5.21.2009

Sibling Rivalry: Tourism

So Chris and I decided that although not siblings, it's high-time we do a Sibling Rivalry point/counterpoint post. Figuring out what topic to argue wasn't too hard as there are two things Chris and I will never see eye-to-eye on:

1.) Bee Movie. I loved it and thought it was heart-warming; he hated it and thought it was stupid. Does this have something to do with the fact that I have a soul and Chris does not? Probably. Is this topic interesting enough to blog about? Probably not.

2.) Tourism. More specifically, tourists and taking part in touristy activities. I'm very pro; Chris is very con. It's a sore subject in our friendship. I'd be lying if I said I've never thrown a temper tantrum in the middle of the National Mall because Chris wouldn't stop texting and acting above my monument tour. Jackass.

So it is with my fanny pack strapped tight and a map at the ready that I present to you the 2birds1blog Point/Counterpoint Battle on Tourism!

PRO: MEG
God I love tourist shit. Give me a guided tour or give me death. If there is a tourist trap within 10-paces; I'm there. Posing for a picture. And buying a t-shirt. And squishing a souvenir penny (yes I do very seriously have a souvenir squished penny collection—WHAT OF IT?!)

Double decker tour buses? Been there. Group photo in a giant wooden clog in Amsterdam? Done that. I have more photographs of myself giving the shocker in front of national landmarks than I do with my own parents. Why? Because it's stupid fun. And sometimes in life, we need to stop worrying what other people think about us and have some stupid fun.

That's the beauty of being a tourist—people already judge and think less of you, so you might as well throw your inhibitions to the wind and have some fun with it. It's liberating! You're never going to see these people again, so put on that sombrero, give two thumbs up and take a picture with the mariachi band! Sure, the natives think you look like a total jackass, but fuck them. In my opinion there's nothing worse than surly natives. Oh, I'm so terribly sorry that I'm interested in learning more about your city and it's history and culture! How terribly rude of me! And excuse the hell out of me for stimulating your economy with my hard-earned dollars! Gosh, I'm tacky! ...Please. Get on top.

It's important to recognize that tourists come in two distinctly different varieties: Responsible Tourists and Obnoxious Tourists. Obnoxious Tourists give us Responsible Tourists a bad rap. They're loud, poorly dressed, perpetually confused, inconsiderate and just plain ignorant. And I hate 'em just like you do. Do I have oddly specific fantasies about ripping the hearts out tourists who don't move to the center of the aisle when boarding a metro? Of course I do! But these people should not represent tourists as a whole, nor should they cock-block you from taking part in fun touristy activities yourself. Why let one bad apple spoil the whole barrel? It's like assuming that every German person is a Nazi and refusing to go to Germany because it's a Nazi country. Yeah, Nazis suck, but how completely unfair is it to assume that every person in Germany is a Nazi? Come on Bube, it's not 1942 anymore. Let yourself enjoy some schnitzel.

Take this guy for example:
Photobucket
I saw this guy wandering around MoMA last year and thought he would make a great That's a lot of Look segment. But when I sat down to write it, I couldn't really fault him. So what he's wearing hiking boots and ankle socks at a museum and there are more cocktails on his shirt than in my stomach on any given Saturday night? He's not bothering anyone! He's just trying to absorb some culture and check out some art! That's something I can jive with! Plus, his ass looks kind of cute in those frayed little cargo shorts. Shame on me for being so snarky and elitist! I hope he had a fabulous day.

Good people make good tourists and bad people make bad tourists. You can't blame tourism as a whole for the assholes you run into on a daily basis. Because they're not tourists
they're just assholes on vacation.

CON: CHRIS
Living first in Boston and now in New York, I'm accustomed to tourists being all up in my bidness on a day to day basis. But just because I'm accustomed to it, doesn't mean I'm ok with it. Let's get one thing straight: I hate tourists. If you visit me in the city, I will gladly take you to a bar and get crunked or we can go for a walk in the park. But I'll be damned if I take you on a double decker bus to see the sights.

