It's finally here!! The Traveling Brown Girls Blog Carnival! I'm so excited to participate and the first topic of the carnival is "Travel Etiquette: My Top 5 Travel Pet Peeves". So here are my top 5 in a travel buddy.
If you’re the adventurous type like me then you like to
stumble upon a quaint cafe or bookstore and you probably don't make your entire
itinerary based on your guidebook. It's a pet peeve of mine when I suggest
something like walking around a neighborhood and my travel partner responds
with" that's not in the book".
2. Passes judgment on the experience within the
first day
As we all know first impressions are important but I do not
agree that they have to be your last impression. It's a pet peeve of mine when
a trip starts off rocky with a lost taxi ride from the airport or, slow check
in at a hotel, or a nasty attitude having waiter and my travel partner decides
that the country, city, or town sucks! I believe that everyone and everything
deserves a fair chance to redeem itself. So the next time you experience one of
these... Take a second and decide to have a fresh start and then if it still
seems to be nightmare, RUN!
3. Can’t go with the flow and be flexible
Time and time again I
have traveled with one plan and ended up with a whole new one. Once I went to
Morocco during Thanksgiving and the whole city of Marrakesh was shut down... I
learned this from the male flight attendant who invited me to his family's
farm. Now when you first hear this you think... “Hell naw I'm not spending my
thanksgiving on a random man’s farm” but once you wake up and realize literally
no one is in the city you get in a
bootleg taxi and be happy with slaughtering that goat on that random flight
attendants farm. It was a crazy experience but had I not gone with the flow my
friends and I would have never experienced this Muslim holiday celebration that
we will never forget.
4. Comes broke!
This is my #1 travel pet peeve. BYE GIRL if you are that
girlfriend who thinks everything is too expensive and keeps saying “back at
home that would cost..." Travel doesn't have to be expensive but it's not
fair to come on a trip broke and make everyone conscious of every dollar they
spend. If you are on a budget make that clear in advance and be ok with tapping
yourself out when your travel friends ball out or do things that you'd rather
not spend your money on.
5. Doesn't communicate
It's so important to discuss your expectations before
traveling with someone. All parties should discuss their must do's as well as
their budgets. I've found this to be so helpful when trip planning. My friends
all list what we want to do and evaluate our interest and where they differ to
know how we should plan our time together and separately.
We all have our moments when we can be annoyed, frustrated, or upset about something during travel however we must remember that when we are with others the journey is a team effort! In my opinion that's the beauty in traveling with someone. You don't have to deal with it all by yourself. So next time your planning a trip with a friend think back to my pet peeves and make sure you don' fall into one of these categories as the pet peeve travel buddy :-)
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I had to chuckle at #4. I've been the broke traveler, and it isn't fun. I do believe that I have matured in my ways, and as you had alluded to, make it known if my pockets aren't running that deep up front. Needless to say, I have also found that because of my love of travel, I tend to be broke on the regular (I call it saving) so that I can splurge and have a good time during my travels.
ReplyDeleteLOL! We all have at one point in life. That's why I ALWAYS ask before departing what flow are we on? Sex and the City or New Jack City lol
DeleteThese pet peeves are exactly why I tend to travel solo. I know I'm not perfect and do I love traveling my friends, but sometimes just gotta go it alone or at least be OK with communicating and doing our own things at times.
ReplyDeleteDon't I know it! I had to trek the Himalaya's alone because I couldn't deal with people's excuses any longer. Sometimes we are afraid to do solo travel but I never was and each time I've done it I think it builds character, perspective, and growth.
DeleteGreat list! It's hard to find the perfect travel buddy. Sometimes it's a good idea to have The Talk before you leave and lay everything out on the table. That, or like April says, travel solo. There are some good travel partners out there...but can be as hard as finding a good mate!
ReplyDeleteYES! I live for google spreadsheets that state everyone's interest. thus far it's been the best way to manage everyone's expectations. Thanks for the comment!I still can't wait to be like you when I grow up lol.
DeleteCommunication is key in any relationship, but it is especially important when you travel. I have friendship ruined because the communication wasn't there. Just because you are friends doesn't mean you can travel together.
ReplyDeleteSay it again! JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE FRIENDS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN TRAVEL TOGETHER! My point exactly....you see a whole new side of people once they get out of their comfort zone and it can be refreshing or repulsive.
DeleteGreat points! Traveling with a friend can really test a friendship. And you're right, it only takes a bit of communication before the trip to decide what everyone wants to do and how much spending money everyone has.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading! As they always say communication is key! Like I told Tracey...I LIVE by a google spreadsheet before a trip.
DeleteAs annoying as the "comes broke" people are the cheapskates. One of my dear friends took a trip earlier this year with a co worker, carrier of Louis Vuitton bags but leaver of very poor tips.
ReplyDeleteMy Friend was horrified. She couldn't believe the label wearer wanted to leave a 2 Euro tip for a 6 night stay at a hotel in Barcelona. Said she was never travelling with that person again.
I and this friend have never traveled together because we want different things out of a trip. I am happy walking around all day seeing national treasures and she has limits to that. We have talked about taking a trip but recognize the planning that would have to go into it for a joint venture to work for both of us.
RUDE!!! and I'm even going to go there....TRASHY! How dare you walk around with a Louis Vuitton bag and leave anything less than 15-18%! 2 euro at the hotel!!! I'm dying over here b/c she know's that's all of one dollar which is just disrespectful...your better off leaving nothing.
DeleteDon't find your self rethinking and traveling with her. Because I can see it now you sitting there like Oh maybe she's not that bad, maybe she's changed, and you get to your destination and find your self tempted to be on an episode of locked up abroad! lol
Love your list. Amen to #4!
ReplyDeleteWinks & Smiles,
Wifey
thank you so much for reading! #4 is the realest! If your ever in this situation I always hit them with a "bye girl". lol
DeleteMartice
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I missed you on the list. I am adding you today. Great point of view on travel pet peeves with a friend on a trip. I love it!
The share about traveling to Morocco during Thanksgiving while the city was shut down to end up being invited by a flight attendant to spend the day on farm for the ceremonial slaughtering of a goat is a great share!
The Skychi Travel Guide
http://www.skychitravels.com
No problem! Thanks for even thinking of lil ole me! lol. That Morocco experience was so suspect....as we got in the taxi they put a man in the trunk lol and then we were riding for almost 45 minutes with nothing in sight but trees and sand...I just knew I was about to die.
DeleteYes! I did a similar post awhile back. The guidebook is for background info and not to define the trip. I hear you about having to bankroll folks. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI guess this is what we signed up for lol! Thanks for reading
ReplyDeleteThat picture is too funny! So, so true- all of it! :-)
ReplyDeleteListen you know that's the side eye you give her when she starts talking that craziness lol
DeleteSuch a fun blog, thanks for sharing. It's a relaxing thing to read your post. I really praise travel guides and travel tips like this.=)
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