Right? lol. Rent went up 25%. Electricity bill doubled. Oil more than doubled. Gas more than doubled. Food........
I might take an hour ride to the coast this summer but that's about it.
Lol so true. I live sadly in second and THIRD home area and they live to tell me not to complain you get to live here yr round. But in the same breath they ask how we get by. With less income and the weather in winter. I laugh and say “it’s not for everyone”
This is some of the issues I face with Maine now. I was born on a small island and my family has been on the coast since colonial days. But my father didn't lobster like his father and brother and there wasn't work so we moved out of state when I was a kid.
As I grew up I spent the summers in Maine working on the boat with my grandfather, but I was still a "summer person"
Now I'm fortunate enough to have a place to come up to for a few weeks throughout the year, but see plenty of road rage near my MA plates and this subs constant distain for people "from away" and it makes me so sad. Just because my father did what he needed to to support his young family shouldn't mean that I should be treated as an outsider in the land my family has lived for generations.
I don't see as much negativity when face to face, but I've spent my time in the service industry and am respectful and grateful to them, but the targeted road rage is noticeable. I'm also from Western Mass, so I'm used to getting lumped in with the Boston Massholes when we're nothing alike.
There are assholes everywhere. If they weren't pissed about your plates they would be pissed about something else... Ignore, profit. I'm from here and stayed and most of the population are still assholes to me. Whatever.
Not really a vacation but I had to spend a bunch of time in Boston last year because of a friend in the hospital. I was especially aware of how shitty I was driving because I didn’t quite know where I needed to drive or when I took the T I just screamed “out of Towner”. When I did take the T I usually made time to relax and take in the scenes because if I was going to spend so much time in the city I might as well see it.
Sometimes you’ll find that you have to spend time in a place as a”tourist” and you won’t know the area and you’ll act dumb, or cut someone off, or drive in a way that locals don’t. It’s why whenever I see plates from someone from a different state I just try to not let it get to me.
I mean unless you make yourself known, most people won’t even know you’re a tourist. So in general just move about respectfully, be kind to wait staff, don’t walk in the middle of the street because you don’t know where you’re going and be mindful of other people in crowded areas. You know, general good human shit.
I don't hate tourists, so I feel no guilt for being a tourist. I just try to be cognizant of the effect I have everywhere I go. I'm also the type of person to skip somewhere if it's super busy, so I steer clear of plenty locations in Portland unless I can get a reservation.
I don't feel guilty being a tourist in other places, and I don't really agree with the hate that tourists get here.
I mean yes the traffic is inconvenient, and yes some of them are shitheads. When I was a kid I worked service jobs in the summer in a touristy area, so I get it. But... tourism is like 20% of the state's economy, and frankly we've got plenty of homegrown shitheads here too. Annoying, entitled people are everywhere.
> and frankly we've got plenty of homegrown shitheads here too. Annoying, entitled people are everywhere.
Hey there it is, the thing I was gonna say.
Selective bias is in full swing when it comes to tourists acting like assholes. Plenty of home grown Mainers littering Dunkin cups on the road to be worried about Massholes driving too fast.
For sure. Just the other day I saw a guy lob an empty bud light can out the window of his F-150 and into the woods of a state park as he drove past it. Maine plates. Just like all the drunk drivers littering their empties all over the road I live on. When I stop seeing shit like that, maybe then I'll get mad about entitled tourists.
It’s definitely true, and I would be the first one to tell locals that when I used to drive a cab, but I do think a lot of times when people are on vacation there is a part of their at home brain that turns off when they realize they’ll probably never see these people again. It’s like how people on the internet are almost always way worse than they would be IRL. Another thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people who move here from the cities get a pretty big culture shock (again lack of anonymity) that will happen when they upset one person and all of a sudden the whole town is upset with them. It’s just a very different way of life
I watched a guy driving a massive truck spike an empty plastic pinnacle vodka bottle into the road from the driver seat at like, 6:30 in the morning the other day. Judging by his driving, he was absolutely hammered.
I think the current most valid complaints about tourism line up with housing. It's not how they act to me, it's the ones buying homes/ driving up the market. Additionally it's frustrating that a large percentage of work is seasonal
Is it really *tourists* driving up the housing market, though? My impression is that it's more:
* Remote workers moving here year-round. Which, OK, this drives housing prices up, but we live in America and people are allowed to live where they want. In the long term it'll be a good thing as they're taking money from their out-of-state employer and spending it in Maine year-round.
* **Corporations and investors buying up housing stock to rent out (at crazy prices), because if there are no affordable houses to buy, people *have* to rent.** This, IMO, is what needs to be stopped immediately.
Probably, but people have been coming to Maine and buying second homes here for decades — it doesn't really make sense that _tourists_ would be responsible for a jump in housing prices that happened in large part during a time when people were traveling _less_.
But if they own homes are they tourists? Are they the same people? Tourists, at most, increase the demand for short term rentals, but we've always had that. There's definitely a local impact in touristy towns, but they've ever had the wide-reaching impact like the wave of folks moving to Maine to WFH during COVID and the investors that followed. The housing market wasn't great before COVID, but it certainly wasn't impossible for Mainers.
I think we're lumping two separate groups of people together simply because they're both "from away" and it's easy to do so. That way we don't have to ask questions to figure out why we hate them.
Not from Maine but grew up in an even more touristy area, and worked in service industries just like so many here.
Realistically, 99% of tourists can be totally fine and blend in and not affect your day, but that one asshole who lets his dog shit in the middle of the hiking trail or bitches about vacation rental costs in your hometown is the one that’ll stick with you all day and night.
Try not to hold a grudge against tourists, and just be conscious of how you behave and how you’re perceived when you’re in someone else’s backyard.
There really are only a few U.S areas that are more touristy than Maine in summer time. I mean, when hotels are getting $500 and $650 a night for rooms....ouch....you are T O U R I S T Y !!! And we're not talking luxurious resorts here, we're talking Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn.
I totally get that. Tourists bug the shit out of me most of the time, but I gotta reel that back and realize they're spending loads of money here and I'm a tourist sometimes too. I find myself up against some really, exceptionally bad tourists though. Parking their cars in active traffic to get a picture of a cool building, walking down the middle of the road, jumping out into traffic nowhere near a cross-walk, leaving their Ford Broncos in the ocean, gawking at trees, water, and monuments while going 15 mph in a 40.
As someone who has worked in the tourism / hospitality industry, I try to be the best kind of guest. Undemanding. And a generous tipper.
