AIBU to be frustrated at this trend of turning nice places into queues?

[Emori]

I've noticed this phenomenon across Europe, specifically in Italy, Spain and Greece in the past year where I've been somewhere on a day out, tourist attractions so obviously always going to be busy with lots of people taking photos etc, now there's an additional queuing etiquette which is something else. It's like there are certain points within the attraction where people get fucked off with you just walking around like a normal person and instead expect you to stand in a line to take a photograph. Even though there's no official signs to such effect. I find it really spoils my enjoyment, appreciation and concentration. Am I alone in this?

I was just going to say that I enjoy my own home more and more as I’ve gotten older. I’ve curated my own little piece of heaven and the best part is that it is only for me. But I did mention earlier that I don’t live in the UK and my view is quite insta worthy. 😂

I realise you’re deliberately phrased that to be contrary and provocative.

But surely you realise the issue is that those “random cunts” have just as much right to occupy the space, particularly when we’re talking about bridges and public squares where people are going about their lives.

If the “self selected decent people” want a pretty photoshoot without the “twats” living their lives, they need to find a different way to do it.

Erm they can totally wait until everyone is gone, take a photo with me in it or dont waste their time taking millions of pictures no one needs.

I hardly ever take pictures on holidays, maybe 5-10 in a week, I prefer enjoying myself instead.

Africa isn’t immune from entitled tourists. Anyone see this?

https://www.instagram.com/share/BACnlVDRhw

The issue these days is that some people don't just go to an attraction and walk around, read the info and soak up the atmosphere. They photograph or video every.last.fecking.thing and want to create the perfect shot with no thought for anyone else there at the same time. Luckily, ime, those people are still in the minority.

My friend went on a day-trip to La Graciosa from Lanzarote. She posted photos on Facebook, raving about this beautiful, unspoilt, car-free island.

A year later, I was planning a holiday to Lanzarote and mentioned La Graciosa to her. She told me not to bother going as it was dirty, there was nothing to do, and it wasn't worth the cost of the ferry!

What are all these travel posts and photos good for, other than trying to persuade everyone that you're living a great life?

I thought this was going to be a rant about how it all started in 2020, when queueing was re-invented, with markers on the floor, masks, and sinister looking masked staff pointing a gun (temperature checker) to your head. I remember a post "AIBU not to bring children into a world of queues and masks"?

But yes: see the Harry Potter shop at Kings Cross, with its permanent queue for the "Platform 9 3/4". When visiting cities, I often make a point of not visiting the really big and famous places, such as the Sistine Chapel, or Anne Frank's house, because of the inevitable queueing.

My favorite queue in Europe story is of an American girl standing behind me in Paris very loudly telling her friend that American Express cards were strictly for American citizens….

As someone who lives near the Abbey Road zebra crossing, I couldn’t agree more.

God, that's awful 😱 The animals must've been terrified.

As Oscar Wilde said, we always kill the thing we love (or similar!).

Oh my god yes, we were in Athens this summer and everywhere we went were moronic Americans video calling……at top volume of course. Even in nice restaurants, and completely oblivious to everyone around staring and shaking their heads. My family has lived in Rome for 30 years, the city is unbearable these days because of tourists and their behaviour. Everything is now behind glass and bars to protect ancient artifacts that have been untouched for millennia being damaged by disgusting people who can’t look at anything without also touching and breaking it. It’s honestly depressing

Oh , God, this X a million. They need to live their actual lives and buy a ruddy postcard.

Talking of seeing everything through a lens…the banks of mobile phones that go up at school performances…awful for other audience members and horrible for the kids who look out, not on to a sea of proud, smiling faces, but at a barrage of little screens, with parents glued to them, not their children.

Crazy people.

There’s a foot bridge across a busy road in Rome which has a great view of the Colosseum. Last time I was there, there were people constantly taking photos.

You sound rude and lacking manners. Sadly like more and more people who couldn't care less about respecting others.

Find new places where there are't queues of tourists.

I didn't open that one in case it was animal cruelty... like that stupid bint picking up the baby koala... 🤬😡😤 Animals are not your prop, people! The world is not your personal stage!

In days of film cameras it was sort of etiquette to wait while someone got their expensive to develop etc shot, now everyone has a digital camera/phone its on them to wait and find a quiet break to take their multiple shots. I don't let these people ruin my enjoyment of being somewhere in the moment, whilst they focus on getting snaps for their socials. Just act as if they aren't there.

I stopped giving a fuck about ruining other people's photos 30 years ago when I lived in a national monument. Just getting from the front door out to the street , usually a few minutes' walk, was a nightmare with all the tourists. If I had waited for all the pictures to be taken, it would have taken three times as long. That was back when film was expensive.

The idea that we have to consider other people's photos as more precious than our own needs is ridiculous. Particularly when most images will never be looked at again. The photo takers should consider other people's experience as well as their own.

I am with the OP.

I cannot tell you how much I’d love to use the phrase “my family has lived in Rome for 30 years”. I actually made my heart clench. “My family has lived in Dudley for 30 years” most certainly doesn’t have the same effect.

I 100% agree with you. People are just not civilised any more.

@JamDisaster as someone whose husband has to go to Abbey Rd a fair bit ( studio) his favourite bit is hearing tourists say - ‘who the fuck is that’ about him-when taking bloody photos!! He feels your pain!!

I am just back from Bruges so this thread is speaking to me.

Already exists, @influencersinthewild

Obviously am dying to know which national monument. Hoping for 10 Downing Street or the Tower of London. Or the Great Pyramid.

Not that it affected others I guess but Dd went to Sri Lanka a bit ago. I told her not to hang out the train for the infamous “hanging out a moving train carriage in Sri Lanka” shots and of course she did. Someone died the following week doing it! Bonkers. But hey, her insta looks great 😁