Why the hate for Rick Steves?
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:25 AM
#21
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I think Steves was a kind of visionary to begin his Back Door style of travel to Europe as opposed to slicker more upscale oriented guides and glossy travel mags. I think his web site has good info for rail travelers, the kind that you don't see on most site so i regularly refer folks to his site in my rail posts.
that said i find Steves hard to stomach and it no doubt stems from his earliest guides when he outlined some strategies that i felt reinforced the Ugly American stereotype - one was to, in a crowded train compartment - in those days compartments were the rule, to take off his shoes and expose his smelly feet, as rough travelers often develop, to the air, chasing others from the compartment. And he bragged about this - i'm not sure of exactly what he said but that was the gist of it. Anyway left a bad taste in my mouth.
But i believe his guidebooks, though way too prescriptive for my taste, are well done and present something other than the usual drivel in guidebooks.
that said i find Steves hard to stomach and it no doubt stems from his earliest guides when he outlined some strategies that i felt reinforced the Ugly American stereotype - one was to, in a crowded train compartment - in those days compartments were the rule, to take off his shoes and expose his smelly feet, as rough travelers often develop, to the air, chasing others from the compartment. And he bragged about this - i'm not sure of exactly what he said but that was the gist of it. Anyway left a bad taste in my mouth.
But i believe his guidebooks, though way too prescriptive for my taste, are well done and present something other than the usual drivel in guidebooks.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:30 AM
#22
>>Admittedly, I did not read the entire thing, because it veered into a childish, mudflinging catfight, <<
Which is where this thread is eventually headed because that's where ALL RS threads go. Anyone who lurks here for more than a month or so knows that. Which explains the skepticism you've encountered to your "innocent, light-hearted" question.
Tweet, you're looking a bit like a pot stirrer.
Which is where this thread is eventually headed because that's where ALL RS threads go. Anyone who lurks here for more than a month or so knows that. Which explains the skepticism you've encountered to your "innocent, light-hearted" question.
Tweet, you're looking a bit like a pot stirrer.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:35 AM
#23
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OK, so let me see if I got this right:
You read that other thread and you thought:
"Admittedly, I did not read the entire thing, because it veered into a childish, mudflinging catfight, and that level of negativity before lunch is not something I really need."
And that's why you started a new thread?
You didn't suspect and perhaps secretly desire to start another "catfight"?
Hmm. Yep, I suspect I understand it now.
You read that other thread and you thought:
"Admittedly, I did not read the entire thing, because it veered into a childish, mudflinging catfight, and that level of negativity before lunch is not something I really need."
And that's why you started a new thread?
You didn't suspect and perhaps secretly desire to start another "catfight"?
Hmm. Yep, I suspect I understand it now.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:40 AM
#24
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My main pet peeves with Rick Steve & his books are:
1. "Oh don't worry everyone speaks English". NOT at leat not where I go, I spent a week in northern Italy last month and met two waiters and one salesperson who spoke English. I had to rely on my one semester of conversational Italian and the phrasebook to find hotels and translate instructions. Same with my week in Switzerland, outside of Interloken, I met two people who spoke English.
2. I still don't understand how someone can spend 6 months a year in Europe and not learn at least one foreign language. After 3 years of visiting France for a few weeks each year, I was fluent enough to hold conversations with anyone I met, but then again I didn't have a translator to travel with, so I had to be.
3. He's insists his destinations are "off the beaten path", but anyplace with 15 hotels and 20 restaurants in a village of 680 Gimmelwald (sp)in Switzerland is not my idea of off the beaten path. I could show him off the beaten Path.
3. He's sticks to a fairly limited choice of destinations and itineraries. He chooses the most popular destinations and plans his trips around those.
But for encouraging people to travel on their own he is great, he does let people know they can travel to destinations they might not have thought possible without a professional group tour.
I do love his programs though, but then again Love just about any program about travel.