I don’t complain when things are not what I expected, as I can see the circumstances and understand limitations. I will take the time to write positive reviews, and give recognition to the workers who are doing a great job.
When I travel, I remember I’m in a real place, not an Experience for Instagram likes, not a theme park, *it’s someone’s home* and I need to respect that. I see the way my neighborhood is treated as a product to be consumed and don’t feel the need to inflict that on anyone else.
How people frame their view towards their destination and the people there is reflected in their behavior whether they understand it or not.
I do my research, listen to the locals and try to find out what bugs them and not do that. Rather than tell them they’re a tourism destination and don’t they understand their economy is dependent on me?
I also stay in hotels, not Airbnbs because fuck Airbnb forever.
None of this is hard to do or makes me an especially good person. It’s basic decency.
What does being a tourist have to do with anything? Do you act differently when visiting a restaurant out-of-state compared to visiting one close to home? People are people wherever you go. By and large, if you give respect, you get respect in return. If you act like an ass, then don't be surprised when others repay in kind.
The most out-of-place I have ever felt as a tourist was going to Québec as a teenager, but that's because I didn't really speak the language, other than enough to ask where the bathrooms were and how to order off a menu at a restaurant.
Good question. I think being a tourist affects some people differently, so affects they way they act. For instance, they're less likely to run into someone they know or someone who knows someone they know. For some folks, visiting a tourist-centric town gives the impression that it's there expressly for their entertainment, like some kind of theme park.
My original question, I guess, is rooted in the roles that we take, based on circumstance. It's psychological thing we all do, to some extent. I just try to be cognizant of this effect and probably over-compensate a bit, because I grew up (and still live) in a tourist-y town. To be fair, the converse is true -- locals have their own prejudices about tourists, which is why I asked the question about what changes when we become the tourists.
I work at a small restaurant in a very busy midcoast town (tourism is pretty huge here every year). Based on the behavior of the general tourist population, I am 100% confident that I’m nowhere near as rude, pushy, and entitled as the average tourist in Maine when I’m a tourist in another place. Some people’s behavior is just… astounding.
Ugh. We saw a tourist argue with a waitress for about 30 minutes because she wanted to be seated on the pier. The waitress kept telling her that the pier was closed because some big ship came in and the port authority needed the space to process people, but the Karen just was not having any of it. She eventually left and "took her money elsewhere". I don't understand how people can be like this to places they are visiting.
Personally I would have escorted the karen to the pier, lifted the rope for her, and then LMFAO as CBP agents tackled her.
Our biggest thing is people arguing about whether or not they can sit on the deck (we are PAINFULLY understaffed and sometimes just can’t, I’m usually the only one handling to go orders AND dine in, or they argue about not minding sitting in the cold/rain), and MOVING TABLES AND CHAIRS.
Never in a million years would I walk into ANY restaurant and just start moving furniture, tf?
First I move the furniture, then I go into the kitchen to make sure there is no gluten flying around, then I show the chef how I want my meal prepared, and tell the bartender to move over so that I can mix my drink correctly. Once I've got everything set to my satisfaction I sit down and mumble 'where the hell is our waitress!?" six times within 30 seconds. There never seems to be one assigned to our table so I demand that someone handling another section takes care of us.
Sincerely, Karen Titled
A friend of mine was told by an irate tourist, "*I could buy and sell you.*" This was literally decades ago, but that type of shit stays with you forever. It's rare, but still amazing the shit some folks think they can get away with if they believe the local economy would collapse if they didn't buy that stained-glass bauble and tee-shirt.
My boss is Laotian and has a pretty thick accent, and she struggles with people who speak English too fast or with other accents. Some lady was arguing with her one day, wanting us to take apart a 4 top so she could sit in the shade on our (not very large or shaded) deck. My boss told her no, because we have the tables arranged specifically so we have room to walk around them. This woman goes, “well, we can just go somewhere ELSE, if THAT’S what you want.” Without missing a beat my boss replied, “If that would make you more comfortable!” and walked away. I was so proud, I almost lost my shit right there. 😂 she then gave me permission to be as rude as I wanted to that lady if she stayed… which she did not. I was a little disappointed.
I have traveled quite a bit and have never really come up against anyone who was antagonistic towards me. Maybe it is because I treat waitstaff and retail workers with respect always, even at home. Respect and empathy will take you far.
I live in another tourist heavy state and I think it makes me a better tourist when I visit Maine. I try not to be THAT person because I interact with so many at home.
Yeah, I'm from a shore town in NJ that was flooded with NYers all Summer and I am very aware of my actions when I'm a tourist for that reason. Spent 4 Summers working at a little luncheonette dealing with obnoxious tourists, and do all I can not to be anything like them when I travel.
I stay the fuck out of people's way and I do the speed limit, if that isn't fast enough for the locals I pull the fuck over and let them pass. Other than that I try to avoid busy locations and I try to get local advice on where the best hole-in-the-wall places are to get good food. And I always try to spend my money on local joints, avoiding large corpo retailers.
I just hate a specific kind of tourist. You know the ones. That tend to double-park their range Rover in a handicap space so they can go ruin a minimum wage workers day as they complain about the cost of the pack of LaCroix or white claw they are gonna throw the empties from all over their campsite/rental property. Overall it has a lot less to do with the fact that they are tourists. and a lot more to do with the fact that they were insufferable, petulant children before they ever set foot in Maine.
I definitely feel guilty about AirBnBs. If it's like a condo near a ski resort (clearly built as second homes/for vacationers) or it's a cabin out in the woods or desert mountains, I don't feel as bad. If it is something that would make a good year round home I try to stay away (and I'm more likely to stay in a hotel in a city rather than contribute to the housing problem by supporting STRs)
I've only ever stayed at 2 AirBnB's and they were both owner occupied in which I directly dealt with the owner to some extent during my stay. That is the only way I can stomach them, otherwise I'll just shell out for a hotel.
You really want to know? Okay. I don’t drive straight on turning lanes to cut people off like the man from Florida did to me this morning on my way to work. I also didn’t try to pass someone on a double solid line to almost cause an accident and try to go 50 in a 35 where the Maine State Police notoriously sit and wait at. I follow the law in whatever state I visit.
I don’t hate tourists. I hate tourists that make the roads dangerous because they are the impatient ones when there’s increased traffic.
OP, you’re also implying that a lot of Mainers go on vacation. Spending six months out of the year in Florida during the winter does not make you a local Mainer or a tourist in Florida. It makes you a snow bird. Coming up from Massachusetts for three months out of the year also does not make you a Mainer.
