David's mistake was waiting for them at the start of the day. For lots of tours like this, the bus leaves on time, and whoever isn't there misses the tour.
I was in northern Canada for a polar bear trek.. Our van stopped near the edge of the water and our driver, who was a local and amazing, told us we could hop out and take quick pictures but this was definitely a polar bear crossing (as explained by the large signage saying "Danger- polar bear crossing. Do not cross." Once we all took our photos the driver realized a couple from our van was nonchalantly holding hands strolling in the prohibited area and our driver had to run after them with his shotgun to retrieve them. I didn't really care what happened to the stupid couple but hated to see our driver or an innocent bear be harmed.
Wow. A great reminder to not sign up for something like this. I would probably be rotting away in jail in a foreign country by now. Great read, though!
Nah, all you had to do was let the tour guide explain those two to the authorities, and you'd have gotten off with a warning to be more careful next time...and a free pass to the next tour! 😁
Admittedly I have been a latecomer to the bus, but my very solid excuse was being very unfamiliar with pooping in a hole in the floor. This was in Turkey and we were not prepared with basic Turkish phrases either. But you live, you learn and all that. Also I was 18 with zero to «pittelitt» (Norwegian word for a tiny bit) travel experience.
Oh, I felt this SO HARD. It’s happened to us so many times - it’s infuriating and really makes you resent the latecomers. A couple of minutes is okay (after all, it’s not like we synchronise watches or anything), but when it’s ten minutes and they also don’t care… well, let’s just say the volcano option is super tempting!
Haha I love this. This kind of stuff INFURIATES ME, and I always feel like I'm the a-hole because I actually care and nobody else seems to care. I'm glad the whole van collectively agreed that they sucked.
Lately what's been making me mad as a tourist is the way nobody can form a dang line. They just hover around in an unclear chaotic mass. Or someone arrives, sees the line, doesn't like that they'll be at the back, and so they form a whole SECOND line! And then newcomers start getting in that line! And then the ticket agent doesn't care and doesn't prioritize the original line. Or I just went to Central Asia for the first time and experienced blatant line cutting, I was constantly enraged and nobody else cared at all. I was ready to fight some of those little sneaky grandmas lol. I try to remind myself some things are cultural, and I ask myself if I'm being a Karen, but other times there's just plain right and wrong. There are some situations where it's actually hard to make ethical choices - you find yourself between a rock and a hard place and don't know what's best, or doing the right thing will have really detrimental personal implications. But in these minor situations, it's so EASY not to be a dick, I'm flabbergasted that someone would still choose to be.
I think studies have shown that is one of the most frustrating things people can experience. And yes! It's the person behind the counters fault too. Grrrr
That is fun. In Portugal we queue for everything, and we get mad when people don't. Unfortunately, tourists (they see it happening all the time with locals - and could just imitate!), don't! They just arrive and forma a mass of people waiting to enter, not caring for those who came first. Moreover, they can't read! Because in some places it is written to form a line. (And it is obvious that it is the fair way to do.) On the other hand, being late... Mea culpa for most of us.
As ever, I have a story. As a twentysomething grad student, I volunteered to give history lectures to seniors in San Diego. I got the occasional crab (like the woman who, when I lectured on the American Revolution, wanted to hold me responsible for American deaths because I'm a Brit) but otherwise it was a joy. My audiences were so engaged, and so kind to this inexperienced young academic, and grateful for my time. A few years later, when I got my tenure-track job in Georgia, I tried to get involved in something similar. The woman I spoke to was very pleasant, but she said, "Look, you really don't want to do this. It's not the WWII people anymore. It's boomers (she was one, btw, as, technically, am I) and they're awful. They want everything their way." So big thanks, Dr. Spock, and there we go. I was apprenticed to a take-no-prisoners British dragon, in fact, a generation of WWII women, and it has really helped, or did, until being an assertive woman got you called a Karen, or worse (it's ok, I'm over giving a damn about that). But we need to stop giving everyone excuses, or else carry on living like this.
I know, I know. I may not be nice but…. Late once ok. Late second time check their watches. Guide should talk directly to them. What time do we all need to be back? Then if not back leave them. Why should the rest pay for people who don’t care. No one takes responsibility of their actions. Only seats in back you sit in back. No you can’t sit in jump seat that blocks peoples view. 9 unhappy people is more important than 2 inconsiderate people
Oh! What an excellent and apt post! You nailed the clueless—or entitled?—tourists who occasionally we must share space with. I love your rendition at end. Oh that we could push those slackers into an active volcano!!!
