Locals squirt tourists w/ water guns: Barcelona mass tourism protests

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Modern day tourism is awful. You just have mass hordes flocking to a place for selfie photos because they saw nice pictures online. They often partake very little in the local culture, learn absolutely zero at museums because all they're doing the whole time is taking selfies, and world sites are treated like playgrounds for millions.

So when others go, they are philistines, but when YOU go, with your camera-less learned academic endeavors and erudite strolling encyclopedia you are a vast improvement to the cityscape?

Got it.

NP. You refuse to believe those who experienced past tourism and can compare it to the current overcrowded situation.

Go now if you want with little Timmy, but we just feel sorry that you are experiencing these places in such an unpleasant environment, and feel extremely lucky we got to go when it was more pleasant.

You are still missing the point. I can't believe this has to be explained again.

None of you is saying "We should all stay away for the betterment of the locals and the tourists who have not been there before"

Instead you are saying "The new people ruined it for us! They poors and wal mart employees! They should stay at disney as intended!"

I feel the same way about music of the 1980s - we were a lucky generation.

Whaa? The era of Rick Astley, NKOTB, and Tiffany? "We Built This City", "The Final Countdown", and "Groovy Kind Of Love"? Linn drums, DX7s, and too much reverb? Hair Metal, Boy Bands, and movie soundtracks?

While we did get the birth of hip hop and a few good indie bands, the 80s were the worst decade for music since Edison's first wax cylinder. This is inarguable.

No, British new wave mainly because I was based in London. The Cure, the Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, Bronski Beat, Echo and the Bunnyman, Fine Young Cannibals,The Police, the Eurhythmics, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, then U2, REM, Terence Trent D'Arby, Tracy Chapman as well.

For what it's worth, I still have my travel diary from 1989/90. I budgeted 26 pounds a day and came home with unspent funds, so cut out the "poors" nonsense - I was the ultimate budget traveler, self funded with temp work staying in dorms and using a train pass.

I was in West Germany the day the Berlin Wall came down so witnessed both the pre and post cold war era. I get that you're young and that political and economic history isn't your forte.

Bet money I am older than you. I know all of those bands, saw most of them, and even shared a bill with one of them. (I was a musician and worked for a major record label during that time period). Some of them are great, and some not so much in retrospect. Listen to the records, they do not hold up. Also, most of them were NOT what was most popular in the US, and this is a DC forum. The acts I mention above are the ones that were culturally dominant.

As for you once being poor, the fact that you can't reconcile your position then with your position now is your issue, not mine. And stick your economic history insult up your a$$.

NP. You’re arguing that The Cure, The Police, the Eurhythmics, U2, Tracy Chapman, and REM weren’t some of the most popular artists of the 80s?

I think they're just in the mood for arguing Maybe it's the heat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Modern day tourism is awful. You just have mass hordes flocking to a place for selfie photos because they saw nice pictures online. They often partake very little in the local culture, learn absolutely zero at museums because all they're doing the whole time is taking selfies, and world sites are treated like playgrounds for millions.

So when others go, they are philistines, but when YOU go, with your camera-less learned academic endeavors and erudite strolling encyclopedia you are a vast improvement to the cityscape?

Got it.

NP. You refuse to believe those who experienced past tourism and can compare it to the current overcrowded situation.

Go now if you want with little Timmy, but we just feel sorry that you are experiencing these places in such an unpleasant environment, and feel extremely lucky we got to go when it was more pleasant.

You are still missing the point. I can't believe this has to be explained again.

None of you is saying "We should all stay away for the betterment of the locals and the tourists who have not been there before"

Instead you are saying "The new people ruined it for us! They poors and wal mart employees! They should stay at disney as intended!"

I feel the same way about music of the 1980s - we were a lucky generation.

Whaa? The era of Rick Astley, NKOTB, and Tiffany? "We Built This City", "The Final Countdown", and "Groovy Kind Of Love"? Linn drums, DX7s, and too much reverb? Hair Metal, Boy Bands, and movie soundtracks?

While we did get the birth of hip hop and a few good indie bands, the 80s were the worst decade for music since Edison's first wax cylinder. This is inarguable.

No, British new wave mainly because I was based in London. The Cure, the Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, Bronski Beat, Echo and the Bunnyman, Fine Young Cannibals,The Police, the Eurhythmics, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, then U2, REM, Terence Trent D'Arby, Tracy Chapman as well.

For what it's worth, I still have my travel diary from 1989/90. I budgeted 26 pounds a day and came home with unspent funds, so cut out the "poors" nonsense - I was the ultimate budget traveler, self funded with temp work staying in dorms and using a train pass.

I was in West Germany the day the Berlin Wall came down so witnessed both the pre and post cold war era. I get that you're young and that political and economic history isn't your forte.

Bet money I am older than you. I know all of those bands, saw most of them, and even shared a bill with one of them. (I was a musician and worked for a major record label during that time period). Some of them are great, and some not so much in retrospect. Listen to the records, they do not hold up. Also, most of them were NOT what was most popular in the US, and this is a DC forum. The acts I mention above are the ones that were culturally dominant.

