vacation in the Colorado mountains. If you're looking for fun and food and nightlife, go to NY, Miami or LA. You aren't generally going to get both of those experiences in the same week-long trip. And be ready for disappointment if you don't carefully plan it because just hopping off a plane in LA isn't going to be that exciting or fun. You'll see a lot of homeless people and a lot of trash and without knowing where to go you'll waste a lot of time. The Alamo is a big building basically so if you've seen a building before you don't need to go there. The Statue of Liberty is boring. Figure out what you want to do while you're here and plan your trip around that. If the grand canyon is your thing, research the best GC trip and activities. If you try to do too many things you'll end up missing out on all of them because you rushed through.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Yep, find a region and do your best. I can't see all Europe in one visit, you won't see all US or Canada in one visit. (*Or* Canada. The Maritimes to Vancouver is a dream road trip of mine... )
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
As a kid I made several road trips across Canada with my family. I know what it's like to sleep on the back seat of a Honda Accord.
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Shortstuff 3 years ago
Lived in Auckland, New Zealand. Met some tourists who said they were going to drive to Queenstown for the day. When I said it was a 3,100km round trip, and 23 hour drive each way, including a 4 hour ferry trip, they didn't believe me. Often wonder if they did it!
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
Even more so with Canada. Much more vast and with fewer transportation options.
Load More Replies... Peter Korsten 3 years ago
The country I live in consists of an island, a smaller island, a tiny island, and a couple of islets. Driving from one end to the other, provided there is no traffic, would take maybe an hour and a half – and that includes a ferry.
Joeshar 3 years ago
I googled the Alamo. I would prefer to mention Las Vegas or San Francisco or Florida.
Rob Davison 3 years ago
That happens a lot in the western US. It's 896 miles from San Diego to Crescent City up 101 in California and takes several days If you want to actually see things, not one or two days. Crossing Wyoming from the Nebraska border to the Utah border takes a full day of driving at the speed limit with only fuel and food stops. The speed limit for most of it is 80 on US 80 and you can set the cruise and go but it is still a long trip.
While it's only natural that we search for a bargain when it comes to choosing where we stay on our trips, many of us also want the money we spend to do some good, according to research by the hotel booking platform Kind Traveler.
In fact, 96% of people surveyed told that it's slightly, fairly, or very important that their dollars make a positive impact on the destinations they visit.
The survey, which appeared in the 2022 Kind Traveler Global Impact Tourism Report, also discovered that nearly half (48%) of the 1,014 respondents think their greatest challenge in trying to travel sustainably is finding accommodations that are both “sustainable and socially conscious.”
#5
I'll do my town, Austin TX.
A major common mistake tourists make here is wasting half a day for Franklin's BBQ. Look, his brisket is good, but it's not "waste half a day of your vacation in Austin standing in line" good. There are a plethora of bbq joints with just as good or better brisket that have no wait all day.
- 3 years ago
My husband insisted on waiting in line to get into a donut shop in Seattle. We finally get in, there are a zillion flavours and he orders... (sound of forehead hitting keyboard) ... a chocolate glazed donut.
jk nbt 3 years ago (edited)
really good brisket is easy, make your own... use a dry rub, wrap in saran wrap, let sit in refridge overnite... get up early, make a long slow fire with some mesquite coals, when grey, unwrap meat & place far away from coals... Use a meat thermometer or two & cook until 160 to 165 degF... for a big piece of meat, this may take 12-16 hours... Check the coals & keep adding to keep the box warm.... if you can't find mesquite wood, use hickory... be sure & soak in water overnight... there are a 1000 options, it is hard to screw up if you use a dry rub, quality meat, grey ash coals, and are patient... (pls do not use a wet marinade with burgundy or red wine...arrrghhh) do a google search for "how to cook brisket texas style"
onivdsrapowijap 3 years ago
I might visit Austin some time, but only in the winter. I would never dare to go there in summer, where it can reach high temperatures in the upper 90's.
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Synsepalum 3 years ago
Go to Lockhart if you want great Central Texas BBQ. Just outside of Austin and loads better. Austin is my hometown.
Babsywabs 3 years ago
You beat me to it! We drove to Lockhart and had BBQ at Smitty's - quite possibly the best meat I've ever eaten. Our philosophy when we travel is - don't go to the touristy places, but ask the locals what THEY eat. We haven't been steered wrong yet.
Load More Replies... David Brown 3 years ago (edited)
People make this identical mistake in every state that has a tourist trap restaurant. Do your homework and eat at the hole in the wall places. The food is usually infinitely better elsewhere.
Mike Loux 3 years ago
Yes! This. Aaron Franklin is a genius, but if you drive over to Driftwood and hit the original Salt Lick, you will have zero wait, and eat a FUCKTON of good BBQ. Just bring cash - they don't take plastic, and the ATM there has stupid fees. Also, BBQ is great, but breakfast tacos in this town are dirt cheap, and FABULOUS.
Faith Donovan 3 years ago
Didn't want to wait in a ridiculously long line for dinner, went to Terry Black's BBQ instead and it was AMAZING. I wish I'd known about that place when I went to high school in a suburb of Austin, assuming it's been around that long....
#6
Most tourists who go to Marrakesh book a hotel room, but you should really stay in a riad (a traditional Moroccan house built around a garden) rather than at a hotel or hostel. Riads are a big part of the Marrakech experience. It's unique and the hospitality is awesome. Usually the staff or owners can show you around the chaotic and bustling medina, which is especially helpful.
QuokkaVibes 3 years ago
A Riad is just like a hotel, they have fewer rooms, and they cost usully less than a hotel...
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DS 3 years ago
I stayed in a riad when I went to Marrakesh and it was genuinely one of the best experiences of my life. Our riad was pretty cheap and nothing as lavish as the photo above, but it was incredible. We were greeted with tea and a riad worker sat us down to explain Marrakesh to us, to give us a layout of the city and ensure we didn't go someplace where we might get into trouble or ripped off. Our room was small, but very beautiful and comfortable. Every morning we were greeted with the most delicious breakfast I've ever had in my life, even though we had very early starts and told the hotel staff they didn't have to bother with a full breakfast for us (they still brought out the works). Every night, they'd make sure we came back safe. I speak a bit of French and my partner and I do a lot of research before visiting so we already felt pretty comfortable, but having the riad staff look out for us made me feel so welcome and safe.
QuokkaVibes 3 years ago
They are usually cheaper, because they are like small hotels... You don't have all the comodities a chain hotel has, but I ate typical food that was delicious, and the owner was super helpfull with a lot. And going by a Riad owner you usually get everything cheaper because he doesn't book a taxi but. local cab for example
Load More Replies... Makajha Banjjjak 3 years ago
When I went first time to Marrakesh, I don't think there even were any hotels. We didn't know it was called riad, but we loved the place
It's good if you're also one of those people who's trying to do what's best for everyone, but you have to remember to keep your guard up.
"I always try to pay by card when I can, and research ATMs and fees before making any withdrawals. Unfortunately, there are tons of ATMs scams around the world where the ATM charges huge fees, and many travelers don't realize how much money they are wasting on them," Melissa from A Broken Backpack recalled a particularly common problem. "I personally use Revolut, and I have a plan that allows me to do withdrawals around the world with minimal fees."
She believes you should also always negotiate the price of a taxi ride before entering one (unless it has a meter) and check for the tipping culture of the country you're visiting—in some places, the tip is already included in the bills, in some, they are not expected, and so on. These things may not sound as much at first but your expenses can pile up really quickly if you don't pay attention.
#7
WEAR SUNSCREEN WHEN GOING TO NEW ZEALAND! I have lived in New Zealand my whole life and holy f*ck the sun is strong. I burn so easily if I don’t wear sunscreen. A family friend of mine who is from Australia came over here for a holiday once. We were all getting prepped for a beach day and my mum tells us to put on sunscreen. My family friend (who is very very tan) says, ‘I don’t burn, I’m good.’ My mum then questions him, telling him the New Zealand sun is different to the Australian sun. He says, ‘It’s actually hotter in Australia so yeah nah, I’ll be fine. My mum doesn’t want to force this kid to put sunscreen on so she just lets it go and we all go to the beach. Fast forward to the end of the day and my family friend is burnt to an absolute crisp. Like he couldn’t move. The worst sunburn I have ever seen. I’ve never seen someone use that much aloe vera before. Always remember to listen to the locals, they know what they’re talking about.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Temperature has nothing to do with ultraviolet radiation crisping you.
Higgleton 3 years ago
Yep worst burn I've had was skiing. Sun bounces off the snow and cooks you 360 degrees
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Tim S 3 years ago (edited)
Why would the UV levels be higher in New Zealand than Australia? I'm legitimately curious.
EEP 3 years ago
It has to do with the location of the hole in the ozone layer. NZ also has less air pollution than Australia.
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Madzdad the Bard 3 years ago
It is the same in Colorado in the States. Tourists fly in, go straight to the 11,000f (3000m) slopes then get horribly sunburned (or get altitude sickness). Less atmosphere, more UV.
Kross T. 3 years ago
Depends on whether you mean "cook" like "kill them via heat" or "cook" like "prepare them for consumption". There are many places where the heat of the sun can easily kill children, the elderly, and infirm people, although less so adults in good health. For most, they would have to be exposed for longer, and dehydration would kill them first. I'm not sure about the sun raising a body to the proper temperature for cooking thoroughly; in most places, the sunlight just wouldn't last long enough; it would cool off at night and have to raise the temp again the next day. (I am basing this off a comparison of roasting a whole pig, btw, which are often at similar weights to a small adult)
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Joyce McEleavey 3 years ago
your friend wasnt from queensland, we dont open the blinds without putting on sunscreen
HarriMissesScotland 3 years ago
Same here in Florida. Especially during spring break. Lots of drunk college students who just don't bother.
#8
Underestimating how expensive the cost of living is in Norway. I've seen jaws drop when tourists discover the price of the two beers they ordered.
Richard Wareham 3 years ago
Go on a winter cruise up the coast. All food and drink is included, choose the excursions carefully, take very warm clothing. It won't break the bank, you will visit many places and the scenery is stunning. You may even see the northern lights.
