Idiots abroad: Should you speak out?

Idiots abroad: Should you speak out?

What is the appropriate reaction to tourists who behave badly?

I was always skeptical about the dichotomy introverted vs. extroverted. A common interpretation of this theory suggests that people's personalities belong to one or the other category. In reality, most of us are probably somewhere in a spectrum between the two.

I am generally a confident person, I feel comfortable with public speeches and I enjoy getting to know new people, but I also have a healthy portion of British reluctance. If possible, I prefer to avoid confrontation and will rather breed in silence about Manspreading or snake jumping than to express myself and create a scene.

In rare cases, I took part in disputes in the London subway (it is practically impossible not to do this), but that was usually the kind of tough teacher than a tough bitch.

felt like a rock star who pushes me into the guy who pushes me into my back on the center line with the elbow, but now I realize that I have listened to myself like a school teacher ...

- Kia Abdullah (@kiaabdullah) January 31, 2013

... "is it necessary that you play this game?"

- Kia Abdullah (@kiaabdullah) January 31, 2013

I often witnessed things that were uncomfortable for me (tourists who ride elephants, western men in eastern countries with girls who look too young, tourists who mock animals) - but I never said anything.

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

At the other end, there was a long series of off -road vehicles, each with at least four tourists. The situation had something unauthentic, but I couldn't complain more than they could dismantle the wish of the other tourists to see the elephants. These creatures were amazing.

Alt = “Elephants in the Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka”> Atlas & Boots elephants in the Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka

We stared in awe, some of us took quiet photos. And then a group of tourists started piping up and singing elephants to lure them closer. This continued for a few minutes, destroyed the idyll and disturbed the elephants.

I threw my best death view of the perpetrators, but they remained unsuspecting. After a few more minutes of this whistle and calling, a Dutch tourist leaned out of another vehicle and said: "This is a national park, no amusement park. You have some respect." Immediately they are silent.

Some of us thanked the Dutch tourists - but why didn't we speak ourselves? Are we afraid of being rude? Be snooty? Be ignored? What is the worst thing that could have happened?

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

Alt = “A long vehicle snake in the Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka”> Atlas & Boots A long vehicle snake in the Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka

I thought of this episode on a recent trip to Mauritius. We were at Seven Colored Earths, where there is a small enclosure with giant turtles. The turtles were protected by two low barriers and a nearby sign that asked tourists not to cross or touch the turtles. (You have to say it some people.)

Unfortunately, a group of tourists began to prevent the turtles and pose with them. A man skipped the first barrier and crouched for a photo next to a turtle. Soon his wife followed his example and other tourists also appeared for a photo shoot.

I could feel the blood in my head. I looked around for an official (yes, I am this person), but I couldn't find anyone. When the couple skipped the second barrier, I shook my British reluctance and struggled towards them.

"There is no barrier here for no reason," I said. They looked at me amazed. I typed on the fence. "These barriers are here for a certain reason." I meant getting out.

alt = "Turtles on the seven-colored earth on Mauritius"> Atlas & Boots We keep your distance from the turtles in Seven Colored Earths

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

I spoke about the narrow line between conscientious environmental protection and complacent asshole, and I really hate being a job or chattering fairy tale, but seeing how animals and nature are abused, makes me really angry.

I know that sometimes ignorance - and not intentions - is to blame. Elephant riding stood on my Bucket List for a long time and then I found out how that is possible and quickly abolished it. In 2008 I caressed a baby crocodile with the mowed mouth in the Miami zoo - something I now regret.

Of course, ignorance is a better apology than a blatant disregard for the well -being of animals, but it does not freely freed us from the responsibility to express us against incorrect behavior. It is important that we act ourselves because there is not always a brave Dutchman who speaks for us. Let's stop being a spectator and let's start to say our opinion.

How to speak against bad behavior

be polite. I know from experience that it is difficult to stay calm, but as we offer no papaya in offer, a nice please go much further than to be rude. In many cases, tourists behave as they do because they don't know better, so treat them accordingly.

speak out against poorly hosting tourists, but practice discretion towards locals. Questionable behavior can be part of the local culture or religious customs, in this case you should try not to insult your hosts.

In cases where it is risky or inappropriate to express yourself personally, they act on a broader level. Read attention to the problem, write a TripAdvisor rating, mark the company on social media and complain to the local authority.

encourage others to comment. If we all succumb to the viewer effect, nothing will change, so share this post and/or encourage your friends, family and followers to comment when you see incorrect behavior abroad.

do not offer a papaya: 101 tips for your first trip around the world, our teachings from years.

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