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Old Mar 24th, 2008, 10:25 PM
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Is Money The Issue?

In my time in the bush I have had guests that are truly wealthy. People that fly in, in their own private jets etc. 99% of the time these guests are the best to have in my opinion. Most time they never flaunt their wealth and really seem to enjoy the bush and know why they are here etc. Even at some of the smaller more rustic places I have worked at I used to think “Why would these people come here?”
Another kind of guest is a guest that does not have huge amounts of money that save for a long time to come on safari. They are also usually fantastic to have as they appreciate everything.
The other guest I hate. This is the guest that has reasonable wealth but nothing special. This guest thinks they are something they are not. They think the world should bow at their feet (especially people in the service industry) because of their money (ha ha). They are often stupid, have no clue about their surroundings and did I mention stupid? This person will usually complain about how they could not sleep at night because of the animal noises. Me: “Good Morning how was your night?” Them: “I could not sleep, the lions were roaring all night and then some sort of animal came to eat the grass outside”. They will say things like “I got bitten by ants last night while at the fire, can you do something about it?” – No you idiot I cannot do something about it the next morning. Did you know that ants move around? - and it is just unfortunate an ant decided to walk past you!
So maybe money is the problem at the end of the day and not Americans like most people seem to think? Maybe my theory should be tested, before booking the holiday the agents can get the income bracket the guest falls into. Then we can possibly know what we are getting before hand? The ‘wannabe’ snobs can then be told that the lodge is full or some sort of excuse…. and stop speaking to me with your mouth full of food you disgusting person!
Just my thought for the day.
Hope everyone has a good one.
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Old Mar 24th, 2008, 11:10 PM
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Too Funny - you did mention the lion roaring in another thread ...... when i read that, i thought to myself why the heck are they on safari - to boast at the next dinner party about their holiday? or to compete with Mrs and MR XYZ?
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 12:17 AM
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Hi jackssid2

Well I do not think money has anything to do with it! To me it is the passion of being in the bush with all the animals birds reptiles and insects!

Some of the fellow guests I have in my vehicle sometimes seem to be filling in a few days, or coming to africa must include a few days on "safari" - they have little interest in anything for longer than a few minutes, and are always saying to "move on"!

These are the people that seem to get upset over every little thing - like a lizard in the room or a bug hitting them in the face on the way home or whatever - when really they do not have the passion to be gameviewing in the african bush to begin with!

Kind regards

Kaye
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 05:43 AM
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Since you have described several categories of guests, I am going to ask you something I have always wondered. Do you have names for different types of guests? Maybe not names that fit the categories you've described, but perhaps other categories?

In nonsafari terms you have described Old Money, Nouveau Riche, and the rest of us.

You do see all kinds in the service sector and it can take a toll. I don't encounter anybody in private jets where I work, but I do see representatives of the other types of people you describe, plus an element of unstable and violent folks.

Asking people their income is too intrusive, but you may be onto something. Asking about their expectations or what is important on a trip could provide helpful answers. So let's say the answers come back to indicate somebody is a jerk, then what?

Anyway, it's entertaining to read about your worst guests.

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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 05:58 AM
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Whether in business or just living, I have met and even have friends with new money, old money and those who save so they can enjoy a really nice lux vacation. Regardless where the destination, or how they live at home, there are those who are so unpretentious (sp) you'd think they didn't have two pennies to rub together and those who "try too hard" to impress, are loud and rude.

In each group you will find jerks.

Even inquiry pre-safari about their income (in my mind a "no-no" as it's just plain rude, even amongst friends) or expectations, won't assure you how they'll act.

Jerks will be jerks, wherever!
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 07:14 AM
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These "annoying guest" threads have further dissuaded me from checking out the private reserves.

Of course, I guess that makes me one of those "beer-swilling" self-drivers, as ATR's description of Etosha put it.

Bottom line--jerks are everywhere.
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 09:15 AM
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Yep, jerks are everywhere -- that's probably the best explanation. And I totally agree with Kaye.