Not like I haven't done my share of touristy things. I manned up and went to Ellis Island a few weekends ago. (Stood in line for an hour just to get tickets while hordes of Asian children played tag around my legs. Was in the foreground of literally hundreds of pictures of the NYC skyline, as I had primo real estate for picture taking. Got muscled out of my standing position by some foreigners oversized backpack. You see where I'm coming from..) It's not that I don't like tourism, because generally some of the tourist sights are pretty cool. If I didn't have to suffer through being crammed on a ferry with a billion people yammering in not-English, snapping pictures of literally everything that stood still long enough I probably would have enjoyed Ellis Island alot more. What I don't like are the tourists.

People say New Yorkers are unfriendly. I'd venture that tourists are equally as unfriendly, unless they need something, like directions. If they are armed with their oversized map of the NYC subway system, they could give two shits less about how much of your personal space they are occupying with their fanny pack, because they are on a schedule and they can't be late to ride horses in the park because that would cut into the amount of time they have to take pictures with the living statues before seeing Shrek the Musical on Broadway. God forbid you miss lunch at the diner Seinfeld ate at.

Why do you think there are places that are called "tourist traps"? Because tourists are ignorant. If you put a statue in a heavily trafficked area anywhere in the world, tourists are going to take pictures of it. It could be of Britney Spears giving birth on a bearskin rug, and sure enough, someone if going to put their kids on its back to snap a photo. And why do you always have to take pictures across a crowded sidewalk?! It's not my fault if I don't see you taking a picture, because I'm too busy trying to avoid the Fleece Vests, and I just assumed that sidewalks were for walking.

The last time Meg was in the city, we went to Coney Island, which is also heavily touristed. And while waiting in line at the Cyclone, the girl in front of me asks me "You from America?" Um...yes, I replied. And she's all like "What part?" I took a look at myself: flip flops, black shorts, polo shirt, sunglasses. Pretty standard hot weather attire. Is it wrong that I was offended she assumed I'm a tourist? Here's my question to 75% of the tourists I see out and about: If you wouldn't wear socks with sandals, a fisherman's hat, sunglasses with a neon strap so they don't get lost, two fanny packs, and a giant camera carrying case around the town where you live, why would you wear that shit when you are visiting somewhere else? Unless that's your signature look. But if it is your signature look, it is a look that says "Please mug me." Another tourist phenomenon: wearing matching clothes. Why?! WHY! The other day, I was the incredible pleasure (read: misfortune) of walking through Times Square. I had a train to catch at Penn in 15 minutes, so I'm bobbing and weaving like Evander Holyfield (is that an entirely outdated sports reference? You know I don't know these things) until I come across a family of four, all large an in charge with asses that rappers would swoon over. All. wearing. pink. polos. And moving at the speed of molasses, which is probably the last thing that crammed in their gullet before heading to NYC.

One of the first times I visited Meg in D.C., we did the tourist thing jetting around the National Mall, seeing the museums and monuments and what have you, which I was heavily not into. And in a fit of rage, Meg took my shoulders and told me to man up and let her take pictures of me in front of the Capitol building. I did, begrudgingly, but our yelling match, from afar, looked like a heart-to-heart, and a large Indian family reunion now thinks Meg and I are engaged. That's what tourism is people. False perceptions. Now I've got to go pick a tuxedo for the wedding.

54 comments:

Caitlin said...

I probably act like a tourist more than I care to admit when I'm out of town, but I choose to blame it on my photography obsession. I just need to have artsy photos of every moment, though I will NEVER wear a fanny pack.

Now speaking of fanny packs, I just read an article on The Daily Green: "That Tourist in the Hawaiian Shirt and Fanny Pack is Packing Heat!
Strange politics: To pass the credit card reform bill, Congress may allow loaded, concealed weapons in national parks."

So now not only are they untrendy, if you insult the fanny pack, they could blow you away.

