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Tour guide traits to avoid
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We were inspired by Austin-Lehman Adventures' list of 20 traits to look for in a tour guide (pretty obvious: able to deal with the unexpected; a positive attitude that brings folks out of their shells; passionate and knowledgeable). But what about the things NOT to look for in a tour guide - the traits that might drive you to the brink and have you vowing never to leave your quiet, pristine condo again? Here are a few we came up with:- Substance abuse problems: While your first night might seem fun, what with your tour guide all over the karaoke and buying rounds for everyone, by the eighth night it's a little old. You can count on bleary eyes and Bloody Marys at breakfast, if he or she makes it.
- Poor bathing habits: Do you really want to follow along in a cloud of body odor and last night's booze seeping from your guide's pores?
- Someone who carries a map and/or a guidebook.
- A know-it-all who knows nothing (see above) - who wants to listen to a condescending jerk make stuff up?
- The cheerfulness and smarmy-ness of a cruise director: you're on a cycling tour of Vietnam, for goodness' sake - who wants to be woken early in the morning by the type of person who is likely to croon, 'All-righty, folks! It's gonna be a great one!"
- A guide who offers that you "work out the fee later." Um, no. Work out the fee now.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bruce Bowe May 21st 2009 4:41PM
A tour guide that takes you to his "favorite" retail establishments. He never tells you about the kickbacks he gets or that you can get the same stuff anywhere for cheaper. This mostly seems to happen on 1/2 day bus tours.
McCool May 21st 2009 8:02PM
Belligerent, offensive, rude.
Brenda May 21st 2009 11:37PM
WOW - that was a fast turnaround! love the list! :)
Sean McLachlan May 23rd 2009 3:22PM
When I read the bit about a tour guide carrying a guidebook I thought, "Nah, nobody could be that clueless." But then today I was going into the Bodleian Library here in Oxford and I saw a guy telling his tour all about the historic architecture of the library, by reading out of an architectural guide to Oxford! Those people should get their money back.