Love stopping on the street halfway through your walk? 10 Most Annoying Tourist Behaviors

By Rita

The prosperity of tourism is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it brings immense wealth to local areas, but on the other, the sudden influx of people can disrupt daily life and routines. The old saying “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” may sound easy, but putting it into practice reveals its complexity. In truth, being a good tourist simply means relaxing and reflecting while quietly appreciating the local way of life and beauty.

If you dislike the poor behavior of some foreigners visiting Taiwan, then you should also avoid falling into similar absurdity when traveling abroad.Please refer to travel website Thrillist’s “10 Most Annoying Tourists”:

▲ Mainland tourists left hotel beds “yellow with stains” — hotel owners fume: even defecated on beds. (Photo / Eastern News)

1. Not realizing you’re dressed inappropriately
When in a foreign place, try to blend in and avoid wearing strange or outlandish clothes that might offend locals without you realizing. Clothes featuring your country or city name are best saved for back home.

2. Taking pictures of everything
It’s great to look at photos when you get home, but if you’re at an attraction only focused on taking pictures and not actually seeing it, you’re missing out. If you’ve traveled all the way to the Taj Mahal just to take photos, then your trip loses its meaning. And constantly asking your friends to take photos for you — have you thought about whether they might want to enjoy the site themselves? Put the camera down after a few shots.

3. Skipping local restaurants, only eating what you usually eat
You flew all this way but refuse to try local food, sticking to what you always eat. If you don’t like the local cuisine, at least try it once so you can form your own opinion and share it with others.

▲ Insisting on eating familiar food abroad? (Photo / DAZZLE / Illustration)

4. Breaking local laws
Be well-behaved — the consequences of breaking any law are unpredictable. At best, you might be detained for a few hours, but if you’re unlucky, you could even get beaten during arrest.

5. Assuming every shop accepts credit cards
Carry some cash with you — you might see something you want but can’t buy because you can’t pay.

▲ Credit cards aren’t accepted everywhere (Photo / DAZZLE / Illustration)

6. Constantly complaining about how expensive things are
Arriving in London and finding everything outrageously priced can ruin your mood, but really, there’s no need for that. Doing a bit of research in advance can help you prepare mentally. Also, avoiding clashing with local customs is important.

7. Thinking everyone abroad speaks English
Many assume English is the global language and overlook the value of learning a few local phrases before you go. If you don’t want to learn, there are plenty of language apps that can help.

8. Oversharing on Facebook
Just like those who take too many photos, some travelers are too busy taking selfies to post and show off, thinking making friends envious matters more than experiencing the place itself. Honestly, not many people care about every detail of your trip.

▲ Don’t overuse social media while traveling (Photo / DAZZLE / Illustration)

9. Arriving at an amazing attraction, yet hiding in the hotel all day
Five-star hotels are indeed so nice you don’t want to leave, but if you’re waking up next to the pool every morning, what’s the difference from being at home? Unless you’re doing some kind of hotel field study, that is.

10. Love stopping on the street halfway through your walk
Walking is a great way to get to know a city, but don’t stop dead in the middle of the sidewalk just because you see something interesting, or suddenly halt to take a photo. Sidewalks are just like roads — don’t block others just for your own convenience.

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