How Not to be an ASS on Vacation

We travel for a lot of reasons, one of which is to ‘get away from it all’. But, manners? Do we get away from those, too?

In French and Spanish there is a word for ‘badly raised’. It is a little harsher than ‘badly raised’ and also insults the people that educated you. So, please, follow these guidelines to avoid being ‘maleducado’.

Here’s our guide on how not to be an #AssOnVacation

1) Don’t Save Seats.

Remember elementary school? You weren’t allowed to do it there, either.

If you’re going to the pool before breakfast to leave one flip flop on a lounger and then heading to the beach to save another, just don’t.

The hotels do not stock double the chairs in every location for cases like this, so just remember that you are not the only person in the hotel.

2) Don’t Litter

If you have things to put in the garbage, please do so.

If you have used towels by the pool at the end of the day, and they have an area where you can drop them off, why not?

Seriously, I understand that you are on ‘vacation’ but do your part, please. This includes sticking cigarette butts in the sand. The beach is NOT an ashtray.

3) Remember that the people serving you are PEOPLE

That guy or girl bringing you your drink will probably work 9 hours today for less than you make in an hour. Say Please and Thank you. Look them in the eye. Reward good service.

If you can, try to have a conversation with the locals you come into contact with. You will learn a helluva lot more about the culture and the country that you are travelling to then by sitting by the pool bar.

If you are travelling to another country, things WILL be different. It may knock you out of your comfort zone. The staff and people you come in contact with will likely have learned YOUR language in order to accommodate you.

Please be respectful.  Why not try to learn the basics? A genuine ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ go a long way even with a funny accent.

4) Don’t Waste Food

For the most part, at the all-inclusive resorts, they will bring you as much and drink as you want, when you want. Don’t waste food.

The amount of half eaten plates, half-finished drinks and just general wastefulness is insane. Did your momma not tell you about the “kids in Africa”? Take what you want to consume and no more. You can go back as many times as you want.

Plus, in our case, in Playa del Carmen, we are located in what is considered a poor country. How can you leave a plate of food that would feed your server’s family?

And parents, not only do you need to set the example here, talk to your kids about this and educate them.

5) Spend Wisely

Please think twice before encouraging the merchants trying to sell items that have been removed from nature (star fish, coral etc.) or endangered animals. Also, the “cute” animals you are enticed to take pictures with at your hotel are in captivity and often kept in dire situations.

You are here on vacation because it is a beautiful area with many natural wonders. Your purchase will dictate demand and either encourage respect for animals and our environment or not. Don’t forget your conscious while on vacation. Choose wisely.

Hopefully, this list will help you and the people around you on your next vacation.

Have any rants about an #AssOnVacation? Share below!

Want to tag someone with an #AssOnVacation hashtag? Please go ahead!

You can even post it on our Instagram 🙂 Cheaper than therapy!