Robert T 3 years ago
Alcohol is very expensive in Norway. In Scandinavia, if people live close to a border, they go one country further South to drink. So the Norwegians will drink in Sweden, the Swedes in Denmark and the Danes in Germany. LOL.
MysteriousLegBruise 🇺🇦️ 3 years ago
Oh man this reminds me of a girl that was an exchange student from Norway. Totally freaking cool, my freaks and geeks gang took her under our wing within minutes. She was wearing Converse too and we were discussing the price differences and I was floored. Hope you're doing well, wherever you are!
Zedrapazia 3 years ago
Same here in Switzerland, stuff is expensive, especially restaurant drinks and food.
Who cares what I think, but... 3 years ago
Still willing to visit...just send me some coupons!
Cecilie Linn 3 years ago
come visit and take my advice; don't eat every meal at a restaurant or cafe, use Airbnb and eat/ drink a few beers at home , if you want to see the northern lights you have to go to the north in Norway and in hte winter! - I see them more or less often here in Ålesund (close to the city in the picture), but it's up north with the 'eternal' winter darkness the real action is going on. Here we loose the sun for a few months or so, but we have daylight for quite a few hours in the winter! And it's nice to read travel blogs before going, or chat with locals on tips ;)
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#9
Underestimating the size of the country. No you can’t do a day trip to Cairns from Brisbane, it’s like a 2 day drive. Even Sydney is like a 12 hour drive.
Actually, same with NZ. People think you can do the whole country in a week. Spoiler alert, you can’t.
Miss Marmite 3 years ago
why did i read this in an australian accent? please tell me i’m not the only one
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Yep. People do this in the US and in Canada. "Really? You'll drive from Toronto to Vancover? In a day? Good luck!" and then if the'yre lucky they get to Sudbury, LOL.
V Martin 3 years ago
People also make this mistake when coming to the UK (which is a much smaller country than Australia, so perhaps it's more understandable). I've known tourists visiting the south of England thinking they could just drive over to Scotland and back in day, when in reality it's an 8-hour drive between London and Edinburgh.
Kross T. 3 years ago
Yeah, but only 5 to Gretna Green, making it technically doable (if not exactly a ton of fun?) Americans also drive a lot, so their sense of scale for driving is different than many Europeans (IMO). I know plenty of Americans that wouldn't balk at a 10-hour driving "day trip". Usually those that already drive quite a bit to travel.
Load More Replies... Rachel Ainsworth 3 years ago
NZ is a relatively small country but there are many different attractions along the way. By comparison, Australia is a large country with similar attractions along the way.
#10
In Iceland, people don't realize how expensive everything is here, especially going out to eat. If you're going to a restaurant, expect $30–50 entrees everywhere. Mix in some cheap street food (like Icelandic hot dogs) or find accommodations with a kitchen so you can cook.
Nahkaparturi X 3 years ago
Did some googling. A 7 to 10 course tasting menu in some of the finer places was around 120€+90€ wines included. As mentioned here, the entrees seemed quite expensive indeed, often almost the same price as the main courses. Still, immediately wanted to visit Dill.
Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago
I just did a six course tasting menu that was $AU170 + $140 for wines. What you describe is a downright bargain by comparison
Load More Replies... Rachel Ainsworth 3 years ago
We were chatting to the cabin crew on our flight and they recommended buying drinks in duty free. We didn't realize until later that they meant buy the mixers as well as the alcohol!
- 3 years ago
I don't know that it's wrong, so much as a regionalism. For example, "I'll knock you up" has totally different meanings on each side of the Atlantic.
Load More Replies... #11
In Paris, tourists always fall for eating their meals in touristy neighborhoods. Restaurants in these areas are pricey and mediocre, serving tourists what they think is traditional French food. If you're in Paris, avoid restaurants around the main attractions like the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, or the Champs Elysées. Instead, go find a cute bistro in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 19th, or 20th arrondissements, where locals actually go out and eat.
Wendy McCallister 3 years ago
When we went to Paris on a tour bus. Our tour driver took every one else to Hard Rock Cafe we went to a cute bistro across the street. Best food ever!!!
Shortstuff 3 years ago (edited)
Had a "5 course" dinner in Paris off the beaten track. 1st course...sliced tomato. 2nd course...fries. 3rd course...schnitzel with nothing else on the plate. 4th course...a small bunch of grapes. 5th course...small coffee with a cracker. All served individually. Be careful!
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
Watched an entire show on this with Anthony Bourdain. Fascinating.
#12
In Japan, tourists speak loudly to others or on the phone in public settings. But that makes you seriously stand out in Japan, where people are generally well-mannered and try not to bother anyone with loud talking, music, or games on their phones. If you have to talk, use your inside voice.
Moosy Girl 3 years ago
In Tokyo shopping districts you have to be quiet otherwise you’ll interrupt all the shop attendants yelling irasshaimase at people coming within 5 meters of a shop door.
Monday 3 years ago
In a very polite society that's a smart move. They've welcomed you into the store so now it would be impolite to just walk by without going inside....oh but now you're inside and leaving without buying something would be awkward....BAM money!
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DS 3 years ago (edited)
Japan blew my mind with how thoughtful the people were. We were at a restaurant and a woman left her cellphone at her table and walked away. I grabbed her phone and ran after her, but when I tried to hand it to her, she was upset. I was confused, until another person very gently explained to me that it is common to leave expensive belongings at a table in a restaurant; this is just marking your seat and nobody will take it. And there isn't a single piece of trash anywhere, despite a general lack of bins - people just take their trash home or hold onto it until they can dispose of it. What a concept.
Stephanie IV 3 years ago
Erm. Really, well mannered people do exist everywhere - they’re just hard to notice. Guess why.
Robin Rush 3 years ago
I HATE when someone insists on having a phone conversation on speaker phone in a crowded place or store. NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR CONVERSATION! We also don’t want to hear the YouTube videos you are watching in the doctors waiting area
#13
Most people who travel to Taiwan just visit the capital, Taipei, or they go down the west coast. But locals will tell you this is a mistake because the magic is in the east. Yilan is an amazing county with all the allures of Taipei plus beautiful waterfalls and mountains, but a fraction of the cost. If you enjoy hiking, Hualien is the best place to see the amazing Taroko Gorge. Best of all, Taiwan's public transportation makes it easy to see these unique destinations beyond Taipei.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Beautiful country with a unique and independent people. Hope you dudes are doing well.
Rick Krivoniak 3 years ago
I was 10 when I visited and had to do what my parent's wanted to do.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
China wants to take over. They believe they have claim to them.
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#14
Foreigners often don't understand how big America is. One of my dad’s friends was planning a vacation here and was describing his itinerary. He wanted to drive cross-country from New York to Florida to California. He was planning on doing it in five days.
RafCo 3 years ago (edited)
New York to anyplace worth seeing in Florida is 20 hours by car. From there to California is five days, if you only stop for gas, fast food, and six hours of sleep. I once did the drive from east to west coast in four days, but that was not from Florida, which is huge, and i only stopped for gas, and slept in my car. Edit, it takes eight hours to drive across Florida if you speed and don't stop for gas. Yes, I smelled terrible at the end
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Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
Isn't this like, the third "people underestimate how large my country is" post?
Trillian 3 years ago
I get that you might misjudge distances when just talking about a place, but when you're actually planning a trip, wouldn't you look up the distances and travel times?
AW 3 years ago
It's totally doable driving 3000 miles in 5 days. The longest distance in I drove was 1100 miles in 22 hours. It's not what I would do for a holiday but people do strange things
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ProductofNZ 3 years ago
Ed Bolian (entrepreneur/youtuber) did NY to LA in 28hours. Not impossible to achieve this person's itinerary, but probably not enjoyable.
Tim 3 years ago
So, he travelled at an average speed of 107 mph. I call BS.
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DS 3 years ago
Yup, this was always my favorite when living in California! People would always message me to let me know they'd be in San Francisco for a few days and ask me if I could meet them for a bite to eat... well, yes, if I wanted to take an hour flight or drive for seven hours straight I suppose I could do that...
Jeremy Kohlwes 3 years ago
Eat while you drive and only stop for gas and sleep, then you could do it.
Jelena Putinja 3 years ago
my friend is living in America for past cca 10y - her husband and she lived in New York and recently moved on west coast - they did it in 8 day drive
Snowfoxrox 3 years ago
My bio dad was born and raised on Hawaii. When he moved to the main land, he borrowed a friends car and thought he'd drive to New York. He left Madera, Ca and Made it to Barstow, Ca. figuring he must surely be close to NY.... ROFLMAO.. He ended up being a long haul trucker, so he did get to see it eventually.
#15
Not learning to say "Excuse me do you speak english" in their native language. I write it on my hand and everyone is nicer because of it. Basically, you can start the conversation respecting their culture or start it by saying "I speak english and its the greatest language so get with the program" People then say that the locals were rude not realizing that they were rude first. I did that in finland and the answer was always "Everyone here speaks english" then when I'd explain that I just didn't want to disrespect them, people would bend over backwards to help me out.
Robert T 3 years ago
I don't know about "Excuse me do you speak english", but good morning/afternoon/evening and please and thank you go a long way to making new friends.
Dana Ondráčková 3 years ago
I know only "thank you" And "you are welcome" in russian. I collected diety dishes from a table And the lady sitting There Said thank you in russian. I smiled And answered in shy questionmark "you are welcome" And she beamed And nod that I Said it right
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John Carr 3 years ago
I loved that in a lot of shops in Finland, especially the larger dept stores, the staff would wear little flags on their uniforms to show what languages they spoke.
Pungent Sauce 3 years ago (edited)
This should be much higher rated, as it’s the best universal advice on here. If you can preface it with “Hello, I’m sorry, I don’t really speak X” in that language, you’ll find (most) people to be very helpful.
