Don't Be a "Tourist"

On my recent trip to England only one thing ever got me down - not rainy weather, lost luggage, or a bad hotel room - tourists.

Yes, I know technically I was a tourist. But to me there are two definitions of the word tourist.

1. Someone visiting a place other than their hometown, taking in the sights, enjoying local culture, visiting historical sites, etc.

2. Someone visiting a place other than their hometown while remaining in their personal bubble oblivious to those around them while trying to be first at everything and not caring that they're in someone else's hometown

Don't be the second one. It's really easy not to be. I promise.

Don't Push. Crowds are unavoidable at most tourist destinations. Keep in mind you're not the only one there, and you're not the only one excited to see what's in front of you. So don't push in front of other people. If you're watching a show of some sort, and you get there late and can't see, don't push in front of other people. You should arrive to shows/parades/ceremonies early enough to find a spot. Just because there's an empty square foot of space in front of me, does not mean you need to occupy it. Nothing makes me madder then someone pushing their way to stand in front of me. It might sound childish (it does), but I was here first.

Don't Yell. I'll never understand why some people speak at the volumes they do when the person they're speaking to is a foot away. You especially need to keep your voice down if you're somewhere people generally like quiet - cathedrals, museums, public transportation.

Don't Selfie-Stick. The things were invented to take selfies of large groups. That's what they should be limited to. Don't shove that stick between people or hover it over other people's heads so you can get a better picture. The madness may not stop until someone is walloped over the head with their own stick, but just keep it out of other people's personal space.

Don't Break Rules. It's just rude. If it says no cameras, don't take a picture. If 98% of the visitors can follow the rule, so can the other 2%. If you're breaking rules, you're just a jerk. And don't whine about the rules, because you won't change them that way.

Don't Be a Dam. What I mean by this is, don't suddenly stop in the middle of a stream of walking people. Don't gather your group in the middle of a sidewalk to decide where to have lunch. Don't make people move around you. Also, don't walk slowly in the middle of a stream of people. If you'd like to take your time, move to the side.

Those are my biggest pet peeves. They all seem like obvious things to do, and yet I was confronted with them over and over. It's all about one thing - Respect! Give it, receive it, travel happy.