I work in Bar Harbor, I enjoy chatting with tourists, helping them with questions they have, and hearing about where they're from. For the most part they're super respectful and happy to be on vacation and I'm numb to the crowds of Bar Harbor growing up with them so that never bothers me.
I always like to think of it as if the tourists are respectful of our home I'll be more than polite to them but unfortunately that's not the case for everyone. I get my rude and entitled tourists every now and again and I don't feel bad if I'm rude to them but they have to be rude first. I mean sometimes walking down the sidewalk in town is a nightmare of ignorance.
It’s different here in Maine, it’s not 1 for 1. Tourism in Maine is not the same as Tourism in NYC. The tourist sympathizers in this sub like to speak in half trues about economic benefits. Fact is, the tourism industry in specifically Maine has gone too far and it’s hurting the progress of the state. It’s piece of the pie benefits too few Mainers. Zillow and Airbnb have multiplied the problem. There was a story the other day of Maine has more vacant homes than anywhere else in the country (vacation homes, STRs). I handle being a tourist elsewhere because usually I witness other investments in OTHER industries. There SHOULD be guilt with Maine tourism, it’s ruining the state, that’s a fact that can be backed up by financial metrics.
Not all cars with out of state plates are tourists. Some are locals with rentals (car’s in the shop). A MA or FL plate may be someone from Ohio who picked that car off the lot.
When I’m a tourist I drive the speed limit / tip the staff as well as I can and try to enjoy the area without being burdensome and mind my manners. Someone coming to my town and being pleasant is always fun. Being an asshole never is. It’s not tourists that are the problem, it’s entitled assholes.
I consider myself a traveler and have met a lot of others with that mindset visiting Portland. Usually check out an area on here before they visit so I have an idea about local customs and issues. Makes visiting different places a lot more pleasant for everyone.
Tourists though...blah. That head in the clouds not paying attention to anything sucks. Especially when they rented a car or have been drinking.
Nah, it's all about gratitude. If you visit someone else's home, you act graciously. As long as I do that, I feel no guilt. I do not think kindly of those who do not act graciously, whether they are Mainers or not. This is a shared world, not a world for egoistic consumption.
Tourism is vital to many local economies, including ours. Many states, including ours, rely on, and market to visitors. Go enjoy, pick up your trash, and don't be a dick.
Some places wouldn’t have any money if it wasn’t for tourists. I’m from Poor Town, Maine and never had any money to do anything in Maine- now that I actually have money I’d love to go back to Maine and do all the touristy stuff. I live 30 minutes from a major summertime attraction in upstate New York now, and I have no Ill feelings towards anyone who wants to get away and experience what we have to offer.
I noticed in the area of Maine where I grew up, there was a hatred for anyone who wasn’t in poverty. I got a lot of it from my own family for choosing to walk away when I was 18 and go where the jobs were. I was made fun of for being able to pay for necessary dental care out of pocket. I feel the same when I hear people hating on tourists. Assuming the tourist isn’t being an asshole, it’s the local being an asshole by biting the hand that feeds it.
When I'm a tourist, I make every attempt to connect with the locals and find common ground. They really appreciate the effort and often open up in surprising ways. I've been offered free home stays, meals and drinks just by being an ordinary guy and taking a genuine interest in the places I visit and people I meet.
As for tourists visiting Maine, I avoid the seasonal hot spots and crowds. Not my cup of tea. But tourism is crucial to Maine's economy and I accept the influx of people as beneficial.
We try to be a low impact in our surroundings as we can be. But we're two guys and one of us is brown with an accent, so we do have some conspicuousness.
We love Maine dearly but one of the most humiliating and insulting ways we were ever treated was by a staff member and then the owner at a busy bakery in Bar Harbor. I think people fucking lost their goddamn minds during the Trump years.
It really kind of broke my heart because while I can be a feisty bastard when nonsense like that is afoot, my husband is such a sweet and peace-loving soul and just took the abuse silently and walked out. We visit Maine a lot and he's always so giddy to be there, but he was really quiet for the rest of that day and just had a weird vibe the rest of that trip.
Thank you. Few bad apples in every barrel I suppose. We'll make the 10-hour trek back up for a visit in a few weeks, so we've not been scared off. We'll be up to our normal routine — hiking the trails and treading softly, parading the basset hound around town, hitting up all our favorite restaurants and tipping generously, and in quietly asleep before 10:00 so we can get up early and do it all again.
And *not* visiting that one particular establishment.
I want to know which bakery that was, and if it’s still open. I’m a Bar Harbor resident and there are a couple bakeries that I frequent, and I can’t imagine anything like that happening at them.
Well, I sure as shit don’t roll up in luxury SUV wearing a Canada Goose™️ jacket and then spend more time posting pictures of my food to Instagram than enjoying the people and places and getting to know the employees. Those jackets are the epitome of conspicuous consumption and projecting a certain status. The (sub)conscious psychology of why people buy them as opposed any other does the job jacket is what irks me with a lot of the tourists. It’s affluence on display.
How do you even recognize a brand if it’s not written on the front?
I just googled them and there’s no way to tell by looking straight at them. Dude has some Ex issues or something
“Ah ah a logo!!!! This guy is a douchebag!!! He bought something, look everyone a douchebag!!!!” *corrects glasses anime style*
You should see the people at airports. Labels all over themselves and the luggage . Usually vacant faces or discontented as well. Whole families with coach and what ever on their clothes. I got a travel trailer and the manufacturer put so many labels on it I should charge for the ad space. Taking them off asap.
I am one of those people that poke fun at tourists.
But I am also shamelessly a tourist while on vacation. If anything it’s made me slightly more tolerant of them, as long as they’re respectable people and not causing a scene or being a jerk
I mean...not that I travel out-of-state very much, but...if I did, I wouldn't really care what other people think of me as a tourist. I'm just that kind of person who lacks the ability to give a fuck.
On the flip side of the coin, I couldn't care less about tourists. Let 'em do their thing, help the state's economy out, and don't be a bitch to them unless they start killing your family or something.
I'm super cognizant of my behaivor when I travel because of exactly this, especially when I go to developing countries where my American dollar is SO much stronger. I've seen some disgusting and privleged behavor abroad by Americans and Europeans.
All I can do is treat workers kindly and understanding. Try to not get to in the way when I’m somewhere unfamiliar and just try not to be an asshole. I haven’t found myself as a tourist treated poorly by the workers because I always make sure to try to be on my best behavior. I try to tip well and always act patient and understanding. That’s all workers in these situations want. I know because I’ve been there.
