Idiots Abroad: Should You Speak Out?

Idiots Abroad: Should You Speak Out?

What is the appropriate response to tourists who misbehave?

I have always been skeptical of the introvert vs. extrovert dichotomy. A common interpretation of this theory suggests that people's personalities fall into one category or another. In reality, however, most of us probably fall somewhere on a spectrum between the two.

I'm generally a confident person, I'm comfortable with public speaking and I enjoy meeting new people, but I also have a healthy dose of British reserve. If possible, I prefer to avoid confrontation and will silently brood over manspreading or line jumping rather than speaking out and creating a scene.

On rare occasions I've gotten into arguments on the London Underground (it's virtually impossible not to), but these have usually been of the ticked-off teacher variety rather than a tough bitch.

Felt like a rock star calling out the guy who elbowed me in the back on the halfway line, but now I realize I sounded like a school teacher...

— Kia Abdullah (@KiaAbdullah) January 31, 2013

… “Is it necessary for you to play this game?”

— Kia Abdullah (@KiaAbdullah) January 31, 2013

Many times along the way I witnessed things that made me uncomfortable (tourists riding elephants, Western men in Eastern countries with girls who looked too young, tourists mocking animals) - but I never said anything.

In January this year we were in Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka when such an incident occurred. At one end of the plain, a herd of beautiful Asian elephants padded gently through the grass.

At the other end was a long line of SUVs with at least four tourists in each. There was something inauthentic about the situation, but I couldn't fault the other tourists' desire to see the elephants any more than they could dismantle them. These creatures were amazing after all.

alt="Elephants in Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka">Atlas & BootsElephants in Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka

We stared in awe, some of us quietly taking photos. And then a group of tourists started whistling and singing at the elephants to lure them closer. This went on for a few minutes, destroying the idyll and disturbing the elephants.

I gave the perpetrators my best death stare, but they remained clueless. After a few more minutes of this whistling and shouting, a Dutch tourist from another vehicle leaned over to them and said, "This is a national park, not a theme park. Have some respect." They immediately become silent.

Some of us thanked the Dutch tourist - but why hadn't we spoken up ourselves? Were we afraid of being rude? To be snooty? Be ignored? What's the worst thing that could have happened?

I thought about this question for a while. There had been no risk of physical retaliation, only the remote possibility of verbal protests. Why had so many of us remained silent when we were so clearly annoyed?

alt="A long line of vehicles in Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka">Atlas & BootsA long line of vehicles in Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka

I thought of this episode during a recent trip to Mauritius. We went to Seven Colored Earths, where there is a small enclosure with giant tortoises. The turtles were protected by two low barriers and a nearby sign asking tourists not to cross or touch the turtles. (Some people need to be told.)

Unfortunately, a group of tourists began leaning over to pet and pose with the turtles. A man jumped over the first barrier and crouched next to a turtle for a photo. Soon his wife followed suit and other tourists also lined up for a photo opportunity.

I could feel the blood pounding in my head. I looked around for an officer (yes, I am that person) but couldn't find one. As the pair jumped the second barrier, I shook off my British reserve and stalked towards them.

“There are barriers here for a reason,” I said. They looked at me in amazement. I tapped the fence. “These barriers are here for a reason.” I motioned for them to get out.

alt="Turtles on the seven-colored earth in Mauritius">Atlas & BootsWe keep our distance from the turtles at Seven Colored Earths

Peter joined me and when the tourists saw reinforcements, they got out and the line dispersed. I felt partly victorious and partly angry. Here were these glorious creatures on a stunning island in the Indian Ocean and we were all lucky enough to be there with them - but apparently that wasn't enough.

I've talked before about the fine line between conscientious environmentalism and smug assholery, and I really hate to be a jobber or tattle-tale, but seeing animals and nature mistreated really makes me angry.

I know that sometimes ignorance – not intent – ​​is to blame. Elephant riding was on my bucket list for a long time and then I found out how it was possible and quickly got rid of it. In 2008, I petted a baby crocodile at the Miami Zoo with its mouth taped shut - something I now regret.

Of course, ignorance is a better excuse than blatant disregard for animal welfare, but it does not absolve us of the responsibility to speak out against erroneous behavior. It is important that we act ourselves, as there is not always a brave Dutch person to speak for us. Let's stop being spectators and start speaking out.

How to speak out against bad behavior

Be polite. I know from experience that it's difficult to stay calm, but as we say in Don't Give Papaya, a nice request goes much further than being rude. In many cases, tourists behave the way they do because they don't know any better, so treat them accordingly.

Speak out against misbehaving tourists, but exercise discretion with locals. Questionable behavior may be part of local culture or religious customs, in which case you should try not to offend your hosts.

In cases where it is risky or inappropriate to speak out in person, act more broadly. Raise awareness of the issue, write a TripAdvisor review, tag the business on social media, and complain to the local authority.

Encourage others to speak up. If we all succumb to the bystander effect nothing will change at all, so share this post and/or encourage your friends, family and followers to speak up if they see erroneous behavior abroad.

Don't Offer Papaya: 101 Tips for Your First Trip Around the World, Our Lessons from Years on the Road.

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