What do you say when people ask you to move so they can take a photo? Not because you're standing between them and the camera but because you're standing in a place they want to take a perfect shot for their socials?

[Wreckshaw]

I have never encountered this before but I had it several times today. I am on holiday and went to a very nice place for a day trip. I've been there before a few years ago and people didn't act like this then. Obviously people took photos - I take photos too. But this was different. There were small groups of two or three people in various places who were repeatedly posing, over a prolonged period, and repeatedly taking pictures - I assume for socials. When I was in the areas, they asked me to move "because it's a photo taking spot". One guy said I was "in the way" and I pointed out that I wasn't and he was perfectly free to take whatever photos he wanted just as I was free to go about my business. I was pretty taken aback to be honest and couldn't think of a better response. I'll probably just go for "fuck off, you're chatting shit" next time, but what do other people say when they encounter this vapid bullcrap?

I sat down on a bench outside the Taj Mahal and was instantly asked to move by a tour guide who wanted his group to pose for a photo there. I got up, but I wish I’d made him wait. I might never go there again and I wouldn’t have been unreasonable to enjoy the view for at least two minutes.

Had this in Athens in the Autumn. Was sitting in a bar with the most amazing view of the Acropolis. Note - we were sitting at a table, put there by the waiter, drinking. Had one couple literally standing on our shoulders, huffing and hinting about taking our seats. We ordered a 2nd drink - they were not happy. Did we give a stuff - no. Just enjoyed our drinks and the spectacular view. I too, am post menopause and have no fucks left to give.

Thinking about it also had huffing and puffing when visiting a museum ages ago, with a friend. We decided not to use the audio tour and were actively hustled out of the way by those using them. Until I though fuck it and stood firm. Huffs and puffs all ignored.

I say “No.”

I say no. It drives me crazy, the instagram entitlement.

Ah come on, if you’ve ever been to a popular scenic tourist spot (Oia, Godafoss, Moraine Lake etc), you must know that there are ‘photo-taking spots’. It’s bad manners to stand around in that exact spot while everyone’s queuing to take their photos. It’s also bad manners to take ages posing for loads of photos while other people are waiting but that’s a separate issue.

The other day I was in Tesco of all places and some teenage girls were making a video in there, I had to walk between the one filming and the one being filmed - I can't even remember what she was doing - to exit the shop. I was on my way to work and was in a hurry but then got paranoid I'd be in a tik tok video
Tbf they didn't say anything

I’m pretty sure you can edit randoms out your photos these days if you’re bothered about that 🤷‍♀️. Surely an instagrammer can do that?

We are on holiday at the moment. Yesterday we were in a place where there is a particular view that is apparently very popular to photograph. OK it is a certain tree. I had never heard of it before but we saw a few references to it so decided to go take a look and grab a photo as it is quite attractive.

When we got to the spot there were at least a dozen other people even though it was a rainy morning. Most people seemed to just want the tree itself. But of course there were a few who had to have selfies with the tree and spent ages doing various poses while everyone else waited in the rain for them to shift so they could photograph the tree without a grinning stranger in the way.

I’m in Athens right now and whilst I don’t think you’re entirely unreasonable, there’s a bit of give and take to be had. I don’t post to socials but I still don’t want people in my photos. I’ve found people to be fairly polite overall and I am very happy to move out of the way so that people can get their Insta photo - why be mean about it.

I refused. Granted where I was wasn't super-touristy, just one of many peaks in the Lake District, but I had JUST sat down on a little patch of grass having completed the climb and I didn't want to move.

Why would you not move for a minute and why do you assume it’s for ‘socials’. You’re attitude is way worse than the tourists

I would say no. They can wait.

It's not half as annoying as that novel of a thread title

Same here.

Having said that I sometimes move voluntarily if someone starts taking a photo because I don't want to be in the picture. If I'm sitting on a bench eating a sandwich or something I'd stay put.

I would say:
Ok great, well this spot is currently being used. The queue starts just there if you want to join it, to wait until this spot is free. [Whilst indicating where they should wait].

And, if they chatted back I’d say:
Look, you’re ruining my enjoyment of this spot. The longer you’re moaning about queuing, the longer I’ll be. Now let me enjoy his space in peace.

We went to Taormina Sicily last year on hols and the amount of times (in particular young) people asked us to move so they could have the spot to then spend ages posing and preening while their mate took several thousand shots so they could choose the best for their socials was unreal. I mean, they weren’t even appreciating what was in front of them 😳

Being British and a people pleaser I accommodated the first few times. After that I politely declined explaining we had only just sat here and were also enjoying the view.

I think this is more about those who see themselves as models and the location as their own personal backdrop for a photo shoot. I’ve seen someone try to clear a swimming pool on holiday for this exact reason. Needless to say I got straight in for a dip.
The issue is, these people don’t take one or two shots & go. They’re there for 15mins taking the same picture over and over.

To clarify we weren’t hogging a “picture spot” or in thw view of a monument. We were just the lucky buggers who found a pretty spot free while we sat and ate our snack/drank our water for like 5 minutes.

A guy told me to move when I was having my pic taken with the Beatles statue in Liverpool, I told him to wait his turn, he did.

This has happened to me. I was sitting down in a town square beside a fountain along with a few other people. Lots of people were taking photos. One couple walked up to take photos and asked all of us to move so they could take a photo. I said no and then no one else moved either. He moaned and said we were ruining his photo, blah blah. Cheeky entitled git.

I would just step aside. It’s really not that deep.

Reminds me of that old Boyfriends Of Instagram account that was just photos of long-suffering boyfriends perched in the most uncomfortable-looking positions up mountains, in city squares, in the sea etc etc taking photos of their posing girlfriends.

https://www.boredpanda.com/men-photoshoot-girlfriends-boyfriends-of-instagram/

It depends on the context. If you're sitting having a coffee in a lovely town square and someone asks you to move for their photo then that's a no. If you're standing in a vantage point known for its views just "going about your business" then you're being deliberately awkward and should move.

I have the opposite problem. Wherever I go people demand I get in the photo with them. Drape themselves all over me and everything. Just because I'm stunning doesn't mean I don't want to take a photo of my own before the sun goes down you know...

(I may be exaggerating slightly).

I think it depends.

If you're standing for a while taking in the view and they just want a quick shot without you in it, it's nice to oblige.

If they want to monopolise the area for 20 minutes while they do a photoshoot for Instagram, they need to fuck off and remember that they are not models and that local beauty spots are for everyone to enjoy, not just backdrops for their social media posts.