The joy of travel is in the discovery. However, in these days of Tripadvisor, Instagram and Google maps, the magic of the unexpected has been diminished somewhat; we seem to want to find exactly what we are looking for, rather than simply bask in the newness of it all.
There is a certain kind of traveler that takes this concept to the extreme, and would probably be happier just staying at home. You'll find them in English pubs up and down the Spanish Costas, red as lobsters, tucking into egg and chips and complaining about the lack of Marmite or baked beans, or some other obscure product from the U.K.
Then there are the Instagram hordes who saw a heavily filtered picture of an iconic attraction and join a huge crowd of people with selfie sticks, jostling to get that exact same shot. Hardly the breathtaking and romantic experience you had in mind, was it? When reality fails to match expectations, based on the promise of home comforts or unrealistic Instagram images, people get disappointed and make ridiculous complaints.
These vacation complaints, made to real travel agents and tour companies and based on a Thomas Cook/ABTA survey, are so absurd that it's hard to believe that they are real. Spanish people speaking Spanish in Spain? The brochure didn't tell us it would be like that! Why is the sand yellow? I expected white sand!
I guess the lesson to take from all the disappoint and ridiculousness is this: Travel without expectations, and accept that the world doesn't exist simply to cater to your comforts and photography needs. Go with an open mind to discover, experience and learn!
Scroll down below to see the list for yourself, and tell your travel stories in the comments!
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Never uderestimate stupid peoples' capacity for stupidity.
Load More Replies...Here's a shocker...now make sure you brace yourself...You're actually the foreigner and they're the locals...AAAAHHHHHHH!!!
Sounds wonderful to me and I don’t speak Spanish!
Load More Replies...Comment left by Donald Trump, President of the United States of 'Murica.
I wouldn't be surprised, I know fellow Norwegians who spend months down in Spain without learning Spanish and complain that the locals doesn't know Norwegian... A lot of entitlement in some people!
Costa del Sol in Spain has an entire community called “Little Finland” . I’m very curious to know whether they have learned Spanish...
Load More Replies...No me digas! (Translation: You don’t say!?) I honestly don’t think I can roll me eyes back any further in my head. If they wanted everyone to speak in English they should have gone to Mallorca...
No no no Mallorca is officially part of Germeny! ;) thats a joke from Germany because so many Germans go there
Load More Replies...But are we getting more picky about our holidays? How are people's travel habits changing? Let's take a look at the ways that technology and modern life have affected the ways we choose to spend our time off.
We travel more frequently but for shorter durations: "The Office for National Statistics in the UK conducted a survey called the International Passenger Survey in 1996 and 2016 to uncover the biggest changes in the travel habits between the 1990s and now – that’s a 20-year study," Drifter Planet writes.
"The results show that Brits are now going on more holidays than before. In 2016 they went on more than 45 million holidays abroad, compared to only 27 million in 1996, an overall rise of 68%. But despite this, holidays are becoming shorter, proving to be one of the biggest changes we’ve seen over the years marking a huge decline of two week holidays. A week-long break is now much more popular than ever before and there’s been an increase in holidays lasting up to 10 nights."
With budget airlines making the citybreak a more affordable option, it's no surprise that people are exploring their own continent more, rather than save it all for one big summer trip. It keeps you fresh to get frequent little escapes from work and daily life, rather than waiting almost a whole year for the summer to come around again!
But it's true!! The Americans use their proximity to Jamaica to their advantage. They remove their travel time and put it in the Brit's time.
Load More Replies...They should so sue the Map Making Institute People for this! If they do, I really hope this lands me a pretty Pacific island right in front of my door in the middle Central Europe 😏
Wait till they see the extra travel time to get to Europe after the Brexit move !!
I hear that the Jamaicans bribed Gaia and their trip is even shorter.
If they though that was bad... wait till they find out the sky is full of birds!
The children were scared?! The poor fish have been receiving therapy since!
Go to Australia next time, they have sharks. The children won't be scared for long.
i have no reply to this comment... it's genius!
Load More Replies...Well of course they were scared encountering the resident of the home you invaded.
Shhhh! don't tell them about the the other marine life, bacteria, trash, pollution, etc....