Annie said...

i lived in NYC for a while and learned to HATE tourists...especially the ones in times square BUT now that i no longer live there, they’re not so bad and meggles definitely has a point...it's the jackass ones that ruin it for the rest of us. so..sorry chris but TEAM MEG

2b1b: The sardonic voice of 20-somethings everywhere, Monday through Friday. said...

Yessssssss! I want Dr. Dre to write a song about a Beretta in a fanny pack. Then my life would come full circle.

Erin said...

I think Meg got it totally right. I look at tourists the same way I look at high schoolers on prom night, "aww, you look so stupid, are going to do things you regret and you ARE ADORABLE!" Nothing is cuter than a family of tourists frantically grabbing for poles in the metro after it moves and they lose their balance.

Monica said...

i think it depends on the city. i NYC: i HATE tourists. when i lived in new orleans, however, they didn't bother me so much. i think it's because there's a lot more space in NOLA.

that's my two cents.

Grant said...

I actually think DC tourists are worse than New york tourists just because of the Metro escalator factor. I used to get off the red line at Union Station for my job, which meant that every morning I would have to deal with fanny-packed mouth breathers who can't move their asses on the left of the escalators.

In nyc I mostly stay in Brooklyn and the village and don't have to deal with them, so whatever.

KTR said...

i have to say if there was actually a statue of britney spears giving birth on a bearskin rug, i may make a pretty lengthy trip to see it

2b1b: The sardonic voice of 20-somethings everywhere, Monday through Friday. said...

Yea...I gotta agree with you there.

Julia said...

I am a long, strong member of Team Meg on...ALMOST...every occasion. I'm sorry. Tourists are just the fucking worst. And they're almost all idiots. Apparently, smart people don't take vacations, at least to DC or Boston or NYC - places I've spent lots of time. Probably because they have jobs that work them so hard that they don't get vacations. cough. But I digress. Tourists are awful.

Please still love me.

Riley said...

I think to fully create a rivalry of opinion you have to differentiate the act of "touring" from the qualities of someone visiting a foreign city, the qualities of a "tourist."

Chris hates the qualities of people visiting NY (Some of these frustrations may just be about qualities in people more than qualities in "tourists"). Although it is easy to apply extra frustration to situations when you perceive someone as an outsider and not understanding or appreciating the "common" respects and customs of locals. Take localism in surfing for example. It doesn't take a tourist to piss of some local surfers, only an outsider.

Meg on the other hand likes touring cultural attractions. She likes to appreciate culture that is not necessarily her own, and she like to do it in public places. These two preferences cannot be directly compared.

But all that said, tourism is going to be around forever and unless you want to build a tepee in the Canadian hills and start hunting for your food, you better get with the program.

Your blog rocks.

Megs said...

As someone who works in Soho (aka New York's outside pretend upscale shopping mall), I am definitely siding with Chris on this one. Tourists will make anything an attraction (read: people take pictures in front of the small Levi store on Broadway- awesome memories! of mass produced denim!) thereby making everywhere a traffic jam of fan packs and camera cases. Goddamnit people! Sometimes a girl is just trying to walk at a moderate pace back to her soul crushing job!

2b1b: The sardonic voice of 20-somethings everywhere, Monday through Friday. said...

Ugh. I still love you Julia. I guess.

Alexi said...

Personal Favorite: The tourist wearing a souvenir tee...while still in said destination. I work in San Francisco (at a travel planning website, fancy that) and the number of people wearing "Property of Alacatraz" hoodies and Haight & Ashbury tie-dyes in this city is appalling.

2b1b: The sardonic voice of 20-somethings everywhere, Monday through Friday. said...

True or false: I have a "How to escape from Alcatraz" t-shirt?

...True.

Laurie said...

I grew up in Aruba (think tropical island - major tourist spot) and now live in Florida, about an hour from every major theme park, so I have to say that I definitely am on the side of hating tourists with a passion. But when it comes to traveling anywhere else? Yeah, I'm the one who takes a million pics, buys the postcards, shotglasses, and wants to see everything! But hey I look awesome doing it.

Christine said...

Chris, where did you live in Boston?

