6 things you should never say on holidays
Remove these obnoxious outbursts from your travelling vocabulary.
1. Why doesn’t everyone speak English?
This is the height or traveller ignorance. Language is an integral part of a cultural identity, so you can’t expect everyone to sound like people in your home town. Most people you meet will go out of their way to assist you with what little English they have, so be polite and thank them. It also wouldn’t hurt to learn a few local phrases yourself.
2. It’s not as good as…
Nobody likes a whinging traveller. Or a show off. Don’t spend your time complaining that this beach/restaurant/museum isn’t as good as the one at home or one you’ve travelled to before. It’s a fact of life that some things will be better than others, but your enjoyment of them all comes down to how you handle it. Smile and move on.
3. I don’t like the local food
There’s no point travelling if you’re just going to eat at McDonalds for every meal (though we will say it can be fun to check out the local Maccas specials – McPaneer Royale anyone?). Even if you’re hesitant about trying some crazy cuisine, give it a go. You’ll almost always be able to find something you like and you may discover a whole new world of flavour that’s now available to you.
4. I hate that there are so many tourists here
Guess what? You’re a tourist! Even if you like to think of yourself as a ‘traveller’, there’s really no difference. It can be annoying when attractions are crowded, but everyone else wants to see them too. Many communities survive almost entirely on tourism, so think of all these visitors in terms of the benefit they bring. You can always find somewhere a little off the beaten track where it’s more peaceful.
5. Do you think there’s a bomb in there?
Getting your bags searched is, sadly, a fact of modern travel. The security guards are just doing their job, whether it’s at the airport, going into a concert or in a government building. Do not under any circumstances make jokes about bombs, weapons or terrorism. Even if you think you’re being funny, security often has a legal obligation to act on your threat as if it is real. You could find yourself getting a behind the scenes tour of the local police station very quickly.
6. I can’t believe it’s so hot/cold/wet
It’s the weather. You’ll just have to deal with it. Find a shady swimming pool or a warm pub and make the best of a bad situation.
Do you agree with these suggestions? What’s the last thing you want to hear from a holiday companion? Let us know in the comments!