tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post3319053215395301824..comments2023-07-19T04:05:34.796-04:00Comments on Of Cabbages and Kings: Quick-- Take Them To the Tower!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-28491607901802257672009-04-24T15:59:00.000-04:002009-04-24T15:59:00.000-04:00Babs- Ah, good to know I didn't poorly represent m...Babs- Ah, good to know I didn't poorly represent my country, then. :) It was just beautiful countryside, so marvelous to get to see things like hedgerows and thatched roofs, that we otherwise would not have gotten to see.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-40053769939777428312009-04-24T15:46:00.000-04:002009-04-24T15:46:00.000-04:00Now a little cottage with a thatched roof is cute ...Now a little cottage with a thatched roof is cute in anybody's book.Babs-beetlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10309239308633895951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-19561878998850038992009-04-23T15:06:00.000-04:002009-04-23T15:06:00.000-04:00Chyna- Ah, yes-- let's go pet a bear... very smart...Chyna- Ah, yes-- let's go pet a bear... very smart. Let's go dance with the buffalo (oh I'm sorry, that was wolves, wasn't it? Well, buffalo were in there somewhere.)<br /><br />Love the Japanese tourists meet the western-mountains-look story. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-5703322770318874702009-04-23T12:44:00.000-04:002009-04-23T12:44:00.000-04:00I live within an hour of any one of the entrances ...I live within an hour of any one of the entrances to Yellowstone and swear tourons multiply just seeing the signs directing them to any of those entrances. As a favor to the workers of Yellowstone I must stress, the buffalo and bears are not tame. Do NOT leave your car to go pet one (though that is a good way of thinning the herd as it were) and don't feed the bears! We have to live near that park and these animals that now think humans = dinner. <br /><br />One funny story I can relate happened to my hubby. He had a friend from Germany who wanted to go up the Beartooth Highway and had also wanted to come up to a mountainman rendezvous recreation with us too so after the visit to the rendezvous they went up to Vista Point. All was normal until they headed back to the car and came up over one fo the hills to a cluster of Japanese tourists. Imagine a 6'5" guy dressed in buckskins and calico, bushy beard and hair that can only be described as a bison top knot coming in from the "wilds" of the mountains. We figure he is very popular back in Japan with all the photos that were snapped.;)<br /><br />Oh and no the Indians and Cavalry quit declaring war on each other years ago, I never rode my horse to school (though we talked of doing it as a Senior prank a few times) and yes it does get cold here but it also gets hot. We do indeed have summers.chynanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-18703267281517080612009-04-22T14:27:00.000-04:002009-04-22T14:27:00.000-04:00Babs- Now THAT is funny. I hadn't realized the Pla...Babs- Now THAT is funny. I hadn't realized the Plaids were QUITE so much of a type as that. But apparently they were a part of a trend!<br /><br />I confess, I did comment on the cuteness of a thatched roof cottage or two on the way to Bath. But it was temporary Thatch Adoration Insanity, I assure you. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-13884664920714945062009-04-22T14:25:00.000-04:002009-04-22T14:25:00.000-04:00Living and working in London, many years ago, I me...Living and working in London, many years ago, I met many of the Plaid clan. They would loudly say things like "Oh we just looooove your sweet little country" and "This is soooo quaint" and "Oh, how cute" And guess what? They all wore plaid! Some wore yellow plaid. For years I thought all Americans were like that hahaha!Babs-beetlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10309239308633895951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-80084135333201788532009-04-22T13:32:00.000-04:002009-04-22T13:32:00.000-04:00Lisa- Hah, that Barbara Bush sighting is SUCH a li...Lisa- Hah, that Barbara Bush sighting is SUCH a little kid thing to do. I remember when we went to New York for a school trip and spent a lot of time around Central Park looking for the Ghostbusters building. We were just SURE we would see it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-61255160866397696812009-04-21T16:30:00.000-04:002009-04-21T16:30:00.000-04:00I have no funny tourist stories other than when my...I have no funny tourist stories other than when my sixth grade class went to Washington D.C. we were all wearing the ugliest neon green hats ever and people kept asking us where we were from, sure we were from a foreign country. We were from the middle of nowhere, but it was still in the US. We even thought we saw Barbara Bush outside the White House (several of us were convinced that the blob of white was her hair. It was probably a dog or something). Anyhoo...I have a post about that trip at www.boondockramblings.com/smalltowngirl/Lisa @ Boondock Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430994283914399581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-78933275114117432192009-04-21T14:52:00.001-04:002009-04-21T14:52:00.001-04:00Timethief- I can see where folks outside your area...Timethief- I can see where folks outside your area might be confused about the honor system pottery purchasing-- because that is really unusual. But the regaling you with stories of how a relative made an ashtray-- I can definitely relate to that...