1. "Oh don't worry everyone speaks English". NOT at leat not where I go, I spent a week in northern Italy last month and met two waiters and one salesperson who spoke English. I had to rely on my one semester of conversational Italian and the phrasebook to find hotels and translate instructions. Same with my week in Switzerland, outside of Interloken, I met two people who spoke English.
2. I still don't understand how someone can spend 6 months a year in Europe and not learn at least one foreign language. After 3 years of visiting France for a few weeks each year, I was fluent enough to hold conversations with anyone I met, but then again I didn't have a translator to travel with, so I had to be.
3. He's insists his destinations are "off the beaten path", but anyplace with 15 hotels and 20 restaurants in a village of 680 Gimmelwald (sp)in Switzerland is not my idea of off the beaten path. I could show him off the beaten Path.
3. He's sticks to a fairly limited choice of destinations and itineraries. He chooses the most popular destinations and plans his trips around those.
But for encouraging people to travel on their own he is great, he does let people know they can travel to destinations they might not have thought possible without a professional group tour.
I do love his programs though, but then again Love just about any program about travel.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:45 AM
#25
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TT, you may need to get used to defending yourself 
Some posters here believe themselves to be superior in every way not only to Rick Steves, but to "his" way of traveling. By and large they are the same people who obsess about how to dress to "fit in" with the locals, where to eat and stay to avoid any chance of coming into contact with Americans, etc.
Plenty of people --even well-traveled ones---read the Rick Steves' books and watch his shows. I wouldn't rely on him as my <i>only</i> source of information, but he's definitely useful. We rented his CD on Italy and found it very helpful with train information.
Some posters here believe themselves to be superior in every way not only to Rick Steves, but to "his" way of traveling. By and large they are the same people who obsess about how to dress to "fit in" with the locals, where to eat and stay to avoid any chance of coming into contact with Americans, etc. Plenty of people --even well-traveled ones---read the Rick Steves' books and watch his shows. I wouldn't rely on him as my <i>only</i> source of information, but he's definitely useful. We rented his CD on Italy and found it very helpful with train information.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:47 AM
#26
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Huh? What I've always seen on his TV shows and have now seen in his books is his encouragement to learn a few basic phrases. Mind telling us WHERE AND WHEN Rick Steves says "Oh don't worry everyone speaks English." I got more the impression that he encouraged people not to stay home simply because they don't know the language. I think that's a big difference.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:49 AM
#27
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The conundrum - one an off the beaten path place is highlighted it soon becomes on the beaten path. Yet in a place like Gimmelwald it's still relatively off the beaten path for most travelers and this type of place he spotlights is one of Steve's best aspects.
By the way, contrary to popular belief, Rick did not discover the Cinque Terre! It was an Italian tourist mecca long before Steves was born i suspect.
By the way, contrary to popular belief, Rick did not discover the Cinque Terre! It was an Italian tourist mecca long before Steves was born i suspect.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:51 AM
#28
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I bought his Germany book a couple of months ago and had never heard of him before. I think he has a fun way of writing and I'm using it as well as another book on hotels. I have been reading and posting here and have never seen any thread dedicated to some hatred of him either. And I'm not selling anything for him. If someone asks a question you don't like - don't read it. Keep searching for the perfect "snots guide to europe" and don't waste your time abusing other posters.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 08:53 AM
#29
I don't hate Rick Steves. I think his style of travel and presentation of information is useful particularly for Americans new to travel in Europe going mid-budget level.
As someone mentioned already, my main gripe with the guy is his proud stance on not learning any foreign language. That stinks (but again could be useful for others who are afraid to travel because they ony speak English). And I think the guy should pack another shirt or two -LOL.
The thing that makes me "roll my eyes" is he is kind of a dork, but that works for him.
I know his organized tours get very good comments, again for people who don't feel confident going solo but don't want to be stuck on a huge tour bus kind of trip.
As someone mentioned already, my main gripe with the guy is his proud stance on not learning any foreign language. That stinks (but again could be useful for others who are afraid to travel because they ony speak English). And I think the guy should pack another shirt or two -LOL.
