7 Signs You Might Be a Bad Traveler 

Number 8: You carve your initials into the colosseum... i couldn't believe that when I heard about it.

I don't want to hear peoples phone conversations here in America either.

You forgot a important one. BE FLEXIBLE!!! Sometimes things don't work out the way you planned, so instead of being upset and grumpy, adapt or better yet, have plan B and/or C ready for it.

Another No. 8: You don't observe the protocol for historical or tourist sights or show basic respect at monuments. In my travels I've seen everything from people running around at holocaust memorials to trying to press their noses to the glass of works at the Louvre. It is embarassing for anyone who travels with you and really draws attention to you as an ugly tourist.

French Champagne in Paris. Oh my goodness. :(

I travelled Europe for 4 months with a carry on backpack. I probably wont do it again but it was a good minimalist experience.

Terrific video Mark but the number one sign you're a bad traveler is when you take a picture of someone holding up the Tower of Pisa or pinching the top of the Eiffel Tower. ;)

That's why I love this channel! You can still learn watching old videos. Who's watching in 2019?

Another thing: Don't treat the locals like amusement park employees!! I was in Oslo one Saturday, and a tourist asked me a question, I'm happy to help, but I don't live in the city and I couldn't answer, since it was a very specific question about a building. Well, he was furious and yelled at me about such bad service and he was going to complain to the purser on his cruise ship. Sure, go ahead and do just that... Seriously, some people act like they're at the international pavilion at Epcot when visiting other countries.

We were on a public bus getting very close to the Dachau concentration camp, and all the american tourists were talking was about their town in the USA and how beautiful a mall they just constructed etc...

Another sign you're a bad traveller? Not learning the lingo of the place you go to. Not necessarily the language (although you should always learn basic phrases such as "Hello", "please" and "thank you" out of respect for the country you're visiting,) but what certain places call or pronounce certain things. For example, in French, the letter G is actually pronounced like "Jay", and J is pronounced like "Gee". You can imagine how confused and frustrated we were when we ran to platform "J", only to find that our train was leaving from platform G. If you can learn the basic words for certain travel ways or destinations such as train, bus, plane, airport, station etc in the country your visiting it will help you so much better when you are listening over PA systems for changes in platforms, gates, depatures etc, and it will also make travelling in taxis a LOT easier if you know exactly what a place name is called in the local language, as opposed to trying to yell in English that you need to get to the airport.

This is great! I really dislike traveling with people who are guilty of practically all on this list. I try to give new travelers the benefit of the doubt because they simply just don't know but there is definitely a stopping point. If you are a new traveler, you have to be extra observant to watch what others are and aren't doing so you can learn as well. Great video though! I'll have to come up with my own list sooner or later :)

Well done video. Your audio quality has come along quite a ways, from your earlier vids.. And as a speaker, you are entertaining, and interesting. thanks for making enjoyable, and informative stuff.

This is awesome, I totally agree!! Can I add a few more?? #8 you spend all your money on buying souvenirs that are from China yet you don't want to spend a dime going on sites that are unique to that place and charge an entrance fee. #9 people who spend the entire time taking pictures and looking at their phones and don't spend even a second looking at the sites without camera lenses in front of their faces!

Well, the first tip applies only to those who can afford it. When you come from a country whose currency is weak, buying clothes abroad is out of the question.

Traveling and food are personal choices. I know that many people (including a number of friends and family members who travel with me) are always interested in trying local food offerings. For me food is down on the bottom of the list. This doesn't make me a bad traveler! As long as I can nourish myself without getting sick I really don't care what I eat. If I travel alone I will usually buy something at the local market and set up whatever kind of "pantry" is possible in my hotel. I keep it simple and within reason always with an eye for not making a mess or attracting critters or bugs. This is what works for me. If you have similar feelings about food don't feel bad for not always wanting to spend time, money and energy on something you are not really that interested in. When I travel with people I will try some of the local offerings but there are many times when I just can't eat the food and end up hungry, nauseated or even worse. Without going into my medical issues, I am much more satisfied and happy with simple, somewhat predictable meals. Everyone who travels has to prioritize what they want to experience. For me food is just a survival aspect.

