The tourist mafia must be stopped....

. . . to Jeremy and Pjays.

It's not money or time, it's attitude and self-image.

I recently wandered Paris with a video camera, but I didn't feel like a tourist because I've been there many times, am comfortable in the city, and was having a good time.

And it's a good thing I could afford a hotel room with a toilet, because my friend and I both got food poisoning and were in that toilet most of one night.

New Yorkers know visitors to their city instantly by their walking pace. I'm happy to supply directions when asked, but when you stop dead in the middle of a busy sidewalk to read your guidebook, you really piss me off. The good visitor is sensitive to the ways of the place he's visiting. The bad visitor tries to bring his home along.

Mia

Wherever you go, there you are.

Dressing like the locals is not a bad thing. Depending on where you are, it's great advice. Dressing in "traditional attire" can indeed make you look stupid - because even the locals don't dress that way. But there's nothing wrong with trying to blend in, we do it home with a lot of success, frankly I wish more people could do it better when they travel.

I'm always surprised when I hear one traveler criticize a whole group of people, or put one person they ran into in to a whole "type", as in, "I hate that type, blah blah blah". Everyone is trying to have their own experience, and travelling is one of those things where we all do it so very differently. You can't lump people together like that.

Sorry, have to agree with original poster -- I get tired of 'hippie backpacker' types who feel that unless you're suffering in extreme misery and NO comfort at all, you're not a true traveller.

yes, I plan to travel with a backpack next year AND yes, I plan to sleep in low budget places and yes, I plan to haggle for while in India. BUT I also plan to splurge here and there and live in comfort when the mood suits me.

that said, I think it becomes ridiculous to haggle over one US$ for 20 or 30 minutes. My time is more valuable than the perceived victory of getting the lowest price

and so what if people take tours. My parents 64/72 took a tour to Italy. I'm just happy that they're experiencing another culture, even if it isn't down and dirty. It still beats so many who just stay at home and channel surf. heck it even had my mom regretting not trying to learn Italian before she went! something she never would have said before her trip....

My folks (now age 80 and 78) just got back from a tour trip to Vietname. Previous to this trip, they have taken tours to Turkey, China, New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, Russia, Greece, and parts of Indonesia. They have taken several self-guided trips throughout various parts of Europe including travel into previous Eastern Block countries. With my children and other obligations, travel is limited to me now but I hope to someday see as much of the world as they have. Whether I do it through tours or on self-guided trips....what difference does it make? Either way, you're out there and being exposed to cultural experiences. Neither way is better than the other. At their age, tours are the best way for my folks to experience the world.

The following (slightly updated) was published in Wall Street Journal years ago (and several other publications since), but boy, is it still true!

*Jan 8, 1985 Wall Street Journal

The people you meet while traveling

While reading “---Reduce Hassles of Business Trips” (Dec 20, 1984), I remembered that after nearly 1,000 nights in Europe, 124 ports on a cruise ship or ferry boat, and 10 to 15 years of weekly business trips in the USA, dealing with uncounted hotel desk clerks, rental car agents, and airline personnel of many occupations, it dawned on me one day that it was amazing how many stupid, ignorant, inefficient, worthless people you meet when you are in a bad mood.

The following (slightly updated) was published in Wall Street Journal years ago (and several other publications since), but boy, is it still true!

*Jan 8, 1985 Wall Street Journal

The people you meet while traveling

While reading “---Reduce Hassles of Business Trips” (Dec 20, 1984), I remembered that after nearly 1,000 nights in Europe, 124 ports on a cruise ship or ferry boat, and 10 to 15 years of weekly business trips in the USA, dealing with uncounted hotel desk clerks, rental car agents, and airline personnel of many occupations, it dawned on me one day that it was amazing how many stupid, ignorant, inefficient, worthless people you meet when you are in a bad mood.

To see how we do it, always in a good mood, Please visit the BootsnAll hosted Site

http://www.InvitationToTravel.com

Why not Travel, rather than How To Travel essays.

I agree with this guy about the travel mafia....when I lived in Costa Rica.....there was a lot of that nonsense going on....mostly by Canadians.....what's with the flag on the backpack syndrome?......and, yes, you should spread around a little money.....not to the guy that is trying to rip you off on postcards, but to a local, family owned business.....wherever I am, from Atlanta to South Beach to Manuel Antonio....I get my little hangouts and I stick with them....people know you......service is better....and, you are putting something in the community.....no matter where it is......AND, these people (travel mafia)are annoying.....it is usually a money issue, true......I have no qualms about spending lots of money on comfort......I am never going to try and "budget" my way through Nantucket....when I am there, I stay at The Harbor House and eat expensive meals and drink lots of expensive liquor.....BUT, when I am in San Jose, Costa Rica......I cannot justify paying $3 for a beer at a Gringo bar when I can go next door to a Tico bar and pay $.88......so, am I a tourist or a traveller?

quote:

---

.....there was a lot of that nonsense going on....mostly by Canadians.....what's with the flag on the backpack syndrome?......

---

It's so we don't get confused for Americans

Like it or not Americans as a whole have a bad rep in a lot of places around the world for being rude an insensitive to other cultures. For some reason Canadians have the reputation for being friendly and considerate.

While you and I know that you'll find both types of people in both countries, that's just the way it fell, but I for one would rather not be confused with an American just because I'm white and speak english.

Love it or leave it, the Americans have a bad rep.

Justified?

Probably not, but there are a hell of a lot of tourists out there now contributing to it.

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Unusual travel suggestions are dancing lessons from [the gods].

I'd also like to add that this is a good thing, as long as you stay within reason.

As I see it there is a large problem with certain people who spend TOO much money. It's more common than you'd think, to hear a conversation like this:

tourist: hmm, how much is this?
local: $1.
tourist: Really? That's it? but it's so nice! Here take $10

By flashing around money like this you make your country look bad by coming in and throwing money around like you own the place. Other, lesser-off, countries may see this as arrogance and then jack all their prices to rip you off, or mark you as easy for theft. As people flaunt their money (whether they mean to or not) the crime rates go up, hotels, restaurants and local attractions become more expensive and a new industry springs up to deal with the influx of money.

I think it's important to tread lightly where every you go and perhaps try to live in the style of the locals. Would those tropical destinations perhaps be a little nicer if it wasn't for all the large hotels and resorts popping up?

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Unusual travel suggestions are dancing lessons from [the gods].