Don't those of you who brag about just taking a carry-on take any "stuff" other than clothes?
Jun 20th, 2007, 02:43 PM
#202
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Correct Socialworker. It's apparently been in many cities and many chain restaurants...
http://tinyurl.com/rrxgj
http://tinyurl.com/rrxgj
Jun 20th, 2007, 03:03 PM
#204
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social worker - yeah, I thought I had heard it before. But - certainly it is no more farfetched than some of the stuff in this thread. Most of which, actually, is in fact possible. There have been tons of "news stories" about the amount of germs in hotel rooms, restaurants, etc. Whether germs can jump out of a sink and onto your toothbrush is debatable. And while a lot of this stuff is true, if you really worry about it you'd never go out, much less travel. Common sense and a few logical precautions should work for most people.
Oh and by the way, if you are afraid of hotels, restaurants and airplanes, you sure better hope you never have to go to a hospital.
Oh and by the way, if you are afraid of hotels, restaurants and airplanes, you sure better hope you never have to go to a hospital.
Jun 20th, 2007, 03:22 PM
#205
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Fortunately, I don't think anyone who's posted here allows a fear of germs to control their lives.
My doctor once told me that if it makes you feel safer, better, more secure to have a test done, then have it done.
I look at wiping down trays, using your own pillow cases, not washing your undies in the same sink as you brush your teeth, etc., as something that makes you feel better even if it doesn't help any. As long as it doesn't do harm and doesn't affect others, then keep wiping!
My doctor once told me that if it makes you feel safer, better, more secure to have a test done, then have it done.
I look at wiping down trays, using your own pillow cases, not washing your undies in the same sink as you brush your teeth, etc., as something that makes you feel better even if it doesn't help any. As long as it doesn't do harm and doesn't affect others, then keep wiping!
Jun 20th, 2007, 03:25 PM
#206
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We all ought to checks out our facts better!!
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Spider Under Florida Toilet Seat Hoax
As any horror writer knows, poisonous spiders are a pretty reliable method of raising the fear and revulsion factor in your average reader. So it's not surprising that spiders make a successful theme for hoax emails as well. The recent Camel Spider hoax email has been inundating inboxes worldwide. As well, another old spider hoax seems to be currently enjoying a come back. This hoax claims three women in Florida have died after being bitten by a venomous spider that was hiding under a restaurant toilet seat. According to the email, the spiders were found in the toilets of several aircraft originating out of India and could be now "anywhere in the country".
The email makes for a classic and juicy tale and one that just begs to be forwarded. But of course, it is a total fabrication. There have been no reports of deaths from foreign spider bites in Florida, nor have poisonous spiders been found in the rest rooms on international flights. The Two-Striped Telamonia is a real spider that lives in Singapore, but it is not venomous.
Versions of the hoax have been circulating since 1999. The details vary, including the name and origin of the spider, the name of the restaurant and the names of scientists and organizations supposedly involved. All versions are equally untrue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spider Under Florida Toilet Seat Hoax
As any horror writer knows, poisonous spiders are a pretty reliable method of raising the fear and revulsion factor in your average reader. So it's not surprising that spiders make a successful theme for hoax emails as well. The recent Camel Spider hoax email has been inundating inboxes worldwide. As well, another old spider hoax seems to be currently enjoying a come back. This hoax claims three women in Florida have died after being bitten by a venomous spider that was hiding under a restaurant toilet seat. According to the email, the spiders were found in the toilets of several aircraft originating out of India and could be now "anywhere in the country".
The email makes for a classic and juicy tale and one that just begs to be forwarded. But of course, it is a total fabrication. There have been no reports of deaths from foreign spider bites in Florida, nor have poisonous spiders been found in the rest rooms on international flights. The Two-Striped Telamonia is a real spider that lives in Singapore, but it is not venomous.
Versions of the hoax have been circulating since 1999. The details vary, including the name and origin of the spider, the name of the restaurant and the names of scientists and organizations supposedly involved. All versions are equally untrue.
Jun 20th, 2007, 07:00 PM
#207
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Agree with Toed, in addition, as long as your germaphobia doesn't take over your life, then it's a-ok in my book.
Besides, think of all the public service we compulsive think-we're-killing-germs people are doing... we're keeping the surfaces of these areas clean!
Besides, think of all the public service we compulsive think-we're-killing-germs people are doing... we're keeping the surfaces of these areas clean!