<br /><br />I think in almost any creative endeavor, there are those people who want to show they "get it" or are a part of it somehow, even if it's an apples-to-oranges scenario. Like you, as a writer, say you're writing a book. And the next thing ya know, the person you're talking to-- who doesn't write professionally or as a hobby-- tells you how they're going to write their autobiography someday. :)<br /><br />People are funny.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-32348111911806270582009-04-21T14:52:00.000-04:002009-04-21T14:52:00.000-04:00I'm with Feefifoto - I have a mother like that, wh...I'm with Feefifoto - I have a mother like that, who'd give Mr and Mrs Plaid a run for their money. She has the biggest heart in the world, but she talks. Non-stop. And often gets things wrong, bless her!Jayhttp://www.thedeppeffect.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-56727421644032998552009-04-21T14:25:00.000-04:002009-04-21T14:25:00.000-04:00I live in a targeted tourist trap and every year t...I live in a targeted tourist trap and every year they come in waves. Most are very nice people who are enjoying their vacations but some are ... erm ... a PITA. <br /><br />We have an outdoor honor system pottery sales booth - wrap your own pottery and leave the money in the lockbox. Granted most folks have never seen an honor system self service sales booth so we sometimes get tourists up at the house. <br /><br />The reason they seek us out isn't to press their money into our clay covered hands. They come to tell us that we are inviting theft. They come to tell us we should hire someone to man the outdoor booth but I'm sure they would balk if we did and increased the price of our products to reflect the employees' wage. <br /><br />They come to tell us they have a relative who once took a pottery course and made a nice ashtray. That's nice - we are professionals who have been making our living producing a full line of functional stoneware (complete dinnerware sets) for 30 years and they take pride in comparing our work to that of an amateur ashtray maker. <br /><br />They come to talk our ears off and complain that this remote place is not like the urban jungle they live in because there is no microwave tower. Yup this community voted "no thank you" to electronic invasion, big box stores and fast food outlets. And while they yammer on and on they take up valuable time that we could have made $100 worth of product in, and then they walk away with a $20 purchase. <br /><br />They had park in front of our sign that states. "This is a farm. All pets must be confined to your vehicle" and release their dogs from their cars. <br /><br />The worst of all tourists we ever experience are those who arrive in vehicles decorated with confederate flags. They always have dogs. They are always loud mouthed and critical. They always and ask if the hunting is good here despite the information printed on their ferry tickets and all tourist brochures to the contrary. In response I say: "It sure is so how fast can you run?" Unbelievably they don't get the joke - arggghhh!<br /><br />I think I'd best terminate this comment here before I get really worked up. lol :Dtimethiefhttp://onecoolsite.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-51073536971940656132009-04-21T06:08:00.000-04:002009-04-21T06:08:00.000-04:00Skye- "Do you use a dog sled?" Oh, fer pete's sake...Skye- "Do you use a dog sled?" Oh, fer pete's sake, they deserved what they got if they were going to ask you that.<br /><br />Feefifoto- Ah, so your mom goes a bit too far the other way, trying too hard to do the RIGHT thing and then failing badly. That is painful! Anything that doesn't draw more attention to yourself when traveling is good.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-1396253500250140142009-04-20T20:20:00.000-04:002009-04-20T20:20:00.000-04:00I hate to admit it, and I'll deny it if you ever b...I hate to admit it, and I'll deny it if you ever bring it up, but traveling with my mother is often along the same lines. I just don't think it's necessary for non-fluent Americans to strain for local pronunciation along the lines of "Barthelona" or "Van Gocchhhh." I try to keep my mouth shut in the hopes of being mistaken for a not American.feefifotohttp://blog.feefifoto.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-66187614938125658542009-04-20T18:58:00.000-04:002009-04-20T18:58:00.000-04:00Well Jenn, I have to admit, that while in New York...Well Jenn, I have to admit, that while in New York city as well as a few other places in the states, I enhanced the wrong way that Americans think of us Canadians. Everytime I'd have a conversation with someone, they'd ask questions about Canada, and, well, I would answer them incorrectly. One such question was "Do you use a dog sled?" and I'd answer "Only every time I need to go to the store or somewhere. Most of my friends live in igloo's very close to my own, so I just walk there."<br /><br />There were times when they'd ask how I liked the warm weather. Oh man, it was COLD, dreary, rainy weather, it wasn't even remotely warm! BUT they thought it was a warm day for spring, so I played with it. I'd play stupid and ask what this stuff was falling from the sky? I hadn't seen anything fall other than snow, this was strange and magical! You have to understand that it was about you have to understand that I had just left Manitoba with roughly 90 degree Ferenheit temps and it was currently 35-40 Ferenheit in New York, so you really have to forgive my playing to their ignorance.Skyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00198283033410908267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-25543043935444515332009-04-20T18:21:00.000-04:002009-04-20T18:21:00.000-04:00Bobbie- "touron" does have a terrific ring to it. ...Bobbie- "touron" does have a terrific ring to it. I'll be delighted to read your post when you've written it up.