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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!

#1

Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

Peter Dickinson Report

Kaisu
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This can't possibly be real, no one can actually be this stupid

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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."

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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!

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    #3

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    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.

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    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.

    #4

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Foxxy
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your husband is probably making the person bathing topless uncomfortable. It should not be allowed to ogle.

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    #5

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Rowlie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard that his wife saw it too and left him for the elephant

    Kusotare
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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."

    Brivid
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This sounds like someone made a joke and some eaves dropper took it seriously. Several of these post seem like that.

    Max L.
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are smaller animals that can let you feel very lucky.

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't let the lady elephant see you then. She might get a good laugh.

    Vic
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The way I see it, the husband was the biggest d**k around!!😂😂

    Mad Haberdasheress
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Rampant beast" is now my new nickname for the boyfriend, lol!!!

    Marina
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why, does he make other men feel inadequate? Lol 😂 dont mind me :D

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    Donna Reynolds
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inadequacy is the least of his worries.

    Dogloverz17
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, he wishes he could live in the wild and find his own food.

    Nicole F
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He found the perfect excuse :D

    Diana Crawford
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could understand the tourist point, if the wife asked her husband to enlarge his manly man so that his manly man may look like the bull elephant's. If he could not then his manly hood is threaten by the beast of Africa called the Bull Elephant HA!

    Kanga9ine
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's sad is he thought he had the d**k of an elephant before he actually saw one. Better sleep with one eye open. New bride knew better and married you anyway. Idiot.

    Wlle Leitz
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Talk about what ever comes up first

    Molly E
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He said that the elephant made him feel fat.

    Mary Jaye
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YOU HAVE PROBLEMS OF SELF WORTH.

    Mark Jaress
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hahahahahahahaha - if I knew how to type an elephant roar, I would

    Dre Mosley
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NO human, not even John Holmes is gonna be "adequate" compared to an elephant with a boner, ma'am.

    Id row
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd leave him for the elephant because the elephant is much smarter.

    Sue Prewitt
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really? He wants to be the size of an elephant!?

    THEPS
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This has to be fake ......all of these have to be fake. I refuse to believe that this level of stupidity actually exists.

    Stille20
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he was that insecure, would he really cop to it?

    knittin' kitten
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I you were as big you would die next hard on from lack of blood anywhere else. And no woman could or would want to sleep with you. To me being inadequate in this situation is preferred

    KellyO
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    someone please give this guy a participation trophy.

    Makayla Bolton
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh no! that elephant has a proportionaly bigger penis compared to me! my manhood is challenged

    Tricia Flynn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WT F guess he was inadequate any way

    Lisa Shaw
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dude, compared to an elephant every man on the planet is inadequate.

    Leesa DeAndrea
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eh, a mouse would probably make him feel inadequate.

    Amelia Haynes
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like something a man would say lol

    Nikki
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    okay. this is just downright hilarious

    Adrienne Early
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read recently that an elephant's penis is prehensile, and that he can also use it as a "kickstand" to help balance when reaching for leaves.

    Reee
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is kind of funny actually

    Stine Teigen
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This must be the hight om fragile masculinity...being envious of another species penis...wonder what he's say if the had been on a blue whale-safari and a male blue whale had shown his stuff........

    Leo H
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now that is what i call a trunk

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    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.

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    #6

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

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    #8

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Kay Cee
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The dumbest thing I've ever heard

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    #9

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Vic
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a Goan, I apologise for this obviously forsee able error. Next time we'll suck the spices out, before we serve you gravy!

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    #10

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Daria B
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mosquitoes love imported food. ♥

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    #13

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who would wear a swimsuit that had been worn by others anyway?

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    #14

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Kwj
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like someone has "sniffed" too much hairdye chemicals already :O

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    #16

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish people like this would just stay in their own countries

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    #17

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Tiffany Marie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think One Person.. Made all these stupid comments.

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    #19

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Rowlie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have solved it by pushing them into the water to wait for boat's arrival

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    #21

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Foxxy
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #22

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Christopher Rhind
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ginger Nuts likely the nickname the shop keepers had for these tourists.

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    #23

    Funny-Customer-Travel-Complaints

    Peter Dickinson Report

    Foxxy
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plot twist, they were the noisy and unruly guests.

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