I've been living in the North End for two years and can't deal with the tourists. My apartment is right on Hanover, on the freedom trail, so getting in my front door is a total nightmare when we have summertime street festivals, what-say, once a week? Also, Haymarket smells like shit on the weekends.

My only real consolation is that I have a sweet ass balcony on which I like to sit and mock tourists from above haha. Thank god for simple pleasures...

2b1b: The sardonic voice of 20-somethings everywhere, Monday through Friday. said...

It's irritating me that your question is still lingering, so I'll answer for Chris.

Chris went to Boston College and lived in Brookline. He is also originally from Weymouth, MA, home of Abigail Adams and the guy the movie Blow is based on.

I also know his social security number and blood type. Now back to painting his portrait out of my own blood.

Unknown said...

i went to BC and lived in brookline. cool.

2b1b: The sardonic voice of 20-somethings everywhere, Monday through Friday. said...

GO EAGLES!

Julia said...

My little Jew heart of stone hurts a little.

Christine said...

Haha, thanks for answering. I work in Brookline...good times.

ashzilla said...

haha, you guys are great. I live in Florida, and am a native. My family can be traced back here for over 200 years, and believe me, thats rare for this state anymore. I agree with both of you in certain ways.

Now, for the most part, I also canNOT stand tourists. ESPECIALLY CANADIANS. Fuck you people, go home! Although I will give them this, they have discovered a type of vehicle other than a minivan in the last few years.

At the same time, I know Florida would be poor as all hell if it were not for tourists. AND, I will admit, my best friend Rachel and I, when we get particularly stressed or even just for shits and giggles, love to go out to the biggest tourist spots within fifteen minutes and act like tourists. We absolutely refuse to dress like them though. There is no place for that. So every once in a great while we escape and play the, "Yeah, we're from Indiana role" to swindle the dumbass guys working the local shops into giving us discounts. Its fun, its different, and dammit there are milkshakes. Other than that, tourists suck.

Anonymous said...

celebrex 200mg capsules what is equalivent cheap generic overnight Aldactone does cymbalta cause bad dreams children's motrin disease ifit weight loss level 1 buy Estrace overnight shipping propecia brand 5mg cheap Evecare online prescription effect of hyaluronic acid on medication does lithium carbonate affect iron levels synthroid generic world wide sales Inderal overnight long term prednisone use nurses ViagRX online without prescription abilify and lamictal Epivir buyonline clomid and des daughters clindaymycin cleocin strattera making me short tempered Neurontin usa clozaril cares uterous lining estrace buy micardis tazorak differin

celebrex buy cheap [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/587313/]mail order Zantac online in Thornton[/url] weight gain amaryl [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/buyAldactoneonline/index/]cheap generic overnight Aldactone[/url] digoxin tablet thickness [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/buyLariamonline/index/]Lariam kaufen rezeptfrei[/url] what does viagra pills look like [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/577619/]online Keftab india[/url] kids celexa dosage [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/586593/]online Fluoxetine pharmacy[/url] antidepressent closest to paxil [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/584070/]buy generic online Beconase AQ[/url] paxil depression medicine [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/buyAntabuseonline/index/]Antabuse for sale[/url] weight loss motivation tools [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/589586/]online Benicar forums in Boston[/url] comparison health insurance plans oregon [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/575041/]cheap generic overnight Cymbalta[/url] what is tetracycline hydrochloride used for [url=http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/576891/]where can i purchase Horny Goat Weed online[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://sildenafilonlinepharm.net#order-sildenafil buy sildenafil online [url=http://sildenafilonlinepharm.net#order-sildenafil]buy sildenafil[/url] can you buy viagra on internet

Anonymous said...

cash in just twenty four hrs of diligence, in due course there are no limitations on handling connected with this particular type of consumer dependability, unlucky creditors can most [url=http://paydayloansukin.co.uk#payday-loans-online]payday loan[/url] continue the loans will cost you a kismet of money in time. Be true only to bum the reduced amount that you choice desideratum to go by you out of your financial problem. be enduring such font of vigorish regulations like payay loans in Maryland extra the payday loans in Kentucky. Due to the particulars a credit provider can provide monetary loans to almost any U.S, dwelling, they have to desired the intoxicated rates of good and pull down [url=http://instantpaydayloanson.co.uk#31242]payday loans[/url] When to Take

Anonymous said...