Jun 21st, 2007, 07:34 AM
#208
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I have been reading the many posts about travelling with only 1 bag. Don't any of you shop when you travel? That is one of the main pleasures for my DH and myself. We wouldn't dream of travelling with less than 2 carry-ons and 2 or 3 checked bags. And I'm not about to do laundry on a vacation. And why are you people lugging your bags. We have never had to do that. There is always someone to help us. Yes, even in Europe. Once we put them in our car here in the States we have rarely had to dead with them. Just curious when there are such fabulous clothes in Europe to buy
Jun 21st, 2007, 07:48 AM
#209
I shop - if it is a big/bulky item or heavy clothing like a wool coat, I have the merchant ship it home for me and have the VAT taken off the top. If it is small or most clothing - it fits in my small bag.
Sure don't know what type of trips you take where you have people schlepping your bags - unless it is taxis everywhere and 4 and 5 star hotels w/ bellmen.
Sure don't know what type of trips you take where you have people schlepping your bags - unless it is taxis everywhere and 4 and 5 star hotels w/ bellmen.
Jun 21st, 2007, 08:12 AM
#211
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>And why are you people lugging your bags. We have never had to do that. There is always someone to help us. Yes, even in Europe.
Really? Where have you been? Strange, because I am travelling a lot within Europe and never saw anybody to help.
Really? Where have you been? Strange, because I am travelling a lot within Europe and never saw anybody to help.
Jun 21st, 2007, 08:46 AM
#215
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I rarely shop when I travel, except for a few gifts and something for the house and the office, usually a small piece of art or a photograph or a small 'thing'.
My suitcases (both carry-on and standard) have those zippers that can open up to offer a little more capacity. My rule for packing is that I never take so much that I have to use that extra room, so it's always available if I need to bring stuff home. However, I try to remember to take a canvas carry-all so I can bring home breakable items. I forgot to do that this time but bought a really handy bag in Monoprix when I was in Dijon -- to carry all that Dijon mustard. And doncha know I ended up having to put in into my suitcase anyway re the carry on rules!
My suitcases (both carry-on and standard) have those zippers that can open up to offer a little more capacity. My rule for packing is that I never take so much that I have to use that extra room, so it's always available if I need to bring stuff home. However, I try to remember to take a canvas carry-all so I can bring home breakable items. I forgot to do that this time but bought a really handy bag in Monoprix when I was in Dijon -- to carry all that Dijon mustard. And doncha know I ended up having to put in into my suitcase anyway re the carry on rules!
Jun 21st, 2007, 08:58 AM
#216
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Different people value different things. Many posters here value more what goes on inside your mind and heart when you are traveling. Other posters value what goes on their body when they are traveling.
Jun 21st, 2007, 09:07 AM
#218
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GUfruf,
Assuming you are asking a serious question, I will take the bait.
We took carry-ons only on this last trip for 2 reasons, neither having to do with saving money on laundry or wanting to schlep our bags ourselves.
1. Lost luggage. We had 2 connections and had a driver picking us up at the Munich airport and taking us to Kitzbuhel. Friends of ours taking the exact same routing the month before had all their luggage "misdirected". They made 3 separate 3 hour trips back to Munich to resolve this and resulted in not getting their bags until after they returned home. The very thought of having to deal with this scared the squat out of me.
2. The return. A, we wanted the option to switch our connection to an earlier flight. If we had checked luggage we would not have been able to stand by for that flight. And B, we wanted to avoid the major hassle of claiming & rechecking bags once we cleared customs in Atlanta, mainly because of reason A.
We spent the first part of our trip in homes that had American sized washers & dryers and the second part we stayed in a four-star hotel in Paris that indeed had a bellman. A very cute one at that.
We drove between stops, and once we got to Paris when we needed something cleaned we had the hotel send it out, even hubby's dress shirts & pants, and it was returned that evening.
Also, had we had as many bags as our travelling companians, we would never have gotten it all in the trunk.
We ate in 3 star restaurants and looked quite chic if I do say so myself. I don't think I could have pulled it off as well had the weather been hot the whole time. The black Armani pantsuit & boots took me everywhere from Taillevent to bistros, depending on what I wore with it. I would have sweltered in it in hot weather.
I did miss not being able to shop more. My friends had to buy an extra bag to take home their purchases (which I have done on many occasion) so I was able to get them to take home some of mine and some clothes. But, at this point in our lives, we have travelled for many years and aquired enough "stuff". The thought of losing it all to another Katrina puts "stuff" on the lower end of my list of life's important things.
Assuming you are asking a serious question, I will take the bait.
We took carry-ons only on this last trip for 2 reasons, neither having to do with saving money on laundry or wanting to schlep our bags ourselves.
1. Lost luggage. We had 2 connections and had a driver picking us up at the Munich airport and taking us to Kitzbuhel. Friends of ours taking the exact same routing the month before had all their luggage "misdirected". They made 3 separate 3 hour trips back to Munich to resolve this and resulted in not getting their bags until after they returned home. The very thought of having to deal with this scared the squat out of me.
