These are the ‘most cringe-worthy’ things tourists do across the world, according to locals

Locals reveal the worst things tourists do in their countries
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Since the introduction of social media – and most prominently Instagram – how we travel has changed.

While people still travel to experience a new culture, new people, new sights and new food – a big part of travelling is that coveted Instagram shot.

According to one Quora thread, this has caused an overcrowding problem in places like Banff National Park, Canada where tourists crowd around the banks of Lake Louise to take pictures of the striking turquoise water.

The Quora thread spawned when one user asked: “What are some of the most cringe-worth things that tourists do in your country?” And the locals didn’t hold back.

1. Banff National Park, Canada

Along with facing an overcrowding epidemic, one user said ‘Bear Jams’ are also a big problem.

They said: “There are normally a couple of these a day. And I get the excitement of seeing a bear. They are rare majestic creatures. But these jams are huge safety concerns. In their excitement people will run across the road not looking, park on corners where the speed limit is 70km/h. RVs will stop at the end of blind corner, half pulled over. Accidents are common.

“Much like Bear Jams people will stop illegally on roadways for pretty much anything that’s not a dog. Elk and Big Horn Sheep are incredibly common in the park. So common that locals and transients just stop noticing them, and consider them a nuisance.”

Autumn in Canada - in pictures

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2. Mosjøen, Norway

Håvard Holand of Mosjøen, Norway said tourists being picked up by rescue helicopters after attempting to take dangerous photos are cringe-worthy along with the locals being asked when the Northern Lights will be ‘turned on’.

3. Amalfi Coast, Italy

One user detailed how the Italian liqueur, Limoncello is often bought to tables during a meal for a diner to have a glass to try.

They continued: “While limoncello is very mild on the palate, and you may be left wondering if it contains alcohol at all, it is by no mean a ‘weak’ liqueur. Even if it doesn’t burn your throat, homemade limoncello can easily contain up to 40 per cent vol of alcohol - putting it almost on par with most gins and rums. Even milder, store-bought bottles will contain 25 per cent alcohol, which is no laughing matter.

“Many tourists - unashamedly abusing the host’s courtesy, as you’re not really supposed to help yourself to a second glass, leave alone a third, a fourth and a fifth - felt confident that they could empty the bottle with no consequence on their liver or their dignity. Oh, if I had ten cents for every time I saw a foreigner being proven wrong on that point…”

4. Iceland

One user said three things you do not need to do in Iceland are: defecate in nature when there are perfectly good toilets nearby, tip the wait staff and ignore warning signs when they are there for a reason.

5. Los Angeles, California

Tourist buses that take you to celeb’s homes are just a glorified form of stalking, said one user.

“Somehow, it’s become the norm for tourists (and maybe even some locals) to buy a map showing the street address of celebrity homes and how to get there. Just because somebody is famous doesn’t mean you have the right to stalk them. A little common decency would be appreciated.”

Holi Festival celebrations - in pictures

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6. India

While one user noted most travellers to India are respectful of the culture, one thing you should never do is “take pictures of the poor as if they are part of the local wildlife”.

7. Croatia

One user noted: “Many people wearing flip flops head to popular mountains and end up being rescued by the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service.”

8. Maldives

User Mohamed Allam Naeem said: “Walking around in bikinis or other revealing clothes in inhabited islands (as opposed to tourist resorts). Our religious and cultural principles don’t appreciate that.”

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands

A few things one user said you should never do in Amsterdam: urinate into canals (it does happen), take pictures in the Red Light District (very frowned upon) and walk on a cycling lane (bikes have the right of way in Amsterdam).

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