I hope I'm not in the minority, but I've never broken any laws in any country I've visited. I'm careful to research things before I visit, and even more careful to not travel like the "loud obnoxious American travelers" we all know about. I don't dress like a tourist, I don't act like a tourist, I use the manners my mother taught me (and learn the basic words such as please and thank you for each in country language).
It isn't hard if you don't think the world owes you (I don't). I also have too much respect to take a selfie on a sacred road, drop my shirt and show my breasts with a photo taken from behind (I hate this "empowerment" trend, I think it's rude), or carve my name on ancient sandstone buildings (or stand there and giggle while my BF does it).
I don't understand the mentality that people feel gives them the right to violate laws and norms in another country. Whether they do it in their own country is irrelevant.
At the center of all of this behavioral nonsense, is that too many people have absolutely no idea, or worse could care less, about the concept of "guest." Even treating wait-staff or line cooks poorly when popping out for a meal, is a malignant hallmark of the boor. If you're not in your own home, you're a guest, period.
Paying for the "privilege" of behaving badly is a character flaw that is suggestive of a whole host of other antisocial behaviors.
I suggest everyone read Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad about his trip to the Holy Land in the 19th Century when Americans were hacking off parts of sacred Christian sites as souvenirs. Twain skewered them mercilessly. But the sad lesson is that there have always been entitled travelers who have no respect for the places or people they visit. Tourism is big business everywhere, but it is no wonder locals are fighting back and demanding restriction on the hoardes of clueless yahoos running roughshod over their homelands.
I have never broken the law in a foreign country, because I do my research not because I am any smarter than the next person but selfishly I want a smooth trip. It is getting worse because when you live in a country where sadly our leaders are disrespectful of others it gives some people permission to be the same. “The meatball rolls downhill” Sue Heim said it best too bad more people don't have her mind set.
In many cases these are the same "tourons" that act up at home. They simply don't think about what they are doing or care about where they are doing it. Taking close selfies with bison or elk at Yellowstone is both stupid and dangerous as well as criminal. "Tagging" buildings in Chicago or NY or wherever is wrong. Making fun of local accents.... I could list dozens of obnoxious behaviors that Americans do at home and carry with them while traveling. But the same can be said for visitors to the US. Much of the world has lost civility and gained both entitlement and arrogance in the last 50 years or so.
The closest I came to violating a local law was wearing a Benfica cap in Porto. Almost got my tour guide in a fist fight with a bellman over it. Please start making us proud Americans - stop acting like entitled a-holes!
It’s not a law, but yeah. Try wearing a Celtic jersey at Ibrox! We went to a Hearts v Hibs match in Edinburgh. The tension between the two sets of fans was palpable.
Unaware of local laws, I used to carry my prescription medicines into countries like Japan that consider possession of these drugs to warrant jail time. Today, I leave them home even though these drugs are important to my health. I can disagree with their laws but have to respect their sovereignty.
It's not generally illegal to bring prescription drugs into Japan, but there are regulations and guidelines to follow. You can bring up to a one-month supply of prescription medication for personal use, provided it's in its original container and accompanied by a letter from your doctor detailing the medication, dosage, and purpose. If you need to bring more than a one-month supply, you'll need to obtain an import certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) in advance. Certain medications, like those containing stimulants or classified as illicit drugs in Japan, are prohibited.
My husband and I always show the utmost respect to the citizens of each country we visit. We know we are guests in their country and act accordingly. My opinion about the bad behavior of some tourists is much different than Mr. Elliott’s. I may sound like an old timer but here’s what’s wrong with these offensive tourists. The morals and ethics of our society are changing rapidly. Bad behavior among us is practically being normalized. We are all afraid of being critical, therefore we remain silent instead of condemning such behavior. The same people who behave badly in other countries are not angels on our own soil either. It points to eroding morals and our acceptance of it. It’s sad as I see no hope for now for any significant change as long as our representatives also act disrespectful and even boast about it. Maybe in the future.
The first time I visited Bhutan 23 years ago, together with my visa, I received I packet of info about Bhutan, and it's cultural do's and dont's, and what to expect once there. At the time Bhutan only received or processed 7000 tourist visas per year and one had to enter the Kingdom with an organized, vetted Travel Group. It took six months to process said visa. Which means one had ample time to study and research this gorgeous, hidden, pristine jewel of a place. I'm Venezuelan so having been raised in a "Caribbean Country" -- at the time we still had a Democratic government -- was perfect prep to visit any part of the World, specially those not organized by "perfect " Western standards. All of this to say, that in spite of that explanatory packet, my North American travel companions-- in spite of their lauded and varied professional status-- demonstrated absolute hubris and insensitivity in their questions to our guide and attitudes in general. I remember feeling constantly embarrassed by their attitude, even though the Bhutanese in their Buddhist wisdom seemed covered in a very hardy Teflon shell...