Dana Ondráčková 3 years ago
I was surprised that in netherland, everyone, I mean even 90yo grandma, speak perfect english. I was 18 and some random lady started talking to me. I am Czech And I understood nothing, I Just nod. Then she realised I dont understand her but I am Just shy And polite.she asked in english if I understand her. I was in total shock she knew english. I assumed everyone over 50 in middle europe knows only german or russian language as our Czech elders
PADNA 3 years ago
Agree to disagree. I've been to places that the only income of whole town is tourists. And not the basic understanding of english baffles me. Like it's in your workbook? Usually servers bend over backwards over tourists. Been there pre covid, so i am pretty sure things have changed. (Italy was writing about Italy)
Lynne Hammar 3 years ago
Please, thank you, excuse me, I'm sorry, you're welcome, and "do you speak English?" are all musts!
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 3 years ago
Everyone talks about how rude "the French" are but that's not the experience I (American high school girl on a school-sponsored trip) had. While I can't quite explain some of our group's attitude...I totally got that I was in their country and while I'm sure my pronunciation was likely atrocious, I did try. Also, I smiled a lot - dude, I was in FRANCE! People were nice to me.
Raoul 3 years ago
„I did that in finland and the answer was always "Everyone here speaks english" Hm. I don‘t think that this is a very good example then. „Everyone here speaks english“ - „Yeah, I know, everybody tells me so.“ - „Then why do you ask?“ - „It’s just my way to be nice“. I think it depends on many things (eg. country, age, region, location,...) but in France I‘d say it‘s always a good start (plus to throw in as many french words as you can remember that are not „baguette“ „croissant“ and „fromage“.).
#16
In Italy, only tourists order their coffee to go. Italians drink their espressos at the bar. You'll never see a local carrying a tumbler filled with drip coffee, much less a to-go cup from a local café. Oh, and you won't find any frappuccinos here.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Um, if you get stuck on the "see it all in 14 day" tour group? You can't gulp espresso in the ten seconds you'll have to breathe, deal with the group photo, and be ordered baack to the bus. Worst idea evr was the "group tour". I got what I paid for: Cheap and stuck in a bus with strangers.
QuokkaVibes 3 years ago
an espresso is literally a single gulp. The stiring, blowing drinking takes 5 to 10 seconds, LITERALLY
Load More Replies... The Scout 3 years ago
In some tourist hotspots (think Rome or Venice) the coffee at the bar is significantly cheaper than at a table or even to go. And, having an old coffee culture, most Italians would probably see the adding of syrup, fat-free oatmilk or even bacon crumble (what the actual f?ck) as an assault on their tastebuds.
Auntriarch 3 years ago
Bacon crumble coffee flavoured chocolates, this is my mission for my day off
Load More Replies... Denise B. 3 years ago
Tourists often are on...tours, and don't have the luxury of time to dawdle over coffee. And why should they?
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Tourists are on vacation, which means they have plenty of time to enjoy their coffee. Unless they are the "If it's Tuesday, this must be Italy" kind.
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Paolo Martinese 3 years ago
trust me, no one in Italy carry the coffe ! We drink espresso at the bar .
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Ely Tanaka 3 years ago
I take my capuccino to go every morning. I don't have enough time to have breakfast there and I just take everything with me to my shop.
#17
They trust taxi drivers.
Never trust one if you're in Greece, you're just asking to be overcharged. Stick to renting a car or at the very least, ask some locals for typical prices beforehand.
Melene Majlovic 3 years ago (edited)
You can trust them in Denmark, but it is expensive - and uber is not allowed here.
Load More Replies... BA 3 years ago
In Turkey as well. If you're unsure of the route, you can always install some taxi apps (like Uber, but local ones) since they pick the best route available, and the taxi driver's phone is also connected. So they will stay on that route to your destination. They also sometimes have weird buttons that they secretly push to make the taximeter go higher than its supposed to. If you're using the app, it calculates the fare so the driver can't change it.
BA 3 years ago
Oh also they're mostly integrated with either Google Maps or Yandex. So it's more trustable, I guess.
Load More Replies... El Dee 3 years ago
In most countries you can completely trust taxi drivers. They are checked for criminal background before being issued a license and the small amount they could 'con' you out of isn't worth it and therefore rarely happens. You can usually rely on them to help you when you need it most and they are a mine of information..
Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
This is becoming a bit less necessary as rideshare companies like Uber are becoming more common
Robert T 3 years ago
This must be a relatively recent phenomenon. We had some really lovely taxi drivers when I holidayed in Greece as a kid. Not one of them tried to rip us off.
Kross T. 3 years ago
Were you paying the taxi fare as a child? 🤔 I mean, would you really know, as a kid, if a taxi driver was trying to rip your parents off? Your parents might not have noticed, making it less likely that you would know.
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Monica Houghton 3 years ago
We used taxis in greece thru uber. It was great. Payment through the app, and you can check the map to see that they are taking you to the right place. No language barrier either, as you don't have to tell them where you're going.
Trees 3 years ago
Can confirm. Got a taxi from my hotel to the port in Athens, not very far, at the destination - tax driver says 56 Euros - I get out - and ask a man selling newspapers how much it should be - a pretty ugly scene develops where the taxi driver got slapped about. I didn't end up paying anything. All a bit crazy for 6am on a Tuesday.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
In Scotland, they are heavily regulated. The only way you can be overcharged is if they take a longer route. So check Google maps and correct them.
Kross T. 3 years ago
Dan, taking a longer route is the usual way that taxi drivers overcharge. 😂 In Scotland, you would have the benefit of being in an English-speaking country (assuming you're an English speaker). From experience, using GMaps in a non-English-speaking country can be difficult, because the translations aren't always right and unless you have the exact address and the character keyboard on your phone for that specific language, (and the knowledge of the characters to type in the address correctly) sometimes you'll be routed to the wrong place when Google tries to translate what you're inputting. Also, not every country does addresses the same way; sometimes a mailing address and a street address are two different things. Basically, sometimes you need to rely on a local person's knowledge of the area, even with today's technology.
Load More Replies... Jon Steensen 3 years ago (edited)
Driving in a foregein country can sometimes be scary. You may think that the same traffic rules apply everywhere. Nope! In some countries the traffic lights are for instance only seen as a suggestion, and thinking that a green light means that you can safely drive into the crossing will get you killed in an instance. I would never drive in Cairo, but always outsource that task to a proffesional who knows the local "rules", as it seem like total anarchy applies there to anyone from the outside. He may overcharge me grosely, but as the wages there is already low and I value my life higher, I do not really care, as long as he gets me safely to my destination.
David Brown 3 years ago
I learned the hard way about trusting taxi drivers in the Bahamas. Never get into a car that isn't clearly marked or one that looks like it was used in a heist movie.
#18
In Hawaii, tourists can be ignorant about swimming. ALWAYS check the beach conditions and respect the ocean. You could end up in brown water, getting sucked out to sea, being bashed against the rocks at Oheo Gulch. Also, don't underestimate the power of the ocean. Small shore breaks can seriously hurt you if you're not paying attention.
M O'Connell 3 years ago
Extremely heavy rain can overwhelm the sewer system and cause spillages of sewage into waterways. It's one of the downsides of older combined sewer/stormwater systems.
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Stephanie IV 3 years ago
Anywhere: are locals swimming there? If yes, watch HOW & WHERE. Swim there.
David Brown 3 years ago
Brown water is "poo" water. If it smells funny it probably isn't a good idea to try and swim in it.
Mary Haynes 3 years ago
Florida, too. Every red flag day there is some one who needs to rescued.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago
Or just use common sense and do not swim in places without lifeguards or beaches that do not have a designated swimming area.
Load More Replies... #19
Make sure when addressing to someone in France to start with a greeting. Not saying Bonjour could be considered very rude.
MarmotArchivist 3 years ago
Right, especially when entering a shop, it's rude not to return their greeting.
Erla Zwingle 3 years ago
Same in Italy. People don't like being treated as if they were invisible, being ignored, or orherwise unimportant as human beings.
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
Learning little conversational exchanges, like after saying Bonjour, learn the simple "How are you" and the answer that you're good thank you. I can say all this, but it's been awhile since French class and don't remember how to spell.
Raoul 3 years ago
Comment ça va? But you won’t use it in France in the same way as in America where everybody asks it all the time.
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Joan Bohlmann 3 years ago
it's such a nice feeling to nod to strangers you cross paths with on a walk anywhere in the world, but i experienced this with great appreciation when i lived in zurich. it was such a nice seemingly small, insignificant part of life.
#20
When you sit down to eat in a restaurant in Portugal, the waiter will usually bring you bread, olives, or some other snacks. I always see tourists get mad when they are charged for eating these seemingly 'free' snacks, but that's just how things work here. If you eat it, expect to pay for it. If you don't touch it, your waiter will take it away and pretend like [they] never existed.
Trillian 3 years ago
It would be helpful if they just mentioned they're not free. If you put something on my table that I didn't order I would expect it to be. In Germany, it always is.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Locals never explain their customs to tourists because for them it's normal. That's why a lot of tourists panic when they are in the Netherlands and the air raid alarms are tested. They always are tested on each first Monday of the month on 12 PM sharp.
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Matthew Zornig 3 years ago
Kind of gross if they are re-serving the same food table to table until someone eats it.
Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
In the US, such foods like bread placed in a basket on the table is usually free. Americans may forget they're not in Kansas anymore, Toto
Vetus Vespertilio 3 years ago
Bread on the table isn’t free; you just don’t see it on the cheque. The cost is built into the price of everything else.
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kim morris 3 years ago
In the US bread / breadsticks at the table are free. You can even ask for a second helping, it will usually be free.
Bee she/her 3 years ago
That’s actually kind of messed up to me. Like just giving it to people and being charged. Idk, it might be that I was raised in a culture where free extras were often present like bread or chips.
DS 3 years ago
Same thing in the Czech Republic - many brewery-style restaurants/pubs will bring out pretzels and if you eat them, you will pay. Tourists always complain about this afterwards because they assume this is free. Slightly unrelated, but in many European countries you also pay a deposit on cups for outdoor drinks (like German biergartens, which have pfand). When we first moved to Germany we were so confused about why the drinks were always 2-3 euro more than listed, and we would leave our mugs at the tables, or bring them up to the bar without waiting for payment... Must have lost about 10 euro before someone told us we paid a borrowing fee for the mugs and could get it back (or in some places, simply keep the mug).