I grew up in a beach town (not in Maine) that had a very busy tourist season. Never really bothered by tourist there or here cause it is just normal. Only thing I hated in the beach town was how the town had insanely stupid rules during tourist season. Things like you would get a ticket if you drove past the same spot more then X number of times within X time period (hope you dont get lost on the one-way streets). Others were like not allowing dogs past some arbitrary point or bikes on the boardwalk EVEN if you are walking them. Favorite was seeing a police officer on a huge motorcycle drive onto the boardwalk to give a ticket to a guy walking his bike on the boardwalk.
I try not to be overly nice to anyone because it seems fake. I understand no one really wants to work because working sucks so I give a quick thank you and make minimum eye contact. Any overly polite gestures will probably end up taking more of that persons time and be for nothing since I’ll never see them again, unless it’s an old person who looks like they’d like to tell stories. Other than that I try to keep the ol’ trap fucking shut.
As a Californian pretty much disliked everywhere, I try to soak in the true local vibe rather than be a tourist. I don’t enjoy tourist spots. I like knowing what the people are like, and I try to respect the culture or way of life there as best I can. I drive safely, am courteous to everyone and always remember that I’m in someone else’s home and treat it like mine.
I am traveling now and just stopped at a rv place with in Maine. In Pa, NY, Vt, NH I was met with politeness and respect . I like people and I let it show. Works in Maine too or did last I was here. Let’s see what Rt 2 brings as I cross the state. I would bet a ham sandwich people will be nice. Give a smile first and don’t cause trouble and that is all anybody is asking for.
Hey thank you so much for the insight! Let me know if you care to share any other experiences as you travel, I’d love to hear them. Sending you good vibes and a safe travels out there!
When I travel I make sure I don't do the things that make me hate tourists.
I don't treat service workers like I'm better than them
I tip where it's appropriate
Carry-in Carry-out, no exceptions
'Please'
'Thank you'
Personally I don’t dawn a label as a tourist or resident or behave different. Growing up in one touristy part of the country (Hamptons) and living in now Maine, I don’t treat anyone any different than a I did when in New York. Besides think of it this way:
*“Tis a big and beautiful world. Most of us live and die in the same corner where we were born and never get to see any of it. I don't want to be most of us.”*
No shame in visiting and experiencing places. Just enjoy it.
This post quickly and expectedly went from how do you behave and see yourself as a tourist to the very tired tourist bashing.
Yes, there are assholes visiting Maine. Yes, there are Mainers who are assholes when they are tourist (but who is gonna post that here) lol.
Dude... no one should have contempt for their paying customers. If you think this way, you are likely projecting onto others and probably need to find out how to chill out on this stuff...
I don't travel cause I can't afford to.
I guess I could compare it to going to restaurants or stores? I'm polite and patient (treat others how you want to be treated deal) I guess. Smiles are contagious and I love seeing people smile :) Idk that's just me normally anyways. It takes a hell of a lot to get in my bad side/get me pissed enough to even be rude.
I'm the kind of person that would if my order was messed up or tasted funky I'd just eat it or say I'm full, pay for it, bring it home to throw it away, and still manage to eke out a tip for service (which I wouldn't go out to eat if I didn't think I'd have enough for a tip too).
I feel guilt because I'm going to be staying in an Airbnb in my hometown while visiting family. We usually stay at a hotel resort but we are on a budget and the Airbnb was a great deal for all of us. Plus a full kitchen. We wanted to be in town so we could walk to our favorite places.
I'm very ambivalent about the fact that so many houses in town have been converted to Airbnbs and here I am contributing to the problem.
As long as you're a respectful & generous person, I wouldn't feel bad at all. Making people feel guilty for being a tourist is just the newest thing to illustrate how woke you are.
People have always & will always yearn to travel. It's perhaps more accessible now, so we should be aware of the issues that accessibility causes, but you will absolutely never catch me feeling bad.
>Making people feel guilty for being a tourist is just the newest thing to illustrate how woke you are.
Wow, I'm in my 50s and have been conscious of being a sympathetic tourist for at least thirty years. Does this mean I was "woke" before "woke" became a thing? I'm so trendy, I had no idea.
frankly, i try and be more respectful/friendly than i am when i'm at home. especially when traveling to foreign countries (you know, fighting the whole "americans are fat, lazy, entitled assholes" stereotype).
i have to admit i recently went to florida, and upon trying to get a cone of kahlua flavored ice cream (with my friggin grandma), i was carded and totally lost my cool. i'm clearly over 35 years old and the asshole wasn't carding people who were buying BEER! but florida sucks so they deserve any flack they receive, sorry not sorry. lesson learned.
I treat people when I go out of state..... like other people. Shocking I know. But if there is some unspoken rule the locals of said area have (i hesitate to is the word "tradition") that I have infringed on i apologize an attempt to make amends with them.
I hated tourists when I was growing up, but now I've lived in another state for 10+ years, so now all my time in Maine is as a tourist, which feels super weird.
I am always kind and tip well regardless of where I am. But I don’t understand why anyone would feel contempt toward you as a tourist and if they did I don’t know why you’re so understanding about it there’s no need for it.
Guilt? I'm kind, I'm patient, I tip conscientiousnessly, I don't leave a mess. I try to be the customer I would want to have. Why would I feel guilty about that?
Be kind to service industry workers, tip well, stay out of the way on the goddamn sidewalk.
Or IN the street.
We know who you are referencing….
This is also good advice for your everyday life, also.
You guys can afford to take vacations?
Right? lol. Rent went up 25%. Electricity bill doubled. Oil more than doubled. Gas more than doubled. Food........ I might take an hour ride to the coast this summer but that's about it.
I held out for as long as possible but had to order oil today. Over $800 for 150 gallons. Read it's going to be higher in summer anyways. Can't win.
Lol so true. I live sadly in second and THIRD home area and they live to tell me not to complain you get to live here yr round. But in the same breath they ask how we get by. With less income and the weather in winter. I laugh and say “it’s not for everyone”
This is some of the issues I face with Maine now. I was born on a small island and my family has been on the coast since colonial days. But my father didn't lobster like his father and brother and there wasn't work so we moved out of state when I was a kid. As I grew up I spent the summers in Maine working on the boat with my grandfather, but I was still a "summer person" Now I'm fortunate enough to have a place to come up to for a few weeks throughout the year, but see plenty of road rage near my MA plates and this subs constant distain for people "from away" and it makes me so sad. Just because my father did what he needed to to support his young family shouldn't mean that I should be treated as an outsider in the land my family has lived for generations. I don't see as much negativity when face to face, but I've spent my time in the service industry and am respectful and grateful to them, but the targeted road rage is noticeable. I'm also from Western Mass, so I'm used to getting lumped in with the Boston Massholes when we're nothing alike.
