Things that annoy you while travelling

sw33t_r3v3ng3

Anyone here been to Rome recently and saw all these sellers on the street?
I honestly dont think you could find a more annoying thing on holidays!

If its not a green lazer that they shove in your face, its a squeeky yolk.
I found it so annoying because about five swarm around you at the one time, all selling the same shi*e. If I say no to the first guy what makes you think im gonna say yes to the next 4 ?

Anyone else experience this or have similar stories?

dee_mc

this reminds me of a street seller guy who approached me on the first day of my holiday in the Costa del Sol years ago, selling carpets and squeaky toys and laser pointers etc.
I said no thanks, but he continued to pester, so I said dismissively 'look, the only thing I want is Armani sunglasses, do you have those?'... He didn't, so he fecked off.
Saw him every day after that, he didn't approach our group again, until last morning of holiday we're outside the hotel waiting for taxi to the airport when yer man runs up to me with a pair of knockoff Armani sunglasses! Sure I had to buy them, he made the effort!

sw33t_r3v3ng3

dee_mc wrote: »

this reminds me of a street seller guy who approached me on the first day of my holiday in the Costa del Sol years ago, selling carpets and squeaky toys and laser pointers etc.
I said no thanks, but he continued to pester, so I said dismissively 'look, the only thing I want is Armani sunglasses, do you have those?'... He didn't, so he fecked off.
Saw him every day after that, he didn't approach our group again, until last morning of holiday we're outside the hotel waiting for taxi to the airport when yer man runs up to me with a pair of knockoff Armani sunglasses! Sure I had to buy them, he made the effort!

Fair play to him, its strange though that all of them seemed to be indian!

lauratkd

I was also in Rome but was in Florence before that. Florence, being smaller, is much worse than Rome. You can't get away from them! I feel pretty rude though because I completely ignore them; I act like I can't even see them and they never bother me. It makes me feel terrible though!!

sw33t_r3v3ng3

lauratkd wrote: »

I was also in Rome but was in Florence before that. Florence, being smaller, is much worse than Rome. You can't get away from them! I feel pretty rude though because I completely ignore them; I act like I can't even see them and they never bother me. It makes me feel terrible though!!

They bring it on themselves though!

munchkin_utd

all the junkies tramping about the city's main thoroughfare.
But this seems to only really be a problem in Dublin to be fair.

sarkozy

When I'm a guest in a country, I don't allow myself to get annoyed. I don't expect another country to conform to the culture and standards of my own country. When I'm home, I reflect on my experience. Hawkers just don't bother me - I know the game, they know the game.

Stinicker

People who recline their airline seats ...

Eponymous

People who don't have their shit in gear when they're going though security and argue about their liquids being confiscated or having to take their shoes off.

When boarding (particularly EI flights to holiday destinations), the sense of entitlement of some folks (who have usually already abused the carry-on rules, in particular) when it comes to getting their bags into the overhead lockers is incredible at times. I was returning from Malaga once when the return flight despite starting boarding 10 mins early still managed to push back about 20 mins late because of this bullcrap.

sarkozy

Well, that would definitely be my biggest pre-departure gripe!

Whatsisname

People who can't control their children on a plane and have absolutely no consideration for others flying. Had a child kick the back of my seat and stick her feet as far as she could into it for 2 and a half hours yesterday.

Another gripe is people who block up the isle going through the over head lockers for no reason and can't seem to understand why everything slows down because of them.

Tombo2001

I'll be honest folks, what annoys me is tourist who want to have their cake and eat it.

You go to one of the busiest tourist hot-spots in the world and you are annoyed because there are street sellers there?

Then dont go to one of the busiest tourist hot-spots in the world.

Nino Brown

People who complain when I recline my airline seat...................it begins

R1_Pete

Hotels that won't provide an iron or ironing board and want to charge €10 to iron a shirt.

Any hotel in this day and age that charges for wifi

Saipanne

People who proclaim themselves to be "real travellers" because they stay in a dingy room and only eat street food. If that's what you want to do, then fine, but don't rub it in peoples faces. You don't sound as awesome as you think.

traprunner

sw33t_r3v3ng3 wrote: »

Anyone here been to Rome recently and saw all these sellers on the street?
I honestly dont think you could find a more annoying thing on holidays!

If its not a green lazer that they shove in your face, its a squeeky yolk.
I found it so annoying because about five swarm around you at the one time, all selling the same shi*e. If I say no to the first guy what makes you think im gonna say yes to the next 4 ?

