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-   -   Rick Steves on Twitter (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/rick-steves-on-twitter-1669736/)

MissPrism Jul 22nd, 2019 12:59 AM

Rick Steves on Twitter
 

Oh dear! Not only does he talk about the Lakes District (sic) but while driving his Citroen Airbag, he breaks several UK driving laws. I think some people even reported him

hetismij2 Jul 22nd, 2019 02:22 AM

Wow! And people follow his tours and read his books for advice?

I don't think we can link to Twitter from here but if you search for Rick Steves Twitter you will find the video. No need to sign up and become a t**t like Steves.

nonconformist2 Jul 22nd, 2019 02:46 AM

Wow, he writes a guidebook based on a single day in each destination.

MissPrism Jul 22nd, 2019 02:54 AM

Seriously, anyone following his example could endanger themselves and others as well as risking a heavy fine

J62 Jul 22nd, 2019 02:55 AM

I love his guidebooks - they are a wonderful, easy to spot beacon.

a) look for hordes of tourists with his guidebook to their nose.
b) turn around and walk (run) the other way

OReilly64 Jul 22nd, 2019 03:15 AM

Blackpool????

hetismij2 Jul 22nd, 2019 03:37 AM

Maybe PalenQ is really Rick Steves. He loves Blackpool after all. :)

I want to know how he got such an empty motorway. good job under the circumstances though.

Gyhtson Jul 22nd, 2019 03:49 AM

So HE’S the reason Americans keep referring to the LakeS District?

Also: what an arse, filming himself breaking a whole bunch of road rules and putting it on social media.

janisj Jul 22nd, 2019 05:57 AM

Haven't watched the clip yet -- but it does look like he is in the middle lane for no apparent reason. Does he break other rules of the road??? Blackpool - really?

I do try to tell folks his advice/guides for the UK is usually pretty lame. Very little original content and mostly recycled pap.

He does tend to talk down to the lowest common denominator.

Gyhtson Jul 22nd, 2019 06:05 AM

Yeah, he’s driving along in the middle lane of the motorway when the inside lane is completely clear, using what is clearly a handheld phone to film himself and the car (a Citroen Airbag, apparently) and the road.

chartley Jul 22nd, 2019 07:32 AM

The clip appears to be unavailable now, so I am unable to check if he says that all the U.K. traffic regulations are just a scam to take money off honest American tourists.

janisj Jul 22nd, 2019 07:38 AM


Originally Posted by chartley (Post 16957594)
The clip appears to be unavailable now, so I am unable to check if he says that all the U.K. traffic regulations are just a scam to take money off honest American tourists.


Oh jeeze -- I was just coming back to watch it. Probably got a boat load of criticism so he's going to doctor it up??

He does have a lot of acolytes in the States but almost no one else has ever heard of him.

StCirq Jul 22nd, 2019 07:57 AM

He hasn't doctored it up, he's deleted it.

It was a real dooooooozy!

hetismij2 Jul 22nd, 2019 07:57 AM

Here you go.

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/traffic-a...0mph-1-9891360

janisj Jul 22nd, 2019 08:06 AM

Oh my goodness :) - what a dolt . . .

OReilly64 Jul 22nd, 2019 08:34 AM

Do you think he might have been 'smoking' beforehand? No respect for the locals.

I remember way back when he had a TV series (on PBS?). When he started to explain the 24 hour system, I knew there was little I could learn from his books.

Gyhtson Jul 22nd, 2019 08:59 AM

This from Cumbrian Roads Police:


In relation to a number of reports of a male on social media whilst driving in our area. We can confirm enquiries are ongoing and we are seeking to talk to the the person involved. That post has now been removed and we will deal with the matter proportionately.

TDudette Jul 22nd, 2019 09:23 AM

My adblock kept me from seeing the clip but I can't believe how negative this group is about Mr. Steves in general. Also in general, DH and I found some of his DIY info very helpful and unique.

We read scads of books before traveling and always included his for down to earth, easy to read info for first-time travelers. Again, in general, Fodorites have probably travelled more often than most folks. Most folks can afford one trip abroad and need all the help they can get. We have the luxury of visiting a place 7 (or more) times and learning the nuances of travel.

Is it possible, there was a separate camera car that made his lane violation easier for filming? Give him a break!

StCirq Jul 22nd, 2019 09:32 AM

There was definitely no separate camera car involved. He was clearly filming himself in that Citroen Airbag. Whatever you may think of him (and I would agree that he's a useful resource for certain travelers), this was really bad form and he should have known better.

Travel_Nerd Jul 22nd, 2019 09:58 AM

Even as a first-time traveler, I did not use RS. I couldn't stand his PBS specials and his instances to rarely use the local language on camera.

While his books are informative, the same info is in just about every other guidebook, so I fail to see usefulness of his wording over another's (because it's more layman?). And it's BS like his driving in that clip that should turn off his credibility, yet, it won't. Ugh!


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