I wonder if part of the problem is how a safari is often advertised as a "luxury," pampering, swanky-type vacation (as opposed to a wildlife and nature-oriented adventure), so you get people signing up for a safari who would never in a million years want to be outdoors or go camping or hiking in their everyday lives. I'm sure some of this is the result of money, absolutely -- people have to pay a LOT to go on a safari, and so some of them (unfortunately) have the wrong expectations about what it will be like. But I definitely don't think you'd be able to select out these types of people by knowing their income or nationality. (If you knew their other interests, that might help a little!)

No matter where I've traveled, there always seem to be at least a few people who think of vacation as a time to be spoiled and pampered and act like selfish babies, which is too bad. For me, vacation is a chance to challenge myself and learn new things that I can't try at home. But, hey, I'm also one of those nature-obsessed people who love to camp and hike, so I don't mind roaring lions and bugs!
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 10:22 AM
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Gritty,

I'd like to buy youse a brewski and we could set a spell at a local watering hole and talk safari and travel. I bet we'd find that whether private reserves in Africa, national parks across the US, or an attraction near home most people are just fine. I admire the self drivers in Namibia and if I weren't a chicken who has no sense of direction and can't get used to the wrong side of the road, I'd join the likes of you.
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 01:01 PM
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atravelynn--I'd be glad to share a brew with you. And, I agree, the vast majority of people are just fine. I didn't convey my point well--there are some wealthy jerks, and I've experienced a few self-driver jerks as well--in Africa and the US.

You and others identified a key point, I think. I really do wonder what some people expect. Do they really not know that there is a possibility that nature may interact with them? Sure, there can be little annoyances, but....wow. To me, that's like going to see Shamu at Sea World, sitting in the front row, and expecting not to get wet.

That's the real reason I'm not visiting the private reserves yet--I'm afraid I'll ruin everyone else's vacation when I yell "WHAT DID YOU EXPECT??" to that clueless person (instead of just ignoring it). I also have an annoying habit of talking with my mouth full.
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 05:59 PM
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Gritty and Lynn, I know they are not good for the environment, but one big benefit to staying in lodges with the hoi polloi is that there are so many other guests that you can easily escape jerks. You're not sitting there together at one table for 2+ hours every night.

And don't get me started on jerky camp managers.

(I opened this thread expecting something completely different.)
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 06:30 PM
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Gritty, I'd like to have you self-drive through the lodge in the private reserves, beer in hand, with your mouth full yelling, "What do you expect, you jerks?" assuming there are some jerks. You could knock aside those a$$holes, making it safe for the rest of us to enjoy ourselves and the wildlife around us. It would be kind of like a bouncer in the bush.
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Old Mar 25th, 2008, 07:29 PM
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Maybe it isn’t what income bracket someone is actually in, but what bracket they THINK they are in and whether they feel income bracket actually defines them. I believe the people who are real jerks are inconsiderate of others because they either THINK they are better than the next guy, or they THINK they make more money and that alone makes them feel superior, or for some other reason they THINK they are entitled to more than other guests. Watch out for the guest who thinks all of the above!

I hope Hari’s wrong, but I fear he may be right: that many people are now taking certain types of vacations because they want to brag about it, not necessarily because it’s the type of vacation they will enjoy. I wish those people would go elsewhere and leave Africa to those of us who appreciate it.

I don’t really honestly think it has anything to do with money. I think it has to do with attitude. There are inconsiderate obnoxious people in all walks of life.

Instead of the pre-safari questionnaire asking how much money somebody makes, perhaps it could ask “are you a jerk?” followed by “if you answered yes to this question (i) we will be happy to assign you to a vehicle with other jerks; (ii) in an effort to make you feel right at home, we will ask the camp staff, management, and guide to behave like jerks in your presence; and (iii) if anything goes wrong we will ignore your complaints because we will just chalk it up to your being a jerk.” If you still want to go on this safari, please acknowledge acceptance of these conditions.
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 05:01 AM
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I have little interest in going on safari -- I lived in sub-Saharan Africa for two years, and you couldn't drag me back with "oxen and wain-ropes" -- but the title of the thread caught my attention. The discussion of classes of guests is very funny. I agree with those who think the problem arises from viewing travel not as an experience, but as a consumer item and badge of status.