Actually, I enjoy listening in on other people's conversation on the train. They tell each other the most amazing things when they are on the phone. Talking about prison, about their job, about their financial situation, about dreadful diseases. Better than TV ;-)

close your eyes and he turns into Jack Black

I just got back from a 10 day vacation from the UK and France. Thank you for these videos! I have been watching your videos for years!

totally enjoy your traveling tips videos!!! great work! thanks a lot 👍👍

These sings are sooo true!! Greetings from Finland!!! And seriously thank you for all your videos. They always inspire me to go see the world and enjoy. Just keep doing what you're doing and all good things for you and your family

Why do most of these apply to my mom

Just love your videos. I had already watched some when I went to Paris and now watching them again and some new ones. Thks

Great tips on traveling. When it comes to the shoes, I have slip on shoes so when I go through security check point it is easy for me to slip it off and back on after the screening and when on the plane.

Practical and useful tips from a seasoned traveller. Absolutely awesome channel.

#2 was a great load of advice. Unfortunately, last year I had plans for about 5 months to go to Seoul from Hanoi (I'm staying in Hanoi at the current moment) and a huge Middle Eastern disease outbreak occurred there so everything was getting shut down and Vietnamese locals were concerned I might not be able to get back into the country. When I switched it to Tokyo the day before I went, I did as much research on Tokyo as I could. Unfortunately, I forgot where my hostel was located so it took about 2 hours (with the help of the friendly Japanese) to find :P

Great video. I have trip overseas coming up and your tips are very helpful. One thing to add that I read in regards to luggage. Its better to ONLY pack a carryon bag for a trip. That way, you only pack the necessities, and no more than that. Hope this tip helps you and other fellow travelers out there. 😊

Thank you wolters for you info, great advices

I love your videos! I'm planning my first trip to Paris this fall and your videos have been so helpful. Thank you and be safe!

Great video, and all the others as well. Have taken on some of your tips and tricks for my next European Holiday later this year. Best wishes from Down Under (Australia, not Austria)

I haven't been out of the country for years (1989!), but it could happen! I will be ready, thanks to these videos.

French champagne ahahah ! Find me a champagne that comes from out of France and I will call you GOD .

Awesome tips, pal. I'm going to Europe in July and your channel is gonna help me a lot.

Excellent advice Mark, much appreciated !!!

only discovered these vids today and i love them already! I'm from the UK and always had the misconception of the 'loud, obnoxious American' but after a trip to New York i admit i was wrong, met some truly amazing people and can't wait to go back....but Italy is next on my list. Keep up with the great vids :)

Great video. So agree about the food. I love your food recommendations and excitement about travel food. My fav part of traveling

i don't travel much and i complain a lot about your videos. but i love watching them. i hope your fellow americans watch them more often before they come over.

Local food is awesome even in different parts of the united States. Don't go to the burger joint. I have lived in Michigan and Florida. Come to Florida have the catch of the day, have your avocado, your grapefruit or your Cuban sandwich. Go to Michigan go to a Coney island restaurant try some polish food in Hamtramick or Arabic in Dearborn.

The only exception to the 'don't wear lace up boots in the airport' is when you have heavy walking/hiking boots, like when i went to switzerland with my scouts. Its easier to wear them loosly laced/unlaced so you can slip them off than try and fit them in your luggage!

These tips are sensible and accurate. Thanks.

Love your videos, am well travelled but always find new and interesting things from your posts. Would love to see you come to Australia 😀

One thing I am still learning is not to get to museums too late. Many stop selling admission tickets an hour before they close. It is very frustrating to walk/negotiate public transport in a new city to get to a museum and then only be able to see the best works via postcards in the shop.

Thanks for great tips!

I don't think that there is such thing as bad traveler. There are travelers and tourists.

Love your videos!

I love your videos. I just been around Europe in an hour.

#8 You race from tourist spot to tourist spot to tourist spot. #9 You travel too much in a short amount of time. Example: 7 countries in 3 weeks. #10 You just stay in the city or only visit the the country's famous city. Example: Visiting France and just stay in Paris. Going to UK and just stay in London, Australia but just Sydney.

This is an excellent video with excellent advice! I feel the key is to learn about the culture in advance of the visit. I have been to many places from fancy restaurants in Paris to hanging around the Quechua Indians high in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia and to much of Asia. I have found the different foods to be interesting (not always good...but interesting...and many very good!) I was told to stay away from the Chinese Operas in Beijing, but I went anyway. Yes, it was painful to the ears, but I did experience it. As to packing clothes...there are laundromats. I did laundry at one in Copenhagen many decades ago!