And learn the correct pronunciations! I was in a Quebec store once and heard this man, Texan by the sound of his accent, say, "Mercy Bo-coup!" He didn't notice the salesperson's disgusted facial expression, but I did. :(
True, honest attempts, but it's cringe worthy! Smile! I work as an interpreter with the American Deaf community, and they truly appreciate when hearing people make an attempt at least signing"hello", "thank you", you're welcome" or ask how to sign those words.
As a professor on sabbatical teaching at Nanjing University in China, I didn’t realize that it against the law to use your cell phone at a gas station. Something about electrical impulses starting a fire. There are actually security watching for this and are ready to write you a ticket.
I recently cruised from Rome to Athens, visiting numerous archaelogical sites and historic monuments. Everywhere we went we encountered swarms of high school kids from all over Europe taking class trips to places they couldn't care less about. They were the ones running, shouting, laughing, shoving, littering, dressing inappropriately, and gluing themselves to their cell phones in the most beautiful places imaginable. I can't understand why schools and parents are wasting their time and money on these kids who have no appreciation and are ruining it for those of us who do. Our groups had a few travelers who did some cringeworthy things, but overall we were respectful and always aware if our surroundings and the fact that we were guests in someone else's home.
I would be curious to know if there is any correlation between age and bad behavior.
I am old as dirt so travel was always an adventure and a time when you were on your best behavior when away from home both in-country and out. We always learned "please" and "thank you" in the local language, dressed appropriately, and were polite. Failure to comply meant no more travel which was a threat we took seriously. Vacations were a privilege, we were not rich so saving for them was a family affair.
I am not saying that all senior citizens are not guilty of becoming Ugly Americans when out of the US but I do wonder how age plays in.
From what I have seen in my travels, age has nothing to do with it. I've seen very polite teens and 20-somethings and rude and arrogant over 60s. In fact the over 60s tend to have more money and are often (a sad generalization) the most ill-mannered. Ask any FA how many in first class make eye contact or say please or thank you. You'll be shocked. Sad truth.
Sounds minor, but I know that on several occasions I and others with me were speaking too loudly. I try my best to be aware of my voice and the level of our speech, but being honest here, it gets away from me sometimes.
I hope I'm not in the minority, but I've never broken any laws in any country I've visited. I'm careful to research things before I visit, and even more careful to not travel like the "loud obnoxious American travelers" we all know about. I don't dress like a tourist, I don't act like a tourist, I use the manners my mother taught me (and learn the basic words such as please and thank you for each in country language).
It isn't hard if you don't think the world owes you (I don't). I also have too much respect to take a selfie on a sacred road, drop my shirt and show my breasts with a photo taken from behind (I hate this "empowerment" trend, I think it's rude), or carve my name on ancient sandstone buildings (or stand there and giggle while my BF does it).
I don't understand the mentality that people feel gives them the right to violate laws and norms in another country. Whether they do it in their own country is irrelevant.
Easy rule of thumb - their country, their rules and customs.
At the center of all of this behavioral nonsense, is that too many people have absolutely no idea, or worse could care less, about the concept of "guest." Even treating wait-staff or line cooks poorly when popping out for a meal, is a malignant hallmark of the boor. If you're not in your own home, you're a guest, period.
Paying for the "privilege" of behaving badly is a character flaw that is suggestive of a whole host of other antisocial behaviors.
I suggest everyone read Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad about his trip to the Holy Land in the 19th Century when Americans were hacking off parts of sacred Christian sites as souvenirs. Twain skewered them mercilessly. But the sad lesson is that there have always been entitled travelers who have no respect for the places or people they visit. Tourism is big business everywhere, but it is no wonder locals are fighting back and demanding restriction on the hoardes of clueless yahoos running roughshod over their homelands.
I have never broken the law in a foreign country, because I do my research not because I am any smarter than the next person but selfishly I want a smooth trip. It is getting worse because when you live in a country where sadly our leaders are disrespectful of others it gives some people permission to be the same. “The meatball rolls downhill” Sue Heim said it best too bad more people don't have her mind set.
In many cases these are the same "tourons" that act up at home. They simply don't think about what they are doing or care about where they are doing it. Taking close selfies with bison or elk at Yellowstone is both stupid and dangerous as well as criminal. "Tagging" buildings in Chicago or NY or wherever is wrong. Making fun of local accents.... I could list dozens of obnoxious behaviors that Americans do at home and carry with them while traveling. But the same can be said for visitors to the US. Much of the world has lost civility and gained both entitlement and arrogance in the last 50 years or so.
The closest I came to violating a local law was wearing a Benfica cap in Porto. Almost got my tour guide in a fist fight with a bellman over it. Please start making us proud Americans - stop acting like entitled a-holes!
It’s not a law, but yeah. Try wearing a Celtic jersey at Ibrox! We went to a Hearts v Hibs match in Edinburgh. The tension between the two sets of fans was palpable.