2. The return. A, we wanted the option to switch our connection to an earlier flight. If we had checked luggage we would not have been able to stand by for that flight. And B, we wanted to avoid the major hassle of claiming & rechecking bags once we cleared customs in Atlanta, mainly because of reason A.
We spent the first part of our trip in homes that had American sized washers & dryers and the second part we stayed in a four-star hotel in Paris that indeed had a bellman. A very cute one at that.
We drove between stops, and once we got to Paris when we needed something cleaned we had the hotel send it out, even hubby's dress shirts & pants, and it was returned that evening.
Also, had we had as many bags as our travelling companians, we would never have gotten it all in the trunk.
We ate in 3 star restaurants and looked quite chic if I do say so myself. I don't think I could have pulled it off as well had the weather been hot the whole time. The black Armani pantsuit & boots took me everywhere from Taillevent to bistros, depending on what I wore with it. I would have sweltered in it in hot weather.
I did miss not being able to shop more. My friends had to buy an extra bag to take home their purchases (which I have done on many occasion) so I was able to get them to take home some of mine and some clothes. But, at this point in our lives, we have travelled for many years and aquired enough "stuff". The thought of losing it all to another Katrina puts "stuff" on the lower end of my list of life's important things.
Jun 21st, 2007, 09:11 AM
#219
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I sincerely don't get why someone would fly during 6-8 hours (if not more), go through jet lag and spend throusands of dollars to, once landed, visit shops.
Unless you are in Japan and wonder if you will have the nerves to eat dried squids/shrimps locals eat like potato chips or are at awe looking at the multitude of different spices available in a market in India, why spend time looking at shirts, skirts and sandals?
There is sssoooooooooooo much to see other than stores (and as much to do beside carrying luggages).
Unless you are in Japan and wonder if you will have the nerves to eat dried squids/shrimps locals eat like potato chips or are at awe looking at the multitude of different spices available in a market in India, why spend time looking at shirts, skirts and sandals?
There is sssoooooooooooo much to see other than stores (and as much to do beside carrying luggages).
Jun 21st, 2007, 09:21 AM
#220
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Not many posts relate to the original question re packing habits - but I'll still add my 2 cents...
I loathe checking bags (don't want to lug them/lose them/wait for them at baggage carousel) and pack light enough to get by with just a carry-on and my purse when traveling domestically. BUT, when traveling overseas I am usually going for a longer duration and have always checked at least one bag. This is because I like clothes, I usually wear different outfits during day than at night, and I don't like doing laundry (though have when staying in a villa with facilities). I try to bring just what I will wear though, no extra outfits 'just in case' and I use the toiletries supplied in hotels or buy them when away and leave them behind. I also don't like to be limited on what I can bring back so I usually leave myself room to buy things and this necessitates a big or extra bag.
I agree with the posters that say to each their own and I don't think that packing light entitles one to some sort of travellers badge of honour. I will say that I am annoyed by those people who stretch the limit on carry-on policies (those whose bags wouldn't fit in the overhead or need to be shoe-horned in) and then have additional things (laptops, large shopping bags, purses etc.) I know it is the airlines fault for not enforicing their policies, but it is very annoying to have to hear the announcements about overheads being full, please take small things out and put in foot area to accommodate larger bags, etc. and I have been on flights that have been delayed having people check bags they thought they could squeeze in as carry-ons. Very inconsiderate.
I loathe checking bags (don't want to lug them/lose them/wait for them at baggage carousel) and pack light enough to get by with just a carry-on and my purse when traveling domestically. BUT, when traveling overseas I am usually going for a longer duration and have always checked at least one bag. This is because I like clothes, I usually wear different outfits during day than at night, and I don't like doing laundry (though have when staying in a villa with facilities). I try to bring just what I will wear though, no extra outfits 'just in case' and I use the toiletries supplied in hotels or buy them when away and leave them behind. I also don't like to be limited on what I can bring back so I usually leave myself room to buy things and this necessitates a big or extra bag.
I agree with the posters that say to each their own and I don't think that packing light entitles one to some sort of travellers badge of honour. I will say that I am annoyed by those people who stretch the limit on carry-on policies (those whose bags wouldn't fit in the overhead or need to be shoe-horned in) and then have additional things (laptops, large shopping bags, purses etc.) I know it is the airlines fault for not enforicing their policies, but it is very annoying to have to hear the announcements about overheads being full, please take small things out and put in foot area to accommodate larger bags, etc. and I have been on flights that have been delayed having people check bags they thought they could squeeze in as carry-ons. Very inconsiderate.
