What is your travel taboo?

[trippin_the_rift]

1. Don't stay out drinking all night with the intention of catching the 6am flight to save on hotels
2. Check for adams apple before buying her a drink
3. Don't admit to your mates you didn't do #2 and have an "interesting story"
4. If you're at the airport early, always try to get an earlier flight
5. Avoid other Australians at all costs

 

[auspal]

For the ladies, if you visit India, keep a pack of paper tissues handy in your handbag, and learn to pee standing up.

 

[harvyk]

Rule 1. Always trust my "gut feeling", if something doesn't feel right it's probably not...

Rule 2. If a local approaches me and offers me something I will at least investigate the offer unless
a. I really don't need what they are offering or
b. to take them up on their offer it involves getting into a car*, heading down an alley way away from others, or going into a suburban apartment block.

Rule 3. Always learn the local tipping customs prior to leaving AU. I've had both the embarrassing experience of tipping when I wasn't meant to, and not tipping when I was suppose to.

Rule 4. Never trust the bar keeper to fill you in on local tipping customs.

Rule 4a. Beware of internet sites about local tipping customs as well, most of those have been written by Americans who didn't actually know the answer, and broke rule 4 to find out.**

Rule 5. Always try the local food

Rule 5a. With very limited exception, McDonald's does not count as local food.

Rule 6. Always try the local beer

Rule 6a. I am exempt from this rule when in Victoria and VB is the local beer.

Rule 7. Trust people, it's amazing the strangers I've met in my travels who have then taken me on a locals tour. Of course, Rule 1 is applied heavily prior to following to this rule.

Rule 8. Have fun, and don't let a little thing like a delayed flight, a missed connection, a problem with a hotel, or other annoyances are a part of traveling. Wear those sort of things like war stories, a great yarn to tell back at the pub when you get back home. "Did I tell you of the time when my plane broke down in AKL"


* - This rule is most certainly applied when the individual who approached me is a taxi driver. I have a general distrust of taxi drivers already (GPS is my friend and I have caught quite a few out for taking the scenic route, inc a CBR taxi driver), so if they are approaching me, something is absolutely not right.

** - Outside of asking on AFF, I usually look at what the website says about the tipping customs of the countries I've been to, if they get it right it's a good bet they've actually done their homework.

 

[Vi O'Walker]

what do you mean by this? you never sleep on mat in tent ?

I have few inhibitions when travelling, but have a number of don't cross lines in the sand. Some of mine are:

2. always sleep in a bed!

 

[dot]

what do you mean by this? you never sleep on mat in tent ?

As opposed to on a plane...

 

[Dalescott]

Never fly long haul in Y, always J.
Always do my homework re prices.
Be nice to cabin staff in flight, a smiles always better than a frown.

 

[coyote25]

1. Don't stay out drinking all night with the intention of catching the 6am flight to save on hotels
2. Check for adams apple before buying her a drink
3. Don't admit to your mates you didn't do #2 and have an "interesting story"
4. If you're at the airport early, always try to get an earlier flight
5. Avoid other Australians at all costs

Extremely funny trippin!

 

[Paddy55]

Rule 1. Always trust my "gut feeling", if something doesn't feel right it's probably not...

Rule 5. Always try the local food

Rule 5a. With very limited exception, McDonald's does not count as local food.

Rule 6. Always try the local beer

Rule 6a. I am exempt from this rule when in Victoria and VB is the local beer.

1. Is seriously true, and the rest are absolutely true

 

[Hvr]

1. Don't stay out drinking all night with the intention of catching the 6am flight to save on hotels
2. Check for adams apple before buying her a drink
3. Don't admit to your mates you didn't do #2 and have an "interesting story"
4. If you're at the airport early, always try to get an earlier flight
5. Avoid other Australians at all costs

Number two reminds me of the time I was on the BKK Skytrain looking a beautiful Thai lady. I was desperately thinking "don't get an erection, don't get an erection" but sadly she did.

 

[TheInsider]

Number two reminds me of the time I was on the BKK Skytrain looking a beautiful Thai lady. I was desperately thinking "don't get an erection, don't get an erection" but sadly she did.

I've heard this so many times!

 

[coolumbla]

In Asia never try to order a western dish that is not on the menu...in fact try to eat what the locals eat.

and if you are eating what teh locals are eating at a street stall it may be best to not know (aka 101 ways with every bit of the pig except the meaty bits!)

And whilst the guest of honour at a chinese university banquet quietly but firmly tell your interpreter to stop telling you what you are eating! (just after she said beef blood infused tofu)
I wont eat tofu(not willingly)

 

[coolumbla]

Never go camping, EVER
Never drink in Themed Pubs

is not the QP a themed pub??

 

[RWJ777]

To ward off gypsies in France who ask in English for money, practise so you can recite, rocket-fast, and with as much ooh la la as possible, "je ne parle pas Anglais!"

An indignant tone and pursing of lips are essential to carry off the act. A rolling of eyes and flicking of wrist make it art.

It has worked a treat for me in pretending that I'm not a hapless tourist.

 

[Scarlett]

1. Don't connect via LHR if at all possible.
2. Don't fly Ryanair unless it is a direct flight that allows you to follow rule 1.
3. Don't use hire golf clubs - take your own sticks. Especially if you're left handed.

 

[Warks]

Don't suddenly think it's a great time for the kids to try NZ milkshakes just before going up and over a mountain pass road!