#21
"I flew into New York, figured I'd rent a car and take a quick day trip to Miami or Los Angeles."
the aftermath is secondary™ 3 years ago
Honestly I'd say that Manhattan is much worse than other places, but generally just don't travel at rush hour and you'll be fine -- there's also the subway, not as touristy and definitely not as clean as cars, yet an efficient way to travel nonetheless
Load More Replies... Robert T 3 years ago
Well I did London, New York, Dallas and Chicago in three days. But that was a business trip and aside from a drive through Manhattan and a visit to a pub in Dallas, I saw nothing but the inside of meeting rooms and my hotel the rest of the time. 24 hours were spent in the air! Never again!!!
Jackie Nettleton 3 years ago
This thread suggests that most schools failed to teach basic geography and map reading skills
Emmett O'Brian 3 years ago
I was on a business trip to Denver band one of my coworkers I flew in with asked if I wanted to drive down to see the grand canyon after the work day. I said it's too far away but he didn't believe me. He asked one of the local employees the next day and they just laughed.
Asher Tye 3 years ago
If it makes you feel any better, most Americans don't fully get how big our country is.
kasei10 3 years ago
A lot of Americans don't fully get that there are other countries.
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#22
Tourists visiting Los Angeles always underestimate the time it'll take to get from point A to point B. Our traffic is terrible, and you should add 30 minutes to an hour whenever you want to drive anywhere.
MysteriousLegBruise 🇺🇦️ 3 years ago
So. Cal native here lol can confirm! You'll be sitting on that damn onramp for an hour! Damn I do not miss that
Seanette Blaylock 3 years ago
My husband and I used to live in Santa Barbara. On our periodic trips to LA, we'd go miles out of our way to avoid Parking Lot 405. We probably still got where we needed to go faster. :)
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Marguerite Lindemann 3 years ago
I found that the San Francisco bay area is worse than So. Cal
g90814 3 years ago
If you're driving, get a good traffic app like Inrix or Wayz, you'll get notified of slow spots, and alternate routes. I used to drive the 405 from Long Beach to LAX for work... sometimes great, sometimes a nightmare. Luckily I left for work at 530AM, and left work by 330PM.
Steve Fischer 3 years ago
We do not measure the time it takes to get somewhere in miles, but in the amount of time it takes. A ten mile trip can easily take an hour depending where you're starting at
#23
I live in Rome. Tourists come and visit only the city centre, neglecting any other interesting historical sites (or other nice things) which are easy to get to, equally nice to visit, yet a bit far from the center.
John Spookey 3 years ago
And be careful,plenty of thieves and folks trying to sell you some free s**t,tickets to the Vatican museums or botlled water.Water running from taps is good to drink and free.Thieves usually working in crowded areas.Got mugged myself,stripped my wallet,by a Romani woman with a toddler on her hands,but noticed that in time and was able to retrieve the wallet.Otherwise it’s beautiful ancient city.
Toni Marques 3 years ago
Similar thing happened to my husband outside the Coliseum. Woman kept rubbing my husbands arm saying Senor while her maybe 8 year old son was nearby. When he finally yelled "Get Away" our tour guide ran up and pushed her and my husband's wallet fell out from under her shawl that the boy had taken while my husband was distracted,
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Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Never do the things that tourists are supposed to do ---- my golden rule. If yu've learned to speak at least 10 essential phrases, people are generally awesome. :-)
Robyn Acker 3 years ago (edited)
We went to Centrale Montemartini, via Ostiense. It is a museum in an old power plant. It was very interesting. Then we ate at a local restaurant.
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
Ostia Antica, the ancient port city for Roma is about 30 minutes away on the metro. It's like Pompeii without the crowds. Buried under silt over hundreds of years instead of a few days like that more famous city, it is a wonderful place to explore. It has an excellent archeological museum and as a port city with visitors from all over, there's temples to every deity (Mithras, Ceres, Gaia, Mars, etc) as well as a synagogue and Christian church It's about 1km from the sea now (another 30 minutes on the same metro line).
#24
They assume any of us have actually seen "The Sound of Music". I regret to inform you that most Austrians haven't even heard of it. Also there's nothing special about Cafe Central, no need to wait hours to get in. If you want a good Sachertorte, get it anywhere else than Hotel Sacher. Edit: I have now had excellent Sachertorte from Hotel Sacher, so never mind that. Don't do Hitler impressions, they can get you arrested or fined. (To be fair, tourists mostly do that over in Germany, but it's illegal there too.)
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago (edited)
I wish Hitler impressions were illegal in the United States and elsewhere. England comes to mind.
Bobby 3 years ago
IMO the only acceptable Hitler impression is when you are an actor playing that role
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Susie Elle 3 years ago
Doing Hitler impressions is tasteless (and possibly fineable) anywhere.
Jihana 3 years ago
Oh come on! Cafe Central is GORGEOUS! The cakes are excellent as well, but there are other places with equally good cakes (Cafe Landtmann or Cafe Demel for example), but none of those are as beautiful as the Central. And if you just show up and expect a table to be free you deserve to wait. Just call or use the online reservation form.
Mary Leverett 3 years ago
I've visited Graz (ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL - we went to the Lipizzaner farm), and the people were SO friendly. Later visited Munich, and the people were distant, if not downright cold.
Sue Hazlewood 3 years ago
When friends stayed in Salzburg The Sound of Music was played almost every night so of course they have heard of it.
M O'Connell 3 years ago
Drat! You beat me to it. https://youtu.be/dmFgAMTEg0E
Load More Replies... #25
Australia: Thinking you can drive between Sydney and Perth for a day drip. Not so much
Hong Kong: Thinking it's a cheap south Asian tourist destination like Thailand. Not so much.
Some Cool Guy 3 years ago
By road it is 1440 km (895 mi) from Perth to the nearest state border.
Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago (edited)
I live a 16 hour drive from Perth, and I'm only halfway up the coast
Load More Replies... Higgleton 3 years ago
Used to be cheap Kowloon side when I lived there around 2010. Heard it has gotten quite a bit more expensive since.
Load More Replies... Jeremy Kohlwes 3 years ago
Thailand may not even be cheap depending on what you do. The prices can range from exorbitant to dirt cheap. If you want REALLY cheap, eat street food in Benjasiri park. Delicious too.
Teresa Stabler 3 years ago
Many people think Australia is small but it's actually the same size as the US. So if you can't go from NYC TO LA in one day, you can't go from Sydney to Perth in one day.
Thomas Sweda 3 years ago
And in Australia, thinking you’ll ever get out alive, without one of the millions of things that can kill you getting you!
#26
Coming to New York City and spending time in Times Square. Unless they're going out of necessity to see a Broadway show or something of the sort, tourists avoid this place like the plague. I understand the desire to see Times Square for a few minutes, but make it a quick trip. And don't even bother having a meal there. You'll find the same chain restaurants that exist all over America...only the same meal will cost you triple the price.
Caro Caro 3 years ago
What is so special about Times Square? Serious question here, not being a b!tch...
Kate Jones 3 years ago
If you've never been to NY I would recommend going to TS at least once at night because it's a beautiful and overwhelming sight with the screens everywhere. It has a great feeling to it, especially if you're a performer or in finance. It makes you feel like you've arrived somewhere special. I lived there for over 12 years and went to school there and I remember getting off the bus the first time in TS and the feeling was really wonderful. I felt like an i was finally an adult and my life was starting. I would highly recommend not buying anything in the shops at times square. It's all crap and you're really wasting your money. Travel to the financial district, go to chinatown, go to washington square park, go to brooklyn, just go walking in random places and see what you find. Stay away from 42nd street. There's more to see than just that area. Visiting is definitely more fun than living there if you don't have the money to enjoy it. But it's still an amazing place.
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JammaCoast2Coast 3 years ago
I've never understood the appeal of hanging out in a place full of neon advertisements and chain restaurants.
Jeremy Kohlwes 3 years ago
I was in New York for a couple weeks and only saw Times square because my Uber driver went that taking me to a Broadway show. That was plenty enough for me.
Bee she/her 3 years ago
Stay away from Times Square at Christmas if you can help it. I’ve been there only at Christmas to see the Radio City Rockettes and it was packed and disorienting.
Benita Valdez 3 years ago
Eh. Just alot of people and lights. Lived outside of the city all my life (nearly 40 years) and haven't been to Manhattan much because it's over priced. It's nice to go to Central Park and museums but I never found anything great about Times Square. Manhattan is just obnoxiously overpriced compared to other areas of New York
Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
I kinda like walking around Times Square. The energy is pretty amazing. But yeah, there's not much you really need to do there.
#27
Mostly happens at bondi beach but this can happen at any beach all over Australia. People swimming out of the flags, most often these people will get stuck in rips or into waters where there are surfers.
Susie Elle 3 years ago
I sometimes watch youtube videos of the lifeguards at Bondi and the amount of tourists that can't swim who go out to swim anyway is baffling. Like, I understand you want to go for a dip, but you can't even keep yourself afloat if you had to so why go out all the way where your feet can't touch the ground anymore?
lazyNinjaCat 3 years ago
as an Aussie I always find it mind-boggling that people can't swim... it's part of school curriculum from when were 5 yrs old over here, as basic survival I suppose
Load More Replies... David Brown 3 years ago
This happens on the Carolina coasts as well. If people would use their phones for something other than Facebook clout they'd be doing themselves a huge favor. Posted flags are important. Learn them. You don't want to ruin a lifeguards life by drowning in a rip current when it could have been avoided.
Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
Lake Michigan isn't as bad, but you should still be careful. The rule my family follows is if the waves/wave crests are white, then we aren't going to swim that day. But I do have very young cousins, so we might be going a bit overboard.
#28
Bringing winter clothes in the middle of summer. Some people don't realise that southern Canada actually gets quite warm in July (25-35 C). It's only permasnow up north.