If people can't behave (not talking about making an innocent mistake), they need to stay home in their little caves!! No excuse for poor behavior.
Unaware of local laws, I used to carry my prescription medicines into countries like Japan that consider possession of these drugs to warrant jail time. Today, I leave them home even though these drugs are important to my health. I can disagree with their laws but have to respect their sovereignty.
It's not generally illegal to bring prescription drugs into Japan, but there are regulations and guidelines to follow. You can bring up to a one-month supply of prescription medication for personal use, provided it's in its original container and accompanied by a letter from your doctor detailing the medication, dosage, and purpose. If you need to bring more than a one-month supply, you'll need to obtain an import certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) in advance. Certain medications, like those containing stimulants or classified as illicit drugs in Japan, are prohibited.
Does that apply to all prescription drugs or just certain types?
My husband and I always show the utmost respect to the citizens of each country we visit. We know we are guests in their country and act accordingly. My opinion about the bad behavior of some tourists is much different than Mr. Elliott’s. I may sound like an old timer but here’s what’s wrong with these offensive tourists. The morals and ethics of our society are changing rapidly. Bad behavior among us is practically being normalized. We are all afraid of being critical, therefore we remain silent instead of condemning such behavior. The same people who behave badly in other countries are not angels on our own soil either. It points to eroding morals and our acceptance of it. It’s sad as I see no hope for now for any significant change as long as our representatives also act disrespectful and even boast about it. Maybe in the future.
The first time I visited Bhutan 23 years ago, together with my visa, I received I packet of info about Bhutan, and it's cultural do's and dont's, and what to expect once there. At the time Bhutan only received or processed 7000 tourist visas per year and one had to enter the Kingdom with an organized, vetted Travel Group. It took six months to process said visa. Which means one had ample time to study and research this gorgeous, hidden, pristine jewel of a place. I'm Venezuelan so having been raised in a "Caribbean Country" -- at the time we still had a Democratic government -- was perfect prep to visit any part of the World, specially those not organized by "perfect " Western standards. All of this to say, that in spite of that explanatory packet, my North American travel companions-- in spite of their lauded and varied professional status-- demonstrated absolute hubris and insensitivity in their questions to our guide and attitudes in general. I remember feeling constantly embarrassed by their attitude, even though the Bhutanese in their Buddhist wisdom seemed covered in a very hardy Teflon shell...
I repeat myself, again and again.
The key words to learn and KNOW before you go (and I add or change a few each time).
Please
Thank you
Help
Toilet
Food
Sorry
And learn the correct pronunciations! I was in a Quebec store once and heard this man, Texan by the sound of his accent, say, "Mercy Bo-coup!" He didn't notice the salesperson's disgusted facial expression, but I did. :(
lol..
The number of times I’ve heard English speakers say are-we-go-too :cringe: yes go now, ;)
Generally though an attempt will be enough. It shows you tried and most people in tourist areas will give it a pass.
True, honest attempts, but it's cringe worthy! Smile! I work as an interpreter with the American Deaf community, and they truly appreciate when hearing people make an attempt at least signing"hello", "thank you", you're welcome" or ask how to sign those words.
As a professor on sabbatical teaching at Nanjing University in China, I didn’t realize that it against the law to use your cell phone at a gas station. Something about electrical impulses starting a fire. There are actually security watching for this and are ready to write you a ticket.
I apologized but it didn’t excuse the fine.
I recently cruised from Rome to Athens, visiting numerous archaelogical sites and historic monuments. Everywhere we went we encountered swarms of high school kids from all over Europe taking class trips to places they couldn't care less about. They were the ones running, shouting, laughing, shoving, littering, dressing inappropriately, and gluing themselves to their cell phones in the most beautiful places imaginable. I can't understand why schools and parents are wasting their time and money on these kids who have no appreciation and are ruining it for those of us who do. Our groups had a few travelers who did some cringeworthy things, but overall we were respectful and always aware if our surroundings and the fact that we were guests in someone else's home.
I would be curious to know if there is any correlation between age and bad behavior.
I am old as dirt so travel was always an adventure and a time when you were on your best behavior when away from home both in-country and out. We always learned "please" and "thank you" in the local language, dressed appropriately, and were polite. Failure to comply meant no more travel which was a threat we took seriously. Vacations were a privilege, we were not rich so saving for them was a family affair.
I am not saying that all senior citizens are not guilty of becoming Ugly Americans when out of the US but I do wonder how age plays in.
From what I have seen in my travels, age has nothing to do with it. I've seen very polite teens and 20-somethings and rude and arrogant over 60s. In fact the over 60s tend to have more money and are often (a sad generalization) the most ill-mannered. Ask any FA how many in first class make eye contact or say please or thank you. You'll be shocked. Sad truth.
Sounds minor, but I know that on several occasions I and others with me were speaking too loudly. I try my best to be aware of my voice and the level of our speech, but being honest here, it gets away from me sometimes.