A Piece on Tourists
Why do tourists get such a bad gig? Every single one of you has been a tourist at some point in your illustrious life. My guess is you didn’t hate yourself while you were paying to take in the sights and sounds of another city, state or country. Or if you did, like my fellow writer here at The Birds, then the answer is simple: you’re the problem. Tourists are not.
We’ve all seen the Superman movies, the Seinfeld episodes and the many, many more entertainment sterotypes that feature Asian tourists in their customary role. Pamphlets open, maps out, cameras dangling around their necks. And yet, in every scene, these people are annoying someone. They’re oggling at something that’s so very normal to all of us – those of us that live here every single day. And that’s the thing.
They don’t.
They’re here trying to learn more about our country. They’re pumping money into our failing economy. And we’re annoyed by this? Let’s look at it another way. Remember when you studied abroad your junior year of college, and you didn’t quite know the language when you got there? My guess is you annoyed the hell out of some poor guy just trying to catch the train to work. Or that time you stood outside the Colosseum taking pictures for what seemed like hours? Yeah, well the maintenance guy still remembers how late he was forced to stay that day because of you.
See, it’s not just us. I’ve never been anywhere ever and been treated well. I’m just some dumb American. But on the other hand, America is the last place a tourist should expect to be treated well. Why is that? I’m sure it’s not just an American thing. Some alliance between every other country in the world where tourism is accepted and praised – at least until an American gets involved. Is a Dutch person treated well when asking for directions in Spain? Can an Australian backpack through Europe without fear of his wallet being taken?
Actually, as I write this, I’m becoming more and more convinced that it is an American thing. As a whole, we’re a pretty intolerant people – an intolerant people that expects the utmost in patience of others. So yeah, maybe it is us. Maybe we’re what’s wrong with tourism. Mabye we’re the reason tourists get such a bad rap – because after all, we started it.
What do you guys think? Have you noticed the same thing? Is it us, or do tourists really suck? And if so, why? What are they doing but flattering us by showing an interest in our culture?
Ah. It’s not people that are traveling that are the problem. It’s the “tourists.” By this I mean, many people can travel the sites, see the things they want to see, take pictures, spend money, etc. without being a complete idiot.
99% of these tourists are staying at a hotel or a house. A GOOD tourist at least has SOME idea where they are going before they ever leave. A “tourist” is the one that walks out of their hotel, completely oblivious to their surroundings and then starts getting mad at the locals that they can’t find what they are looking for.
Another thing that separates a good traveler from a “tourist” is paying attention to local customs.
“Hmm. Everyone in America walks and drives on the right side of the road. Maybe I do that.” < Smart traveler
“Dude these New Yorkers just push me out of the way. Why are the all walking into me?” < Dumb “tourist”
Want to take a picture? There are a million different places where you can do so WITHOUT blocking all incoming traffic. Half the time you could take a few steps to the left or right and be out of traffic and still get a great shot.
Need to collect your bearings? There are a million coffee shops that will let you sit down, look at your map and figure out what the heck you are doing… WITHOUT looking like an idiot.
Sure. There are times that we all have our moments of “WOW I have never seen something like that before” where we suddenly become completely oblivious, but that can happen even where you live. A “tourist” is one who walks around in that state all the time and doesn’t give a damn for the people around them.
I also have no problem with people asking for clarifications on directions. Don’t ask me how to get somewhere. It is guaranteed you won’t remember what I said anyway. That makes you a dumb “tourist.” If you are instead fairly sure where you are and maybe need some clarification as in you have looked at the subway map, but want to make sure this is the right train, no problem. If you are within a block of a building and get slightly confused and need someone to point you in the right direction, no problem.
So yeah. You can travel and be smart and self sufficient and have an awesome time. Or you can be a dumb “tourist” and not have near as much fun, and also piss everyone around you off.