Ranting is probably not good for the blood pressure, but I don’t know about you but it makes me feel so much better after I have got everything off my chest. There are places though where I probably wouldn’t rant for one reason or another.

BTW, this is a slightly tongue in cheek post, but there’s a few bits of useful travel advice.

On an airplane

It’s surprising how many times I have heard ranting air rage passengers in-flight, on one trip to Spain, a passenger sat in front of me started ranting at the air hostess, swearing, and throwing drinks around. He was arrested by the Spanish police on arrival. Not exactly a good start to your holiday, sat in a Spanish jail.

At a hawker food stall in Thailand

I’d hate to think what meat you’ll be eating if you started to have a rant at an owner of a hawker stall in Thailand. You could order chicken and end up with rat, so it’s best to smile and be nice to the owner, especially because Thai food is delicious, try Khao Mok Khai.

In a taxi on route to the hotel

Whilst there are plenty of taxi drivers across the world who will try and rip you off, it’s best to check the fare with the driver before getting into the taxi or do your research online. The last thing you want to be doing is ranting at the driver, he could drop you off in the roughest part of town or miles from the hotel.

At road users in Rome

Don’t think it’ll be fun to wave your fist and rant at a road driver in Rome when crossing the street because they are more likely to reverse and run you over than ignore you. Scooter users can also be dangerous so watch out for them too, especially for their legs.

Be abusive to McDonalds staff in NYC

Actually, this doesn’t apply to just McDonalds in NYC, it applies anywhere. Has anyone seen the TV programme which recorded the staff spitting into burgers when the customer ranted at the staff, I have and I haven’t eaten a Big Mac since.

Walking over Sydney Harbour Bridge

Whilst walking over the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge it’s not a good time to rant at another traveller or a member of staff, especially at the point where you take the security belt off the bridge to get on to the next section. I would definatly not recommend ranting here.

London Underground

This might not be such a problem now that they have banned alcohol on the underground but whilst walking down the escalator stay to the right hand side if you want to rest, don’t stay on the left hand side or rant at people trying to get by, because your more likely to be pushed down the escalator.

Washington Dulles Airport

This probably applies to most airports in the US, but I thought I would pick on Washington’s airport because it has a reputation of having ridiculously rude security staff. Don’t rant just smile and try and get the hell out of there as quick as you can.

Whilst Bungee jumping in New Zealand

You’d have to pay me a fortune to get me to go bungee jumping but the last thing you want to do is rant at the guys who secure you to the bungee rope, as they are more likely to leave something undone or worst still cut off the rope as your in mid-air, so just smile, and enjoy the moment.

Rant at your guide walking up Mount Kilimanjaro

It’s not a good idea to rant at your guide whilst walking up Mount Kilimanjaro, simply because you’ll probably not make it back home alive. My advice is feed your guide, be nice to him or her, smile, but do not rant – if the guide is crap tell them when your back home.

Any places you would not rant on your travels?

• Travel Audio Guides on the Move
• Quick Guide to… Prague
• Reminder for Air Passengers over the Holidays
• Budget travel, nature walks and simple travel tips

Subscribe to RSS

Submit to StumbleUpon

Bookmark page