The thing that makes me "roll my eyes" is he is kind of a dork, but that works for him.
I know his organized tours get very good comments, again for people who don't feel confident going solo but don't want to be stuck on a huge tour bus kind of trip.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 09:12 AM
#36
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Well Neopolitan, I've heard him say that exact phrase on so many of his various episodes I couldn't pinpoint only one. Yes he advises people to learn a few basic polite phrases, but to count on finding someone who speaks English who can sort out a real problem is unrealistic. And he has also said himself that despite his travels he speaks no language other than English. So I just want people to make sure to have a good phrase book as well as a dictionary on hand at all times.
In his defense I have heard the same "Oh everyone speaks English" from many Europeans as well. I guess my off the beaten path is more remote than his or their usual choices, because I have not found that to be the case.
I have more often than not had to handle day to day activities in a foreign language.
In his defense I have heard the same "Oh everyone speaks English" from many Europeans as well. I guess my off the beaten path is more remote than his or their usual choices, because I have not found that to be the case.
I have more often than not had to handle day to day activities in a foreign language.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 09:19 AM
#37
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Just a quick correction to Celticharper's post---Gimmelwald does not have 15 hotels and 20 restaurants. I think those figures might apply to Mürren, but definitely not Gimmelwald, which has, I believe, one hostel, one very small hotel (the Mittaghorn) and one pension.
I thoroughly enjoyed last night's PBS show on Gimmelwald---one from his original series, I think. And I appreciated the fact that it was shown on August 1, Swiss National Day. Since I couldn't be there in person this year, it was lovely to see the mountains, hear the alphorns, and watch a cowbell parade. I even recognized many of the people.
Although I have "graduated" from Rick's books, I think they are very helpful to a first-timer in European travel. And the complaints that his books don't cover everything totally miss the point---they don't purport to be a comprehensive guide, but rather more of a "how-to" manual. And that they do very well.
I thoroughly enjoyed last night's PBS show on Gimmelwald---one from his original series, I think. And I appreciated the fact that it was shown on August 1, Swiss National Day. Since I couldn't be there in person this year, it was lovely to see the mountains, hear the alphorns, and watch a cowbell parade. I even recognized many of the people.
Although I have "graduated" from Rick's books, I think they are very helpful to a first-timer in European travel. And the complaints that his books don't cover everything totally miss the point---they don't purport to be a comprehensive guide, but rather more of a "how-to" manual. And that they do very well.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 09:19 AM
#38
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I am sorry, Tuscan, but you have yet to respond to my original question as to whether or not any of these "answers" will change your mind.
I'm sorry if you think I am being "cranky" but characterizations don't really help to answer questions now do they?
I'm sorry if you think I am being "cranky" but characterizations don't really help to answer questions now do they?
Aug 2nd, 2006, 09:20 AM
#39
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He may not be the most insightful, discerning or thorough guide, but I have to give him credit for recognizing a niche and building an empire in what I would have regarded as an overcrowded field.
Travel is really pretty simple. I don't understand why some people put on airs about it. Steves demystifies the process for a lot of people and gets them out of the house. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Travel is really pretty simple. I don't understand why some people put on airs about it. Steves demystifies the process for a lot of people and gets them out of the house. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Aug 2nd, 2006, 09:25 AM
#40
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In the book that I have he tells you how to order things in German, warns that you should be familiar with all signs in German and there's a glossary in the back. He does tell you specifically where to go for help in English but I don't think that's a bad thing. I speak just a little German so we are writing our own little lists of key phrases, doing as much planning as possible beforehand and hoping we we can all grunt-out anything else we need between broken German and English. I wouldn't go there or anywhere else demanding that people speak English, but it is not possible for me to be fluent in all languages!
One funny thing is that the only thing on my husband's phrase list seems to be "hamburger with cheese".
One funny thing is that the only thing on my husband's phrase list seems to be "hamburger with cheese".