Bunzilla 3 years ago
Very much so. The west coast is a temperate rainforest- the winter temperatures seem mild in theory, but the humidity really makes you feel it. Another nice thing about the west coast is that you actually more or less get 4 months of each season. The prairies can get very hot in summer, and wickedly cold in winter, but it's a dry cold. Ontario has annoyingly long winters, and can vary from dry as dust to muggy. Somehow, Manitoba has never made much of an impression on me either time I've driven through it. Bugs and woods?
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Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Toronto is the same latitude as southern MI, WI, MN etc. Hot and humid happens.
HarriMissesScotland 3 years ago
And the mosquitos, oh my God, the mosquitos. And I literally grew up in a swamp in Florida.
Eric Lafleur 3 years ago (edited)
And the myth aboot the seven types of winter and the all too brief "almost summer" still goes on. I'm from Montreal suburb, Qc, Canada. Summer here can get cruelly hot because of humidity, not as bad as in some places in Europe, but it can be pretty hard on the elderly.
Seabeast 3 years ago
I remember seeing some baffled, red faced, sweating tourists in Calgary during the '88 winter Olympics. A chinook wind had blown in, the temperature was about +10 C, and they were wearing downhill ski suits.
blankman 3 years ago
Growing up in Southern Ontario I've seen cars with American plates turn up in the middle of July with ski racks on the roof. Temps are in the 25-30 C range (or higher) and they're asking where the nearest ski slopes are. I was always polite and gave them directions - just failed to point out that there wouldn't be snow there until November.
#29
Attempting to spend the whole afternoon shopping in Spain. It's fairly common for stores to close here from roughly 2–4 p.m. (it's called the siesta and it's prime lunch time for Spaniards). So get your shopping done in the morning or wait until stores reopen in the late afternoon.
Nope 3 years ago
Yup, we eat pretty late here, around 14-30h. Most stores are closed between 14h-17h, except supermarkets and stores in malls.
Peter Korsten 3 years ago
In Malta 20 years ago, shops would close at 13:00 (1 PM) and reopen at 16:00 (4 PM), remaining open until 19:00 (7 PM). Some places still do that, notably the nearest pharmacy, even though that has the best air conditioner I've ever encountered. And life would more or less grind to a halt for three months during summer: schools close, law courts stopped. But that is also becoming a a thing of the past.
Benita Valdez 3 years ago
Yeah South American countries close for siesta too. I always found it nice because you have to slow yourself down and end up enjoying things more
Iggy 3 years ago
This is such a commonly known practice, I can't believe any tourists wouldn't know. Then again...
Pizzagirl 91 3 years ago
There's often a discrepancy between knowing a custom and being ready for it. Like, I once had a boyfriend whose mother had a "no drinks with a meal"-rule. I'd heard him talk about it, but 14yo me still felt so thirsty when we were eating at his place, she had to break her rule, even though she was convinced that was weird and unhealthy in some way. Same with tipping policies - if you don't actively remind yourself of the way it's done in the country you're in, you'll be in your habit and might insult someone.
Load More Replies... #30
In Thailand, those who don't know the local customs will often enter someone's home without taking their shoes off. In most places in Thailand (and actually in most Asian countries) it’s customary to take your shoes off before you enter someone’s home. Tourists will just brazenly walk into someone’s house without realizing the proper etiquette.
Donna Clanclan 3 years ago
Lots of Americans want you to take your shoes off too. I tell friends to keep their shoes on in my place.
Seanette Blaylock 3 years ago
At home, I usually go barefoot, but don't care if guests keep shoes on or not. At someone else's home, almost seems overly familiar to just shed the shoes (unless the host prefers that people do so, then I do as requested).
Load More Replies... Zero 3 years ago
In any country, I always look at the feet of people already in a place I'm about to enter. If they're not wearing shoes, I take mine off. If I see a mat with shoes that aren't a muddy mess, I assume that means I should take mine off. But don't feel embarrassed to ask if you're not sure.
Rachel Ainsworth 3 years ago
Easy rule, if there are other peoples shoes at the entrance then you should also leave your shoes at the entrance.
Jon Steensen 3 years ago
most people will have more than one set of shoes, but will only wear one pair at a time, leaving the rest of them at the entrance. Hence looking for shoes there is not really a good indicator of what to do. I suggest looking at the feet of your host/hostess instead, or just simply ask what is prefered at this household. The last thing is a perfectly ligid question, at least in Denmark where I live, since there can be a large variation in how much dirt people can accept being dragged into their homes - and the rules can even depend on the season and what kind of shoes you are wearing (however nobody likes mud or slush being draged in, but some accept soles that has only touched a sidewalk on formal occations)
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Love, Frances 3 years ago
Its a common custom in many homes. Even my "born in Ireland moved to the USA in the late 1800's " family removes shoes. Its also good to ask.
Jon Steensen 3 years ago
In Denmark it is normally "no rules applies", so ask what is the proper way to do things in this household, as it can differ alot. But in general its is shoes on for formal occations, and shoes off for informal occations, and don't drag (too much) dirt and mud into peoples homes. E.i. if you have only walked from the car on the sidewalk, it can be ok to wear the same shoes inside in the summer, but if it is a formal ocation in the winter, consider wearing some boots outside in the sluch, bring a pair of clean dress shoes, and change in the hall way/just outside the door.
Jon Steensen 3 years ago
Then you should have planned better in the morning
Load More Replies... #31
Nothing can kill you in New Zealand, the mistake is that while that's 100% true when it comes to wildlife, it's not true when it comes to the everyday stuff... e.g. the weather, the surf, the roads, yourself or your tinder date.
Louie Cooper 3 years ago
There was a case some years ago where a guy strangled his tinder date to death in New Zealand
Load More Replies... Lisa Z 3 years ago
Pretty sure there's a spider there that can kill you pretty quick without immediate medical attention.
Louie Cooper 3 years ago
I believe you are referring to the Funnel Web spider. That's more commonly found in Australia, with the deadliest one being the Sydney Funnel Web
Load More Replies... #32
Sticking to the touristy neighborhoods in Paris and not exploring the rest of this huge city. Sure, the Eiffel Tower is iconic and Notre Dame is gorgeous, but make sure to spend some time exploring parts of the city where local Parisians hang out and tourists don't often go. These places are total gems.
#33
That Amsterdam represents the Netherlands, they are soo wrong. I don't really like Amsterdam. It's just full of weed and everyone is speaking English. That's not my country at all.
Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
Netherlands is a fantastic country, there's so much more to enjoy besides Amsterdam
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
And even worse, since Amsterdam is a tourist place, everything is much more expensive than in the rest of the Netherlands. Tourists could have a nicer stay and be treated much more polite if they visited other provinces than North and South Holland.
Wilko Lunenburg 3 years ago
I agree that you should see more of the Netherlands than just Amsterdam, but full of weed? Nah.
Cathy 3 years ago
Come on, no need to hate on Amsterdam.. It is a beautiful place with lots of things going on. Try to visit a different place as well like Utrecht or Haarlem or the seaside. If you like nature the islands are beautiful too.
Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
My dad lived in Amsterdam for a few months when he went there, it seems like he enjoyed it a lot (he did go other places though, like France and Spain).
Load More Replies... #34
Mistaking landmarks for other landmarks. In London, Tower Bridge is the one with the towers and the roadway that can be raised up for ships to pass. London Bridge is the boring 1960’s concrete span slightly further upstream. (Mostly because when I walked over Tower Bridge yesterday a group of tourists were loudly singing the nursery rhyme ‘London Bridge is falling down’)
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
The other London Bridge is in Lake Havasu, Arizona, USA. You can sing it there as well.
#35
Scotland is apparently full of gingers wearing tartan kilts playing bagpipes
Got Myself 4 Pandas 3 years ago
To be fair, you can easily find someone with bagpipes out busking - especially during summer months. I love when they're out, feels like you're in some movie about your life as a Scottish person - haha. Ishtar have to dye my hair ginger for it
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Urm, we are all haggis munching, ginger hair bedecked pipers! Ok, only when the tourists are about but still!
kasei10 3 years ago
Yeah, and we all stagger around drunk and won't spend money if we can avoid it. /s
Load More Replies... Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Hearing an accordion on the Paris Metro was very place-affirming, lol
#36
UK: On the London underground, chatting happily to each other instead of sitting down in moody silence hating everything.
David Woollands 3 years ago
People of London hate talking to each other - say good morning and they look like you’ve just told them they’re kids are ugly
RoseTheMad 3 years ago
I nearly had a panic attack on the underground, it was my first time in London and I didn't like how crowded it was on the train. I wanted to be let off so badly. XD
John Carr 3 years ago
When I lived in London I used to fall asleep on the tube. Lost count how many times I've woken up coming into Heathrow station.
kasei10 3 years ago
Just your subconscious telling you to get out of there probably.
Load More Replies... Dan Padgett 3 years ago
My experience of the underground was stating intently at the floor from a killer hangover, heading to the Tate Modern.
#37
Every year on April 30th we have tourists show up in our capital dressed in orange, to celebrate queensday. But 5 years ago our queen abdicated and her son is now our king, the holiday was moved to his birthday, on April 27th.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
This is the country that are their own King. I wouldn't mess with them :)
#38
“I’m going to Oslo, what’s your best advice for seeing the northern lights?”
RoseTheMad 3 years ago
Take a few days and go to Tromsø instead, the further north you are the more likely you are to see them tbh. Though you could theoretically see them in Oslo if you were lucky. I saw them In Estonia, though they weren't super bright then. (though the first time I saw them, a fair bit brighter, was in the North of Finland xP)
Rahul Pawa 3 years ago
Ah, so the explanation behind this is that Oslo is not where one should go if they want to see the northern lights. Thanks!
Load More Replies... Rahul Pawa 3 years ago
I wish this one came with more explanation because I do want to see the northern lights one day.
Auntriarch 3 years ago
Go to the right area at the right time of year, and hope. It's in the lap of the gods whether you see them or not. But do make the attempt, because it's quite wonderful. Out of five attempts, we've seen them 3 times (obviously we had other things to see on the trips so it wasn't a waste if we didn't)
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#39
Asking someone on the streets of Oxford “Where is Oxford University”? Always tempting to send them to the dingy central office building in Wellington Square.
