Travelers

Maybe it was the way I was raised, but I consider myself a super considerate person.  Even to a fault.  I always put the other person before me.  I think this is why Japan suited me so well.  Group mentality.  The group is more important than the individual.  I was raised to treat other people the way you want to be treated.  And the good news for others is that I want to be treated nicely.  Life is too short to be mean and nasty.

When you travel a lot, you always run into hiccups – late planes, cancelled flights, booked hotels, etc.  I can only imagine that when you have just a few precious weeks to enjoy your vacation that you want things to go smoothly and perfectly and without any major catastrophes.  Of course, that’s normal.

HOWEVER, being in the hospitality industry, an adventure seeker, and having traveled often, I have seen my fair share of whiny, snot-nosed travelers who bitch and moan and complain with their stupid little “problems” and insanely ridiculous requests.  When did everyone get so selfish?  When did we become a world full of spoiled brats?  When did it become “all about me” and “what I want”???

Those who are privileged enough to have the funds to travel should be a lot more grateful for their opportunities.  Instead of complaining that things “are not what I expected”, how about dropping those expectations and just being delighted with what you are given?  Instead of comparing your vacation to the other people you meet along the way, how about remembering that life is not a competition.  Travel is supposed to be an experience, not an item you check off your list.

I’ve been working from our hotel in Laos and I am astounded by some of the complaints guests bother to bring to the GM and front desk staff.  In striking up conversations with these guests at other moments during their stay, I’m not so surprised to learn that they have complaints for everywhere they’ve been on their vacation.  One woman had nothing nice to say about any part of her vacation!  She found fault in every destination, in every hotel, in every experience.  Depressing!

There are even people out there who have made a hobby of traveling, and using complaints as a way to get upgrades and add-ons and free hotel stays.  I find this despicable.  Enough already.  You are grown-up people who have the means to travel.  You should be gracious enough to not bring your screwed up ideas and ridiculously selfish attitude with you.  Try to leave them home the next time and travel because you want to actually learn about the local people and culture.  Not because you want to get a suitcase full of freebies simply for the fact you are a miserable human being.

Seriously – you would be surprised to hear the things I hear and see the things I see.  I find it shameful.  Yes, there are certain times when hotel/airline/tour operator/restaurant staff are out of line and behave inappropriately.  Yes, there are times when what you are promised is not what you are delivered.  And in those circumstances you should speak up.  But you do not have to be rude about it or personally insult staff members or raise your voice and make an ass out of yourself.

A calm conversation gets you very, very far.  I was upgraded any number of times during my travels last year simply because I was nice, I smiled, I asked politely and I actually didn’t expect it.  The staff members were usually more accommodating because I treated them with respect, looked them in the eye and made them feel human.

So, to all the rude travelers (which I am certain are none of the people reading this blog), take a chill pill and try being nice on your next vacation.  Be thankful you even get one!  Jerks!

(Whew – that was a good vent – thanks for reading!)

It pays to be polite! – I try my very hardest to live by the golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated.  So not the case with many travelers!