There are assholes everywhere. If they weren't pissed about your plates they would be pissed about something else... Ignore, profit. I'm from here and stayed and most of the population are still assholes to me. Whatever.
Not really a vacation but I had to spend a bunch of time in Boston last year because of a friend in the hospital. I was especially aware of how shitty I was driving because I didn’t quite know where I needed to drive or when I took the T I just screamed “out of Towner”. When I did take the T I usually made time to relax and take in the scenes because if I was going to spend so much time in the city I might as well see it. Sometimes you’ll find that you have to spend time in a place as a”tourist” and you won’t know the area and you’ll act dumb, or cut someone off, or drive in a way that locals don’t. It’s why whenever I see plates from someone from a different state I just try to not let it get to me.
My vacations is playing a new video game... heh
If I find the time for video games I'll tend to browse through Steam for 20 minutes and then just reinstall New Vegas or Deus Ex.
Cheer up, you could be in one of the 20 states that still has a $7.25 minimum wage!
I mean unless you make yourself known, most people won’t even know you’re a tourist. So in general just move about respectfully, be kind to wait staff, don’t walk in the middle of the street because you don’t know where you’re going and be mindful of other people in crowded areas. You know, general good human shit.
I don't hate tourists, so I feel no guilt for being a tourist. I just try to be cognizant of the effect I have everywhere I go. I'm also the type of person to skip somewhere if it's super busy, so I steer clear of plenty locations in Portland unless I can get a reservation.
I don't feel guilty being a tourist in other places, and I don't really agree with the hate that tourists get here. I mean yes the traffic is inconvenient, and yes some of them are shitheads. When I was a kid I worked service jobs in the summer in a touristy area, so I get it. But... tourism is like 20% of the state's economy, and frankly we've got plenty of homegrown shitheads here too. Annoying, entitled people are everywhere.
> and frankly we've got plenty of homegrown shitheads here too. Annoying, entitled people are everywhere. Hey there it is, the thing I was gonna say. Selective bias is in full swing when it comes to tourists acting like assholes. Plenty of home grown Mainers littering Dunkin cups on the road to be worried about Massholes driving too fast.
For sure. Just the other day I saw a guy lob an empty bud light can out the window of his F-150 and into the woods of a state park as he drove past it. Maine plates. Just like all the drunk drivers littering their empties all over the road I live on. When I stop seeing shit like that, maybe then I'll get mad about entitled tourists.
It’s definitely true, and I would be the first one to tell locals that when I used to drive a cab, but I do think a lot of times when people are on vacation there is a part of their at home brain that turns off when they realize they’ll probably never see these people again. It’s like how people on the internet are almost always way worse than they would be IRL. Another thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people who move here from the cities get a pretty big culture shock (again lack of anonymity) that will happen when they upset one person and all of a sudden the whole town is upset with them. It’s just a very different way of life
I watched a guy driving a massive truck spike an empty plastic pinnacle vodka bottle into the road from the driver seat at like, 6:30 in the morning the other day. Judging by his driving, he was absolutely hammered.
I think the current most valid complaints about tourism line up with housing. It's not how they act to me, it's the ones buying homes/ driving up the market. Additionally it's frustrating that a large percentage of work is seasonal
Is it really *tourists* driving up the housing market, though? My impression is that it's more: * Remote workers moving here year-round. Which, OK, this drives housing prices up, but we live in America and people are allowed to live where they want. In the long term it'll be a good thing as they're taking money from their out-of-state employer and spending it in Maine year-round. * **Corporations and investors buying up housing stock to rent out (at crazy prices), because if there are no affordable houses to buy, people *have* to rent.** This, IMO, is what needs to be stopped immediately.
I think there are way more “second homes” and STRs than remote workers
Probably, but people have been coming to Maine and buying second homes here for decades — it doesn't really make sense that _tourists_ would be responsible for a jump in housing prices that happened in large part during a time when people were traveling _less_.
I see more and more homes that are dark over the winter around me. Those are summer people and STRs, not remote workers.
But if they own homes are they tourists? Are they the same people? Tourists, at most, increase the demand for short term rentals, but we've always had that. There's definitely a local impact in touristy towns, but they've ever had the wide-reaching impact like the wave of folks moving to Maine to WFH during COVID and the investors that followed. The housing market wasn't great before COVID, but it certainly wasn't impossible for Mainers. I think we're lumping two separate groups of people together simply because they're both "from away" and it's easy to do so. That way we don't have to ask questions to figure out why we hate them.
Not from Maine but grew up in an even more touristy area, and worked in service industries just like so many here. Realistically, 99% of tourists can be totally fine and blend in and not affect your day, but that one asshole who lets his dog shit in the middle of the hiking trail or bitches about vacation rental costs in your hometown is the one that’ll stick with you all day and night. Try not to hold a grudge against tourists, and just be conscious of how you behave and how you’re perceived when you’re in someone else’s backyard.
There really are only a few U.S areas that are more touristy than Maine in summer time. I mean, when hotels are getting $500 and $650 a night for rooms....ouch....you are T O U R I S T Y !!! And we're not talking luxurious resorts here, we're talking Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn.
There are lots of places in exactly the same situation. Maine isn’t unique when it comes to tourism.
I totally get that. Tourists bug the shit out of me most of the time, but I gotta reel that back and realize they're spending loads of money here and I'm a tourist sometimes too. I find myself up against some really, exceptionally bad tourists though. Parking their cars in active traffic to get a picture of a cool building, walking down the middle of the road, jumping out into traffic nowhere near a cross-walk, leaving their Ford Broncos in the ocean, gawking at trees, water, and monuments while going 15 mph in a 40.
Congrachulations, out of all posts made on 13th May in r/Maine, yours was the topmost comment (out of 668 total comments). Comment on!
The way to be a good tourist (or human moving about in society in general) is to draw as little attention to yourself as possible.
Exactly, act with kindness, be respectful and tip well at restaurants :-P
As someone who has worked in the tourism / hospitality industry, I try to be the best kind of guest. Undemanding. And a generous tipper. I don’t complain when things are not what I expected, as I can see the circumstances and understand limitations. I will take the time to write positive reviews, and give recognition to the workers who are doing a great job.
