I flew to Chicago earlier this week. Every time I fly, I think I’ve seen it all…but no. Let’s take a look back at the best (and by best, I really mean worst) sightings while traveling…I haven’t had a good rant/ramble for quite a while.

5. The Wannabe Tigger

On our way to Jamaica, I think, I dissolved into bits of hysterically inappropriate laughter when I observed the shoes of the woman who sat in front of me. Worse, it was one of those exit seats where there wasn’t a seat in front of me, so not only did I see them, I stared at them the entire flight. I may have also tried to snap a photo until my husband told me to stop giggling. These shoes, folks, these shoes… they had 3 inch SPRINGS on the heels. And they were attached to like the Nike scrappy sandals from the 1990’s. I’m bounce bounce bouncing like a Tiggggerrrrr!

4. The Pirate

We weren’t in Pittsburgh, either. I think it was Charlotte, but we came across a woman that was full on dressed as a pirate. She had the pirate hat with skull and crossbones, an eye patch, and raggedy-looking clothing that would have made a true pirate (well, at least those of the 1800’s) proud. The thing was, those accidental looking holes in her skirt and shirt were a little too well manicured, and she carried a very nice purse, too.  Did she lose a bet after a round of tequila shots at a bachelorette party? I’ll never know. Maybe I’m just jealous cause I always wanted to be a pirate (the old-type pirate, not the new Somali-type pirates, just for clarification).

3. The Germaphobe

Since I’m a germaphobe to some extent, one of my favorite people of all time was a woman who so carefully put on rubber gloves to touch the TSA bins to go through security (probably not a bad idea, in general, though I don’t do it). She snaps one on before she grabs a bin, then carefully places each item she owns (e.g., her laptop) into the bin with the other hand. She then puts on the second glove before grabbing the bin with both hands and placing it on to the belt. Before you think, “well, maybe she has a medical condition”… after clearing the body scanner, she goes and picks up her bin, puts all her belongings back inside (both gloves still on), then blows her nose and continues wiping her face with her gloved hands.

2. The Michelin Man?

Was he traveling without a suitcase? I’ll never know. But what I do know is that he had at least 4 pairs of pants on. Tights, long-johns, jeans, windpants. In that order. Plus at least 6 shirts. He peeled off a few layers while on board (a bit stuffy for such aggressive layering, I presume), and you could readily see the other layers bunched up uncomfortably below. Perhaps the real question should be… did he steal a suitcase? It was just utterly a bizarre sight, and I can’t believe he didn’t notice everyone staring at him.

1. The Family of Fakers

This one legitimately pisses me off (ps…hey MS edge: I’m giving you a shot, don’t mess it up by correcting my inappropriate language to something appropriate 6 times before you accept that I actually want to say pissed). We saw a family who got a wheel chair at National (DCA) with the sole purpose of making it through a hellacious security line that day. At first, there was a older man in the chair. Fine, not suspicious at all. Suddenly, we look over and there was a 6 year old. Then the 10 year old sister. Then a full on PUBLIC CONVO about using the wheelchair to get through security and an argument over who should be in the wheelchair at the TSA checkpoint.

What have you seen while flying?

I’m totally fine if people have no interest in my travels–I get it, it’s not for everyone.  And honestly, I really try to not talk about my trips unless specifically asked.  I’m more than happy to answer questions, but I don’t just spew information like a volcano.

But what about people who ask about where you are going next, or where you have been, and then crap all over it? Now that, that gets to me.  I mean, what’s the point?  I’m going to continue traveling, so you telling me that everyone in that part of the world is rude or chauvinistic (or uneducated or whatever) really doesn’t accomplish anything. In fact, it makes me want to try to prove you wrong even more than before.

In the past five years, I’ve had some experiences with people that have left me in stunned silence. Sure, sometimes it’s just a “I can’t believe you want to go there, what a waste of money” or a “You’re too young to understand the world so you don’t know what you’re seeing.” Those are annoying, but manageable comments.  I let those roll off my back (with some obvious grumbling/cursing).

But there has also been way, way worse. Disparaging comments about developing countries and how the people there must not like to work? Check. Judgment on how my traveling to Egypt shows I don’t support the United States or the soldiers? Check.  Telling me I’m wasting my time flying 14 hours because the place is dirty and disgusting and they don’t eat normal food? Check.

My typical responses:

–I’m sorry you feel that way.
-That’s an offensive statement.
-I/We are very excited to see a new place and culture.
-That’s simply not the case.
-I try not to stereotype or generalize about people/places before I visit.
-It’s important to me/us to have new experiences.

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t: I don’t want to validate their feelings/beliefs by sitting silently, yet I also don’t want to argue with them as I don’t feel as if I will ever change or impact their perceptions of “the world”. Debating with most of these people is totallyfreakingpointless.  I’m too young, too sheltered, too “unworldly” to understand what they are talking about (rolling eyes here).

Maybe I’m being too sensitive (likely), maybe they are completely out of bounds (also likely), and maybe I don’t let things go quickly enough (proven). And I’ve honestly tried to avoid these people and these conversations as much as possible–I’d much rather associate with people who like to travel or at least can feign a polite interest and ask me how my trip was. Nearly everyone is like this. But there are the awful apples, and avoiding them is not always possible.

Have you had people say something inappropriate/offensive about the places you are going or have been?  What do you do/how do you respond?