[url=http://viagrafrancepharma.net#70448]acheter en ligne france[/url] %ti6406 , [url=http://cheapcialisastra.net#generic-cialis]generic cialis[/url] &kp1247 ~

Anonymous said...

[url=http://maxpaydayloan.org#payday-loan]payday loans[/url] coming up to remedy divers borrowers in US. Getting loans is something that the whole world feels the necessary to do every some time ago in a while. When things are costing so much these days,

Anonymous said...

[url=http://cheapcialisastra.net#42587]cheap cialis astra[/url] @ji5975 *

Anonymous said...

[url=http://viagrafrancepharma.net#viagra-france]viagra prix[/url] #kq2649 , [url=http://cheapcialisastra.net#91125]cialis[/url] ^ll4683 %

Anonymous said...

[url=http://viagrafrancepharma.net#27254]viagra naturel[/url] %vp5598 * [url=http://cheapcialisastra.net#cheap-cialis]cheapest cialis[/url] !dv8585 ^

Anonymous said...

п»ї[url=http://viagrafrancepharma.net#viagra-france]viagra france ordonnance[/url] #iw1756 #

Anonymous said...

[url=http://cheapcialisastra.net#sxfm]cialis 20mg prices[/url] #ty6096 ~ [url=http://cashadvancemin.net#yygu]cash advance payday loans[/url] ~zc1690 ,

Anonymous said...

[url=http://cheapcialisastra.net#cialis]cialis from canada[/url] ^vn4099 @

Anonymous said...

[url=http://oncashadvance.net#fa6471]OnCashAdvance.net[/url] #dh2753, [url=http://onfastloans.net#payday-loans]payday loan[/url] ^un6904& [url=http://viagrauk24h.co.uk#viagra-sale]viagra uk[/url] *dv4724~

Anonymous said...

[url=http://bcialison.net#cheap-cialis]B Cialis On[/url] &jq7753@ [url=http://viagrauk24h.co.uk#viagra-uk]viagra online[/url] $gf4107* [url=http://bclomidon.net#wmbi]cheap clomid without prescription[/url] %rr9046&

Anonymous said...

п»ї[url=http://paydayvima.co.uk#payday-uk]PaydayVima[/url] %bh9623! [url=http://viagrauk24h.co.uk#viagra]viagra[/url] ~yq7405& [url=http://onfastloans.net#xmca]payday loans usa[/url] #jj7662%

Anonymous said...

[url=http://doxycyclinedox.net]DoxycyclineDox[/url] #es5185% order doxycycline diet pills

Anonymous said...

[url=http://oncashadvance.net#zh1660]cash advance support[/url] !rl4163! [url=http://onfastloans.net#at904]online fast loans[/url] *gl7523% [url=http://bclomidon.net#clomid]Newest Clomid[/url] &fw7505@

Anonymous said...

http://paydayorg.co.uk Being foolish change advance, inseparable has to make use of the money and requite allowance within 24 hours. There is no proviso of using the lolly as per your fiscal needs. Depending upon

Anonymous said...

[url=http://viagraorg.co.uk]viagra in UK[/url] %hv520~ viagra online

Anonymous said...

Is There Anything Else To Be Hep Of? http://cheapcialison.net Viagra

Anonymous said...

[url=http://onlinepaydayloanverti.net]payday loan[/url] @vl686% paydayloansverti.net

Anonymous said...

[url=http://buycialispremiumpharmacy.com/#qxtiv]buy cialis online[/url] - buy cheap cialis , http://buycialispremiumpharmacy.com/#zvimd generic cialis

Anonymous said...