Always pack light. I have exactly one dingy yet gigantic backpack I bought from Wal-Mart from like two decades ago filled with about a weeks worth of clothes and toiletries. The benefits of this is that I can hit the ground running. While all my relatives are wasting hours of their time with all their luggage, I'm already at the entrance to a museum.

Hey Mark, thanks for all your amazing job you do to help all kind of travellers especially families with kids, your videos are the best in terms of showing real travelling aspects, it's extremely helpful so keep going! Are you guys planning to go back to Asia to see for example Japan or any other Asian country? Cheers

2:20 I did so much research for my Paris trip, except the opening times of the Louvre until the day before we went there, I had no idea the Louvre had a closing day and guess who had planned on going there on a Tuesday... We had to change our plans last-minute and actually went to the Paris zoo, which we hadn't planned on. It had opened just a few months before we visited, after being closed for 6 years, and it was gorgeous! Most beautiful and modern zoo I've ever seen, but as far as I know, nearly the entire zoo was rebuilt in those 6 years.

Like your photos Rovinj, one of my favorite places...

Packing too much also puts you at risk of being hurt. The bag that you cannot put into the overhead compartment can fall onto you. Almost as bad, it can cause you to strain a muscle... and traveling with muscle pain isn't fun whether one is in Pittsburgh or Prague.

Man, you are great. I travel a lot myself and you talking the same things I think about travels. Keep up a god work. Wait your video about Russia, it must be great one.

I had an excellent pair of leather heeled ankle boots with a stable heel and rubbery tread that really let me love Lisbon! the right look for the nightlife, good hill walking, dog poop and rain survival for cool October weather ;)

Really loving your videos man, very well done and informative .. Sub'd

Mark- I was travelling with 6 other people to Istanbul, Turkey. They were extremely loud and I could see the looks of the Europeans were giving us. I could hear them think, "typical loud Americans!" I actually said something to the other six people I was with. This was my 2nd international trip. The response I got was "So we're American. We are PROUD of that. It's just who we are." I have American pride like anyone, but I also know to be sensative to the other countries culture. Another thing I tried to convey (IDK if you mentioned this in othet videos) is that in the airports thats its important to stay to the right. This allows people rushing to catch a connecting flight to move quickly. In the Amsterdam and Rome airport our group was all over. And again, I could felt the "European Stare." Loved my time in Germany! I also told everyone use the phrase, "This is different." Instead of the "That's so weird" or "bizarre." etc cuz to the place we are visiting it's normal or acceptable.

Another fantastic video Mark! Don't listen to all the haters and keep doing what you are doing because it's awesome!! BTW love the story about the drunk college girl and your wife, too funny! Haha

I wish that our families could hang out with each. You are soooooo awesome and fun! I enjoy watching your work.

#3 and #7 is mostly done by US tourists in the UK. You should also remind people not to try to imitate or mock the accents they will encounter. Just rude.

I take one pair of boots only when I travel and they are army style lace up boots. Most comfy boots I own they come everywhere with me.iv learnt to get them off and on very quickly. 😉 Xxx

Great tips!!!

oh man i like watching your video i learned a lot.. thank you i keep that in mind

An excellent video!

No.1 you never leave the city. Go out and go for a hike see the different plants and animals around the world.

You eat at Hard Rock when you get homesick. If there is one on our travels, we will go there at least once, including all three in Malta, Gran Canaria three times because the food & service were so good. Barcelona twice and we got the same server and San Fransisco twice just for their strawberry cheesecake that they served at the time. (It was the old HRC)

Not everyone wearing high heels n coblestone pavement is a tourists. Locals can usually get along on cobblestone in high heels quite well ;)

thanks for the suggestions the one rule I didn't know was the one about the water bottle.

As someone who is currently on vacation and visiting tourist locations my biggest advice would to be mindful of other people. Be respectful of the people around you and the rules. In the past few days ive had people knock into me, walk in front of photos, invade my personal space, disregard rules etc. It can be extremely frustrating. Please remember to bring your manners and be respectful to locals and the people running the attraction.

