Comments on: Reveal your thoughts on the behaviour of tourists abroad http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/07/10/reveal-thoughts-behaviour-tourists-abroad/ - Discussions on travel consumer issues Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:10:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Darren Cronian http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/07/10/reveal-thoughts-behaviour-tourists-abroad/#comment-149553 Darren Cronian Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:25:37 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=4452#comment-149553 Excellent comments from all. @ Caitlin Really good points about the cultural aspect of tipping and I agree. I hate how Brits have a bad reputation in Europe, and they assume that all Brits act the same when on their holiday. I've seen it for myself, especially in Spain. @ Reiji Thanks for commenting. Great points about the negative and positive aspects of being classed as a nice tourist. I also agree you should speak to people how you expect to be treated, just because your on holiday it does not give you the right to be rude. Excellent comments from all.

@ Caitlin

Really good points about the cultural aspect of tipping and I agree. I hate how Brits have a bad reputation in Europe, and they assume that all Brits act the same when on their holiday. I’ve seen it for myself, especially in Spain.

@ Reiji

Thanks for commenting. Great points about the negative and positive aspects of being classed as a nice tourist. I also agree you should speak to people how you expect to be treated, just because your on holiday it does not give you the right to be rude.

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]]> By: Reiji http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/07/10/reveal-thoughts-behaviour-tourists-abroad/#comment-149543 Reiji Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:45:44 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=4452#comment-149543 Being Japanese, I'd have to agree with the article. I find Americans to be generally outspoken bordering on loud sometimes (I'm sure it's this outspoken culture thing really so no offense meant). Don't really know anything about British habits abroad. All in all this "Japanese tourists are the best" mentality has really had a positive effect on my experiences abroad. I just mention I'm Japanese and I get extra special treatment. Of course I try my best to be polite all the time. Although some hotels WILL try to take me for a ride just because i'm nice and all that (like cross selling all other products available at their arsenal to me and hard selling it). I think the trick is to not treat the hotel staff like you own them and treat them like adult human beings with feelings. Also, give feedback in a constructive way and not in the usual hyperbole some tourists are fond of doing. i work for a non Japanese airline by the way. and my staff would agree to what was written above as well. Our cabin crew have the same exact thoughts on that subject. Being Japanese, I’d have to agree with the article. I find Americans to be generally outspoken bordering on loud sometimes (I’m sure it’s this outspoken culture thing really so no offense meant). Don’t really know anything about British habits abroad.

All in all this “Japanese tourists are the best” mentality has really had a positive effect on my experiences abroad. I just mention I’m Japanese and I get extra special treatment. Of course I try my best to be polite all the time. Although some hotels WILL try to take me for a ride just because i’m nice and all that (like cross selling all other products available at their arsenal to me and hard selling it).

I think the trick is to not treat the hotel staff like you own them and treat them like adult human beings with feelings. Also, give feedback in a constructive way and not in the usual hyperbole some tourists are fond of doing.

i work for a non Japanese airline by the way. and my staff would agree to what was written above as well. Our cabin crew have the same exact thoughts on that subject.

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]]> By: Caitlin http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/07/10/reveal-thoughts-behaviour-tourists-abroad/#comment-149510 Caitlin Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:01:36 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=4452#comment-149510 I don't think tipping or likelihood to complain are any indication of whether someone is a well-behaved tourist or not. Tipping is cultural. In some places it's expected to offset the provision of service. In other places it's an optional reward for good service. In my opinion, travellers should comply with the local customs on this. I do not always tip in Europe but I always do in the US (I just tip more or less depending on the service). If I don't tip in Austria, where wages are high, this does not make me a bad tourist. If I don't tip in Las Vegas, where wages are low, then I'm being mean. As for likelihood to complain? If something is wrong then I firmly believe you should complain, but you should do so clearly and politely. The definition of a good tourist is not one who meekly cops whatever crap gets dumped upon them. Hoteliers might like it that way but they are not the arbiters of behaviour. I don’t think tipping or likelihood to complain are any indication of whether someone is a well-behaved tourist or not.

Tipping is cultural. In some places it’s expected to offset the provision of service. In other places it’s an optional reward for good service. In my opinion, travellers should comply with the local customs on this. I do not always tip in Europe but I always do in the US (I just tip more or less depending on the service). If I don’t tip in Austria, where wages are high, this does not make me a bad tourist. If I don’t tip in Las Vegas, where wages are low, then I’m being mean.

As for likelihood to complain? If something is wrong then I firmly believe you should complain, but you should do so clearly and politely. The definition of a good tourist is not one who meekly cops whatever crap gets dumped upon them. Hoteliers might like it that way but they are not the arbiters of behaviour.

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]]> By: Steve http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/07/10/reveal-thoughts-behaviour-tourists-abroad/#comment-149348 Steve Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:11:20 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=4452#comment-149348 Call me a raving snob if you like, but I believe there's a class issue at work with holidaying Brits in Europe. Cheap package holidays in the sun on the Costa del Solihull are, in my opinion, not going to attract the best behaved and more tip-happy individuals. The more expensive long-haul holidays, however, are going to attract a different bunch, as Linda says. This subjet reminds me - anyone remember a 1990s documentary called The Tourist Trap? It was a fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 (UK) documentary that secretly filmed groups of British, Japanese, American and German (I think) tourists. A few of the people in the group were actors, and with their help the programme makers staged certain events to see how the "herd" would react, if they would complain, scream and shout etc. It was fascinating telly and a real insight into cultural differences. I can't find it anywhere on the web but if anyone knows where I can view it again, please let me know! Call me a raving snob if you like, but I believe there’s a class issue at work with holidaying Brits in Europe. Cheap package holidays in the sun on the Costa del Solihull are, in my opinion, not going to attract the best behaved and more tip-happy individuals. The more expensive long-haul holidays, however, are going to attract a different bunch, as Linda says.

This subjet reminds me – anyone remember a 1990s documentary called The Tourist Trap? It was a fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 (UK) documentary that secretly filmed groups of British, Japanese, American and German (I think) tourists. A few of the people in the group were actors, and with their help the programme makers staged certain events to see how the “herd” would react, if they would complain, scream and shout etc. It was fascinating telly and a real insight into cultural differences. I can’t find it anywhere on the web but if anyone knows where I can view it again, please let me know!

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]]> By: Rob http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/07/10/reveal-thoughts-behaviour-tourists-abroad/#comment-149295 Rob Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:26:16 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=4452#comment-149295 I think for all the nations, the impression you get by meeting their tourists at a neutral venue compared to meeting their residents in their homeland is completely different. Few examples to get the wrong impression of a nationality - Brits in Ayai Napa / Danes in Sunny Beach / Americans in Cancun. . . . Something to do with alcohol, herd mentaility and some kind of holiday madness ! It's important not to generalise and treat people as individuals. I think for all the nations, the impression you get by meeting their tourists at a neutral venue compared to meeting their residents in their homeland is completely different. Few examples to get the wrong impression of a nationality – Brits in Ayai Napa / Danes in Sunny Beach / Americans in Cancun. . . . Something to do with alcohol, herd mentaility and some kind of holiday madness ! It’s important not to generalise and treat people as individuals.

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