traveling pet peeves
 

I just wanted to trigger some dialogue on things we observe travelers doing that are annoying travel behaviors. One of mine is the traveler who wants to eat only in familiar chain restaurants as opposed to trying local food. Yeah, the french fries at the McDonald's are probably much different state to state and nation to nation. Stay at home...Unfortunately, the U.S. also sends some bad ambassadors abroad and I have overheard Americans complain frequently that not enough English is spoken in the rest of the world...that's kind of the point of foreign travel isn't it, different cultures, people, sights, languages?

My pet peeve is having to look at grossly overweight women wearing skimpy clothing. They should do that sort of thing at home, not on the road!

Personally, Carter, I agree with you about eating at chains vs. locally owned resturaunts. I think that travellers experience more of the local culture this way and I feel like people cheat themselves of this all too often. However, to each his own. For example, my mother-in-law much prefers the fimiliarity of the chain where she can go in and order exactly what she orders when she is at home an know exactly the quality she will receive and what to expect from the resturaunt. She is equally amused, I'm sure, whith my desire to dine in every small cafe, biestro and eatery we pass by. <BR>Surely most Europeans know that those who go abroad aren't representative of our entire culture. I have seen European travellers in the US struggling with their English, I'm sure they wish we spoke more of their native language.

This topic has been debated/discussed many times on the European forum. Very interesting, as those that frequent Europe are, I would say, more open minded and adventuresome than those who stay closer to home. You won't find many travellers there seeking out American chains (except as a "fix" or when the local food just isn't very appealing). <BR>My pet peeves? Ethnocentric American travellers abroad (very embarrassing), people who go on vacation but can't cut away from home/work mentally such that they never fully enjoy the experience, people who are rude to visitors (expecting them to know local history/customs/directions, etc. simply because locals do), people who are never satisfied because "it's not like I thought it would be" or "it's not like home".

I have scores of pet peeves, and it is quite a burden to carry them all around all the time. But there is one that I have never seen mentioned on this board, so here goes: <BR> <BR>I can't figure out people who just have to touch the precious art, valuable sculptures, and the interiors of historical buildings. They'll just stand there picking at the wallpaper or scratching the varnish on the chair railing or whatever. Even if there is a sign right there saying do not touch the whatever. I live in the D.C. metro area, so we visit museums, monuments and national shrines from time to time. And any part of an artwork and historical sight that is at all accessible has been stroked and picked at to the point that its appearance has changed. <BR> <BR>Also peculiar are people who take flash photos in a show despite signs or announcements expressly forbidding it. I give them all the benefit of the doubt because maybe they don't understand the language. But don't they know the picture is unlikely to turn out anyway? <BR> <BR>Maybe this will motivate all of you art fondlers and sculpture strokers out there. When we are out and about, I point you out to my kids. "Honey, look over there. See that guy in the Coors hat? No, not that one, the big one. See him rubbing the foot of the lion sculpture? See his kids trampling the grass around the outdoor sculptures? Don't ever do that!"

For John-The other side of the coin is fat bubbas with their beer bellies hanging out of a skimpy speedo.

Dear NoName: <BR>Of course! They're just as gross! Exposed beer bellies ought to be illegal.

People who talk on cell phones in such a loud voice as to disrupt. <BR>People who take infants to graduation ceremonies. Some crying babies have disturbed the speakers, presentation. <BR>People who forget or refuse to turn off theri pager, cell phone at the theatre, church, concerts, etc.

Boy, Anna, you really hit the nail on the head there. I was in a plant nursery recently. The exterior walkways are cobblestone. I was pushing my cart and picking out some plants. There was a woman wearing a suit (in the middle of the workday, mind you), but she was standing there talking on her cell phone. Whatever. But boy did she give me the evil eye for walking past because my cart made so much noise she couldn't hear.

My favorite one is couples who want everyone to see what great kissers/petters they are in public-generally disgusting humanity, as well...get a room... <BR>

Like Cindy, I live in the Washington, DC area, and some of my biggest pet peeves deal with the metro. I ride the metro every day and never fail to see some tourist family who view the train as some sort of attraction rather than a means of transportation for thousands of commuters each day. A day doesn't go by where I don't see little kids running up and down the cars or hanging and swinging on the bars like it was their own personal playground - doesn't matter how crowded the trains are. Their parents just stand by thinking it is cute. I once had a very fat family - all three of them - fall on me because they thought it would be fun to ride the metro without holding on. And people, keep your voices down while on the train. At the end of a busy day, I don't want to hear about Uncle Maury's prostate.

Ilisa, <BR> <BR>That is so funny and so true. When I commuted downtown, the best motivator to get an early start in the morning was to miss the tourists you describe. Do you think we can get those huge families to stand on the right side of the long escalators so they don't block everyone walking on the left? Will they stop their kids from playing on the escalators? Do you think we can get them to stay out of the seats reserved for the disabled? Any chance they'll move to the center of the train and stop blocking the whole darn doorway? Any way they'll move aside and let people out before they charge on in? <BR> <BR>It's a jungle out there.

