To ask which country you would not visit again and why?

[travelcat]

I love hearing about travel experiences and am interested in knowing about places you have visited that you wouldn't go back to.

AIBU to ask which country you'd avoid in the future and what specifically made your experience less enjoyable? Was it due to culture, safety, or something else?

I wouldn't go back to Korea, unless I had to for work or family. I've travelled extensively in Asia and just found Korea less likeable than many other countries, including my own (UK) - the weather, the food, the endless joy-crushing rules, the half-heartedness of everything, compared to the full-on weirdness of some of it. I travelled to Seoul and Busan and some stop-offs in between, so it's not like I didn't give it a good try. Just not for me.

As for the ME and Africa needing to sort out misogyny and rape culture, the governments have to reward the young men with something, so they allow them to have unfetted access to and power over women
This is spot on @Ponoka7 absolutely spot on😐
Women are deployed as a kind of buffer to absorb the anger and frustrations of men.

Qatar is a strict country all right, I lived and worked there for three and a half years employed in a government operated organisation. It was not a nice or easy place to work, ridiculous long hours, and the clients were rude and aggressive. I got burned out and frazzled and just before leaving, de-mob happy and feeling carefree, told a (European) client where to go in a way that's rude but not illegal in the UK. Think "you and your boss can get stuffed" but with stronger language. His boss was a high-level Qatari.

I was arrested, detained, released on bail with no conditions thanks to the intervention of my boss, another well-connected Qatari, got the hell out of there. If I ever go back, there's a prison sentence and huge fine waiting for me. That strictness can cut both ways.

I love New York but from October to March you need to pack as if you're going mountaineering. Abandon all thoughts of swanning around like Carrie Bradshaw, and think layers, insulation, and thick soled shoes to shield your toes from the pavement.

If all else fails there's a Uniqlo on 5th Avenue which I'm sure makes most of its profit from tourists dashing in to buy extra emergency thermals.

Egypt - specifically Sharm El Sheik, awful place, insect bites, then D&V that lasted for 3 months.

When did you go to Riga? I was there last summer and found it beautiful. Was very pleasantly surprised. Spectacular Art Nouveau buildings, a river running through the city with a park that runs its full length, a market hall made of WWI Zeppelin hangars...

@armadillio It was hot and humid when I was there so I was never cold but there seemed to be cockroaches everywhere. Mostly unpleasant people too, even in the hotel. Surly restaurant staff, miserable shop staff, snotty staff in the famous big stores. I had been warned about rude New Yorkers but I didn't realise they'd be so unfriendly. It's like they were doing us a big favour.
We were supposed to be in a 4* star hotel but I think Butlins would be better! Nice to see the obvious sights but I wouldn't return. Boston I loved- completely different in my experience.

England. The countryside is quite pretty and the historical sites are interesting. But it's just so grey and grimy and the people are miserable.

Just remember thinking in Egypt I’ve paid my hard earned money to visit this country and get abuse for daring to walk down the street (modestly dressed made no difference). Fuck that.

Try Dordogne, Provence or the French Alps and you might enjoy it more

It is expensive though

Yes, we found the same. The lowest point was when we went to a museum and the staff member told people queuing to ‘get the fuck back!’ To people just trying to follow their queuing lines!

We went in April so had a few sunny days but it was just cold and miserable at some of the sights.

@InWalksBarberalla

England. The countryside is quite pretty and the historical sites are interesting. But it's just so grey and grimy and the people are miserable.

We like to be miserable - particularly about the weather. It's a cultural thing. At least you won't get stoned here for not wearing a head-covering if you're a woman, and our laws advocate fairness, gender equality and respect in line with human rights legislation. But each to their own.

Boston I loved- completely different in my experience

That's because everything is better in Boston. Yes I just finished reading 'It ends with us'. If you know you know

Could someone do the counting per country please? 😂

I guess Tunisia, Dubai, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey are at the top?

My aunt and uncle went to Istanbul, both in their early 50s, my aunt is blonde. She was spat at 3 times for ignoring men who catcalled her. She was told by a sympathetic local it was because she was blonde, therefore in their mind, "easy". Charming eh?

Dubai. So artifical. Too hot. I hated everything about it.

Cyprus, Belgium, Prague - I enjoyed them but saw enough of them and would rather go to other places.

Tbh there aren't many places I've been to before that I'd return to over other new places. I'd like to go back to Egypt, Turkey, Oman, Italy and South Africa though.

I absolutely loved Turkey. But I'm brunette so maybe that repelled the men! Didn't receive any harassment there or Egypt.

I am Indian and got dreadfully harassed (groped, catcalled, followed) in Istanbul so, no, they don’t just target blondes. Turkey is probably the only country I would not go back to (and only one where I cut the trip short).

Have been to Wales once but don’t really wish to return, it holds no attraction for me. The food and weather are blergh and there is better scenery elsewhere.

The one about Scotland is priceless- how dare we mangle HER language 🤣

I was just saying it is beautiful. Plus all the complaints about it were, a dog owner, soup and Welsh people speaking Welsh from what I can see. I mean I am biased being Welsh and living here all my life, but still.

I must disagree on Russia. I never met such friendly people, they seemed delighted to break out the sausage and vodka and be hospitable! China is probably a culture shock, I did feel a bit surprised at behaviour there. Still met some lovely people, particularly from the older generation.

Some PPs encountered racism due to skin colour, obviously not applicable to every Welsh person but that was a big reason mentioned.

Saw this too. Also old ladies with very young men.

Got shut in a van too, thought it was a makeshift shop with loads of towels etc hanging but no it was a van. You can’t go out without an escort really or you get hassled.

Tunisia, Turkey, Dubai, Egypt just get shouted at, groped, or touched. It’s fine if you are with a man, but the minute you are alone you are pounced on.