Imagine if they realised there are bacteria & fish digestive excretion in the water lol - they'd never go in it again (which would be a relief for the fish)
Load More Replies...Active holidays are on the rise: As people are becoming more health conscious, so are wellness holidays becoming more popular. Instead of letting it all go with booze and food while away, people are seeking to recharge, repair, and have more of a fitness-oriented break. Things like Ayurveda, Yoga, reiki, body detox, spa and meditation holidays have all seen a huge spike in interest, while classics like hiking, camping and cycling are as popular as they ever were.
Conversely, the old 18-35, contiki tour classics are on the wane, which many people would see as a good thing. While there are still plenty of resort options if you want to get wasted, sunburned and laid, it doesn't quite seem to have the same appeal to the younger generation as it did for us oldies. Maybe kids these days are just more sensible, introverted, health and image conscious to get into wild drunken brawls on the streets of Benidorm or Ayia Napa.
Your husband is probably making the person bathing topless uncomfortable. It should not be allowed to ogle.
Straight men (regardles of age) stare at boobs if they're on display. That's just a fact, even if some guys swear to their partners that they don't. Most guys try to do it discreetly so they're not noticed, but I agree that just plain ogling is uncool and makes the sunbather feel uncomfortable. As an aside, I find it massively uncool that guys can walk around topless all over the world but women are made to feel ashamed if they do it.
Load More Replies...I think people use the term "perv" too loosely nowadays. If I see naked boobs I'll look. What's wrong with that? I'm not objectifying anybody, I'm not getting my w***y out, I'm not cat-calling, just looking. Boobs are great, let them out and let me look at them. It is normal!
Load More Replies...Husband could have closed his eyes and relax, but the sight of unpixelated and unblurred breasts probably was more then he could handle. Book your next vacation somewhere in the Bible-belt. I'm sure your husband can relax there.
Could it be that the hubby couldn't relax because of the wife's incessant bitching? Just a guess.
Ok, before I get buried in flames and downvotes, let me say that I agree this is a ridiculous complaint. However, if you have even a shred of social awareness, you know that while there is absolutely a way that things *should* happen (i.e. people should be able to sunbathe topless if they want to), the world we live in currently guarantees that will rarely happen. In certain areas where puritan values are less dominant, topless/nude sunbathing is going to happen, accept it and move on. To play devils advocate, if you are in an area where it is less socially accepted, you also have to be aware that you will likely be objectified/criticised if you choose to participate in such activities. Again, I am NOT saying that this is ok at all, but it is part of being an aware human being.
I think the wife invented the whole complaint because the husband looked a couple of times and it made HER feel uncomfortable.
Load More Replies...I’m usually topless at all beaches I go to. Letting my man nipples out for all to see. Children run and scream dogs Yelp and ladies faint at the sight.
Kid: "Mommy, what's that thing hanging down from the elephant?" Mom: "That's his trunk, it's like a long nose." K: "No, not that. What's that thing hanging down but further back?" M:"Oh, that's it's tail. He uses it to swish away flies." K:"No, no...not that, either. What's that thing hanging down more in the middle?" M:"Oh...that's nothing. Please stop asking me questions." K:"Daddy, what's that thing hanging down from the elephant?" Dad: "That's his trunk, it's like a long nose." K: "No, not that. That's what Mommy said. What's that thing hanging down but further back?" D:"Oh, that's it's tail. He uses it to swish away flies." K:"No, no...not that, either. Mommy said that, too. What's that thing hanging down more in the middle?" D:"Oh, that's his penis." K:"Oh. Mommy said it was nothing." D:"Well, son...your mom is spoiled."
"Rampant beast" is now my new nickname for the boyfriend, lol!!!
Why, does he make other men feel inadequate? Lol 😂 dont mind me :D
Load More Replies...Social media's effects: Back in the old days, you'd arrive at your destination with maybe a guide book, a map and some interesting new banknotes. These days, we've seen photos of everything, read all the restaurant reviews, know which attractions we want to photo ourselves, as well as the funky 'hidden' bars and hangouts. We all find these things in the same place: Google. 'Top 10 things you must see in Porto' leads tourists to the same few places in the city, all busy instagramming away and trying to keep the crowds out of their image.
