Chin Up, "Ricknicks"
Jul 11th, 2004, 01:10 PM
#21
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I viewed a re-run of a Steves show this morning that was about Sicily. This was the first time I have seen his program, but thanks to the many threads about this person, I grew curious. He seems to love the Italians, so I think I can cancel the negative remarks that were posted on the earlier thread.
Jul 11th, 2004, 04:18 PM
#22
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joegri cigalechanta
Both of you have discovered what is one of my favorite parts of traveling. To discover a nice B&B that not only will save you money but you are able to develop some friendships that are much more important to me than staying in a posh hotel. My B&B in London is the only place I will stay. My friends there are my family (I even have the front door key). It is home for me there.
coccinelle - Italy is RS's favorite country. I enjoy his videos as I am getting to see Europe. He is one source of travel info for me. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he has shown nothing but respect for Europeans. I got a 30% discount just by mentioning his name at my hotel in Rome. That savings paid for my plane ticket, train ticket and guide book. Take a look at the Graffite Wall on his website. Lots of great info on Europe.
Both of you have discovered what is one of my favorite parts of traveling. To discover a nice B&B that not only will save you money but you are able to develop some friendships that are much more important to me than staying in a posh hotel. My B&B in London is the only place I will stay. My friends there are my family (I even have the front door key). It is home for me there.
coccinelle - Italy is RS's favorite country. I enjoy his videos as I am getting to see Europe. He is one source of travel info for me. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he has shown nothing but respect for Europeans. I got a 30% discount just by mentioning his name at my hotel in Rome. That savings paid for my plane ticket, train ticket and guide book. Take a look at the Graffite Wall on his website. Lots of great info on Europe.
Jul 11th, 2004, 05:25 PM
#23
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As I have said many times, all this "Rick Steves is a dunderhead" stuff is jealousy.
There are people on the internet who feel they have all the answers and that everyone should defer to what they say. They therefore feel compelled to put the average guy type of traveler down. You know who they are "My trip was better than your trip; I have so much money that spending $300 for lunch is routine; I am a phony sophisticated expert." They get so furious when anyone disagrees because they cannot accept that disagreement is possible.
Criticizing Rick Steves for his hairdo is nuts. I wonder if the critics look so good themselves. The important thing is his excitement about traveling and how he communicates it to others.
Rick Steves fills an important need for many inexperienced travelers. He fills people with confidence that they can do it even if they do not speak the languages. Criticizing him for grammatical errors in TV programs when he attempts to speak a foreign language is nuts.
You should have watched me majorly butcher Russian in St. Petersburg a few weeks ago. You know, it did not matter. Trying was appreciated. I just loved it when someone asked me if I were Polish just because I spoke a few words.
While I was traveling to Europe before Steves got started because I am a rabid history nut, Rick Steves has inspired many a timid North American to go for it. Those people have enriched their lives and gained a new perspective on their everyday lives. For that alone, my hat is off to Rick Steves.
Now, I wish I had his job.
There are people on the internet who feel they have all the answers and that everyone should defer to what they say. They therefore feel compelled to put the average guy type of traveler down. You know who they are "My trip was better than your trip; I have so much money that spending $300 for lunch is routine; I am a phony sophisticated expert." They get so furious when anyone disagrees because they cannot accept that disagreement is possible.
Criticizing Rick Steves for his hairdo is nuts. I wonder if the critics look so good themselves. The important thing is his excitement about traveling and how he communicates it to others.
Rick Steves fills an important need for many inexperienced travelers. He fills people with confidence that they can do it even if they do not speak the languages. Criticizing him for grammatical errors in TV programs when he attempts to speak a foreign language is nuts.
You should have watched me majorly butcher Russian in St. Petersburg a few weeks ago. You know, it did not matter. Trying was appreciated. I just loved it when someone asked me if I were Polish just because I spoke a few words.
While I was traveling to Europe before Steves got started because I am a rabid history nut, Rick Steves has inspired many a timid North American to go for it. Those people have enriched their lives and gained a new perspective on their everyday lives. For that alone, my hat is off to Rick Steves.
Now, I wish I had his job.
Jul 11th, 2004, 07:43 PM
#25
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kismetchimera
If you like Europe I think you will enjoy his shows. I never tire of watching any show on Europe whether it is RS or Rudy or whomever.
You can go to his website ricksteves.com and they have scripts of old and his new shows which start in Sept. That will give you an idea of what he covers.
I don't think I could do what he does as most of his 3 months in Europe he is going around updating his guidebooks and getting new shows ready. There is a lot of work involved. I wouldn't want to work on my holidays in Europe. I go to have fun! He enjoys what he does - and that is the bottom line.
If you like Europe I think you will enjoy his shows. I never tire of watching any show on Europe whether it is RS or Rudy or whomever.
You can go to his website ricksteves.com and they have scripts of old and his new shows which start in Sept. That will give you an idea of what he covers.
I don't think I could do what he does as most of his 3 months in Europe he is going around updating his guidebooks and getting new shows ready. There is a lot of work involved. I wouldn't want to work on my holidays in Europe. I go to have fun! He enjoys what he does - and that is the bottom line.
Jul 11th, 2004, 08:26 PM
#26
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Unlike those of us who vacation in Europe, when Rick is in Europe he is working. I doubt visiting hotels is much fun, but I am sure he manages to have some interesting times.
I wonder where he goes on vacation. I bet it is to the beach where he sits in a chair and reads.
All and all, though I would not mind his job.
I wonder where he goes on vacation. I bet it is to the beach where he sits in a chair and reads.
All and all, though I would not mind his job.
