Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
Tourists Tourists
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: vietnam
Posts: 47
Tourists
I hope is a new thread but if it's been said before, I apologise.

As travellers, explorers and adventurers are you often dismayed at the behaviour of your fellow country men/women and their lack of cultural sympathy in general? I don't mean just rudeness, you find that everywhere but not taking the time to learn about specific dos and don'ts in their respective destinations. I remember watching a TV advert back in the Uk that highlighted this, was it for a credit card or bank?

Any suggestions, or education, would be helpful.

Tourists.

What is it with us tourists?

The French woman shouting at the sweet deaf girl on the corner who survives by selling hand made greeting cards, “you’re closed…?’
Then points to her wristwatch and stabs out the letters on it, “Closed….C…L…O…S….E….D…”
Deaf is deaf in any language madam. Incroyable.

The belligerent American propping up my local bar that surreptitiously sidles his way over to me and slurs, “You know what’s wrong with these people buddy? No ****ing respect. Don’t they remember we kicked their ass?”
You need a history lesson pal.

The grey haired tourists arguing with the waiter in my local café and generally being obnoxious, “I said FIVE spring rolls not FRIED spring rolls, take them away…”
You must understand that any language translation problems are yours, not theirs. At least they are trying, unlike you.

The North Face clad, rucksack sporting traveller that delighted in taking flash photos of the locals sat cross legged on the pavement, tucking into their noodles.
How would you like it if I returned the favour in Segafredos as you bite into your third bagel?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
****holes are ****holes regardless of country of origin and what passport they carry.

I've lived in London and Paris and felt sorry for the tourists. I can be ashamed to be English by going into Leeds or Manchester whenever there is a football match on. I can be ashamed to be on two or three wheels when I see the local sportsbike crowd trying to kill themselves by breaking as many traffic laws as possible. I wished I didn't turn wearing a certain style of jacket at the bike rally where a group of BM GS's brought identical tents by car and then refused to ride onto the field because of the mud.

I find it easier to simply talk to people and show I am not a rude Parisien/London waiter, a football hooligan, an insane power ranger sportsbike rider or a stuck up **** on a BMW. I hope I give people the same benefit of the doubt.

I have also pretended to be Dutch, but that's because riot police of any nationality usually aren't in a mood to talk and it was going to make their life easier as well as mine.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Estonia
Posts: 351
I have allergy against tourists who can't keep low profile, especially in very poor countries. I mean these who are loud, wear big shiny and expensive watches or jewellery, flashy clothes etc. Who don't give a s**t about locals and local customs. Unfortunately this also includes some overlanders on bikes and in 4x4s.

P.S. I like to call myself a "tourist" as well.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Apr 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sunderland, UK
Posts: 280
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
I can be ashamed to be English by going into Leeds or Manchester whenever there is a football match on.
I feel embarrassed to be English whenever I visit Amsterdam. I live near Newcastle so the locals there are obviously used to us going there on the dope run or for stag nights. My bosses brother has lived in Rotterdam for years and he says the locals can spot any English visitor quite easily among crowds, even at a distance. That's how bad our fellow countrymen and women embarrass themselves when visiting other countries.

What gets me most is those people that think if they just shout very slowly in English and in a patronising manner, they will obviously be understood. :confused1:

It's not just the English who are obnoxious though. I've seen American tourists in Konigsee, Germany, having a go at a seller on a food stall in the street, complaining that he was ignorant for not making the effort to speak English! I really do think tourists underestimate how much the locals appreciate you making the effort, regardless of how bad it is.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tourists kidnapped...again?! Bensouthall North Africa 3 1 Feb 2009 23:14
Requirement? Riding in USA, for tourists a1arn North America 12 28 Jan 2008 15:38
Three tourists killed in Yemen... JoeSheffer Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 5 22 Jan 2008 16:58
tourists killed in hawdramuth - 18/1/8 trui_gaea Middle East 2 21 Jan 2008 00:08
Sahara tourists freed! davidhpark Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 19 Aug 2003 07:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top