If somewhere happens to be particularly popular on Instagram, it will be packed with people trying to get that 'money shot,' rather than simply enjoying the aura of the place. The tumbling, colorful buildings of Cinque Terre; the strikingly blue streets of Chefchaouen, the sun setting over the pyramids of Giza... we've all seen these iconic images in gorgeous photos, and we want to take those exact same photos. Perhaps it has always been that way, but Instagram has definitely 'influenced' the way we travel.
Wait? The beach was sandy and the sea was wet? Never going there ever again!
Load More Replies...I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere
Ah hahaha...every time I hear of sand complaints, I immediately think of that Anakin Skywalker line
Load More Replies...Afraid to look more closely at my $ 15 Rolex after reading this news !
you over paid - I got mine for $10 - from a guy at a street festival
Load More Replies...Put on you Mike Air shoes, grab you Lewis Vetton bag and run down to the police station to file a complaint.
Well, this is quite common, not only by holidaymakers. People buy s**t at a very reduced price and then they complain because it breaks after two days. What did they expect?
and now they're bringing another genius into the world. i am very afraid.
Load More Replies...Behold! The birth of bed royalty! Will it be a prince or a princess bed? ♥
Load More Replies...Here's an idea...don't have sex. And if you can't resist the urge to have sex..I believe that most hotels have vending machines and counter service that can provide condoms......
I can introduce you to several people that biologically confirm the countermeasure doesn't work against stupidity
Load More Replies...I've had the reverse - got twin beds that were on different sides of the room (so couldn't be pushed together). That was disappointing.
Sorry there wasn't a Mickey D's or a KFC available to you. Why go to another country if you aren't willing to give in to the culture? How do you have any fun?
Must admit, I've wanted to visit India, Goa in particular, for years. My inability to stomach 'hot' food has stopped me. That, and money. Mostly money.
Well you can stop worrying about spicy part. We have so many people traveling from all over the world, they will tone down the spices if you ask.
Load More Replies...Get a life and adapt yourself to local habits. If you don't like curry don't go to India, go to Indiana
HOW DARE THEY USE THEIR NATIVE SPICES WHEN YOU ARE THERE! TELL THEM AHEAD OF TIME YOU ARE COMING. IT IS YOUR OWN FAULT.
The nerve of the locals to NOT be accommodating!!
Load More Replies...Sub-par resort. Most good 5-star resorts feature their wide selection of Mosquitoes on the front of the glossy brochure.
I was in Kansas City and didn't know there would be tornadoes until the winds rain hail and sirens were going off...
Load More Replies...Maybe they are friends with the people who think the beach is "too sandy"!
Nah. They need to get together with the one whose kids got scared by the fish.
Load More Replies...Maybe it was written by mosquitos to lure you into their trap...Bwahahahaha!
Did the brochure neglect to mention the clinically insane must have supervision ?
I won't suggest to use blades to people this smart, they can seriously harm self or others.
Load More Replies...OMG! Your complete vacation was ruined because the egg slicer wasn't in the kitchen!... How awful!
Wonderful gadget. I use one all the time. 27332_1000...48207e.jpg
Kim, Bubble, all here want to read you got in touch and went home depot
Load More Replies...Cheese grater??? Do you mean the new macbook pro?? You must be rich!
Load More Replies...I use my egg slicer to slice mushrooms they break often but 2 months for $3 seems good to me
I've never thought of using an egg slicer to cut mushrooms. Silly me, over here, using a knife to slice my stuff. Lol.
Load More Replies...Some of these quotes on here, seem absurd!!! I literally can't picture ANYBODY, saying some of this STUFF!
See above, the guy on honeymoon comparing himself to an aroused elephant.
Probably this is the reason my rent-a-condom business failed!
Load More Replies...Towels...maybe. But when you go to a community pool or a friends pool, do you expect them to provide you with a swim suit? Besides being ridiculous..it's also unsanitary. It's like lending a friend your thoroughly used underwear....
When renting something, a bathing suit is the last thing, that comes to mind!
In France, you can often buy swimsuits and shorts/speedos at a vending machine... but no towels as far as I know :-)
Can you lend me your underwear? No? How about your bathing suit? Sure no problem.... um this is the same question to me. If its next to someone's "no zone" I'm not wearing it. Second hand bras kinda gross me out but second hand swimsuit that's so gross
This can't be real! Again, it sounds too absurd, for someone to actually say!