Hi Brent and Michael, Pisa tour a couple was late the bus left. The small bus did make another loop to check. Another passenger asked what now. Guide that couple will learn how to find and take train. Private adult tour of Florence museum couple brought a child . The guide said one of you need to leave with the child. Etruscan museum on week day I come around the corner and 50 childern parted like the red sea. I asked the teacher why she said simple you are an adult worthy of respect. Private tours and private drivers are best ! The private driver from AP to destination and between destinations is enjoyable and stress free. Lourdes France I ask my Wife to look for tour guide Veronica meeting us at AP. Wife comes back to say yes the smoking hot tour giude has a sign with our name. The Egypt tour with Freddy Silva the armed guard and egyptologist remind you no wandering. Keep SMiling Steve
We leave Tuesday for Waikoloa Beach Hawaii to enjoy 2.5 months of scuba diving, Farmer markets and fun.
Caught Covid in August on an Alaska cruise excursion bus because the inconsiderate a--hole sitting directly behind me hacking up a lung couldn't be bothered to put on a mask.
Ugh, we've cleared out of breakfast rooms, subway cars and grocery aisles due to hacking petri dishes. But sometimes we're just stuck! I bring an N95 mask in my purse at all times.
I also really try and be as patient as possible when it comes to sharing spaces and tours with other people, but they really do seem to be forgetting how to behave! I'm surprised they also didn't watch TikToks on their phone without headphones.
Very disappointing to learn you didn’t actually sacrifice them to the Volcano Gods.
Haha
David's mistake was waiting for them at the start of the day. For lots of tours like this, the bus leaves on time, and whoever isn't there misses the tour.
You are right, I think.
I was in northern Canada for a polar bear trek.. Our van stopped near the edge of the water and our driver, who was a local and amazing, told us we could hop out and take quick pictures but this was definitely a polar bear crossing (as explained by the large signage saying "Danger- polar bear crossing. Do not cross." Once we all took our photos the driver realized a couple from our van was nonchalantly holding hands strolling in the prohibited area and our driver had to run after them with his shotgun to retrieve them. I didn't really care what happened to the stupid couple but hated to see our driver or an innocent bear be harmed.
I can't BELIEVE how people act around bears. Absolutely infuriating. 🤬
Wow. A great reminder to not sign up for something like this. I would probably be rotting away in jail in a foreign country by now. Great read, though!
Thanks! 🙂
Nah, all you had to do was let the tour guide explain those two to the authorities, and you'd have gotten off with a warning to be more careful next time...and a free pass to the next tour! 😁
LOL
Admittedly I have been a latecomer to the bus, but my very solid excuse was being very unfamiliar with pooping in a hole in the floor. This was in Turkey and we were not prepared with basic Turkish phrases either. But you live, you learn and all that. Also I was 18 with zero to «pittelitt» (Norwegian word for a tiny bit) travel experience.
You are 💯 excused!
Same
Oh, I felt this SO HARD. It’s happened to us so many times - it’s infuriating and really makes you resent the latecomers. A couple of minutes is okay (after all, it’s not like we synchronise watches or anything), but when it’s ten minutes and they also don’t care… well, let’s just say the volcano option is super tempting!
I think most people are generally understanding, but yes. 😑
Haha I love this. This kind of stuff INFURIATES ME, and I always feel like I'm the a-hole because I actually care and nobody else seems to care. I'm glad the whole van collectively agreed that they sucked.
Lately what's been making me mad as a tourist is the way nobody can form a dang line. They just hover around in an unclear chaotic mass. Or someone arrives, sees the line, doesn't like that they'll be at the back, and so they form a whole SECOND line! And then newcomers start getting in that line! And then the ticket agent doesn't care and doesn't prioritize the original line. Or I just went to Central Asia for the first time and experienced blatant line cutting, I was constantly enraged and nobody else cared at all. I was ready to fight some of those little sneaky grandmas lol. I try to remind myself some things are cultural, and I ask myself if I'm being a Karen, but other times there's just plain right and wrong. There are some situations where it's actually hard to make ethical choices - you find yourself between a rock and a hard place and don't know what's best, or doing the right thing will have really detrimental personal implications. But in these minor situations, it's so EASY not to be a dick, I'm flabbergasted that someone would still choose to be.