Now back to researching destinations north of the sahel. Well, maybe Ethiopia in a pinch . . .
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 06:43 AM
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Jerks are jerks (as Sandi mentioned) and Dana, it is what people think.
"They think the world should bow at their feet (especially people in the service industry) because of their money (ha ha).”
That is why I added the “ha ha”.
What Fra Diavolo just said is true.

The cause is definitely not money, it is the different expectations. So many people these days have no clue what the bush even is. It is almost expected that you will drive a little (never a lot!), not be bugged by flies (a poster awhile back complained about flies in the middle of the migration!) or other insects. You will see endless amounts of game and as soon as it gets a little too hot you return to the air-conditioned room. I say endless amounts because the amount of people that have seen a lot will actually sometimes say they have not seen much. I find it mind boggling that I will ask a guest how was a game drive and their answer will be “oh we did not see much, we saw some lion, cheetah, another lion and a few elephant but not much” O.K. if that is not much then what is? Do you need to see 50+ lion (they must be mating, fighting and pulling down buffalo – at the same time), cheetah “breeding herds” and leopard pulling down elephant! Then it is a decent drive?

Atravelyn you asked if a guest is a jerk then what? As an agent I think certain kinds can definitely be spotted and diverted to the “correct places” or even be told that a safari is not for them. Some agents do this and others do not. I am not an agent so I do not know how much contact you have with guests. I would assume though that most agents have a few e mails or phone conversations with their guests so can get a fair idea of what they want?

I would actually love to ask some of the agents on Fodors now if there is any sort of ‘screening’ that goes on?

I also do realise that guests often have no clue what they want and change their mind and do not even listen or take advice. I have had plenty of experiences where the guest has been upset with their agent and come to me and complained and quite frankly from what I have seen the guest is just a jerk who did not listen or anything. On the other hand I have had the opposite as well. I have had guests coming and within 10 seconds of meeting them I have thought how can a guest like this be sent to this place? On top of that even had 1 or 2 agents complain about an aspect that this kind of guest has complained about when in fact this agent should be the one getting the complaint from the destination to say what were you thinking sending this person here!

I hope I am not seen as a manager who is bashing guests. I have many friendships from people I have met in the bush but I just think it is nice to be able to get out a few gripes that may actually help some other manager in future? I would love to have a guest come one day and tell me how they read this & this on Fodors and because of certain info changed the way they looked at things and even changed plans or ideas.
Maybe one person reading will not come and complain to me in front of other guests about being bitten by an ant and rather laugh about it with me over a beer.

On a different note it often does not help to be rude and over demanding. We are all human and I know that on one or two occasions a rude guest that I have been driving has missed out on some special stuff because he/she peeved me off so much. Not really spiteful on my behalf but I am human. On the other hand some people have seen the best things because I have gone out of my way and used all my skills to offer the best experience possible.
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 07:18 AM
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I like that oxen and wain-ropes. I now realize that's what it has taken to get me out of bed and to work some Monday mornings but I was so depressed I never even noticed the wain-ropes. You’d think the oxen would have registered, though.

Dana, I love the jerk test! I may just print that out and hand it to anyone I encounter while traveling that looks like a jerk. If they fail, I’ll call in Gritty to mow them down so I can go on about my merry way.

Definitely all income levels can be jerks or wonderful folks. Lack of money doesn't always mean kind and humble. I've had my life threatened by people who survive in good part on free government cheese.

When I think to myself, "how many times has poor behavior by others ruined my entire trip?" the answer is never. If I recall boorish, rude, or bizarre instances that I had to endure I can think of a few.

-A guy suddenly belting out opera in the middle of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda. Though he ruined a portion of the game drive, he was a really nice guy.

-A family that was not on time for drives, did not follow vehicle rules, and were a pain to dine with. But we still had great wildlife viewing and their outrageous antics added some pizzazz to my trip report.