Cindy, you have just described my daily commute! How about in the event that they actually utilize the poles, can they please hold them rather than lean on them so my hand does not get trapped under their sweaty backs?

Ilisa, <BR> <BR>Well, of course they have to lean on the poles. Although able-bodied, they are absolutely exhausted from hogging the whole elevator instead of using the escalator so that people with strollers or wheelchairs have to wait to get to the platform. That explains why these pole leaners have to immediately replenish their nutritional reserves immediately upon boarding, despite dozens of signs prohibiting eating or drinking in the Metro.

Cindy-- <BR>Thank you for the explanation. I thought the pole-leaners were just self-involved, lazy jerks. I never considered their physical/medical needs. If only people would give up those handicapped seats to them.... <BR> <BR>PS Are those "Please stand on the right" decals on the escalators new, or have I just missed them all these years? And what optimist is under the impression that riders can/will read and follow the instructions in this case when they ignore them in every other situation?

How about people who simply MUST get on THAT train, even though the doors are closing and there will be another one along in four minutes? Got on the terminal transport train at O'Hare last month and, as the doors were closing, a party of 6 adults approached. The lead guy pushed the doors open and got on, followed by all 5 of the others, who each had to struggle with the doors and their luggage, as the doors tried more persistently to close. Lead guy is screaming at people to back up and give his wife room to get on (even though there was no room), and she falls down on her suitcase (sound of glass breaking somewhere deep inside very large overstuffed bag) while he (who jumped on ahead of her and left her to struggle alone), demands that someone help her (from his secure spot in the train). It was pathetic.

Martha, <BR> <BR>Maybe you are right. Perhaps we should let the sweaty-backed hard-charging pole-leaners have the disabled seats. They need to catch their breath so that they can begin smoking the second they leave the platform, despite the many signs expressly forbidding it. It must take a lot of pulmonary effort to generate that much smoke. The way I know they put out quite a lot of smoke is because I suck a good bit of it deep into my lungs as I stand behind them on the long, long escalator. Oh sure, I could just go around them to where all of the fresh air is, but they are standing on the left and I can't get by.

Now, all my metro peeves are going to come out. When I am putting my farecard into the machine at the station, can the person behind me not crawl up my rear end in their efforts to get to the platform or leave the station? Because I am about to lose it and it will get ugly!

Ilisa, <BR>Are you looking forward to your commute home now? You'll be noticing everything! Watch your blood pressure!

My peeves are: (1) People who drag around small children who are sunburned, dehydrated and getting grumpier by the minute. (2) People who gesture towards me and say to their child, "If you don't behave, that lady is going to _____ you." This one gives me an opportunity to give my drop-dead look. <BR> <BR>Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share. <BR>

It figures: John, Cindy, Martha (dumb ass)Python and ilisa with pet peeves. Who woulda thunk it. Do us a favor & stay on this board because we would just die if we didn't know what bugged you. Legends in your own minds.

Alex, I almost went absolutely buggy on the way home today looking at all the pole leaners! To the last poster, the question was about pet peeves. What did you think we would talk about? Loosen up. You'll be a lot happier.

Getalifewillya (if that is your real name), <BR> <BR>Are you annoyed because you have a beer belly, because you are a public petter, or because you are a Metro slob? Please clarify.

Getalifewillya obviously drives an 'enhancing' sports car and wears Speedo thong swimwear.

Cindy, Ilisa, and John: <BR>I have an epithet and yoooou don't! Nyah nyah.

OK, back to travelling pet peeves. Mine is people who try to stuff that steamer trunk into the overhead bin. Now some blame here has to be put on the airline. Do not let them on the plane with it in the first place. You have to pass at least 3 flight attendants and the pilots with the door open. I was once told by a friend that works for the airlines that if you gatecheck your bag, it should never get lost. I have been doing that for years now and have not lost a piece of luggage yet. (Knock on wood). On the same vein, people who bring items aboard that they want to protect -, ie not stow under seat or above and then get upset when the flight attendant insits on stowing it. On my last flight they would not shut the door until she gave it up. We did get our revenge tho - at then end of the flight we all stood up and seeing as to retrieve the bag the person had to go to the back of the plane, she had to wait until we all filed out - smiling. <BR> <BR>Second pet peeve - Americans who think that the whole world should speak English. Get a life!!!

Most things are not worth bothering about. But there is one thing that happens a lot and causes delay & bother. This is the people who book trip but fail to get seat assignments either from TA or airline. They then get to the airport and get seats assigned on a fully loaded plane (like to Hawaii or New York) and get upset because they are not seated together. I am not talking about honeymooners, just regular people, some with children, some just couples. They then make the stewardess attempt to reorganize the seating arrangements of the entire plane, so that a few people who did not take the time to call a toll-free number and get seat assignments disrupt an entire planeload of people, usually causing late departure. Just venting, that's my peeve.