Oh the line thing! 😡😡😡
I think studies have shown that is one of the most frustrating things people can experience. And yes! It's the person behind the counters fault too. Grrrr
That is fun. In Portugal we queue for everything, and we get mad when people don't. Unfortunately, tourists (they see it happening all the time with locals - and could just imitate!), don't! They just arrive and forma a mass of people waiting to enter, not caring for those who came first. Moreover, they can't read! Because in some places it is written to form a line. (And it is obvious that it is the fair way to do.) On the other hand, being late... Mea culpa for most of us.
Haha. I'm sorry, I'm sure that's infuriating. Damn tourists! Hehe
As ever, I have a story. As a twentysomething grad student, I volunteered to give history lectures to seniors in San Diego. I got the occasional crab (like the woman who, when I lectured on the American Revolution, wanted to hold me responsible for American deaths because I'm a Brit) but otherwise it was a joy. My audiences were so engaged, and so kind to this inexperienced young academic, and grateful for my time. A few years later, when I got my tenure-track job in Georgia, I tried to get involved in something similar. The woman I spoke to was very pleasant, but she said, "Look, you really don't want to do this. It's not the WWII people anymore. It's boomers (she was one, btw, as, technically, am I) and they're awful. They want everything their way." So big thanks, Dr. Spock, and there we go. I was apprenticed to a take-no-prisoners British dragon, in fact, a generation of WWII women, and it has really helped, or did, until being an assertive woman got you called a Karen, or worse (it's ok, I'm over giving a damn about that). But we need to stop giving everyone excuses, or else carry on living like this.
Oh that's depressing about boomers lol
I still think people folks are decent but I might just be willfully clueless. 😂
Most people are ok, I reckon, but those who do this sort of thing really are ghastly!
I know, I know. I may not be nice but…. Late once ok. Late second time check their watches. Guide should talk directly to them. What time do we all need to be back? Then if not back leave them. Why should the rest pay for people who don’t care. No one takes responsibility of their actions. Only seats in back you sit in back. No you can’t sit in jump seat that blocks peoples view. 9 unhappy people is more important than 2 inconsiderate people
And yet they do often get their way. They learn, I guess. 😞😞😞
Great story!
Thank you 🙂
Oh! What an excellent and apt post! You nailed the clueless—or entitled?—tourists who occasionally we must share space with. I love your rendition at end. Oh that we could push those slackers into an active volcano!!!
Hehe
Steve Letro
3 mins ago
Hi Brent and Michael, Pisa tour a couple was late the bus left. The small bus did make another loop to check. Another passenger asked what now. Guide that couple will learn how to find and take train. Private adult tour of Florence museum couple brought a child . The guide said one of you need to leave with the child. Etruscan museum on week day I come around the corner and 50 childern parted like the red sea. I asked the teacher why she said simple you are an adult worthy of respect. Private tours and private drivers are best ! The private driver from AP to destination and between destinations is enjoyable and stress free. Lourdes France I ask my Wife to look for tour guide Veronica meeting us at AP. Wife comes back to say yes the smoking hot tour giude has a sign with our name. The Egypt tour with Freddy Silva the armed guard and egyptologist remind you no wandering. Keep SMiling Steve
We leave Tuesday for Waikoloa Beach Hawaii to enjoy 2.5 months of scuba diving, Farmer markets and fun.
We prefer private tours for sure but it's a sad state if that's what necessary these days. 😑😑😑
Caught Covid in August on an Alaska cruise excursion bus because the inconsiderate a--hole sitting directly behind me hacking up a lung couldn't be bothered to put on a mask.
Oh Lord, been there, done that.
Ugh, we've cleared out of breakfast rooms, subway cars and grocery aisles due to hacking petri dishes. But sometimes we're just stuck! I bring an N95 mask in my purse at all times.
Great story!
Even me, a person who once didn’t make it back to the bus on time, was rooting for David to drive away.
Here’s my experience:
https://alwayscare.substack.com/p/sink-or-swim-or-fake-it-till-you?utm_source=publication-search
Love it! You had wonderful experiences. Travel is so so different now. 🥺🥺🥺
I also really try and be as patient as possible when it comes to sharing spaces and tours with other people, but they really do seem to be forgetting how to behave! I'm surprised they also didn't watch TikToks on their phone without headphones.
Haha that would track. At least they didn't do that! 😂
These folks are the reason I rarely travel with groups anymore. I am partial to the fictional ending. 😏
Yeah, I only reluctantly do groups as well. But this was supposed to be a small group. 😂😂😂
Even in small groups there are those who may lack any kind of situational awareness. They simply don’t care. So frustrating.
Haha! You got me with that twist, Brent!
Hehe sorry. 😬