Surely there must be more trainee hairdresser friendly resorts available !!
Do we need a CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT for hairdressers?
Too bad you can't be arrested for being stupid.... But then again...the police would be constantly busy with stupidity complaints.
The right move for the hotel manager would be to put a door sign in her room that says " DO NOT STUPID"
They should have stood on the other side of the doorway and yelled "We can get you out, but it's going to take a while and it won't be cheap. Are you sure you want to spend another $200 to get out of there? After all, the room looked really nice on the website and we can always have room service slip you food under the door."
Me too. They give bad reputation to the rest of their fellow co-citizens, and ethnic groups in general.
Load More Replies...No, they just expect them to. Spanish is our second language here in the States. I don't get that some people don't get that.
Load More Replies...Maybe they are right. The taxi drivers should go out of their way just to learn each and every language that the passengers they dive, speak.
Well, at least it's not just Americans being arrogant. You can tell they are from the U.K. by the fact they said "holiday" and not "vacation".
When you're in a foreign country guess what you are the Foreigner. How the hell do you think that they are when you're where they live? 100% of the foreign countries you go to we'll have foreign people to you in it. I know it's hard to believe but I wouldn't kid you
Why do I suspect these people were American? And possibly came off a cruise ship for a brief shore excursion? Experience has made me cynical I guess
We don't go on 'holiday', Brits do. We go on vacation.
Load More Replies...When I was a kid, my parents would look a brochures. The pictures lied. Every damn time. Get there and the sand wasn't white and the grass wasn't black and people weren't shades of gray. On a positive note, we didn't stand out by being in colour.
Maybe there is a reason it's yellow.. 0.0 ...Don't play in the yellow sand!!!
That I actually kind of understand. The beaches with white sand are way more desirable, unique and gorgeous. Yellow sand is everywhere.
I don't know... This one is kind of legit. No one wants ugly sand...
Sorry ma'am, that was pee, we'll just clean that right away, ma'am!
I would have solved it by pushing them into the water to wait for boat's arrival
Omg your comment just made me ruin a perfectly good magazine as I spit out my soda! Hilarious. Oh wait, I think I'll complain to Bored Panda for being overly funny as to cause unexpected reactions and laughter. Maybe I can sue too!
Load More Replies...They can't! The bumps just made the pictures look blurry.
Load More Replies...Wait until you get there to find out what's going on..... The magical mystery tour.
I don't know... maybe read up on the area before the bus ride to the hotel.. or after.. or basically anytime when you weren't on the bus. Like what?
You would hate it in Australia. Shops open 9am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday except late night shopping one day a week, which finishes at 9 pm. Saturday is 9-5 and Sunday is 11-5. Although supermarkets are open from 7 am - 9pm mon to fri.
That's awesome. At least the employees get to have a life
Load More Replies...I had a couple complain to me that they couldn't buy beer because our store policy was to lock the booze up 15 minutes before the state cut off time of 2am. The coolers would be reopened at 6am. So the customers had 19 hours and 45 minutes to get to the store to buy their booze. I'm sorry..if you can't squeeze in enough time between your reruns of Jerry Springer and Monster Truck Rallys to come buy your beer...that's not my problem.
I dont drink but I can understand the access issue if let's say RX drugs...and just go to Walmart
Load More Replies...The U.S. would have happier employees if we did this. Puerto Vallarta has this done right. Spain does somewhat the same. All the stores were closed on Sunday when we went to visit. You adapt and adjust.
The US would have happier humans if half of our economy wasn't based on gross consumerism, and the social embrace of greed. It has cost America her empathy.
Load More Replies...And let me guess, it was also too hot during siesta time, you could barely breath. Wouldn't it be a good idea to just take a nap during that time? You should tell them.
You come live in a hot climate, and you would understand the need for the "siesta" during your first day, second, latest... Locals do not have to comply to tourists - tourists has to accept the customs of the locals...
Ginger Nuts likely the nickname the shop keepers had for these tourists.
Then don't come to the American South. You walk into any convenience store looking for biscuits and you're going to get a savory bread that resembles a scone with either sausage stuffed in it or sausage gravy poured over it....
Northern, too! But, you may or may not get the gravy:-)
Load More Replies...Must be British..... Bring your own next time or holiday in Blackpool!
