sandi

If you have ever toured (I did several of England and Europe) you must have observed how, after a day or so, the personalities of the passengers flows to top. One guy "had to have his own bath" when everyone else "shared" in the wilds of Ireland, another woman "couldn't eat anything" on the menu, "wouldn't use the toilets" in China, <BR>one person insisted on speaking to the guide in French, and interrupted constantly, so that French was all we heard over the mike (on an English speaking tours). NOw, these were not tours on the cheaps. But a certain amount of 'togetherness' is demanded of a large group of people who must be together night and day for a long interval. It just seems interesting to me how togetherness brings out the best and worst in people. Thoughts on tours, anyone? We have not discussed them very much on this forum, but they are a means to travel for many folks who might otherwise stay home.

Ed

Thoughts on tours? Yes, boors are one of the risks. While we travel independently we have taken a few half day and full day tours. Can't think of one that didn't have at least one obnoxious "character" included. <BR> <BR>Indeed tours may be "a means to travel for many folks who might otherwise stay home", but everything has a tradeoff. Spending night and day with nearly forty others is one of them. <BR> <BR>A boor or two is often the least of the shortcomings of many tours.

Mary Jayne

And may I give a reply for something on the other end of the stick. Have traveled many tours (being the best way to go for me) and have made so many great and lasting friends from perhaps this group of about 40 folks and though as you say, you can't "hit it off" with everyone, there is that trade off and we have to learn to be tolerant of each other. I guess just a case of the cup half full or half empty. Tours can be fun (with an open mind). Mary Jayne

Shanna

If you can't spend your vacation malingering at a corner cafe sipping wine or coffee, then nothing beats a tour for people watching. Relax and enjoy the fun - there will be plenty! And great tales to tell when you get home.

Katherine

Funniest thing I ever overheard in a cafe in Firenze, from a daytripper on a cruise: "The waiter on the ship said I was a three star passenger on a five star cruise!"

Travler

Luckily there have been far more terrific people on the tours I've taken than boors. However the boors are the ones we talk about in our rooms at night. There's always someone who is certain to more about the destinations than the guide, someone obsessed with bathroom stops and the fighting couple is another favorite. On one of the tours I took, I was sharing a room with a woman who had the beauty ritual of a 16 year old at age 60. The things she missed! What surprised me most was the discovery that she wore thong underwaear! (sharing rooms you find these sorts of things out).

julie

Took a tour many years ago in England/Ireland (35 people, 10 days) and one man took the cake! He complained about the food, lodging, scenery, tour director, refused to take turns at best seats, etc., and I finally confronted him the last day of tour. He said "you don't like me, very much, do you?" No, I replied, and told him why. He then broke down and said that he had recently lost his wife, was very despondent, had no family, and was trying to 'get away'. Then he cried, and I thought, "maybe it's best not to judge, til you know WHY people can be obnoxious".

ms off-topic

maybe his obnoxious behaviour is the cause of his wife leaving him.

Nancy

I had an extended family on a tour of France who sent members of their group into the tour buses to grab the front seats and the window seats. We finally complained to the guide who shrugged and said they wouldnt listen to her either.