I was just in London. I flew back through Toronto. I knew I was among Americans when I was surrounded by kids who had just come back from a summer trip in Israel. It was such a contrast. I felt like I was home again...even though I was in Canada.

I really like all your videos..Thanks for making them

The packing too much was a huge one for some of the people in my group when we went to Rome - I had a simple backpack and a small-ish carry-on suitcase, and I left plenty of empty space in them so I never had to worry about keeping them neat, organized, and contained, while everyone else I was rooming with had their huge suitcases explode all over the floor. The research one really got my dad and sister on the one international trip we were all on several years back. The rest of my family (my sister and I are both adults) basically left me to do all the research about going to Turkey, and something happened to my dad and sister when we decided to split up - my mom and I together, and my sister and dad together - one day on our way walking back to our hotel that ended with my sister being scarred for life and never wanting to go even to Canada ever again, and it could have very easily been prevented if they had done just a bit of their own research instead of everyone relying on me (who was doing research on the side while trying to finish up a college semester). The worst one, though, I would have to say was when I was in Rome. We were in a basement room at a restaurant, and there was another American college group there with one or two of their professors (no relation to us, just happened to be another American college group). We were used to talking with an inside voice even when outside walking around, but the other American group talked so loud - during the entire time they were there - that the room was reverberating to the point that we couldn't even hear ourselves think, let alone what the person across from us was saying, and we could only hear the person next to us if they talked almost in our ear (we were not going to try to yell above the din because that would have only made it worse). That group was the subject of many sidelong glares and under-breath mutterings, and one of our leaders even talked to one of their professors about the noise, but that professor just had no control over his group's volume.

It amazes me how often I used to meet people (not so much in recent years) who had gone into a travel agency saying they wanted to go to the cool place for the year on vacation, and asked the agent to set it up for them. When I asked where that is, they had absolutely no idea, what to see or do there--nothing! By contrast, I do all the research, spending a year or more looking over the area in travel brochures (now on the Internet) so I wouldn't come home and have someone ask me how I liked their favorite place there--and I didn't even know about it.

Points spot on! Hope everyone enjoyed this tutorial and got a lot out of it! I know I did!

I LOVE that I discovered this channel. Planning on Ireland in March or April. I completely agree that the differences (food and other cultural things) are what makes the trip the best part. This will be the first time I have blood sausage. Which sounds gross. But I’m not going to Ireland and not having a full Irish breakfast no matter how funny it looks!!! Lol.

One time I traveled with a broken ankle having to wear that special boot. It was horrible. Good thing I had a doctor's note along to explain at TSA why I need that boot on. No, I couldn't just reschedule this trip because it was a special family get together. Gladly I didn't have to walk big distances because we were driven around by family members, but it was quite an ordeal going through TSA and sitting over 14 hours on the plane.

Omg that spaetzle dish looked heavenly...

you need to have your own show! this is way better than some of the stuff on travel channel! bon! ;)

If you do #3 stop traveling

Great video! So relatable, last summer in Switzerland I saw a lot of this from my fellow Americans

Great video!

Can't wait to get to your next year and do absolutely none of these you listed it.

you always mention this issue with the big boots at the security check... but i do this sometimes, cause i want to go hiking and i travel just with hand luggage and there´s no space left in my suitcase - just to give you an idea why some people do this :)

We spent a month in Kenya last year and on our way back we stopped for a day layover in Amsterdam. We were on an evening canal cruise (so awesome) and there was this American family on the other side of the boat. We could hear every word they said and especially after a month away from the States, it was really grating on us. It is probably my biggest pet peeve about my fellow US travelers. Oh and by the way, your wife has an awesome name. :)

Oh so true!! we have all seen these

4:10 - im a celiac, i cant just go around eating food i dont know, but... i wish i could, all the different foods seem so glorious.

Lots of good points there. Especially the one about packing too much. How often have you seen a woman struggling with her luggage as she's packed too much ?, then is looking around expecting someone to help her.

