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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

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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.

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

    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....

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

    Northern, too! But, you may or may not get the gravy:-)

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    Magic567
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    but cause no way uh wow why iehhhh i cant properly form any words

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

    I think it should be explained that different places have different items. I don't even know wtf a custard cream or ginger nuts are.

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

    My goldens and Shelties think Milk Bones are yummy and proper.

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

    At last a valid complaint! ;D

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

    Must be British..... Bring your own next time or holiday in Blackpool!

    Huib van Wees (hvwees)
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it should be explained that the food in other countries are not like home....

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

    Just stay home and get some rest. Or adapt to local habits

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

    You should try. Dee's nuts..instead..they are a mouth ful

    Stormy Ashes
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who the heck eats "ginger nuts"

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

    If this tourist hadn't been such a stuck up snob, they could have explained what they were looking for and been offered alternatives. "Proper biscuits" are usually what we call shortbread cookies, but it could be any kind of cookie. "Custard creams" are just sandwich cookies - literally two cookies with cream/frosting in between (think Oreos, but with a less disgusting filling). "Ginger nuts" are gingersnaps, ginger wafers, or ginger cookies. I understand what it's like to be far from home and crave a familiar taste. But ffs, just tell people what you are looking for instead of putting people down because "it isn't the same where I come from". 😒

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

    wtf is a ginger nut... is that like red haired peoples nuts?

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

    wtf is a custard cream anyway? Maybe they should stay home where all that proper stuff is available.

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

    As long as they have chocolate chip, I'm good.

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

    We have chocolate chip cookies in America. Several varieties, actually.

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

    Nothing about English food is "proper". Bland, maybe.

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

    I hear they don't sell Vegemite nor Chitlin either. How crazy is that?

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

    We do not have Vegemite in America, we have something far more tasty called Apple Butter. Also, I am really hoping that chitlins means something different where you come from. We have chitlins here, in the southern area, and chitlins is pig intestines.

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

    They do where you live. You're visiting. Live dangerously and live like you live wherever you butt plants itself.

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

    No, no... this clause exists for decades now: Please be aware that the local produce may not be similar to what you are used to at home. Every travel brochure has this disclaimer.

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

    custard creams. or ginger nuts. proper biscuits? are you visiting the queen of England by chance?

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

    Oh no... they do, but the cows had gone to pasture and the ginger hadn't turned nuts, yet !!

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

    These people should stay home with their biscuits.

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

    My advice, don't go on holiday.

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

    THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE LIKE YOU PATRONIZING THE STORE. THEY DON'T LIKE YOU.

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

    To be fair, they are the best biscuits

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

    Lol this person would go nuts in Germany.

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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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