Anyone else experience this or have similar stories?

You should try Sapa in Vietnam. The indigenous H'mong women will follow you as you trek for miles and miles trying to get you to buy.

Yer Aul One

traprunner wrote: »

You should try Sapa in Vietnam. The indigenous H'mong women will follow you as you trek for miles and miles trying to get you to buy.

My pet peeve is meeting story toppers, especially snobby travelling story toppers

endofrainbow

people who leave their manners and sense in the airport carpark

athtrasna

The men and women on the strip in Vegas flicking prostitutes' cards at men, often pushing women out of the way to get to the guys!

sw33t_r3v3ng3

Saipanne wrote: »

People who proclaim themselves to be "real travellers" because they stay in a dingy room and only eat street food. If that's what you want to do, then fine, but don't rub it in peoples faces. You don't sound as awesome as you think.

Remind me again how i said any of that above ?

Stinicker

athtrasna wrote: »

The men and women on the strip in Vegas flicking prostitutes' cards at men, often pushing women out of the way to get to the guys!

When I was there a few years ago I seen some american guy give one of them a fair shoving and it got nasty as they had given one of the hooker cards to his 10~11 year old kid. It seems primarily to be illegal latinos who hand out those cards. The thing is they are not even real prozzies but rather an elabarote scam to part randy tourists from their winnings and tourist dollars. Vegas is literally stirring with scamsters, the home of the hustler.

Strumms

Eponymous wrote: »

People who don't have their shit in gear when they're going though security and argue about their liquids being confiscated or having to take their shoes off.

When boarding (particularly EI flights to holiday destinations), the sense of entitlement of some folks (who have usually already abused the carry-on rules, in particular) when it comes to getting their bags into the overhead lockers is incredible at times. I was returning from Malaga once when the return flight despite starting boarding 10 mins early still managed to push back about 20 mins late because of this bullcrap.

This... last week a family of 5 took about 20 minutes to clear the screening in T2 ahead of me...

About 4 2 litre bottles of soft drinks in their cases... Various cosmetics not bagged and or oversized despite being asked by security... When asked about containers in a plastic bag the mother replied "it's for the baby"... Turned out to be 3 cans of red bull... Coats still on and assorted jewellery still intact... Approaching the screening despite being prompted...

Then their are the joys of travelling out on a Friday evening... Yes.. hen party's .. Yes, all wearing boots which of course must come off.. Half of the inventory from Boots cosmetics counter which are not bagged... The customary bottle of Evian in the bag, more jewellery then Mr. T Thinking it's all so funny as people in the Q think "bunch of assholes".

No wonder I drink...

Gatica

Yes, I think one of the most annoying things while travelling must be airport security and people's inability to prepare for it. Waiting til the very last second to pull out their laptop out of the bag or liquids, and then getting pissed off when the person after them skips ahead...

Like lauratkd, we also found it best to ignore sellers, but in Sapa, Vietnam rather than Europe. I must admit though that although we hadn't bought anything from one woman the whole time she was following us, she invited us into her home. We got a cup of tea at her house and then kinda did feel bad if we didn't buy anything. So now it's nice to look at the photos of us at her house, and seeing the things we bought off her to remind us of our trip.

steve-o

Yer Aul One wrote: »

My pet peeve is meeting story toppers, especially snobby travelling story toppers

Ah that's nothing. I met the story topper to beat all story toppers.

Unshelved

People who put their bags in the overhead bins at the front of the plane, even though they're sitting 10 rows further back - to save them carrying them the 10 metres or so when they disembark I suppose.

That and security queue idiots as mentioned above.

Saipanne

sw33t_r3v3ng3 wrote: »

Remind me again how i said any of that above ?

I didn't say you said it.

munchkin_utd

Unshelved wrote: »

People who put their bags in the overhead bins at the front of the plane, even though they're sitting 10 rows further back - to save them carrying them the 10 metres or so when they disembark I suppose.

That and security queue idiots as mentioned above.

only 10 rows?
I've seen cünts put their bag in a locker right at the front and then walk down to the very back to sit.
(when travelling with infants you board first on Aer Lingus along with lads from the rear of the plane, so you see these geniouses in action)

Seriously, I dont get the point.
If every fcuker from the back puts their bag up the front (extrapolating that if its ok and logical for one, then they could/ should all do it), it only means that people up the front have to put their bag down the back over the head of the muppet who has their own bag up the front.