Jamie, I understand your pet peeve, but I'm hoping you and others can answer this question: how come when I call the airline to get seat assignments, they sometimes tell me they can't assign them and I'll have to take care of it at the gate? Are they thinking they might have to change the type of aircraft or something?

Jamie, <BR>I can certainly understand your frustration, but sometimes it's not the passengers fault. My mother and I had our seats assigned for our trip to Israel - there and back. But when we got to AA at JFK, we were told they were overbooked, and they would have to seat us separately. My mother is terrified of flying, and one thing that gives her comfort is to be sitting next to some one she knows. I tried to tell the airlines (both ticketing AND stewards) this, to no avail. Why? They didn't want to break up any of the other passengers!!! Meanwhile, my mother was stuck sitting several rows in front of me, surrounded by people she didn't know, scared, and I got stuck in the middle of a large family going to California for a cruise. I was on my way home, had limited sleep, and the last thing I wanted was to be around loud, noisy people, worrying about my mother. <BR> <BR>Last time with American Airlines and last time at JFK!

Michele -- Part of the reason not everyone can be assigned seats is that the airlines are not permitted to assign exit row seating until people check in for the flight, because if you want to sit in an exit row they need to see you and make sure that you could lift the emergency exit door (around 35 pounds) if you had to -- i.e. no kids, frail elderly passengers, or persons with disabilities that would prevent them from performing the necessary exit row procedures. A plane with multiple exit rows may therefore have 6-12 passengers with seats that are unassigned until check-in.

The airlines also hold the "good" seats for the gold/platinum frequent flyers just in case they make last minute plans. If you book too far in advance or last minute you will be subject to gate check-in. On the too far in advance bookings, call the airline (30-45 days ahead depending on airline) and ask for seats. Your TA should automatically do this for you but it is a hit or miss situation with them. I am not sure about International flights what the rules are, maybe someone else can help on this.

Just, <BR> <BR>Believe you usually have to wait until about 30 days before departure date to get specific seat assignments by calling the airline, at least that's what I had to do last year on domestic trip booked 5 months in advance. They WILL however note your seating preferences, of course if you are FF Elite this is in your profile. I would personally always recommend calling the airline myself for the seat assignments. KN1 is right, they do hold some choice seats (bulkhead, exit rows) until the last minute for FF Elite customers usually. <BR>On international flights, it may vary by airline. I just came back from Puerto Vallarta 3 weeks ago, flew with Alaska (never again, even if I have to pay more to fly Mexicana or Aeromexico). On Alaska flight to Mexico, we also got seat assignments in advance. <BR> <BR>Michele, that is just terrible, I really feel sorry for you and your poor mother. In types of situations like this I would be more than willing to move, as this is a definite hardship. Know what you mean about American, hubby & I stopped using them 4 years ago, their loss is Continental's gain. Hope you wrote or sent email to their Customer Relations VP.

I have been able to get seat assignments with Delta months in advance. In fact, when I buy my tickets through their web site, I always get a seat assignment, no matter how long away the flight is. <BR> <BR>Also, Delta (and I think most other airlines) holds out the first few rows and many aisle seats for customers who have reached just the first premium level (don't have to be too elite).

Not a biggie, but aggravating none the less - and it actually happened to my husband and I *3* separate nights while making a cross country move last summer - people that (obviously) didn't double check the number on the room door and/or key/card before trying to enter the room. Once we got into a mild argument through the door that the couple had the wrong room, though they were insistent they didn't. The other 2 times, we were awaked by the attempt of people to enter the room, which can be a bit scarey when coming out of a deep sleep. Thank goodness we always to use the safety bar.

We Americans aren't the only ones that seek familiarity overseas. I lived in Ireland/U.K. for a few years, and had many private laughs over the Brits who will only eat fish and chips when they hit the beach resorts in Spain and Greece. And unfortunately these towns are catering to these tourists--it's a struggle find local cuisine around places like Majorca and Gran Canaria.

More on seat assignments- I got my tickets and seat assignments well in advance last year but not having flown with the whole family except once before didn't even think to check them carefully. Didn't figure out until we were at the gate that they had given us two seats together and then another two totally separated from the first and from each other. We could have managed except it was me, my husband and two kids ages 9 and 11. Would you want to be seated next to someone else's kid without their parents on a 3 hour flight? What if there was an emergency or the kid started panicking. The airline knew the ages of the kids when I called for the tickets. We had to wait until everyone boarded to get new seat assignments of two and two.

Here's a new one. First class.I only flew first class once but now pity those poor folks. First if want to do a little reading you have to get up to get your book. It's too far to reach to the seat in front. I also like my little tray to come down from in front of me. Some of the first class seats you have one of those wrap around you trays which make me feel like a prisoner till they come and relieve you of your tray. For those of us who have any stomach problems none of the first class menus are bland enough, although I know you can special order the food, for the coach passengers it has never been a problem. So next time you are wishing you were rich and seated up front it's not that big a deal unless your tall and need lots of leg room (I'm a shorty so it's not a problem). So three cheers for the regular seats.

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