If you’re a friend of mine and you’re reading this, then you’re fully aware of how much of a know-it-all I can be. And that I also love telling people what to do.
And we all know these 2 characteristics are quite possibly the worst combination a person can have and can make a person an insufferable ass. But wielded right, when used for the good of mankind, it’s a superpower that can rid the world of bad things. Have I also mentioned that I am also quite self-righteous and my biggest mission in life is to save the world (from what? I’m still trying to figure that part out).
If you’re a stranger, who just happened on to this post, then let me introduce myself. “Hello! My name is Kax, I think I can change your life”.
Hence, this new series I am starting called The Starter Pack. Basically, a collection of ideas to help you get started on whatever goal you’re trying to achieve (maybe a project you’re trying to kickstart) or to be just a better human being in general.
And if you’re asking what credentials do I have in my pocket that make me equipped to give out these tips? Well let me see:
- A long list of things I’ve started doing — but have yet to finish. That’s why it’s called started pack, in the first place! I’m just here to give you ideas to help you get your ass moving. I’m not promising amazing results, here.
- A misguided self-confidence — Because I’m just some random voice on the internet, I feel that I’m allowed to get on my soapbox and say whatever I want (within reason, of course). And it’s a good outlet for my bossiness that I can’t freely use in a more real/physical setting — like at work. Or with my boyfriend. :(
- The number of listicles available on the internet — If these random people feel like they can tell me what 10 things I should be doing to become successful before I’m 40, then I’m pretty sure I’m to do the same. Right?
But as with everything else on the internet — take whatever I say with a sackful of salt, and a shit ton of humor. They are just ideas, after all. :)
So let me start with a topic that is very close to my heart right now, given that it’s June, and summer is upon us. And what does that mean? Tourists. By the thousands. Taking advantage of their many vacation days and budget flights, and subjecting the entire world to their touristiness. Oh and when I say tourists — I mean myself too.
In Barcelona, from July to August, the city probably has more tourists than locals. Mostly because the locals are out of the city too, being tourists somewhere else — like in the Philippines because it’s always good to see what a former colony has been up to lately plus the beaches are awesome! Lels.
And lately, I’ve found myself very conscious of how tourists behave in their destinations of choice. Mostly because of the “Tourism kills the city” and “Tourist go home” signs that I’ve been seeing all over Barcelona in the last 3 years. What’s causing all the hate towards the tourist, considering tourism brings in a lot of money to the city? Surely where there is smoke, there is fire, right? So I started watching. And these are just some of the things I’ve noticed (not just in Barcelona, mind you):
- Groups of men, probably on a stag party trip thing, drunk to their bones, stopping to drop their pants and pee IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET!
- Giant tour groups blocking major walkways while they a)consult their maps b)take selfies in front of Louis Vuitton (why?!) c)chat with each other
- People who think they can pretty much get away with anything — like groping girls in bars and then getting aggressive if a girl complains or fights back. True story: An foreigner in Manila once got recorded on video screaming about how he’s white so he can do whatever he wants in 3rd world Philippines, including grab somebody’s ass and not be sorry about it.
So if you’re the type of tourist who runs amock the moment your plane lands in your tourist destination of choice — then this list is for you.
How to be a more respectful tourist. A guide to being a decent human being:
- You all don’t have to be walking side by side all the time! Sidewalks have limited capacity. So if you’re in a big group, especially if you’re all slow walkers — consider breaking up and walking in a single file instead. And when on an escalator — stand on the right, and walk on the left! Let the other people who are probably running late for work (like me, always) overtake you.
- Speaking of sidewalks, don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk to consult your map, to wait for the rest of your group, or worse, to take a picture. Remember you’re just sharing that sidewalk with other people who are trying to get to places. Go to the side!
- Being drunk doesn’t give you license to do anything, like: Being drunk aggressive and harassing other people in bars, in the street, or anywhere. Peeing in the middle of the street. Hold it in. The world can do without seeing your lower body parts.
- I know it’s 2018. And we shouldn’t shame each other for the clothes (or the lack thereof) that we’re wearing. But just because you’re all about free skin, that doesn’t mean the city you’re in is into that too. So put something on! Wear something appropriate. Know where you’re going and adapt to their rules. Don’t make them adapt to yours. If that’s too complicated here are some quick pointers: (1) When you’re not at the beach, please put a t-shirt on. (2) Places of worship require clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. For both men and women. (3) And some conservative countries frown upon exposed butt cheeks.
- Don’t haggle with the street vendors! Especially if they’re old and frail and it looks like selling sliced green mangoes and chili salt by the side of the street is the only way they can send their 5-year-old grandson to school! If you can drop 20euros per drink in a club without batting an eyelash, then you can pay for those sliced green mangoes that cost 1euro.
- Don’t expect every country you’re visiting to be English-friendly. Or expect it to be “whatever-language-you-speak” friendly. Once in Thailand, I overheard a group of tourists complaining about how bad Thai people are at in English, and they couldn’t understand what the waiter was saying. Another time in Hungary, I saw a group trying to ask a local for directions in Chinese. Oh and also, frantically shouting in whatever language you’re speaking will not make the other person miraculously understand you. At least learn how to use a translation app.
- Your selfie stick is a dangerous weapon. Wield carefully. Remember that news about how a statue in a museum got destroyed by a man who was trying to take his picture with a selfie stick? Did you know that The Colosseum in Rome has banned selfie sticks in its premises because of damages that were done by selfie sticks and their careless owners? Versailles too! And every Disney park in the world. Apart from causing damages to great art, I’ve had my head nearly chopped off by selfie stick users who have no care for unsuspecting pedestrians who might be in the range of their selfie.
- Stop vandalizing national treasures! The walls inside the towers of Sagrada Familia are covered with names of visitors written in markers. Coral reefs in the Philippines have names of divers carved into them. 2 women were caught carving their names on the walls of The Colosseum. Tags of “<insert name> was here” were found in Auschwitz museum.
- Keep your phlegm to yourself and don’t spit in public! No need to elaborate.
- And lastly, be a decent person and just don’t be rude. Sure, you must be tired from all the sightseeing you’ve done all day. Your feet hurt, and you must be starving. But that doesn’t give you the license to:
- Talk down on someone, especially if they’re serving your food.
- Not give up your seat to the elderly/pregnant/injured especially if you’re sitting in the reserved seats. And don’t even pretend that you didn’t realize they were reserved seats. They’re a different color, and the signs have drawings so even if you don’t speak the language, you’ll understand.
- Not thank the random person you asked to take your picture. While in the middle of touristing myself, I got asked by this couple to take their picture. I did. Instead of thanking me, the girl complained about how I made her look fat. She then handed me back her phone and proceeded to pose, expecting me to just take her picture. I did. But I made sure to take them all from the wrong angles after that.
Here’s a rule of thumb: if you won’t do it back home, don’t do it in somebody else’s home! Not unless you’re just a total douchebag back home too, then there’s no saving you. And if you’re a local and still do the things above, shame on you!
And there you have it, my first post in this series. I hope you pick up something from this list. And on your next adventure, I hope you’re less of a douche than you were on your last trip. I could talk more about avoiding tours and activities that promote animal cruelty, or avoiding renting apartments on AirBnB and the negative effects on the community — but I also need to save content for future posts.
And if you don’t do any of the things I listed above, FANTASTIC! I hope the universe blesses you with good karma! I have to admit that I’m still guilty of some things on this list every once in awhile. That must explain all the bad juju I’ve been getting lately — Universe just giving me my just desserts. Lels.
P.S.
Apparently, this series is also a good outlet for my mini bursts of anger. :)
Originally published at My Barcelona!
