Cities you'd never return to

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Was anyone in Tallinn? Would you go back?

Was thinking of going for a few days and taking the train to that other Sh!thole (according to reports here)....St. Petersburg...

It isn't a ****hole! Seriously. Great city. I liked Talinn too.

NoPainNoGain wrote: »

Hamburg, very strange place. Wouldn't go back if I was paid!

What did you not like?

Bradford. Horrible weather most of the time. Loads of ugly buildings either remnants of industry or horrible offices from 70's and 80's. Lots of racial tension. Having to listen to taxi drivers espouse the views of the BNP telling you the various reasons why that lot should get out of their country... ugh.

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

Was there a few years ago and did not like the place at all. Unlike other places such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai try to hide all their repressive laws which makes it more scary actually. While not the worst city, I think it was the least enjoyable country I was ever in. It has no culture, no history and no social life worthwhile. A fake nightlife for tourists yes but laid on for them. I was never so glad to get out of it and go to Iran! Iran I found far friendlier and a kinder society despite their similar regime.

Slavery? They dont exactly go to other countries and kidnap them you know. Have you ever spoken to a labourer or a taxi driver about how they feel about Dubai? they brought in wage protect systems to stop lower paid staff from being taken advantage of, its not the EU but its is new country development takes time and they focused on the wrong areas at times, know any other country that had crisis in 08?? Fake nightlife if you went to a nightclub in Dubai what do you expect? Locals don't drink, did you manage to miss every single shisha cafe when you were there? that is local night life. Did you check out any Muslim culture? There is a whole centre dedicated to cultural understanding in Dubai. Dubai doesn't put on a show of liberalism, it is more liberal but isn't costa del sol. They have laws that everyone is aware of, yes they turn a blind eye to a lot but that doesn't mean the laws cant be enforced when people openly flout them. There are ridiculous laws(the issues surrounding rape are archaic) but in general if you have common sense and you wont have a problem, hundreds of thousands of expats live here without issue. As for culture, only old stuff id cultural is it? no one is allowed move on from the past are they? there are tonnes of galleries in the UAE, a Guggenheim is being built in AD which will house mostly middle eastern art, there will also be a louvre with a universal theme opening next year but sure they are buying culture so that doesn't count. there is currently a great exhibit in saadiyat the history of the world in 100 objects (on lone from the British museum) one of which is an islamic coin, these coins were a turning point in the history of the world and trade but sure lets ignore that as well. How about the history of area's like Deira with a rich history of pearl diving and trade? Aw sure we won't count that either... I know its not perfect but you get what you look for in a place...

Alberto Ugly Wardrobe wrote: »

5. Cairo. Pyramids are cool and the museum is ok-ish (but very old/run-down & nothing writtten in anythinh other than Arabic) but the rest of the city is like a landfill. It's incredibly 3rd world and very dirty..

So much to see and do in Cairo. Spent 2 weeks and will have to go back some day.

Oh, how could I forget to add...

Pretty much EVERYWHERE in Sweden. It was like Germany, but even worse. At least Germans are friendly and engaging. Swedish people are cold, shy and dry on a scale like never before. So boring. Scandinavian history is interesting but honestly the people were amongst the worst I'd met. Wouldn't go back if you offered me a free flight and hotel for 2 weeks.

From wikitravel "When entering a bus or another form of public transportation it is often considered unpolite to sit next to another person if there is another twin seat available." I mean wtf! I get that some people prefer sitting by themselves, I mean I know I do, but I wouldn't consider it rude or impolite if someone sat down beside me. They are public seats. They are meant to be sat down on. /rantover :P (I had a very bad experience in Sweden as you might guess!)

Norway and Denmark on the other hand, are lovely.

bluewolf wrote: »

That's the same in dublin sure
Nobody sits beside someone else if there's another twin seat


The pictures of their bus stop queues are kinda funny though

My friend is an Irishwoman in Sweden. She said she was on a full bus once, and the only seat available was beside some young woman. She sat down beside her and the woman decided to spend the rest of the bus journey STANDING UP! Madness I tell ye. Poor girl is going mental over there

turnikett1 wrote: »

From wikitravel "When entering a bus or another form of public transportation it is often considered unpolite to sit next to another person if there is another twin seat available." I mean wtf! I get that some people prefer sitting by themselves, I mean I know I do, but I wouldn't consider it rude or impolite if someone sat down beside me. They are public seats. They are meant to be sat down on. /rantover :P (I had a very bad experience in Sweden as you might guess!)

that would be considered an invasion of personal space in pretty much every western culture.

Todd Toddington III wrote: »

Siem reap. Even bigger dump

Really? Siem Reap is fine in comparison to Phnom Penh. At least in Siem Reap you don't have child prostitution so openly on display.

Anyone who describes a city as "boring" is really just telling us more about themselves than the city imho. A city can't be boring.