I think it should be explained that the food in other countries are not like home....
What..were they napping on the tour? Maybe the operator can make up for it by singing you a lullaby.....
Just finished to watch movie created by true events ''Hotel Mumbai"... Comparing that events with this complaining...No words. First world problems and empty people.
There can't possibly be this many idiots who travel.No wonder places will take your money and laugh when you leave.
Everyone asking if people can be this stupid have most likely never worked a customer service job. Or had a really, REALLY good experience if they did.
When I lived in Africa we had an American tourist that came to the front desk of the hotel and demanded that we "turn the tape off" because he couldn't sleep. After some questioning, we realized that he thought the sounds of nighttime Africa were a recording. He refused to believe us that this was just the sound of nature. We had to take him outside and let him listen. He still was not convinced. He lodged a complaint with management.
my friend who rents a cabin in the woods received a formal complaint saying that "the birds were chirping too loud and we could not sleep" and demanded a partial refund
Load More Replies...As a person who worked six years at the travel agent I hereby confirm that people can be not only this stupid, but much, much worse.. so unfortunately I know these statements are true.. We once had a guest that booked the accommodation for September and demanded that we send them in March (6 months before the trip) the weather report and the exact sea temperature for the dates they booked as they "didn't want to travel all those miles just to spend their holidays indoors or swim in a cold sea." And one asked if the beach were in proximity of the sea.. and so on and so on..
I once booked a beach vacation in the Sahara and had to walk 500 miles each day to get to the water.
Load More Replies...When my family and I that are from the US had the fortunate experience to travel to beautiful Germany. We were repeatedly embarrassed by people from the states. On one of those occasions we were staying at the Café Post on the Rhine, when a party from the states where complaining that could not get a breakfast like in the US. Where are the omelets and pancakes? My thought was then that's where you should have stayed. Also one of the men in the party broke a dowel on the stairway with his suitcase. When the owner approached him with the dowel in hand and asked if he broke it, he laughed. The Café Post Guest House is family owned and they take such pride in its upkeep and cleanliness. My Mom who speaks German said to the owner that the guy was a real a**hole and apologized on behalf of the jerk. When traveling the world please show the best of ourselves not the worst.
I'm English, and other brits abroad are not something I'm particularly proud of either.
Load More Replies...Around the time Braveheart (one of the worst films ever made) came out I was working in tourism in Inverness. I lost count of the number of Americans who complained because the “Scotch” people (?!?!) they met were too hard to understand and there were too many cars and buildings in town. I think they expected the Highlands to have not developed since the 13th century and that we should have all been speaking with the cartoonish Scottish accent of an American actor raised in Australia. I’ve now lived in Australia for over a decade and Americans are confused when I don’t sound like crocodile Dundee or Steve Irwin and that I have never and will never come across any wildlife in my daily life because despite what they see on TV this is one of the most urbanised places on the planet. Sorry if this seems like it’s picking on Americans but in general they can be a bit clueless about the world outside.
@djinn I feel like some tourists who come to Scotland get personally offended if we don’t have cartoonish brogues like “groundskeeper W***y” from the Simpsons.
Load More Replies...This reminds me of the woman who wrote a note to the park rangers at Yellowstone to train the bears to come out at the same time each day so she could see them. https://www.outsideonline.com/2011846/yellowstone-visitor-upset-bears-didnt-show
"Every voyager is an ambassador of his country" I think Goethe said that....
That's so true, but also very unfair. I have no problem showing a good image, but I am me, I am not all the people of my country. For example, if I refuse to drink alcohol, it's not because in my country people don't drink alcohol (in fact, they do, and A LOT), it's just because I don't like the alcohol you're offering me. Tsk tsk tsk....
Load More Replies...Same people who still believe in Trump, who thinks the earth is flat or that vaccines are a giant hoax...
You don't think Trump is real? He's not the Easter Bunny....
Load More Replies...People should be required to take a test before having children.
Load More Replies...I am really struggling to believe that these people are THAT stupid. I either hope these are jokes or completely fake. My IQ has dropped 10 points from reading these.