Jul 11th, 2004, 11:46 PM
#27
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I have nothing personal against Rick Steves. He has obviously filled a niche. What I do object to is the myth he (and his fans) perpetuate that cheap travel is somehow SO much MORE *authentic.* Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. Yes, you can have a wonderful time staying at B&Bs but that doesn't make your travel experience SUPERIOOR or more REAL than staying at nice hotels or eating at nice restaurants. Some of the most wonderful, kind, helpful people I have met work at nice hotels and restaurants. Some of the most indifferent people we've met on our travels own/work in B&Bs.
"One thing he did instill in me was the contention that the more you spend on lodging, the further you place yourself from the people of the country you are visiting." Joegri, that is simply FALSE. What, the only real people in Europe are the ones who stay in inexpensive little hotels? The Europeans who stay in nice hotels (or own them) are self-centered jerks or impostors--that is, they're not *really* European? I work with an Italian company and my co-workers are great people. They don't stay at inexpensive hotels on business or vacation. One of our warmest relationships in Germany was with the owner of a very nice, upscale restaurant in a beatiful small town that (knock wood) has not EVER made a RS mention. Most of our French friends in Europe are doctors that I have met through work. They're wonderful people. They don't stay in little B&Bs on vacation. Why does that make them less French and less nice?
The reverse snobbery promulgated by RS is no better than any other kind of snobbery.
Another falsehood perpetuated is that anyone who criticizes ANY aspect of the RS mantra is speaking only from jealousy. What, RS is perfect, above mortal man? I don't care what his hair looks like, I don't care about his personal life, I don't obsess over him (the only time I think about him are when these posts come up), what I do care about is his "spending money makes you a bad traveler" nonsense.
I can't criticize RS because I haven't made millions in a travel business? Does that mean you RS fans can't criticize Microsoft because you haven't made billions in the computer business? That you can't criticize a car unless you've made millions in the automotive business? You can't criticize a movie unless you're a multi-millionaire film producer? You can't criticize a politician unless you hold public office?
RS is a businessman. His business should be no more exempt from criticism than any other business. My criticism has NOTHING to do with RS the man, only RS the "product."
Finally, one thing I find odd is that RS seems to have a purely American appeal. Although the Time Out, Rough Guide, Let's Go, Fodors, etc. guidebooks can be found in almost any English language bookstore with a travel section, the RS books are found mostly in American stores or in stores that cater to Americans. Why is that?
If you like the RS approach to travel, fine, that's certainly your choice and enjoy. But those of us who don't use his guidebooks or side with his philosophy don't deserve all these negative stereotypes as superficial, or phony or whatever.
"One thing he did instill in me was the contention that the more you spend on lodging, the further you place yourself from the people of the country you are visiting." Joegri, that is simply FALSE. What, the only real people in Europe are the ones who stay in inexpensive little hotels? The Europeans who stay in nice hotels (or own them) are self-centered jerks or impostors--that is, they're not *really* European? I work with an Italian company and my co-workers are great people. They don't stay at inexpensive hotels on business or vacation. One of our warmest relationships in Germany was with the owner of a very nice, upscale restaurant in a beatiful small town that (knock wood) has not EVER made a RS mention. Most of our French friends in Europe are doctors that I have met through work. They're wonderful people. They don't stay in little B&Bs on vacation. Why does that make them less French and less nice?
The reverse snobbery promulgated by RS is no better than any other kind of snobbery.
Another falsehood perpetuated is that anyone who criticizes ANY aspect of the RS mantra is speaking only from jealousy. What, RS is perfect, above mortal man? I don't care what his hair looks like, I don't care about his personal life, I don't obsess over him (the only time I think about him are when these posts come up), what I do care about is his "spending money makes you a bad traveler" nonsense.
I can't criticize RS because I haven't made millions in a travel business? Does that mean you RS fans can't criticize Microsoft because you haven't made billions in the computer business? That you can't criticize a car unless you've made millions in the automotive business? You can't criticize a movie unless you're a multi-millionaire film producer? You can't criticize a politician unless you hold public office?
RS is a businessman. His business should be no more exempt from criticism than any other business. My criticism has NOTHING to do with RS the man, only RS the "product."
Finally, one thing I find odd is that RS seems to have a purely American appeal. Although the Time Out, Rough Guide, Let's Go, Fodors, etc. guidebooks can be found in almost any English language bookstore with a travel section, the RS books are found mostly in American stores or in stores that cater to Americans. Why is that?
If you like the RS approach to travel, fine, that's certainly your choice and enjoy. But those of us who don't use his guidebooks or side with his philosophy don't deserve all these negative stereotypes as superficial, or phony or whatever.
Jul 11th, 2004, 11:57 PM
#28
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BTilke, I agree with you on your points about upscale not being less European. It seems like this is a pretty common opinion though, I have heard this many times. I think people are refering to "the common man" in any such context, such as references to a "home cooked meal" being superior. Well, not in all homes!
I also think RS is popular with Americans because he looks so down to earth and like a "regular joe" they can relate to. They know he is going to wear his baggy chinos and casual shoes just like they want to wear. So it is validating to them, he looks like the man who lives next door and if he can travel to Europe, "so can I".
Sorry if this is disjointed, I think I am falling asleep at the computer, but you get my point? In summary, I agree with you.
I also think RS is popular with Americans because he looks so down to earth and like a "regular joe" they can relate to. They know he is going to wear his baggy chinos and casual shoes just like they want to wear. So it is validating to them, he looks like the man who lives next door and if he can travel to Europe, "so can I".
Sorry if this is disjointed, I think I am falling asleep at the computer, but you get my point? In summary, I agree with you.
