Don't forget to pack manners when you're going on vacation
In a recent survey by Expedia, European hoteliers called Britons the rudest tourists. The Japanese were called most polite (Domo arigato).
Maybe if we follow certain simple rules of behaviour while away? Let’s start with these:
- Airports and planes: In an airport lounge, take one seat, not one for you, one for your bag, and one for your lunch. Once on the plane, don’t grab the seat of the person in front of you when you get up. Recline your seat slowly so as not to put the lunch of the passenger behind you in her lap. Use your cellphone at a minimum and speak quietly.
In a survey by TripAdvisor, 78 per cent of respondents thought cellphones should be banned from airplanes. Seriously! You’re in a confined space. Try to keep your private conversation private.
- Queue busters: Apparently, people regularly try to jump queues at Disney World. What’s up with that? How un-Mickey like. Those Rudey Rudelers need to remember everyone else is on vacation, too. If you see a lineup, line up.
- Hotel manners: Like this hotel? Wanna come back? They’ll remember you if you’re rude to staff and will know if you steal towels. Tip your maid daily. She is not making a lot in wages and she is required to clean rooms on schedule so try not to leave it an abysmal mess. She should have room to manoeuvre so keep your items out of the way. And don’t leave a lot of belongings on the bed since this will slow her down when she has to strip the sheets.
You should also tidy up at the end of your stay. I can hear the groans already, but just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your manners have to take one, too.