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-81708428146369785752009-04-20T17:32:00.000-04:002009-04-20T17:32:00.000-04:00As a person who has spent all but a few minutes of...As a person who has spent all but a few minutes of my adult life living in popular tourist destinations, I really can relate. We encounter people like those you describe with maddening frequency. One of my relatives invented a name for the species: tourist + moron = 'touron' - rather a gentle term for such nitwits, don't you think?<br /><br />Funny you should post this just now. I've been composing a piece about this topic (minus your humorous slant) in my head for some time. When I finally post it on my blog, I'll be sure to let you know. ;-}<br /><br />BobbieBNShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709074385552082635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-16053514534737154582009-04-20T16:21:00.000-04:002009-04-20T16:21:00.000-04:00Faith- Ah, so right now, someone is writing a blog...Faith- Ah, so right now, someone is writing a blog post about the gal who was totally trashed in St. Thomas, and threw up on their duty-free bottle of blue curacao? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-25746382425805292552009-04-20T14:52:00.000-04:002009-04-20T14:52:00.000-04:00Ashamed to admit the furthest I've ever been away....Ashamed to admit the furthest I've ever been away...St. Thomas/John and really I was smashed the entire trip besides the actual wedding to know if anyone else was annoying....oh wait I might have been the annoying tourist. I will go back to my corner now.Chaotically Calmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02076191018013608974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-2664855667857895592009-04-20T14:29:00.000-04:002009-04-20T14:29:00.000-04:00JD- Oh BOY, maybe you DID run into the Plaids! Tha...JD- Oh BOY, maybe you DID run into the Plaids! That's too funny.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-81552184559933671242009-04-20T14:23:00.000-04:002009-04-20T14:23:00.000-04:00HA! I'm pretty sure I ran into the Plaids on my wa...HA! I'm pretty sure I ran into the Plaids on my way up to the Eiffel Tower. Mrs. Plaid kept calling it the "Eiffer Towel."JD at I Do Thingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12637216169419014156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-47790059304122552382009-04-20T13:22:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:22:00.000-04:00Beth- Ah, you mischievous gal you! Good thing you ...Beth- Ah, you mischievous gal you! Good thing you didn't have to delve into Swedish further than "ja!" :) Or encounter a Swedish tourist. "So, what part of Sweden are you from?" "Er... ja!"<br /><br />FreetheUnicorns- Oh, I know. I kinda wanted to tackle her and stuff a handherchief in her mouth so she couldn't say anything else. And she'd sounded so... SURE... of herself, too. Like she was a big authority. <br /><br />Heck, she could have listened to a Pink Floyd or Roger Waters album to know England was involved in World War I and II. That was part of that whole pesky WORLD War thing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-75739112328659923722009-04-20T13:15:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:15:00.000-04:00That is quite frustrating, but I can't get past th...That is quite frustrating, but I can't get past the fact some idiot suggest England wasn't a major player in the war. I guess they've never heard of bomb raids or Winston Churchill or, God, I could go on for a while. What a moron.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-9354190439692752072009-04-20T13:05:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:05:00.000-04:00I grew up in a tourist country (Kenya). You don't ...I grew up in a tourist country (Kenya). You don't want to know the things we "American-Africans" would do to American tourists. Giving directions was always a riot. I should be ashamed at the number of people I led astray, but I am not. Of course, Americans never assumed I was an American. I was constantly asked by tourists from all countries, "Are you Swedish?" [I don't think I look particulary Swedish. Whatever.] Standard answer if asked by an American tourist. "Ja!" I would then pretend to not speak English.ourladybethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08003089621986303208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-39213446066719659232009-04-20T12:59:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:59:00.000-04:00ReformingGeek- Aw, heck, but you're a huge state--...ReformingGeek- Aw, heck, but you're a huge state-- everyone has to know you aren't all loud, bossy and think you know everything! :) I mean there's... er... Owen Wilson! Owen Wilson's a Texan! And he's kinda Zen. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10883854503294092142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173487087895437639.post-18730244607647123302009-04-20T12:52:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:52:00.000-04:00I've learned to talk low or keep my mouth shut as ...I've learned to talk low or keep my mouth shut as lots of folks don't like Texans. Apparently, they are loud, bossy, and know everything. Well....um..<br /><br />With my accent, there is no doubt as to where I'm from.ReformingGeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17990465686765948682noreply@blogger.com