Believe me, they are.. I worked at a travel agent for 6 years and these aren't even the worst complaints I had seen
Load More Replies...My parents once took a trip to Paris. My father was speaking with a shop clerk who spoke perfect English and was very pleasant. Another American walked in who was the classic Ugly American, demanding to be waited on immediately. The shop clerk pretended to not understand her. The woman then turned to my father and said, “If they want our money, they should speak our language!” My father simply shrugged and said, “No English.”
When I lived in Africa we had an American tourist that came to the front desk of the hotel and demanded that we "turn the tape off" because he couldn't sleep. After some questioning, we realized that he thought the sounds of nighttime Africa were a recording. He refused to believe us that this was just the sound of nature. We had to take him outside and let him listen. He still was not convinced. He lodged a complaint with management.
my friend who rents a cabin in the woods received a formal complaint saying that "the birds were chirping too loud and we could not sleep" and demanded a partial refund
Load More Replies...As a person who worked six years at the travel agent I hereby confirm that people can be not only this stupid, but much, much worse.. so unfortunately I know these statements are true.. We once had a guest that booked the accommodation for September and demanded that we send them in March (6 months before the trip) the weather report and the exact sea temperature for the dates they booked as they "didn't want to travel all those miles just to spend their holidays indoors or swim in a cold sea." And one asked if the beach were in proximity of the sea.. and so on and so on..
I once booked a beach vacation in the Sahara and had to walk 500 miles each day to get to the water.
Load More Replies...When my family and I that are from the US had the fortunate experience to travel to beautiful Germany. We were repeatedly embarrassed by people from the states. On one of those occasions we were staying at the Café Post on the Rhine, when a party from the states where complaining that could not get a breakfast like in the US. Where are the omelets and pancakes? My thought was then that's where you should have stayed. Also one of the men in the party broke a dowel on the stairway with his suitcase. When the owner approached him with the dowel in hand and asked if he broke it, he laughed. The Café Post Guest House is family owned and they take such pride in its upkeep and cleanliness. My Mom who speaks German said to the owner that the guy was a real a**hole and apologized on behalf of the jerk. When traveling the world please show the best of ourselves not the worst.
I'm English, and other brits abroad are not something I'm particularly proud of either.
Load More Replies...Around the time Braveheart (one of the worst films ever made) came out I was working in tourism in Inverness. I lost count of the number of Americans who complained because the “Scotch” people (?!?!) they met were too hard to understand and there were too many cars and buildings in town. I think they expected the Highlands to have not developed since the 13th century and that we should have all been speaking with the cartoonish Scottish accent of an American actor raised in Australia. I’ve now lived in Australia for over a decade and Americans are confused when I don’t sound like crocodile Dundee or Steve Irwin and that I have never and will never come across any wildlife in my daily life because despite what they see on TV this is one of the most urbanised places on the planet. Sorry if this seems like it’s picking on Americans but in general they can be a bit clueless about the world outside.
@djinn I feel like some tourists who come to Scotland get personally offended if we don’t have cartoonish brogues like “groundskeeper W***y” from the Simpsons.
Load More Replies...This reminds me of the woman who wrote a note to the park rangers at Yellowstone to train the bears to come out at the same time each day so she could see them. https://www.outsideonline.com/2011846/yellowstone-visitor-upset-bears-didnt-show
"Every voyager is an ambassador of his country" I think Goethe said that....
That's so true, but also very unfair. I have no problem showing a good image, but I am me, I am not all the people of my country. For example, if I refuse to drink alcohol, it's not because in my country people don't drink alcohol (in fact, they do, and A LOT), it's just because I don't like the alcohol you're offering me. Tsk tsk tsk....
Load More Replies...Same people who still believe in Trump, who thinks the earth is flat or that vaccines are a giant hoax...
You don't think Trump is real? He's not the Easter Bunny....
Load More Replies...People should be required to take a test before having children.
Load More Replies...I am really struggling to believe that these people are THAT stupid. I either hope these are jokes or completely fake. My IQ has dropped 10 points from reading these.
Believe me, they are.. I worked at a travel agent for 6 years and these aren't even the worst complaints I had seen
Load More Replies...My parents once took a trip to Paris. My father was speaking with a shop clerk who spoke perfect English and was very pleasant. Another American walked in who was the classic Ugly American, demanding to be waited on immediately. The shop clerk pretended to not understand her. The woman then turned to my father and said, “If they want our money, they should speak our language!” My father simply shrugged and said, “No English.”
