Traveller Stereotypes
After a long hiatus from the blog, and 3 months away from home, it seems like an appropriate time to reflect upon the endlessly amusing travelling stereotypes that we encounter every day.
DISCLAIMER: This is intending entirely tongue in cheek and there are many, many exceptions to the following.
1. Nomadic Rasta
These matted-haired wanderers populate the pavements of every coastal settlement in South America. Lead by a higher purpose that amounts to selling handmade bracelets (Red, green and yellow in honour of Jamaica, of course) and weed to anyone who happens to walk by, the Nomadic Rasta is never alone. Only travelling in dreadlocked couples, often in bare feet and adorned in various baggy garments, it is essential that the female must always have half of her hair shaved off for maximum effect. Unfortunately, the Rasta´s futile attempt to distinguish themselves from other travellers has ironically backfired - they now have to compete with each other to sell their inauthentic crafts and ´herbs´. Long live Bob Marley etc. etc.
2. Aussies!
Wherever there is a hostel, there is an Australian. And wherever there is an Australian there will be a variety of the following: beer, vests (sorry, ´singlets´), casual racism, bleached hair, a multitude of tattoos, a hat of some sort (peak cap, straw cowboy etc.) and an argument about whether or not Vegemite is better than Marmite. Always found at their spiritual home: the bar, Aussies can always be counted on for a big night on the town. Some of the best people we have met are from Oz and they are almost always friendly, generous and down-to-earth. However, can you really ever trust anyone who calls a flip-flop a ´thong´?
3. Old Americans
Forever genuine, forever keen, forever annoying, forever cringeworthy. It really isn´t their fault...but they will forever be from the United States. Strictly restricted to the hot tourist destinations, the elder American is always sure to have a voice that registers several decibels above that of any other person in the room. Often ignorant of any local language / sensitivity, this character will often proceed to annoy pretty much everyone they come in the near vicinity with frequent exclamations of `Oh....My.....Gawwwwwd´. The shorts / high socks / trainer combination is also prominent. Saying all that, American enthusiasm and genuine enjoyment of new experiences is preferrable to the miserable criticism and sarcasm that is found all over England.
4. The Hostel Lurker
Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world (snow-capped mountains, vast lakes, dense jungles, mesmerising deserts and postcard beaches, to name but a few). what could be better than staying inside the four walls of a generic hostel for 24 hours a day!? The Lurker seems completely uninterested in seeing what a place has to offer but instead concerns him or herself with the quality of the hostel´s wifi connection, TV room and Western food menu.These dull characters can always be relied upon to party hard every night but will never be found out of bed before 5pm.
5. Post-uni lost soul (...the stereotype to which I conform)
University; over. Future career path; no idea. Unlike the Nomadic Rasta, the Post-Uni Lost Soul is keen to return to their own country after South America but lacks any certainty or knowledge of what to do on their return. On many occasions, these characters will often find themselves discussing their lack of career path / job prospects at length with others. After around an hour of such discussion, with head-in-hands and an air of desperation, this particular stereotype proceeds to the bar whereafter all worries disappear along with a bottle of rum.
Other notable mentions:
1. Canadians - chilled out, relaxed and cool (...unless you mistake them for Americans)
2. Germans - always kitted out for every eventuality with the best gear, always in control, always on time, always efficient, and in most cases, boring
3. Male Argentinians - very arrogant, much to the dislike of residents of other South American nations.
4. Israeli girls - a revelation - some of the most beautiful people Soph and I have ever seen. Our new favourite race.
Off to La Paz tomorrow, Hasta Luego Amigos!
DISCLAIMER: This is intending entirely tongue in cheek and there are many, many exceptions to the following.
1. Nomadic Rasta
These matted-haired wanderers populate the pavements of every coastal settlement in South America. Lead by a higher purpose that amounts to selling handmade bracelets (Red, green and yellow in honour of Jamaica, of course) and weed to anyone who happens to walk by, the Nomadic Rasta is never alone. Only travelling in dreadlocked couples, often in bare feet and adorned in various baggy garments, it is essential that the female must always have half of her hair shaved off for maximum effect. Unfortunately, the Rasta´s futile attempt to distinguish themselves from other travellers has ironically backfired - they now have to compete with each other to sell their inauthentic crafts and ´herbs´. Long live Bob Marley etc. etc.
2. Aussies!
Wherever there is a hostel, there is an Australian. And wherever there is an Australian there will be a variety of the following: beer, vests (sorry, ´singlets´), casual racism, bleached hair, a multitude of tattoos, a hat of some sort (peak cap, straw cowboy etc.) and an argument about whether or not Vegemite is better than Marmite. Always found at their spiritual home: the bar, Aussies can always be counted on for a big night on the town. Some of the best people we have met are from Oz and they are almost always friendly, generous and down-to-earth. However, can you really ever trust anyone who calls a flip-flop a ´thong´?
3. Old Americans
Forever genuine, forever keen, forever annoying, forever cringeworthy. It really isn´t their fault...but they will forever be from the United States. Strictly restricted to the hot tourist destinations, the elder American is always sure to have a voice that registers several decibels above that of any other person in the room. Often ignorant of any local language / sensitivity, this character will often proceed to annoy pretty much everyone they come in the near vicinity with frequent exclamations of `Oh....My.....Gawwwwwd´. The shorts / high socks / trainer combination is also prominent. Saying all that, American enthusiasm and genuine enjoyment of new experiences is preferrable to the miserable criticism and sarcasm that is found all over England.
4. The Hostel Lurker
Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world (snow-capped mountains, vast lakes, dense jungles, mesmerising deserts and postcard beaches, to name but a few). what could be better than staying inside the four walls of a generic hostel for 24 hours a day!? The Lurker seems completely uninterested in seeing what a place has to offer but instead concerns him or herself with the quality of the hostel´s wifi connection, TV room and Western food menu.These dull characters can always be relied upon to party hard every night but will never be found out of bed before 5pm.
5. Post-uni lost soul (...the stereotype to which I conform)
University; over. Future career path; no idea. Unlike the Nomadic Rasta, the Post-Uni Lost Soul is keen to return to their own country after South America but lacks any certainty or knowledge of what to do on their return. On many occasions, these characters will often find themselves discussing their lack of career path / job prospects at length with others. After around an hour of such discussion, with head-in-hands and an air of desperation, this particular stereotype proceeds to the bar whereafter all worries disappear along with a bottle of rum.
Other notable mentions:
1. Canadians - chilled out, relaxed and cool (...unless you mistake them for Americans)
2. Germans - always kitted out for every eventuality with the best gear, always in control, always on time, always efficient, and in most cases, boring
3. Male Argentinians - very arrogant, much to the dislike of residents of other South American nations.
4. Israeli girls - a revelation - some of the most beautiful people Soph and I have ever seen. Our new favourite race.
Off to La Paz tomorrow, Hasta Luego Amigos!
Absolutely Brilliant!
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