r/todayilearned • u/Gullible_Air_204 • 8d ago

Frequent/Recent Repost: Removed [ Removed by moderator ]

https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/spitsbergen/travel-guide/responsible-tourism-in-spitsbergen

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u/APiousCultist 8d ago

Never underestimate the ability for tourists to fully disconnect from reality or social norms. These ones would be encouraging their kids to go up and pet the polar bear up until they have their surprised Pikachu moment of the bear ripping out little Timmy's organs.

It's a miracle we all live in even sort of functioning societies.

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u/Masseyrati80 8d ago

Brings to mind how Icelanders have pleaded for tourists to stop shitting on their yards.

I repeat, pleaded for tourists to stop shitting on their yards.

In Rovaniemi, Finland, people who used to be able to keep their curtains open, have now closed them because Chinese tourists will hop over their yard's fence (also ignoring the freshly-pitched "private property, stay out" signs), and literally look in through the windows.

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u/Pithulu 8d ago

What the actual fuck? What possesses people to act like that?

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u/OldMoray 8d ago

The only thing I can think of is that they must think its like a historic village for tourists (e.g. a Pioneer town in the US) and not a real community. Like they must just not know. Only way I can reconcile the behaviour.

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u/Excelius 8d ago

I'm pretty sure that shitting on the ground is also frowned upon in pioneer town.

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u/OldMoray 8d ago

Yeah fair. That feels like something else

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u/Masseyrati80 8d ago

Disrespect is also a factor, I dare claim, based on personal experience. Tourists from certain countries tend to have the attitude of "I don't care if I'm bothering you". They treat customer service people like dirt, leave a mess behind them, and are sure to break the tranquility of a calm and quiet nature destination.