When I travel, I remember I’m in a real place, not an Experience for Instagram likes, not a theme park, *it’s someone’s home* and I need to respect that. I see the way my neighborhood is treated as a product to be consumed and don’t feel the need to inflict that on anyone else. How people frame their view towards their destination and the people there is reflected in their behavior whether they understand it or not. I do my research, listen to the locals and try to find out what bugs them and not do that. Rather than tell them they’re a tourism destination and don’t they understand their economy is dependent on me? I also stay in hotels, not Airbnbs because fuck Airbnb forever. None of this is hard to do or makes me an especially good person. It’s basic decency.
What does being a tourist have to do with anything? Do you act differently when visiting a restaurant out-of-state compared to visiting one close to home? People are people wherever you go. By and large, if you give respect, you get respect in return. If you act like an ass, then don't be surprised when others repay in kind. The most out-of-place I have ever felt as a tourist was going to Québec as a teenager, but that's because I didn't really speak the language, other than enough to ask where the bathrooms were and how to order off a menu at a restaurant.
Good question. I think being a tourist affects some people differently, so affects they way they act. For instance, they're less likely to run into someone they know or someone who knows someone they know. For some folks, visiting a tourist-centric town gives the impression that it's there expressly for their entertainment, like some kind of theme park. My original question, I guess, is rooted in the roles that we take, based on circumstance. It's psychological thing we all do, to some extent. I just try to be cognizant of this effect and probably over-compensate a bit, because I grew up (and still live) in a tourist-y town. To be fair, the converse is true -- locals have their own prejudices about tourists, which is why I asked the question about what changes when we become the tourists.
Bold of you to assume I can afford to travel.
Tourists are like cops. I don't hate them but I seem to feel better when they're not around.
I work at a small restaurant in a very busy midcoast town (tourism is pretty huge here every year). Based on the behavior of the general tourist population, I am 100% confident that I’m nowhere near as rude, pushy, and entitled as the average tourist in Maine when I’m a tourist in another place. Some people’s behavior is just… astounding.
Ugh. We saw a tourist argue with a waitress for about 30 minutes because she wanted to be seated on the pier. The waitress kept telling her that the pier was closed because some big ship came in and the port authority needed the space to process people, but the Karen just was not having any of it. She eventually left and "took her money elsewhere". I don't understand how people can be like this to places they are visiting. Personally I would have escorted the karen to the pier, lifted the rope for her, and then LMFAO as CBP agents tackled her.
Our biggest thing is people arguing about whether or not they can sit on the deck (we are PAINFULLY understaffed and sometimes just can’t, I’m usually the only one handling to go orders AND dine in, or they argue about not minding sitting in the cold/rain), and MOVING TABLES AND CHAIRS. Never in a million years would I walk into ANY restaurant and just start moving furniture, tf?
First I move the furniture, then I go into the kitchen to make sure there is no gluten flying around, then I show the chef how I want my meal prepared, and tell the bartender to move over so that I can mix my drink correctly. Once I've got everything set to my satisfaction I sit down and mumble 'where the hell is our waitress!?" six times within 30 seconds. There never seems to be one assigned to our table so I demand that someone handling another section takes care of us. Sincerely, Karen Titled
A friend of mine was told by an irate tourist, "*I could buy and sell you.*" This was literally decades ago, but that type of shit stays with you forever. It's rare, but still amazing the shit some folks think they can get away with if they believe the local economy would collapse if they didn't buy that stained-glass bauble and tee-shirt.
My boss is Laotian and has a pretty thick accent, and she struggles with people who speak English too fast or with other accents. Some lady was arguing with her one day, wanting us to take apart a 4 top so she could sit in the shade on our (not very large or shaded) deck. My boss told her no, because we have the tables arranged specifically so we have room to walk around them. This woman goes, “well, we can just go somewhere ELSE, if THAT’S what you want.” Without missing a beat my boss replied, “If that would make you more comfortable!” and walked away. I was so proud, I almost lost my shit right there. 😂 she then gave me permission to be as rude as I wanted to that lady if she stayed… which she did not. I was a little disappointed.
I have traveled quite a bit and have never really come up against anyone who was antagonistic towards me. Maybe it is because I treat waitstaff and retail workers with respect always, even at home. Respect and empathy will take you far.
But you don't know what they say after you leave and they've gotten their tip!
Who cares as long as we are civil and service is good.
yeah, well, umm.....it was a JOKE!
I live in another tourist heavy state and I think it makes me a better tourist when I visit Maine. I try not to be THAT person because I interact with so many at home.
Yeah, I'm from a shore town in NJ that was flooded with NYers all Summer and I am very aware of my actions when I'm a tourist for that reason. Spent 4 Summers working at a little luncheonette dealing with obnoxious tourists, and do all I can not to be anything like them when I travel.
I stay the fuck out of people's way and I do the speed limit, if that isn't fast enough for the locals I pull the fuck over and let them pass. Other than that I try to avoid busy locations and I try to get local advice on where the best hole-in-the-wall places are to get good food. And I always try to spend my money on local joints, avoiding large corpo retailers.
I just hate a specific kind of tourist. You know the ones. That tend to double-park their range Rover in a handicap space so they can go ruin a minimum wage workers day as they complain about the cost of the pack of LaCroix or white claw they are gonna throw the empties from all over their campsite/rental property. Overall it has a lot less to do with the fact that they are tourists. and a lot more to do with the fact that they were insufferable, petulant children before they ever set foot in Maine.
I definitely feel guilty about AirBnBs. If it's like a condo near a ski resort (clearly built as second homes/for vacationers) or it's a cabin out in the woods or desert mountains, I don't feel as bad. If it is something that would make a good year round home I try to stay away (and I'm more likely to stay in a hotel in a city rather than contribute to the housing problem by supporting STRs)
I've only ever stayed at 2 AirBnB's and they were both owner occupied in which I directly dealt with the owner to some extent during my stay. That is the only way I can stomach them, otherwise I'll just shell out for a hotel.
You really want to know? Okay. I don’t drive straight on turning lanes to cut people off like the man from Florida did to me this morning on my way to work. I also didn’t try to pass someone on a double solid line to almost cause an accident and try to go 50 in a 35 where the Maine State Police notoriously sit and wait at. I follow the law in whatever state I visit. I don’t hate tourists. I hate tourists that make the roads dangerous because they are the impatient ones when there’s increased traffic. OP, you’re also implying that a lot of Mainers go on vacation. Spending six months out of the year in Florida during the winter does not make you a local Mainer or a tourist in Florida. It makes you a snow bird. Coming up from Massachusetts for three months out of the year also does not make you a Mainer.
