Comments on: Travel tips you probably won’t find in too many places

By: Talon Windwalker

Talon Windwalker — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 09:15:03 +0000

In reply to Jenni. What an absolute touron. Agree with your tip as well. I've had many occasions where after saying something 2-3 times (enunciating more carefully, removing extra words, etc.), I've completely changed how I said it, pantomimed or something, and it has worked. One time in Morocco nothing was working, so I finally asked sheepishly "Espanol?" A guy behind me heard that. He knew someone nearby who spoke Spanish, so he ran and brought him back so he could interpret. Thankfully, everyone else in the line behind us was cool about the delay.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:25:01 +0000

I watched a man yell at hotel staff in Thailand because they didn’t print some documents for him quickly enough. The louder he yelled, the slower they got and the more attentive staff became to me. It was quite humorous, but the poor guy was practically purple-faced by the time be got his documents. I guess I would add a tip in this light that if something isn’t working, try something else. Great post! Sharing.

By: Talon Windwalker

Talon Windwalker — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 18:24:27 +0000

In reply to Michele. There are SO many tourons out there! LOL

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 23:37:14 +0000

Beautiful work Talon, I agree totally although one of my favourite moments in Vietnam was going for breakfast and there were some Taiwanese ladies who spoke no English or Vietnamese… the Guest House owner asked them if they wanted breakfast and they didn’t understand so she got louder and louder. I realised then that this may have happened to her many times so did some great sign language and the ladies realised what she was saying and enjoyed their breakfast.
I love the term Touron and it may become part of my language from now too many of them out in the world 🙂

By: Talon Windwalker

Talon Windwalker — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 23:11:08 +0000

In reply to laurel-Capturing la Vita. I wonder if they could include that in everyone's passport, right above their photo.

By: laurel-Capturing la Vita

laurel-Capturing la Vita — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 16:10:12 +0000

LOVE these, Talon! Can we just pass out “Don’t be a dick” cards to tourists? A great collection of tips when common sense it not that common.

By: Talon Windwalker

Talon Windwalker — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:18:09 +0000

In reply to Mary @ Green Global Travel. Boy, you hit the nail on the head with that comment. So very true!

By: Mary @ Green Global Travel

Mary @ Green Global Travel — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:02:13 +0000

You’re right on the mark. It’s a sad state when what I consider to be common sense needs to read as travel tips. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully, these tips get to people who could benefit from them.

By: Talon Windwalker

Talon Windwalker — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:03:44 +0000

In reply to Claus G. Respect goes SUCH a long way!

By: Claus G

Claus G — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 21:52:24 +0000

So true!

I am amazed when I travel and see people completely disrespecting the local culture… half the time they do it without even realizing that they are doing it. Wearing the right clothes, raising their voice in frustration because the locals can’t understand what they want, or doing highly inappropriate things to sculptures of religious figures.

I think it’s very important before we visit a place to read a little about customs and try not to offend the local hosts. Yes, some of them are common sense (which is still often missed, as the examples above), but some subtle things like eating can be highly offensive when done wrong.

As for reviews in hotels, I can;t help but shake my head and roll my eyes at half of the reviews I read. “Staff don’t speak English” definitely is the one I love to hate the most… I want to reach out to these people and scream at them to never leave their homes…. ever.

I don’t like to preach because I am sure I once in a while I’ll do something highly inappropriate by accident (and sometimes on purpose, but I make sure locals aren’t around), but I try my best to be a good traveler.