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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.

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

    That's awesome. At least the employees get to have a life

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

    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.

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

    I dont drink but I can understand the access issue if let's say RX drugs...and just go to Walmart

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    Zoe's Mom
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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

    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.

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

    Hahaha, this person would die in Spain

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

    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.

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

    They have it the same in hawaii. You are not gonna die if you don't find the perfect heels.

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

    I sometimes need to buy things at night- shopkeepers should not sleep then either

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

    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...

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

    Perhaps she should be banned from international travel

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

    What, no 24 hour 7-11's? Oh, the horror! Try buying what you need before Siesta time like everyone else.

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

    Local bookstores hours here are open: when we get here close: when we leave

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

    PORTA WHAT???!!! Can't even spell Vallarta correctly!?

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

    Next time you go to PV let them know you are coming and they will alter their customs just for you dear!

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

    No. You should. There is absolutely nothing you can't live without, including whatever you promised Aunt Ethyl, till 5:00

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

    In parts of Italy the whole town goes quiet for Siesta time, cultural differences.... I cannot afford napping everyday in the afternoon lol

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

    No. You should be banned. Banned and gagged during siesta time.

    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

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

    Siesta time??!!! This just proves that I need to move to this country!!!

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

    Here's a thought....Don't travel to other places if you don't like their traditions!

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

    when i rome do as roman do… so shut up

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

    They hate it there as well, and are making moves to end the siestas. Most there hate the practice aside from a handful of diehards.

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

    'Siesta' time? in where? In the hotel? Maybe is its a motel. In town? Get your gifts in the hotel.

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

    If you'd stop wasting time making up places you could get your shopping done. Where is Puerto VallarTATO?

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

    I want to find out where they work then bother them during their lunch break. When they refuse to help me, I'll report them for being lazy

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

    Yes, we're all gonnna change our ways of life just for you.

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

    "Ugh! The world should exist to accommodate me! What is so hard to understand about that!?"

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

    They live above their shops... You should've gone up and hammered on their doors !!!

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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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