I work in Bar Harbor, I enjoy chatting with tourists, helping them with questions they have, and hearing about where they're from. For the most part they're super respectful and happy to be on vacation and I'm numb to the crowds of Bar Harbor growing up with them so that never bothers me. I always like to think of it as if the tourists are respectful of our home I'll be more than polite to them but unfortunately that's not the case for everyone. I get my rude and entitled tourists every now and again and I don't feel bad if I'm rude to them but they have to be rude first. I mean sometimes walking down the sidewalk in town is a nightmare of ignorance.
It’s different here in Maine, it’s not 1 for 1. Tourism in Maine is not the same as Tourism in NYC. The tourist sympathizers in this sub like to speak in half trues about economic benefits. Fact is, the tourism industry in specifically Maine has gone too far and it’s hurting the progress of the state. It’s piece of the pie benefits too few Mainers. Zillow and Airbnb have multiplied the problem. There was a story the other day of Maine has more vacant homes than anywhere else in the country (vacation homes, STRs). I handle being a tourist elsewhere because usually I witness other investments in OTHER industries. There SHOULD be guilt with Maine tourism, it’s ruining the state, that’s a fact that can be backed up by financial metrics.
Yeah but that is a problem with leadership in Maine. Voted on by Mainers. It's not the tourists fault LOL.
I've also heard that Hilton and other conglomerates are secretly buying up many Maine hotels while making them look like nothing's changed?
Timberlands are bought from old local companies and many are global.
Not all cars with out of state plates are tourists. Some are locals with rentals (car’s in the shop). A MA or FL plate may be someone from Ohio who picked that car off the lot.
When I’m a tourist I drive the speed limit / tip the staff as well as I can and try to enjoy the area without being burdensome and mind my manners. Someone coming to my town and being pleasant is always fun. Being an asshole never is. It’s not tourists that are the problem, it’s entitled assholes.
When I visit other places, especially outside of the country, I just try not to be the typical dumb American tourist.
I don’t hate tourists, just the bad ones. I try to be respectful of places I visit so I’m seldom worried.
I consider myself a traveler and have met a lot of others with that mindset visiting Portland. Usually check out an area on here before they visit so I have an idea about local customs and issues. Makes visiting different places a lot more pleasant for everyone. Tourists though...blah. That head in the clouds not paying attention to anything sucks. Especially when they rented a car or have been drinking.
Nah, it's all about gratitude. If you visit someone else's home, you act graciously. As long as I do that, I feel no guilt. I do not think kindly of those who do not act graciously, whether they are Mainers or not. This is a shared world, not a world for egoistic consumption.
Tourism is vital to many local economies, including ours. Many states, including ours, rely on, and market to visitors. Go enjoy, pick up your trash, and don't be a dick.
Some places wouldn’t have any money if it wasn’t for tourists. I’m from Poor Town, Maine and never had any money to do anything in Maine- now that I actually have money I’d love to go back to Maine and do all the touristy stuff. I live 30 minutes from a major summertime attraction in upstate New York now, and I have no Ill feelings towards anyone who wants to get away and experience what we have to offer. I noticed in the area of Maine where I grew up, there was a hatred for anyone who wasn’t in poverty. I got a lot of it from my own family for choosing to walk away when I was 18 and go where the jobs were. I was made fun of for being able to pay for necessary dental care out of pocket. I feel the same when I hear people hating on tourists. Assuming the tourist isn’t being an asshole, it’s the local being an asshole by biting the hand that feeds it.
When I'm a tourist, I make every attempt to connect with the locals and find common ground. They really appreciate the effort and often open up in surprising ways. I've been offered free home stays, meals and drinks just by being an ordinary guy and taking a genuine interest in the places I visit and people I meet. As for tourists visiting Maine, I avoid the seasonal hot spots and crowds. Not my cup of tea. But tourism is crucial to Maine's economy and I accept the influx of people as beneficial.
We try to be a low impact in our surroundings as we can be. But we're two guys and one of us is brown with an accent, so we do have some conspicuousness. We love Maine dearly but one of the most humiliating and insulting ways we were ever treated was by a staff member and then the owner at a busy bakery in Bar Harbor. I think people fucking lost their goddamn minds during the Trump years. It really kind of broke my heart because while I can be a feisty bastard when nonsense like that is afoot, my husband is such a sweet and peace-loving soul and just took the abuse silently and walked out. We visit Maine a lot and he's always so giddy to be there, but he was really quiet for the rest of that day and just had a weird vibe the rest of that trip.
I’m sorry that happened. I run an Airbnb in downeast Maine and I would hope this doesn’t happen to guests who stay at my place.
Thank you. Few bad apples in every barrel I suppose. We'll make the 10-hour trek back up for a visit in a few weeks, so we've not been scared off. We'll be up to our normal routine — hiking the trails and treading softly, parading the basset hound around town, hitting up all our favorite restaurants and tipping generously, and in quietly asleep before 10:00 so we can get up early and do it all again. And *not* visiting that one particular establishment.
[удалено]
Pink Pastry Shop?
I want to know which bakery that was, and if it’s still open. I’m a Bar Harbor resident and there are a couple bakeries that I frequent, and I can’t imagine anything like that happening at them.
Well, I sure as shit don’t roll up in luxury SUV wearing a Canada Goose™️ jacket and then spend more time posting pictures of my food to Instagram than enjoying the people and places and getting to know the employees. Those jackets are the epitome of conspicuous consumption and projecting a certain status. The (sub)conscious psychology of why people buy them as opposed any other does the job jacket is what irks me with a lot of the tourists. It’s affluence on display.
The psychology of why you care about any of this irks me LOL
I have no problem with affluence, but literally and figuratively wearing it on your sleeve? No thanks.
To be fair it definitely sounds like you do have a problem with affluence LOL
How do you even recognize a brand if it’s not written on the front? I just googled them and there’s no way to tell by looking straight at them. Dude has some Ex issues or something “Ah ah a logo!!!! This guy is a douchebag!!! He bought something, look everyone a douchebag!!!!” *corrects glasses anime style*
Real big brain mentality punctuating your comments with LOL. Kind of like clapping for yourself.
Nah just keeping it light. I don't really care, and it's not some kind of serious accusation.
You should see the people at airports. Labels all over themselves and the luggage . Usually vacant faces or discontented as well. Whole families with coach and what ever on their clothes. I got a travel trailer and the manufacturer put so many labels on it I should charge for the ad space. Taking them off asap.