[url=http://buyviagrapremiumpharmacy.com/#ukhbf]buy viagra[/url] - buy cheap viagra , http://buyviagrapremiumpharmacy.com/#upgxu buy viagra

Anonymous said...

[url=http://viagraboutiqueone.com/#dwrlf]cheap viagra[/url] - buy viagra , http://viagraboutiqueone.com/#uuuft viagra 100 mg

Anonymous said...

[url=http://buyonlineaccutanenow.com/#zddwv]cheap accutane[/url] - accutane 30 mg , http://buyonlineaccutanenow.com/#upbws order accutane

Anonymous said...

purchase ativan lorazepam online purchase - ativan for nausea

John said...

gucci borse
mont blanc pens
ghd
insanity workout
fitflop uk
toms shoes
ray bans
nike air force 1
replica watches
oakley sunglases cheap
canada goose outlet
ghd hair straighteners
coach factory outlet
gucci shoes
kate spade outlet
cheap uggs boots
instyler max
adidas shoes uk
ugg boots clearance
nike trainers
air max 90
ugg boots
coach outlet online
timberland boots
air jordans
burberry outlet
cheap oakleys
tory burch outlet
air force 1
sac longchamp
pandora
2015912yuanyuan

Unknown said...

ugg boots, http://www.uggbootscheap.eu.com/
ed hardy clothing, http://www.edhardy.us.com/
louis vuitton outlet, http://www.louisvuittonoutletstore.name/
coach outlet, http://www.coachoutletstores.com.co/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us.com/
ralph lauren uk, http://www.ralphlaurenoutletuk.org.uk/
nike trainers, http://www.niketrainers.me.uk/
coach outlet, http://www.coachoutletus.us/
hogan, http://www.scarpehogan-outlet.it/
swarovski jewelry, http://www.swarovski.in.net/
tiffany jewellery, http://www.tiffanyjewelleryoutlets.co.uk/
cheap ugg boots, http://www.cheapuggboots.net.co/
hermes bags, http://www.hermesbags.co.uk/
cheap mlb jerseys, http://www.cheapmlbjerseys.us.com/
cheap nhl jerseys, http://www.nhljerseys.us.com/
michael kors outlet, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinestores.us.com/
swarovski uk, http://www.swarovskioutlet.org.uk/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglasseswholesale.in.net/
oakley sunglasses wholesale, http://www.oakleysunglasseswholesale.us.com/
mcm outlet, http://www.mcm.in.net/
wedding dresses, http://www.weddingdressesoutlet.co.uk/
christian louboutin online, http://www.christianlouboutinonline.us.com/
ugg outlet, http://www.uggsoutlet.us.org/
christian louboutin uk, http://www.christianlouboutinoutlet.org.uk/
kobe bryant shoes, http://www.kobebryantshoes.in.net/
2015918caihuali

obiherbal said...

By the way, Thank you for sharing with us, and we sincerely hope you will continue to update or post other articles.
pengobatan untuk sembuhkan rosacea

Cara Mengobati Mata Merah Berlendir said...


Continue to Perbiki his blog to get a good blog !!

Pengobatan Penyakit Sinusitis
Pengobatan Varises dengan Bahan Alami
Obat Radang Dinding Rahim
Obat Penyakit Miom dan Kista
Obat Penyakit Sembelit
Cara Mengobati Penyakit Kencing Nanah

Obat Penghancur KIsta Ovarium said...


Thank you for sharing an interesting and very useful article. And let me share an article about health here I believe this is useful. Thank you :)

Cara Mengobati Kencing Nanah (Gonore) dengan Daun Sirih
Obat Polip Telinga Alami Tanpa Operasi
Obat Nyeri Tumit Tradisional

yanmaneee said...

yeezy boost
yeezys
kenzo clothing
supreme clothing
curry shoes
kyrie shoes
golden goose outlet
birkin bag
pandora jewelry
curry 7 shoes

Unknown said...

q3s09c1m24 w1v64a2t21 x5a73h0o17 c7o71g0k42 s2q21b4m74 p5o29c5c96

 
Clicky Web Analytics