#40
They often don't wear sunscreen... The amount of burnt tomato people I see...
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
This applies to anywhere people. Skin cancer isn't that fun. Take pictures to prove to have been on holiday, not a melanoma.
#41
We don't have igloos. We aren't covered in snow 12 months a year. Our cities are a long way apart.
#42
In Chicago a lot of people go to the Sears tower for a view of the city. It's really not that great, what is great though is going to the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock. You can grab some food and a drink and enjoy the beautiful view from up there. It really is a much more enjoyable experience
Spittnimage 3 years ago
When i was a teen I went with a small group sightseeing to Chicago (no choice). The organizer of the tour (who was our social worker) didn't think she should reschedule the trip because there was a sniper loose in Chicago at the time. (Her husband tried to talk her out of it). We went up to the top of Sears Tower and it was cool but the sniper thing kinda ruined the trip for us. We were so happy when it was time to leave Chicago!
#43
In Canada, don't you dare try to put ketchup on our poutine. Look, I'm a huge ketchup fan, but poutine is already covered in gravy and cheese curds, ketchup doesn't belong anywhere near it.
Vetus Vespertilio 3 years ago
Ketchup on fries is just - wrong. If they’re not good enough to eat plain, vinegar and salt is acceptable. Ketchup is for hot dogs and overdone steak.
Jessica Morin 3 years ago
I'm québécoise and I sometimes put ketchup on my poutine. As long as you say it comes from Quebec, not Canada, there's no gatekeeping.
#44
Driving on the wrong side of the road. Also not leaving enough time to explore the South Island.
Ian Dennison 3 years ago
Assuming you are meaning New Zealand. At least they changed the give-way rules to match the rest of the world recently.
#45
Flying into Manila and spending your whole trip there. Manila might be your typical point of entry to the Philippines, but if you really want to enjoy this tropical country, you need to think beyond the capital. The Philippines has 17 regions, so Manila is hardly representative of the entire archipelago. Each one of the regions has something unique to offer — from tropical beaches and breathtaking mountain ranges to unique cuisine and culture — so it's best to see as much of this diverse country as you can during your stay.
#46
That you think you can cover everything you want to see in America in a single week... America is big. Stupid big. And probably expensive, depending on where you come from.
Lara Verne 3 years ago
Thinking you can explore any country in week is stupid, even if it's small country.
Vetus Vespertilio 3 years ago
Big is correct, since there are three separate countries in (north) America. Canada is the largest, then the United States, then Mexico. And you can’t see any of them in a week.
#47
In Hungary, people like spicy food. I was in a restaurant with my gf and haerd from a table, that he wants (the tourist) his food spicy. The waitress went to the kitchen and the tourist said i can handle the spice. I doubt that. He put a little bit of food in his mouth, and started screaming HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT, and went to the bathroom. If you order spicy food, then it will be spicy.
Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
Indonesia. Tourist (white) ‘life-altering hot’ isn’t even ‘mild’ on their scale. You’ve been warned, lol
Jef Bateman 3 years ago
Southeast Asian food is the hottest. Indonesians eat their food spicy AND literally hot - they choke it down before it cools at all.
Load More Replies... #48
Thinking all the airports with London in their names are in London. I imagine Southend is a bit of a shock for someone expecting a cosmopolitan megalopolis
Trillian 3 years ago
I would complain how "London"-Stanstead isn't anywhere near London but then "Frankfurt"-Hahn isn't even in the same state as Frankfurt.
Sanne H. 3 years ago (edited)
I tried to save money once by booking a flight to Stanstead instead of directly to London. Lost the saved money on the train ticket from Stanstead to London. And I lost one entire hour too.
Load More Replies... Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
To be fair, I think most airports aren't technically in the cities they're named after. At least in the US.
#49
Norway. Tourists arriving by Cruise ships, they bus to where the path to popular mountain treks begin, then they start out in sandals or high heels and wearing shorts and T shirts. Most make it part of the way, and then local volunteer rescue services have to help them back down as they are cold and exhausted(we've even flown in Nepalese Sherpas to build stone steps up the hardest parts some places). Some make it all the way up and by then it's dark and they get lost, and again we'll have to send out volunteer rescue crew or a rescue helicopter. There are signs where the buses drop them off warning them to be dressed properly, and there are volunteers stationed there during high season actually telling them that they should not be doing the hike because of weather, or because of what they are wearing. We also get a lot of fishing tourists(sports fishing in salt water is free here, and there are a lot of great places to fish). They will go out in groups of 5-7 people in a single small boat, they have no idea of the local weather or geography, and they tend to either fall in, get themselves completely lost, or hit a reef and start to take in water. They also tend to not be able to speak English or Norwegian so communication with rescue services are extremely difficult. Tl:Dr: Tourists come to Norway, underestimate our nature and weather and then they die or need to be rescued.
#50
Thinking every girl is willing to go with them for money. I live in Thailand.
CalicoKitty 3 years ago
Sometimes I think a good smack or two would clean up the tourist act in Thailand, but then I remember the many, many Phuket Motorcycle Incidents and despair.
#51
talk very slowly to try to get people who don't speak their language understand them.
Susan Easterly 3 years ago
And, I am sure they spoke English (most Dutch do), but my ex was so arrogant in his approach, I am sure they suddenly did not understand what he was saying. This made me secretly happy at the time.
Susan Easterly 3 years ago
My ex-husband used to do this when we lived in The Netherlands. He would raise his voice and speak slowly in English. I told him, "They are Dutch, not deaf!"
Gypsy Rose 3 years ago
That’s stupid. Slowing down and using body language can be very helpful!
Sanne H. 3 years ago
Exactly. In my own country I try to speak my own language as much as possible, when a tourist approaches me, or in restaurants or shops run by foreigners. Usually the conversation is so simple that pointing and nodding is sufficient to understand each other.
Load More Replies... #52
Eating only at upscale restaurants in Mexico City. It's an amazing city and there are sooo many amazing restaurants to try, but ignoring Mexico City's incredible street food scene would be a huge mistake. Street food stands are literally everywhere, serving the best blue corn quesadillas, life-changing al pastor tacos, and enormous tortas. When planning out your meals, prioritize finding a balance between restaurant dining and street food.
LisaMarie 3 years ago
The worst Mexican food I ever had was in Mexico. It was incredibly disappointing. Of course I know that there is good food to be had there - but I was unlucky in that I didn't find it during my short trip.
Pungent Sauce 3 years ago
The best Mexican food you can find is in Baja. Or virtually any Taco Truck in the States
#53
They think everybody is nice and traditional and walk around in kilts all the time but really we just go out drinking half the time
Donkey boi 3 years ago
This implies that the other half of the the time, they are indeed walking around in kilts!
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Well, it airs out the essentials :) I really need remember to get my kilt steam cleaned.
Load More Replies... #54
Spain's "trap" restaurants. They lure unaware tourists with the promise of low prices and traditional dishes or tapas, and what they get is terrible food with so many hidden charges that you end paying more than in a regular one. If you want to eat for cheap go to a fast-food joint or try your luck with an out-of-the-way rundown bar that has a set menu only written in Spanish. If you want good food (like a decent paella with edible rice and fresh ingredients), then research the area and make a reservation in a good restaurant, even if it costs more and you have to eat at 2:30PM.
#55
France : Only visit Paris. As a french person I hate Paris and I would rather visits some parts of France that I've never seen instead of having to go to Paris again.
DonS 3 years ago
I went to France and my friends were all: You're going to Paris ?!?. My answer: "Fûck no!" and went toward Bayonne and visited some friends living not far in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. I spent my weeks visiting small towns in the mountains (lots of local artisans with great fresh products), hiking, spending days at the beach and visiting small museum here and there with them, watching the rugby world cup at a local bar (was cheering for Ireland at the great displeasure of my friends). I don't regret it at all!
#56
Eating pretty much anywhere on Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Besides La Boqueria, the city's most famous covered marketplace, there isn't much to be found on busy Las Ramblas in terms of decent food. In fact, most places are huge tourist traps that will lure you in and then charge you a premium for a very bad meal. Instead, walk a few minutes to the Gothic Quarter or El Born neighborhood for amazing restaurants.
#57
Trying to use American money (it's Canada)... Common enough that it's often accepted in tourist areas but they usually get screwed because they'll take it at par Buying the tiny overpriced bottles of maple syrup (go to a f*ckin' grocery store! Any one!) or paying the ridiculous price for fake "Native American" ""sculptures"" and other miscellaneous tourist schlock Expecting anyone to actually speak French outside of Quebec I've heard stories of people who expect to go skiing in July or August but I'm not totally sure that isn't an urban legend
DonS 3 years ago (edited)
I had the chance to work at a museum and be a local guide for tourists in Old Montreal. I had fun pointing out the phony stores around the district and restaurants to avoid (most of them: overpriced and overrated). I had, on my person, a list of great restaurants outside the Old Montreal District depending what the tourists were looking for: excellent poutine (after all, Quebec invented that dish), pizza, brunch, fancy brunch, fancy restaurant, Quebec cuisine, experimental, place to watch a Habs game etc. Most of those places, easily accessible via the subway system. Edit: seriously, ask a local or a guide. A lot of them have great insight that they will share.
Jihana 3 years ago
Or expecting people to speak English inside of Quebec. Went to a tourist center to book a ferry across the St. Lawrence River and to find a B&B for the next day. None of the employees there spoke English. A young couple from Switzerland who spoke English, German and French translated for us. I definitely did not expect that Canadians working at the tourist center to not speak any English.
Wang Zhuang 3 years ago
And even in Quebec, the French may not be the French you'd expect to hear
#58
Queuing. If England if you cut a queue, there won’t be any consequences, but you will receive some harrowing death glares.
Donkey boi 3 years ago
Oh I'm not so sure... I've seen a few 'Consequences' of queue jumping. I find that you could piss on an Englishman's leg and he'd be more forgiving than if you jumped the queue!
#59
Norway, visiting the bigger cities in the south and the capital. There is nothing there other than a flat land with a few houses. Instead people should go visit the westlands, as we call it, thats where the big mountains and sh*t you see on pictures are located. If you are driving you should rent a car there and drive through the region a bit before driving further north where you will see a ton of beautiful sh*t, aswell as the northern lights if you are lucky.