It makes no sense.

keithclancy

Inconsistent airport security experiences.

I had the experience in Dublin airport once that I had everything in the container, shoes off and I got the

Them: Why did you take your shoes off
Me: I thought I was supposed to
Them: You're supposed to do what I tell you to do
Me: Do you want me to put them back on ?
Them: Don't get smart

For the rest of the one sided conversation I didn't say anything and didn't really listen to them either :rolleyes:

I don't mind airport security, but ffs make it a uniform experience.

ProudDUB

The people who are woefully under prepared to go thru the security check are a pain in the hole alright. But most airports are also badly set up, in that the area to start taking your shoes off, belts off, laptops out of bags etc etc is small & cramped. You generally only have access to a tray to put your stuff in and the conveyor belt to put the tray on, when there is maybe only one or two people ahead of you in the queue. That often doesn't give you enough time or space to do your own foostering about, especially if you are traveling in winter and boots, heavy coats etc have to come off, or you have kids with you.

In most US airports, you have access to the conveyer belt and trays when you are still 20 or 30 ft from the actual security barrier. So people have loads of time and space to do all their messing about BEFORE they get to the actual checkpoint. Then there is a dedicated area on the other side, where you can put you & your belongings back together, without slowing down all the people coming behind you who need to do the very same thing. I wish airports on this side of the pond were better in that regard. It really speeds the entire process up. It's crazy that a brand spanking new edifice such as T2 seems to have put zero thought into it.

munchkin_utd

athtrasna wrote: »

The men and women on the strip in Vegas flicking prostitutes' cards at men, often pushing women out of the way to get to the guys!

now that you mention it, its similar in eastern europe at times - but they ignore you if you're with the mrs and you wouldnt even see the promoters, but youre pestered if on your own or with lads.

Stinicker

Is it just me or is anyone else totally paranoid when going through security? My biggest problem/fear is that someone will steal my phone, laptop, ipad or worse still my wallet usually with several hundred euro inside if I'm travelling abroad long haul.

It just seems so disorganized and rushed that I'm afraid I will either loose something or have it stolen, coupled to that having to remove my glasses and I'm pretty much half-blind and can't see a thing during the whole process. After going through security I usually have a small panic thinking something is either lost or stolen to the extent that I try to carry the absolute bare minimum carryon nowdays especially when flying a decent airline like Emirates who give 30kgs baggage allowance so I just chuck everything in my case instead.

maguic24

This:

ProudDUB

Stinicker wrote: »

Is it just me or is anyone else totally paranoid when going through security? My biggest problem/fear is that someone will steal my phone, laptop, ipad or worse still my wallet usually with several hundred euro inside if I'm travelling abroad long haul.

It just seems so disorganized and rushed that I'm afraid I will either loose something or have it stolen, coupled to that having to remove my glasses and I'm pretty much half-blind and can't see a thing during the whole process. After going through security I usually have a small panic thinking something is either lost or stolen to the extent that I try to carry the absolute bare minimum carryon nowdays especially when flying a decent airline like Emirates who give 30kgs baggage allowance so I just chuck everything in my case instead.

Why do you have to remove your glasses? I am a glasses wearer too & I have never been asked to take them off.

sw33t_r3v3ng3

maguic24 wrote: »

This:

That is quite true!

Gatica

Unshelved wrote: »

People who put their bags in the overhead bins at the front of the plane, even though they're sitting 10 rows further back - to save them carrying them the 10 metres or so when they disembark I suppose.

That and security queue idiots as mentioned above.

Not only do they put their main carry on bags at the front, but they carry on too much to start with. Never seen so many people take the pi$$ with carry on as when Ryanair started allowing second item. More than one person not only had their carry on practically up to if not bigger than max dimensions, but also had a backpack of almost the same size as their second "small" item, which no doubt they were hoping to get past staff as it was on their back. Unfortunately they were successful.
This creates an issues for anyone who's in the back of the queue. They may have a small carry on but it's likely to get taken off them on boarding because all the spaces are taken up by those inconsiderate eejits.

.jacksparrow.

Still can't understand why they don't have a separate section for parents and their screaming brats on planes.

thehouses

Bloody tourists everywhere, can't stand 'em. Also Le French annoy me, lovely country but if they could leave while I am there that would be great.

Eponymous

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

Still can't understand why they don't have a separate section for parents and their screaming brats on planes.

It's one of my favourite things...

Making my child cry with the sole aim of pissing off everyone else on the aircraft.

