HOLIDAY BUGBEARS
Venice is one of my favourite destinations on the
planet, so I read with interest last week that the authorities in this beautiful
city are considering a ban on noisy suitcases on wheels.
The local council in Venice is considering introducing a ban on certain types of wheeled suitcases. They cite concerns about "growing noise pollution", caused by tourists using wheeled luggage, as well as local businesses wheeling goods around on trolleys. The noise from wheeled suitcases created "serious discomfort" for locals it was stated, as well as causing the "progressive deterioration" of old paving slabs, marble steps and foot bridges. I must also say that they are a major trip hazard to locals and other tourists trying to get around the city.
The reaction, so far, has not been entirely supportive - perhaps not a big surprise in a city without roads where visitors need to rely on walking or water taxis. "Is that true? That's crazy," a French tourist reportedly told an Italian newspaper. Another visitor wheeling a suitcase along the banks of the Grand Canal called it “a pretty stupid idea."
So are the Venetian city officials aiming their anger in the wrong direction? Wheeled suitcases are only one source of complaint amongst a range of other common travel bugbears? Which of the following would you most like to restrict or even ban?
1. Reclining seats
I blogged about my experience of this unsocialable habit on 5th June 2013 (see: http://therealfoodinspector.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/dump-reclining-seats.html) and by the number of readers, I can honestly say that few issues stir up flyers more. To recline or not to recline. Earlier this year, there were two instances in quick succession of planes being diverted after the use of (illegal) anti-reclining devices and the arguments that ensued. Is this an issue you feel most strongly about?
2. Hotel Wi-Fi charges
In this day and technological age? Really?
3. Wheeled suitcases
Venice is perhaps a special case, but the issue of wheeled suitcases is a wider travel bugbear for me. It’s not so much the suitcases themselves, but the manner in which they are handled, pushed, pulled and generally put in your way. Why take up space for one person, when you can double your width and take the space for two?
4. Children on planes
An emotive one and not one that bothers me much, though I haven’t flown long-haul lately.
The prospect of child-free flights stirs up strong feelings. In the past, Daily Telegraph readers have shown they are strongly in favour of child-free flights. But that would risk alienating a significant chunk of the travelling population. Zones have now been introduced by some airlines, with some success. But how much would you like to see the same policy introduced on all airlines you fly with?
5. Reserving sunloungers with towels
I won’t delve into the usual national stereotyping when it comes to sunloungers because these days all nationalties are up to it. I went to a hotel once in Turkey wher the manager employed staff to remove towels left on unattended sunbeds for more than one hour. Removed towels were piled-up in heaps near the bar area for owners to find. But to what extent would sun-seekers like to avoid the traditional morning rush to bag the right vantage point?
6. Fast food on trains
You’re on the Paris Metro, and the familiar aroma of Le Big Mac comes wafting down from the other end of the carriage. Or what about the guy I saw on a London to Manchester Inter-city train order a pizza over the phone en-route, that was delivered from the platform when the train pulled into Coventry. Room 101, or not?
7. Removing shoes on planes
You may be on a long-haul flight, where comfort is hard to come by. But do you really need to expose your malodorous feet to the rest of the cabin? Inconsiderate travelling or a natural thing to do?
8. Topless men (away from beaches)?
There’s just no need, some argue – citing Britons as particularly bad offenders. Just because the mercury shows more than 20’C doesn’t mean we need to see your moobs at the local ice cream parlour.
9. Selfies - anywhere.
From the Eiffel Tower to the most remote corners of the world, people feel obliged to whip out their smartphones and record the moment. And now there’s the rise of the “selfie stick”? Where will this madness end, some ask.
The local council in Venice is considering introducing a ban on certain types of wheeled suitcases. They cite concerns about "growing noise pollution", caused by tourists using wheeled luggage, as well as local businesses wheeling goods around on trolleys. The noise from wheeled suitcases created "serious discomfort" for locals it was stated, as well as causing the "progressive deterioration" of old paving slabs, marble steps and foot bridges. I must also say that they are a major trip hazard to locals and other tourists trying to get around the city.
The reaction, so far, has not been entirely supportive - perhaps not a big surprise in a city without roads where visitors need to rely on walking or water taxis. "Is that true? That's crazy," a French tourist reportedly told an Italian newspaper. Another visitor wheeling a suitcase along the banks of the Grand Canal called it “a pretty stupid idea."
So are the Venetian city officials aiming their anger in the wrong direction? Wheeled suitcases are only one source of complaint amongst a range of other common travel bugbears? Which of the following would you most like to restrict or even ban?
1. Reclining seats
I blogged about my experience of this unsocialable habit on 5th June 2013 (see: http://therealfoodinspector.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/dump-reclining-seats.html) and by the number of readers, I can honestly say that few issues stir up flyers more. To recline or not to recline. Earlier this year, there were two instances in quick succession of planes being diverted after the use of (illegal) anti-reclining devices and the arguments that ensued. Is this an issue you feel most strongly about?
2. Hotel Wi-Fi charges
In this day and technological age? Really?
3. Wheeled suitcases
Venice is perhaps a special case, but the issue of wheeled suitcases is a wider travel bugbear for me. It’s not so much the suitcases themselves, but the manner in which they are handled, pushed, pulled and generally put in your way. Why take up space for one person, when you can double your width and take the space for two?
4. Children on planes
An emotive one and not one that bothers me much, though I haven’t flown long-haul lately.
The prospect of child-free flights stirs up strong feelings. In the past, Daily Telegraph readers have shown they are strongly in favour of child-free flights. But that would risk alienating a significant chunk of the travelling population. Zones have now been introduced by some airlines, with some success. But how much would you like to see the same policy introduced on all airlines you fly with?
5. Reserving sunloungers with towels
I won’t delve into the usual national stereotyping when it comes to sunloungers because these days all nationalties are up to it. I went to a hotel once in Turkey wher the manager employed staff to remove towels left on unattended sunbeds for more than one hour. Removed towels were piled-up in heaps near the bar area for owners to find. But to what extent would sun-seekers like to avoid the traditional morning rush to bag the right vantage point?
6. Fast food on trains
You’re on the Paris Metro, and the familiar aroma of Le Big Mac comes wafting down from the other end of the carriage. Or what about the guy I saw on a London to Manchester Inter-city train order a pizza over the phone en-route, that was delivered from the platform when the train pulled into Coventry. Room 101, or not?
7. Removing shoes on planes
You may be on a long-haul flight, where comfort is hard to come by. But do you really need to expose your malodorous feet to the rest of the cabin? Inconsiderate travelling or a natural thing to do?
8. Topless men (away from beaches)?
There’s just no need, some argue – citing Britons as particularly bad offenders. Just because the mercury shows more than 20’C doesn’t mean we need to see your moobs at the local ice cream parlour.
9. Selfies - anywhere.
From the Eiffel Tower to the most remote corners of the world, people feel obliged to whip out their smartphones and record the moment. And now there’s the rise of the “selfie stick”? Where will this madness end, some ask.
Comments
Post a Comment