#60
Australia... They under estimate the capabilities of some of 'our' native wildlife...
#61
New Zealands have a unanimous hatred for people renting juicy campers and doing 20km under the speed limit. We get tourists that have never driven before or have super limited experience who are legitimately dangerous. Sooo inexperienced driving a campervan?
Kate Jones 3 years ago
For what it's worth, sometimes you literally can't go faster. If there's a lot of weight in the vehicle, especially older vehicles, and if you're towing a car, etc...they don't have good pickup and speed. I moved cross-country and rented a camper-style vehicle so I could save money and sleep in it rather than getting hotels every night. I was shocked at how slow it was. Peddle to the floor and I could barely get it above 65.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
In my head it's like those sweatpants women used to wear with "Juicy" over the backside :)
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Rick Greene 3 years ago
I'm guilty of that but I'm not at all inexperienced driving a camper van. It's just that all of the roads are winding, there is usually no shoulder or a perilous dropoff and I'm driving on the opposite side. Sorry to slow you down, my self preservation just takes over. If it's any consolation, I do aim for possums.
#62
Buy water in bottles when it is expensive and exactly the same water as we have on tap.
V33333P 3 years ago
From NZ: fantastic tap water. I tried drinking tap water in Vegas and it tasted like it came from a cleaned-once-a-year swimming pool
Load More Replies... Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Scottish water is purer than bottled. Get it from the tap in your hotel, put it in a water bottle. Save your money and the environment.
Wilko Lunenburg 3 years ago
In the Netherlands tap water ususally is better than bottled water. And a lot cheaper!
Gypsy Rose 3 years ago (edited)
Bottled water is not the same as tap. Look up the chemicals in your local water source you will be sickened. I live in fancy CT our local water has 322 known and legal contaminants.
Kimi Tomminello 3 years ago
There's many countries that what you're saying isn't necessarily the truth. Even in my own outposts on my property my water is UV sterilized (US) and isn't sanitized with chemicals. Granted no water that comes from the ground is going to be 100% mineral free you should clarify what you're considering contaminants, are you talking chemical run off, pollution, chlorine processing ? Local water reports are not always a thing, believe me, I wish they were. I ran an aquarium business and shipped internationally for conservation purposes (I did breeding for reintroduction) and there were individual scientists I worked with that had to do their own ground water testing because the info was not available through local reports. CT has some pretty nasty water, tbh, that pill processing spill didn't do you guys any favors.
Load More Replies... #63
US - Only visiting New York and/or Florida and then believing they've seen "America." Obviously you're not going to be able to visit every state and eat in every rural diner, but don't just come to Times Square and then believe you've formed an opinion about life in the US.
julien 3 years ago
Only visiting Paris, France for 4 or 5 days and believing they've seen " France ". France is a little smaller than Texas but has 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, USA has 24 ! in France there are more than 150 cathedrals, thousands of castles, dozens of medieval towns and villages. Architecture is completely different in every regions, so is food ! do yourself a favor: visit the rest of the country ! have a good time !
Kate Jones 3 years ago
This is so true. It's like watching the Kardashians and thinking all Americans are like that. Don't judge us by what you see on tv...that is such a small subset of people in the US. Not to say you should waste your time in tiny places...you'll be bored but you should find out what interests you and follow that path. If you like beautiful sites, go to mountain regions or parks. If you like hustle and bustle nightlife, Miami or LA are best (during certain months). If you want interesting food and a party, New Orleans is best during Mardi Gras. Really try to find what interests you most and do that. But try to step away from typical touristy stuff at least for one day out of the trip to just get lost and find interesting things in that area. Do research before coming. Otherwise you'll waste your money and time.
#64
1) Parking in the middle of the road on a blind corner to take photos of wildlife. 2) Standing five feet away from two grizzly bear cubs to snap a few photos with the mother nowhere in sight. 3) Pitching a tent in the middle of tidal flats on low tide. 4) Stopping in the middle of a one lane care/train tunnel to take photos, and holding up all other traffic. (Yes. I have seen all four)
#65
They think they can drive around London. Why would you do that
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Tbf, it would make more sense using that car to gtfo of London and see better places.
#66
Walk on cycling paths. Expecting ice tea to have ice in it.
#67
They think that the guys and girls looks like kpop idols. Boy were they wrong the moment the aircraft landed.
#68
Backstory: It was a thing in the netherlands that on the 30th of april we celabrated our queen beatrix’ birthday. It is printed in all tourguides in other countries. Her actual birthday is in januari, but they put it in april because that was the birthday of our late queen juliana (beatrix’ mother). And also because the weather is better in april. A few years ago Beatrix abdicated the crown and now we have a king. His actual birthday is on the 27th of april so now our ‘kingsday’ is actually on the 27th. This has not been amended yet in tourguides across the border. So every year we see tourists dressed in Orange, which is the colour of our royal house. Hey are super drunk in the streets looking for the parties, while those were 3 days prior. And because most tourists only stay for a day or 2 there is no way for them to know.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
We changed Queen's day (30 April) to King's day ( 27 April) and that's the day that there are festivities everywhere in the country. Most people have a day off.
Load More Replies... #69
Go on hikes, bush walks when they don’t understand how huge the country is, how hot is gets, don’t take water basically some aren’t really prepared at all. Also try to swim in the ocean when they don’t understand rips and aren’t strong swimmers
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Gotta be Aus. The reference to Bush Walks points in that direction anyway.
Load More Replies... #70
Australia: underestimating the stupidly large distances between places combined with a pretty sh*tty public transport network.
#71
Not expecting it to be so cold. Australia gets cold in winter too, guys!
CalicoKitty 3 years ago
A day in Canberra during winter would simply kill someone from a warm country. No mercy, just a human Zooper Dooper.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
Last couple of days it has been in the mid-teens (c). Not too cold, but considering it's not yet winter it's a bit of a shock to the system!
Load More Replies... #72
Walking slowly in front of people trying to get to/from work. Pausing at the top/bottom of escalators to extend the handle on their suitcase.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
These are problems that exist in all places visited by tourists. Many of them do not realise that despite the fact they are on their vacation, locals still have to go to work. If you live in a touristic place, that does not mean that you also live as a tourist all of the time.
#74
Once I was on the plane going back to where I live, and I was sitting next to a woman in her mid-30s, she asked if we ride camels to get to places. I live in Saudi Arabia.
V33333P 3 years ago
Camels at least are animals you ride. I've genuinely been asked before if we ride kiwis in NZ
MysteriousLegBruise 🇺🇦️ 3 years ago
No f*****g way.. holy hell lol I can't imagine the look on your face!
Load More Replies... #75
Think that because the flight was cheap, the hotel will be cheap as well. Forget most shops are closed on Sundays and cant buy alkohol.
#76
In the US I see a lot of East Asian and Indian tourists at national parks. They tend to be dressed in really bad clothes for hiking and not prepared well (compared to Americans). I see girls in high heels and guys in flip flops trying not to slip. Worst one was this Indian guy in the Grand Canyon... he only had one bottle of water and was on his way back up. The guy was incoherent, stumbling next to thousand foot cliff, and refused our help. I hope he made it out alive.
#77
Get drunk and jump from balconies (Spain).
#78
Not bringing the appropriate clothing- Scotland is a country where it rains a lot and is often cold, even in the summer months. Many tourists forget to bring adequate waterproofs and warm clothes. Without proper clothing, it can mar the enjoyment and natural beauty that Scotland has to offer.
#79
Getting out of their vehicle/tour bus to take pictures/feed wildlife... especially babies (whose mother is probably nearby). Not only is it dangerous, but it puts animals at risk if they become too acclimated and are deemed a threat, leading to them being “destroyed” by authorities. Also, not sure how commonly people actually do this, but a big misconception is that you can travel across Canada quickly and affordably. Domestic flights are horrendously expensive, and driving would take an insanely long time. Train service is very limited and expensive once you get out west. Pick a region and stick to it.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
I did a combination of bus and train to get across Canada, from Vancouver to Toronto.
#80
Maybe underestimating how crazy expensive Norway is. Also safety stuff when it comes to mountain climbing, toilet situation in Lofoten.
#81
I live in the US, very close to NYC so I'm always down there for a show or something. I see LOADS of tourists in Times Square. They are packed in there like sardines just to see a few LED billboards. They are clawing over each other to see ADS, f*cking ads being displayed to them by some corporation. There are so many cool places all over the city, great places to eat, etc and they are packed into the Olive Garden and TGI Fridays eating microwaved food at $50 a person looking out the window at ads.
Kate Jones 3 years ago
I get going to TS if you've never been to NYC before. I remember my first time when I moved there and getting off the bus and it was so magical for me. But it gets old fast, lol. But it always drove me crazy when i saw tourists eating at the mcdonald's in times square. I mean... i get maybe you're trying to save money but there are so many places that are cheap to eat that are not the same as you can get at home. Just start walking around there are soooo many restaurants in NY! Not to mention that mcdonald's...the prices are super jacked up! It would be tastier and cheaper elsewhere and you'll get bigger portions.
#82
Judging the entire population based on an interaction with a waiter in a busy café in the capital which was almost entirely their own fault.
#83
A lot of tourists who travel to America make the mistake of trying to see too much of it at once. I honestly tell people that if you want to travel to New York, and feel like you got the proper New York experience, you should spend at least a week there. I know that's a bit extreme, but hey, I really rate the city. My point is, the people who try to see New York, LA, Texas, and Florida on one holiday are all insane.
#84
They eat vegemite wrong.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
Definitely can! Less is more when using Vegemite.
Load More Replies... #85
Fail to greet us properly, assume we all must speak English well, and then call us rude.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Could also be the Netherlands, where expats tell people on Youtube that you don't need to learn Dutch because everyone speaks English fluently.
Load More Replies... #86
Not watching out for the drop bears.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Everyone also forgets about wild Haggis. Please help us protect our national animal.
#87
USA. Not tipping.