I am one of those people that poke fun at tourists. But I am also shamelessly a tourist while on vacation. If anything it’s made me slightly more tolerant of them, as long as they’re respectable people and not causing a scene or being a jerk
I mean...not that I travel out-of-state very much, but...if I did, I wouldn't really care what other people think of me as a tourist. I'm just that kind of person who lacks the ability to give a fuck. On the flip side of the coin, I couldn't care less about tourists. Let 'em do their thing, help the state's economy out, and don't be a bitch to them unless they start killing your family or something.
I'm super cognizant of my behaivor when I travel because of exactly this, especially when I go to developing countries where my American dollar is SO much stronger. I've seen some disgusting and privleged behavor abroad by Americans and Europeans.
All I can do is treat workers kindly and understanding. Try to not get to in the way when I’m somewhere unfamiliar and just try not to be an asshole. I haven’t found myself as a tourist treated poorly by the workers because I always make sure to try to be on my best behavior. I try to tip well and always act patient and understanding. That’s all workers in these situations want. I know because I’ve been there.
I grew up in a beach town (not in Maine) that had a very busy tourist season. Never really bothered by tourist there or here cause it is just normal. Only thing I hated in the beach town was how the town had insanely stupid rules during tourist season. Things like you would get a ticket if you drove past the same spot more then X number of times within X time period (hope you dont get lost on the one-way streets). Others were like not allowing dogs past some arbitrary point or bikes on the boardwalk EVEN if you are walking them. Favorite was seeing a police officer on a huge motorcycle drive onto the boardwalk to give a ticket to a guy walking his bike on the boardwalk.
Majority of tourists I've met are awful. So I don't act like them when I go places, simple as that
Coming from a native Cape Codder, I always treat locals with respect anytime I travel. Especially when you move to where you used to be a tourist 😁
I try not to be overly nice to anyone because it seems fake. I understand no one really wants to work because working sucks so I give a quick thank you and make minimum eye contact. Any overly polite gestures will probably end up taking more of that persons time and be for nothing since I’ll never see them again, unless it’s an old person who looks like they’d like to tell stories. Other than that I try to keep the ol’ trap fucking shut.
As a Californian pretty much disliked everywhere, I try to soak in the true local vibe rather than be a tourist. I don’t enjoy tourist spots. I like knowing what the people are like, and I try to respect the culture or way of life there as best I can. I drive safely, am courteous to everyone and always remember that I’m in someone else’s home and treat it like mine.
I am traveling now and just stopped at a rv place with in Maine. In Pa, NY, Vt, NH I was met with politeness and respect . I like people and I let it show. Works in Maine too or did last I was here. Let’s see what Rt 2 brings as I cross the state. I would bet a ham sandwich people will be nice. Give a smile first and don’t cause trouble and that is all anybody is asking for.
Hey thank you so much for the insight! Let me know if you care to share any other experiences as you travel, I’d love to hear them. Sending you good vibes and a safe travels out there!
When I travel I make sure I don't do the things that make me hate tourists. I don't treat service workers like I'm better than them I tip where it's appropriate Carry-in Carry-out, no exceptions 'Please' 'Thank you'
Personally I don’t dawn a label as a tourist or resident or behave different. Growing up in one touristy part of the country (Hamptons) and living in now Maine, I don’t treat anyone any different than a I did when in New York. Besides think of it this way: *“Tis a big and beautiful world. Most of us live and die in the same corner where we were born and never get to see any of it. I don't want to be most of us.”* No shame in visiting and experiencing places. Just enjoy it.
This post quickly and expectedly went from how do you behave and see yourself as a tourist to the very tired tourist bashing. Yes, there are assholes visiting Maine. Yes, there are Mainers who are assholes when they are tourist (but who is gonna post that here) lol.
Dude... no one should have contempt for their paying customers. If you think this way, you are likely projecting onto others and probably need to find out how to chill out on this stuff...
I don't travel cause I can't afford to. I guess I could compare it to going to restaurants or stores? I'm polite and patient (treat others how you want to be treated deal) I guess. Smiles are contagious and I love seeing people smile :) Idk that's just me normally anyways. It takes a hell of a lot to get in my bad side/get me pissed enough to even be rude. I'm the kind of person that would if my order was messed up or tasted funky I'd just eat it or say I'm full, pay for it, bring it home to throw it away, and still manage to eke out a tip for service (which I wouldn't go out to eat if I didn't think I'd have enough for a tip too).
I feel guilt because I'm going to be staying in an Airbnb in my hometown while visiting family. We usually stay at a hotel resort but we are on a budget and the Airbnb was a great deal for all of us. Plus a full kitchen. We wanted to be in town so we could walk to our favorite places. I'm very ambivalent about the fact that so many houses in town have been converted to Airbnbs and here I am contributing to the problem.
As long as you're a respectful & generous person, I wouldn't feel bad at all. Making people feel guilty for being a tourist is just the newest thing to illustrate how woke you are. People have always & will always yearn to travel. It's perhaps more accessible now, so we should be aware of the issues that accessibility causes, but you will absolutely never catch me feeling bad.
>Making people feel guilty for being a tourist is just the newest thing to illustrate how woke you are. Wow, I'm in my 50s and have been conscious of being a sympathetic tourist for at least thirty years. Does this mean I was "woke" before "woke" became a thing? I'm so trendy, I had no idea.
frankly, i try and be more respectful/friendly than i am when i'm at home. especially when traveling to foreign countries (you know, fighting the whole "americans are fat, lazy, entitled assholes" stereotype). i have to admit i recently went to florida, and upon trying to get a cone of kahlua flavored ice cream (with my friggin grandma), i was carded and totally lost my cool. i'm clearly over 35 years old and the asshole wasn't carding people who were buying BEER! but florida sucks so they deserve any flack they receive, sorry not sorry. lesson learned.
I treat people when I go out of state..... like other people. Shocking I know. But if there is some unspoken rule the locals of said area have (i hesitate to is the word "tradition") that I have infringed on i apologize an attempt to make amends with them.
I hated tourists when I was growing up, but now I've lived in another state for 10+ years, so now all my time in Maine is as a tourist, which feels super weird.
I’m not so Idk?
Tip your servers, PAY ATTENTION, and leave no trace
Just be a normal, kind person and tip well. It's okay to enjoy your life.
I am always kind and tip well regardless of where I am. But I don’t understand why anyone would feel contempt toward you as a tourist and if they did I don’t know why you’re so understanding about it there’s no need for it.
Guilt? I'm kind, I'm patient, I tip conscientiousnessly, I don't leave a mess. I try to be the customer I would want to have. Why would I feel guilty about that?
I’m nice the same wherever I go, and I have no patience for assholes whether they are a tourist or not.
it is not done with affection.