Sometimes those experiences you will never forget aren’t thanks to stunning foliage or getting to see a historic monument firsthand…
During my trips and treks, I have been vomited on, slept on and talked at for 4 hours and drenched in coffee, all at the hands of fellow travelers.
There are many other tourist tales of woe out there, but proper etiquette can go a long way to saving a vacation.
–Planes–
1. Don’t fall asleep in the aisle seat with your tray down. We are all already trapped in close quarters. Don’t make fellow passengers have an internal debate about waking you up or trying to stow your tray and sneak by you while you sleep.
2. Don’t drone on endlessly, well, about anything. Being polite and saying hello is fine, but I (and other passengers) probably don’t want to hear about your experience at the breakfast buffet in your hotel that morning for 4 hours.
3. We all get the same amount of seat space. So, reading your giant paper or taking up the armrest for the entire flight while your bag takes up my legroom will earn you an awkward moment where I demand my personal space be returned. Be conscious of where your bags and limbs are. If an encroachment becomes too much to handle, discreetly notify the flight attendant. They may be able to move you, but if it’s a packed flight, be prepared to endure it.
4. Keep your eyes on your own paper. Don’t lean over to investigate what I looking at on my iPad or try and read the paper over my shoulder.
–Trains–
1. Realize that this is not the time for personal grooming. I don’t know why, but in my experience, people tend to use the ride to catch up on nail filing, toenail trimming and nasal cleanings. You are sharing the air and space here. Save that thorough booger-mining for the bathroom at home.
2. Trains typically have seats that face each other. If the train is filling up, be prepared to scoot over or tuck your bags. As much as complete strangers want to straddle your bag or knock knees with you, be considerate of space.
–Automobiles–
1. If your taxi driver is better suited for stunt driving or a race track, do speak up. Calmly tell him or her you’d feel much better if they slowed down. DON’T refuse to pay the fare. If you are that uncomfortable, have your driver pull over at a safe area that has other taxi options.
2. If you are driving, remember the left lane is the fast lane. Use it to pass, but don’t set your cruise control and ride with a trail of other drivers behind you. If you are flying by everyone, slow down if not for safety reasons, realize those drivers might know something you don’t – like speed-traps or cops favorite spots.
3. Going on a road-trip with other people? Shell out some cash for gas money. Even if you are just tagging along and their trip was going to happen with or without you.
–Hotels–
1. Don’t confront noisy fellow hotel guests yourself. It can turn into a very ugly situation. Instead, call the front desk so security can be play mediator.
2. Do question your hotel bill. If something doesn’t seem right, point it out while noting that you are a loyalty program member or by stating you didn’t use the gym and feel you shouldn’t have to pay the undisclosed fee.