Dan Padgett 3 years ago
Really need to lobby your government for fair wages that don't include tips and stop blaming the tourists.
MizAdeleM 3 years ago
We can't even get the government to get rid of assault rifles sold to anyone. Even after Sandy Hook massacre.
Load More Replies... #88
You can't base yourself in Alice Springs and do day trips to the capital cities. You'd struggle to do that with a private jet.
#89
They buy stuff from people on the street/walking up to them in Manhattan. Tickets, coke, whatever- it’s all a ripoff and it’s all fake.
#90
Walking with their phone out in the streets. That's just asking to get robbed.
Monic Krugell 3 years ago
anywhere in South Africa, and those people who approach you when you look lost are not trying to help you!
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Nicole Weymann 3 years ago
Erm...a location would be helpful. On a whim (living in Germany) I'd exclude most of Europe from Portugal to Poland/Finland and from Scotland to Croatia, but that leaves quite a bit of the globe.
Kimi Tomminello 3 years ago
Definitely not America where we get hit by cars cuz we can't be bothered to look up from our devices when we cross the street 😉😁 but I do believe this would be S. Africa.
Load More Replies... #91
I see people waiting hours in line to go to the top of Empire state building or the ferry to statue of liberty etc when there's tons of other cool neighbourhoods to be in, museums to visit and bars/food joints to try in NYC that don't require standing in the sweltering heat for 4 hours in the summer.
Denise B. 3 years ago
There is only one Empire State view, and there is only one iconic symbol of America that is the Statue of Liberty. It matters not that "there's tons of other" stuff. They are all, with the exception of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, of lesser magnitude. I've visited the above and much more in NYC.
Hazel Bon 3 years ago
We did Top of the Rock instead - fantastic view, including of the Empire State building.
Load More Replies... Kate Jones 3 years ago
I agree totally about the Empire SB and SoL. I understand that people want to see an iconic thing, but honestly, you can get a hotel room on a high floor and get the same exact view and save yourself the money and time. It's very expensive visiting NY, so spending an entire afternoon just doing that is really a waste of the money you're paying and your day there. You'll be so much happier getting lost in little nooks and crannies of shops and buildings if you venture out more. I would say take one day to do really touristy things like the Met or walking along Broadway, Times Square (at night! Trust me it's so much better at night). Take pictures etc. But then any other days you have, just take the closest subway ride to anywhere. It doesn't even matter. Just get lost. You can always grab a cab or an Uber and get back to your hotel but you'll be so much happier finding cool and interesting things rather than sticking with the tacky tourist stuff.
#93
Assuming the biggest city in our nation is the only city you should visit
#94
Going to the beach when you're an Asian tourist who's never been near water before and then ending up on Bondi Rescue
Kimi Tomminello 3 years ago
No need to be racist, I know plenty of non Asians that can't swim that could just as easily end up on Bondi Rescue.
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What do you think ?
John Carr 3 years ago
No mention of Ireland here at all. We do not fight and drink constantly. And we don't talk like the leprechaun from the Simpsons. Also, keep away from the rip-off places like Temple Bar. 10 minutes walk and you'll find bars that are almost half the price.
Jennifer Crompton 3 years ago
Ireland is my favorite place on earth. I've been twice for 2 weeks at a time and I would say the best way to experience it as a tourist is to rent a car with a good GPS and stay at B&Bs in small towns. We loved Dublin but I'm glad we only spent 2 days there and went out to experience the rest of the country. The loveliest of people and gorgeous views around every corner
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Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I think they are recycled from one of those "tell me where you are from without telling me where you are from"-posts. I had the feeling I had already seen most of those somewhere on Bored Panda before...
Load More Replies... Katinka Min 3 years ago
Advice from a tourguide that goes contrary to the posts, here: Stop worrying too much about what you should or shouldn't do. If you are in a place for the first time, DO walk the beaten paths, at least for a while, because they will have to most astonishing sites. You do want to visit the Eifeltower, the colosseum, the sistine chapel and the pyramids, because they are incredible. That's why they are the main sights. And, yes eat less than great food on those days when it's near, instead of wasting hours to find a place where locals hang out. Be safe, be aware, be polite, don't litter, but accept that you are a toursit and do touristy things. And THEN, if you have time left over, go and explore the less travelled corners. Take the time to just sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. Oh, and whenever you have the chance: Take the river tours. They are relaxing AND you get to see great stuff while sitting, drinking a coffee. This whole 'Don't be a tourist' stuff is neurotic and pointless
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I agree very much! If I visit a foreign country I AM a tourist on holiday - I do not know every custom of the country, might not speak the language, and maybe am an easier target for dishonest taxi drivers and pickpockets. As long as I try my best to not make an absolute nuisance of myself for the locals this is fine by me.
Load More Replies...
Tim Quinlan 3 years ago
The one about taxis in Greece - gotta disagree - we were in Athens minutes after the second Tower went down. Our cab driver took us to the American Embassy and waited with me while my husband ran in to see if he could get any more information. He spoke with the heavily armed Greek guards at the checkpoint and assured them we were good Americans. He also got us to our hotel and waited until we had checked in to make sure we were ok. We would have had a serious mental breakdown if he hadn't been there.
Supernatural 3 years ago
I'm sorry but how can anybody not understand how big the USA is? Have you never seen a map? Or a globe? They're literally everywhere in every school
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
With so much information readily available online, how do tourists make so many mistakes? I'll add a safety suggestion. If you're on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California, do not expect or try to take photos of people impersonating celebrities or movie characters WITHOUT tipping them. Some have gotten very aggressive.
Katchen 3 years ago
The posts that advise avoiding tourist areas because they’re pricey are funny to me. Often, we know we’re being charged more because we’re tourists, and we’re fine with that. We knew what we signed up for when we ordered a €15 can of Coke so we could sit on the canal at Piazza San Marco.
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
Or the posts making fun of tourists buying shitty souvenirs - I do not need the kitsch police monitoring my holiday shopping, thank you very much!
Load More Replies... Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
Basically, you don't have to visit the tourist hot spots, other places are great too, don't underestimate the size of the countries you are going to, follow the customs of the country, and be prepared.
Goth mouse (they/them) 3 years ago
With Wales theres always tourists every summer having to get rescued by the mountain rescue helicopter for climbing mountains in Snowdonia wearing flip flops and t shirts, the weather can change really quick and a lot of the trails are quite dangerous for inexperienced climbers
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Same here, in the Blue Ridge of the US. Just because it isn't the Rockies or Alps doesn't mean it isn't dangerous!
Load More Replies... John Carr 3 years ago
No mention of Ireland here at all. We do not fight and drink constantly. And we don't talk like the leprechaun from the Simpsons. Also, keep away from the rip-off places like Temple Bar. 10 minutes walk and you'll find bars that are almost half the price.
Jennifer Crompton 3 years ago
Ireland is my favorite place on earth. I've been twice for 2 weeks at a time and I would say the best way to experience it as a tourist is to rent a car with a good GPS and stay at B&Bs in small towns. We loved Dublin but I'm glad we only spent 2 days there and went out to experience the rest of the country. The loveliest of people and gorgeous views around every corner
Load More Replies... Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I think they are recycled from one of those "tell me where you are from without telling me where you are from"-posts. I had the feeling I had already seen most of those somewhere on Bored Panda before...
Load More Replies... Katinka Min 3 years ago
Advice from a tourguide that goes contrary to the posts, here: Stop worrying too much about what you should or shouldn't do. If you are in a place for the first time, DO walk the beaten paths, at least for a while, because they will have to most astonishing sites. You do want to visit the Eifeltower, the colosseum, the sistine chapel and the pyramids, because they are incredible. That's why they are the main sights. And, yes eat less than great food on those days when it's near, instead of wasting hours to find a place where locals hang out. Be safe, be aware, be polite, don't litter, but accept that you are a toursit and do touristy things. And THEN, if you have time left over, go and explore the less travelled corners. Take the time to just sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. Oh, and whenever you have the chance: Take the river tours. They are relaxing AND you get to see great stuff while sitting, drinking a coffee. This whole 'Don't be a tourist' stuff is neurotic and pointless
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
I agree very much! If I visit a foreign country I AM a tourist on holiday - I do not know every custom of the country, might not speak the language, and maybe am an easier target for dishonest taxi drivers and pickpockets. As long as I try my best to not make an absolute nuisance of myself for the locals this is fine by me.
Load More Replies... Tim Quinlan 3 years ago
The one about taxis in Greece - gotta disagree - we were in Athens minutes after the second Tower went down. Our cab driver took us to the American Embassy and waited with me while my husband ran in to see if he could get any more information. He spoke with the heavily armed Greek guards at the checkpoint and assured them we were good Americans. He also got us to our hotel and waited until we had checked in to make sure we were ok. We would have had a serious mental breakdown if he hadn't been there.
Supernatural 3 years ago
I'm sorry but how can anybody not understand how big the USA is? Have you never seen a map? Or a globe? They're literally everywhere in every school
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
With so much information readily available online, how do tourists make so many mistakes? I'll add a safety suggestion. If you're on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California, do not expect or try to take photos of people impersonating celebrities or movie characters WITHOUT tipping them. Some have gotten very aggressive.
Katchen 3 years ago
The posts that advise avoiding tourist areas because they’re pricey are funny to me. Often, we know we’re being charged more because we’re tourists, and we’re fine with that. We knew what we signed up for when we ordered a €15 can of Coke so we could sit on the canal at Piazza San Marco.
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
Or the posts making fun of tourists buying shitty souvenirs - I do not need the kitsch police monitoring my holiday shopping, thank you very much!
Load More Replies... Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
Basically, you don't have to visit the tourist hot spots, other places are great too, don't underestimate the size of the countries you are going to, follow the customs of the country, and be prepared.
Goth mouse (they/them) 3 years ago
With Wales theres always tourists every summer having to get rescued by the mountain rescue helicopter for climbing mountains in Snowdonia wearing flip flops and t shirts, the weather can change really quick and a lot of the trails are quite dangerous for inexperienced climbers
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Same here, in the Blue Ridge of the US. Just because it isn't the Rockies or Alps doesn't mean it isn't dangerous!
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