-A man who could have been my grandfather insulting my body in a non-humorous way requiring me to show him the bird--and not one flying overhead. But that was a 20 second exchange.

-The leader of high priced small group of 6, taking up every seat in the lounge area of the lodge with his camera gear and paraphenalia.

-A huge woman who constantly told us her daughter (who was not there) was a size 4 and bragged about her husband's prestigious job and all the places she had been and talked non-stop in a loud voice until I refused to sit anywhere near her in the camp because she also was blowing cigarette smoke in everyone's face. But when there was an injury of another guest in camp, she had connections because her husband was a doctor and knew other doctors in the area and she was a tremendous help to the injured guy, accompanying the group to the hospital. They were all scheduled to leave at that time anyway. The injury happened when heavy camera equipment was dropped on his head, somehow.

-A woman who made inappropriate sexual comments about the animals we were seeing, really gross and uncomfortable remarks that had no scientific basis. When she wasn’t doing that she spent a lot of time counting things out loud, whether trees, giraffes, zebras, whatever. She had some issues and Alzheimer’s might have been one of them.

-My travel companion on a 3-week Europe trip changed personalities the moment we hit the continent. The worst point was when she slammed a door in the face of an elderly, frail woman in Switzerland because that woman was using the wrong door. True, it was the wrong door, but she did not need to be taught a lesson by getting hit in the face with the door.

-I had a guy yelling at me that I was pathetic (that was the word) as I was getting off a bus in Costa Rica but I can't remember why I was supposedly pathetic.

-A deranged guest screamed so that a jaguar we were viewing (in Brazil) by boat ran away and then she later claimed my friends and I had scared it away.

This thread got me thinking about an excerpt that has stuck with me from Beryl Markham’s book, West with the Night. I was actually able to find the exact quote on the Internet.

<b>
&quot;The essence of elephant-hunting is discomfort in such lavish proportions that only the wealthy can afford it.&quot;
</b>
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 08:02 AM
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Too funny, Lynn - How do you end up finding all these people???
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 09:01 AM
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Yikes, Lynn! I guess those people find YOU, huh? You must be a magnet.

Although I'm sure a lot of those weren't funny at the time, they do make for good travel stories later.

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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 09:42 AM
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I loved your post. I thought it very interesting.

I will be coming on my first ever safari in late October and cannot wait. I have wanted to do this my whole life, I am mow 52 and about to achieve my dream.
I would fall into the category of having no money and having to save up for years to get on my safari. I would love to be one of the wealthy, private jet clients, but unfortunately I am not. I would also like to think that no matter how wealthy or unwealthy I am I would NEVER treat people badly. I absolutely HATE that. How can one person be so full of their own self importance that they think they have the right to look down at another!
Those ignorant, selfish and thoughtless types that you mention unfortunately DO have money and think they are better than anyone else, and I agree they are the worst types ever.
WHY go on a safari if you don't like the sound of lions roaring?!! I cannot WAIT to hear my real life lion roars and I absolutely cannot wait to hear ever wild animsl sound that is possible.
Having lots of money does not buy taste, unselfishness, or consideration.
For all those wealthy but ignorant types, why do you treat people with less money as second class citizens. Not that there will be any of those reading these posts I expect.
Take care jackssid2. There are many, many good people thank goodness who DO appreciate everything you do.

Sue
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 09:47 AM
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jackssid2,
I wonder if some of the comments posted here which you perceive as complaints weren't intended to be complaints? While it's not fun to be attacked by tsetses at the time it's happening, it can be fun to commiserate here later. And the mention of flies lets newbies know where to expect them.

Don't get me started on bizarre owner behavior Managers on the other hand are generally more diplomatic.
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Old Mar 26th, 2008, 09:54 AM
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Yeah, I run into some doozies. I can only wonder what they are saying about me.

Feistybrit, I bet you are looking forward to Halloween!

That is not a weirdo comment that would lump me in with some of the oddballs I described above. I saw Feistybrit's trip leaves Oct 30.
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