We do it on purpose you know.

.jacksparrow.

Eponymous wrote: »

It's one of my favourite things...

Making my child cry with the sole aim of pissing off everyone else on the aircraft.

We do it on purpose you know.

Oh I know especially when you hear them saying, stop crying or I'll take your Nintendo ds off you, and repeating this the whole flight with an epic fail.

lc180

You know what really grinds my gears......

People who buy priority boarding who still queue up 25 mins before boarding time? For the love of god why?!?

poteen

Stinicker wrote: »

People who recline their airline seats ...

I never agree with this argument.

1. If the person in front of you does it, you have no choice.
2. Even if the person in front doesn't, It still wont stop me. The function is there on the seat to do thsi and as long as you let it back slowly , I dont see the problem.

maguic24

poteen wrote: »

I never agree with this argument.

1. If the person in front of you does it, you have no choice.
2. Even if the person in front doesn't, It still wont stop me. The function is there on the seat to do thsi and as long as you let it back slowly , I dont see the problem.

Get Out!! You people drive me insane! :mad:

Thankfully, it doesn't happen that often.

Kensington

keithclancy wrote: »

Inconsistent airport security experiences.

I had the experience in Dublin airport once that I had everything in the container, shoes off and I got the

Them: Why did you take your shoes off
Me: I thought I was supposed to
Them: You're supposed to do what I tell you to do
Me: Do you want me to put them back on ?
Them: Don't get smart

For the rest of the one sided conversation I didn't say anything and didn't really listen to them either :rolleyes:

I don't mind airport security, but ffs make it a uniform experience.

You don't take your shoes off going through the main security scan, you only need to take them off for US preclearance...

duffman13

People who start queuing to board the plane an hour before the gate opens even though they have assigned seats.

People standing uncomfortably when a plane stops after landing Then waiting for ten mins for the doors to open. Relax, chill, people get off plans row by row anyway. Standing like a hunchback for 10 mins doesn't speed things up!

Yamanoto

maguic24 wrote: »

Get Out!! You people drive me insane! :mad:

Thankfully, it doesn't happen that often.

Not on short-haul perhaps.

Most folks do however recline their seats to some degree on long-haul flights in my experience.

poteen

Yeah, I can maybe see keeping the seat upright for a 90 minute flight but after that on an overnight longhaul flight, my seat is going back and im not apologising for it. Again my point is as above- The seat function is there to be used.

endofrainbow

Kensington wrote: »

You don't take your shoes off going through the main security scan, you only need to take them off for US preclearance...

I never had to take my shoes off when I was being fingerprinted at the CBP desk :P

steve-o

endofrainbow wrote: »

I never had to take my shoes off when I was being fingerprinted at the CBP desk :P

It's a new procedure. You need to do a hand stand while they scan each toe. If you fail at that, the man with the rubber glove will be called in.

tricky D

Just back from a few days away:

• Warm beer in hot climates. It's cold/cool for a few minutes only.
• Forgetting about the need for a travel adapter for the phone charger. Lucked out that it's a USB plug thing and eventually remembered after 2 days that I could use the USB port on the TV but charging that way was slow, paint-dryingly slow and I couldn't just leave it charge while I went out for a while as the access card for the hotel room door also enables/disables the electricity and TV needs to be on for charging.
• Searched/patted down both on the way out and back due to metal button, fly zip or shoe eyelets or something else which I can't figure out to my annoyance. Mind you security were grand both times and not too annoying.
• Early starts, especially on the way back with a decent hangover and after no sleep due to all-night and really loud thunderstorms. Now looking at the prospect of being awake for 40 hours.
• Getting to the airport too early due to being conservative with travel timings, but making minute-perfect connections.
• Having to chuck the reasonably priced and actually cold water and then having to buy the rip-off priced, not bloody cold stuff.
• Being forced to check-in my carry-on due to overhead bin limits. (Though surprisingly it was on the carousel at the perfect time).
• Ended up in a bit of a rush to the gate and there's yet another security queue due to post Madrid spanish security tightness.
• Lift from the airport falling through due to mechanical failure of friend's car a few minutes from the airport and a much more expensive taxi ride than usual due to shed loads of sunny and slow weekend traffic. (Took about 30 mins to get 1km on one stretch)
• But the worst was the young couple sitting beside me slobbering over each other for half the flight - get a effin room or go join the mile-high. Next time I will bring the headphones in case I can't read in peace.