Mark: Here's a wonderful tip for traveling with luggage... I used to work at the California Mart (west coast wholesale fashion building)in downtown Los Angeles as a travel agent and would see out of my windowed office on the lobby level the different wholesale clothing representatives who would prior to a show in New York City or anywhere else they would ship their luggage a day or 2 prior to their flight at the Fed Ex office across our lobby and what is great about this is you don't go to the airport loaded. Just a very light tote bag with your essentials. When you arrive at your destination airport you go right to ground transportation without having to wait at the carousel for your luggage and when you get to your hotel (provided you had Fed Ex deliver to your hotel) all your luggage will be waiting for you. If you're going to multiple cities do the same here and if your hotel has laundry service it's wise to have the staff wash your stuff and all your stuff will be fresh and ready for your next city and have them do this while you are touring and pack your luggage that day before you leave your hotel and received your laundered clothes and call Fed Ex to pick up your luggage and deliver next day to your next hotel, etc. When you come back to the states (your home) your luggage will be waiting at your home (maybe have Fed Ex put your luggage in your backyard and allowing them access there). This tip is so you don't have to be lugging your luggage all around and when you are traveling by air/train you'll wont be bogged down with your luggage. Just make sure you left only the clothes you're going to wear that next day when you go to your next city and or home on the plane. Get a Fed Ex account and you can pay when you return to your home. This tip can make your traveling super convenient and easy. You can even bring an extra empty suitcase and delegate this for the weighty souvenirs and when you return home it would be waiting for you at your home as well.

Agree with all of them except the one about shoes and TSA... it takes 1-2 minutes to lace up boots... get to the airport on time and you shouldn’t have an issue. It creates more space in the suitcase and you can take them off on the plane and wear the slippers instead anyways. Also most countries don’t require shoes to be removed... so you’ll likely not even have to take them off.

Ummm, I might need 4 pairs of shoes! LOL We traveled to Germany and the Czech Republic and yes, I over packed. I brought my largest suitcase. (And when we got there, we discovered it was so casual and I didn't need half the stuff.) Lesson learned! We are planning a trip to the UK and maybe France. I swore to my husband I will use the medium suitcase this trip. I will try! :)

I think , these are trues thank you Mr wolter and your family

I hate people who never experiment the local lifestyle and stay in the hotel all day long except in the night where they go clubbing. I am literally going to be the only guy out of 120 people to visit the windmills in Mykonos -_-

The overfilled suitcase is by far the most common one I see. I have even been guilty of packing too much or buying too many souvenirs for the trip back home.

For the most part did a good job with research prior to my recent Europe trip. When I was in London I planned to see lots of things on a Tuesday. Turned out Westminster Abbey was closed. Whoops! Have to see it when I go back.

I love your videos - but in this one you say don't wear lots of layers going through check-in - in a different video you say to wear all your heavy clothes and lots of layers. I vote for the layers because you aren't made to strip, just remove and overcoat in most places. Thanks again, you do a great job! --MaryGo

the biggest problem I have with eating International Food is that I'm a vegetarian now you can generally find vegetarians almost anywhere you go but that's usually not part of a nation's cuisine. My French Professor is actually from the United Kingdom she's from Scotland, and she does speak fluent French and did live in France and when she told people that she was a vegetarian that she didn't eat meat they didn't get it they asked her if she was allergic to it. then again even here in America people apparently don't know that the word vegetarian doesn't mean vegan so who knows. But you're right it is important to eat the local food and that's even traveling within your own country. although I've lived in the southeastern United States for most of my life I never had grits until I was well into my teens and I love grits and I used to eat them all the time. likewise my mother has noticed that you can't find tenderloins at Dairy Queen like you could in the Midwest and parts of the upper South have them too or at least they used to I don't know that the deal anymore. Of course I'm not telling people to eat Dairy Queen on their vacation I'm just making an observation

In my experience the taking-shoes-off thing going through security is only in the US. Also, in the UK ppl party/drink/yell on the trains! Not locally like on the Tube in London, but longer distance, going from one city to another, I’ve seen it tons!

Good video. However, buying clothes can be a problem for some of us who have trouble finding things that fit. Also, some things I wouldn't mind trying (food) but others, no way...like the pig nerves or whatever yuck...but, I wouldn't make a big loud deal about it lol.

I have always wanted to visit Denmark but after watching the video where you talk about the killer bikes I'm too afraid to go there now! lol

I experienced #3 on my trip to Italy a few years ago. A few in our group complained several times about no salads with their Italian food. I kept wanting to say " This is one Olive Garden!!!"