As for you once being poor, the fact that you can't reconcile your position then with your position now is your issue, not mine. And stick your economic history insult up your a$$.

NP. You’re arguing that The Cure, The Police, the Eurhythmics, U2, Tracy Chapman, and REM weren’t some of the most popular artists of the 80s?

No I am arguing that New Order, Joy Division, Bronski Beat, Echo and the Bunnyman, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and Terence Trent D'Arby were not as popular as the dreck I referenced: NKOTB, and Tiffany? "We Built This City", "The Final Countdown", and "Groovy Kind Of Love"? Linn drums, DX7s, and too much reverb? Hair Metal, Boy Bands, and movie soundtracks.

This is the last music comment I will make in this thread. I should not have responded to the first one, apologies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Modern day tourism is awful. You just have mass hordes flocking to a place for selfie photos because they saw nice pictures online. They often partake very little in the local culture, learn absolutely zero at museums because all they're doing the whole time is taking selfies, and world sites are treated like playgrounds for millions.

So when others go, they are philistines, but when YOU go, with your camera-less learned academic endeavors and erudite strolling encyclopedia you are a vast improvement to the cityscape?

Got it.

NP. You refuse to believe those who experienced past tourism and can compare it to the current overcrowded situation.

Go now if you want with little Timmy, but we just feel sorry that you are experiencing these places in such an unpleasant environment, and feel extremely lucky we got to go when it was more pleasant.

You are still missing the point. I can't believe this has to be explained again.

None of you is saying "We should all stay away for the betterment of the locals and the tourists who have not been there before"

Instead you are saying "The new people ruined it for us! They poors and wal mart employees! They should stay at disney as intended!"

I feel the same way about music of the 1980s - we were a lucky generation.

Whaa? The era of Rick Astley, NKOTB, and Tiffany? "We Built This City", "The Final Countdown", and "Groovy Kind Of Love"? Linn drums, DX7s, and too much reverb? Hair Metal, Boy Bands, and movie soundtracks?

While we did get the birth of hip hop and a few good indie bands, the 80s were the worst decade for music since Edison's first wax cylinder. This is inarguable.

No, British new wave mainly because I was based in London. The Cure, the Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, Bronski Beat, Echo and the Bunnyman, Fine Young Cannibals,The Police, the Eurhythmics, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, then U2, REM, Terence Trent D'Arby, Tracy Chapman as well.

For what it's worth, I still have my travel diary from 1989/90. I budgeted 26 pounds a day and came home with unspent funds, so cut out the "poors" nonsense - I was the ultimate budget traveler, self funded with temp work staying in dorms and using a train pass.

I was in West Germany the day the Berlin Wall came down so witnessed both the pre and post cold war era. I get that you're young and that political and economic history isn't your forte.

Bet money I am older than you. I know all of those bands, saw most of them, and even shared a bill with one of them. (I was a musician and worked for a major record label during that time period). Some of them are great, and some not so much in retrospect. Listen to the records, they do not hold up. Also, most of them were NOT what was most popular in the US, and this is a DC forum. The acts I mention above are the ones that were culturally dominant.

As for you once being poor, the fact that you can't reconcile your position then with your position now is your issue, not mine. And stick your economic history insult up your a$$.

NP. You’re arguing that The Cure, The Police, the Eurhythmics, U2, Tracy Chapman, and REM weren’t some of the most popular artists of the 80s?

No I am arguing that New Order, Joy Division, Bronski Beat, Echo and the Bunnyman, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and Terence Trent D'Arby were not as popular as the dreck I referenced: NKOTB, and Tiffany? "We Built This City", "The Final Countdown", and "Groovy Kind Of Love"? Linn drums, DX7s, and too much reverb? Hair Metal, Boy Bands, and movie soundtracks.

This is the last music comment I will make in this thread. I should not have responded to the first one, apologies.

Relax, don't do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If hotels would make more comfortable options for a family of four without having to get two rooms, I would absolutely use them over Airbnbs. But it almost always makes more sense cost wise for us to do an Airbnb, which gives us extra money to spend throughout the city on other stuff.

exactly, the hotels are way over priced and offer bad amenities, its also related to them wanting to protect their union based lazy jobs. totally terrible!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

Sir, you deserve some serious squirting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

Yeah, cut it out with that water flinging.

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2024-02-10/teen-accused-of-shooting-tourist-in-times-square-charged-with-attempted-murder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

Sir, you deserve some serious squirting.

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Italy is deeply concerning. Under Italian law, such an act can be considered assault, especially if done in a manner that instills fear or provokes the victim​. This behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed to ensure the safety and respect of American tourists abroad.

President Biden has a critical opportunity, especially with the upcoming NATO summit, to assert a firm stance against these attacks on American citizens. By addressing this issue directly with Italy, Biden can demonstrate strong leadership and resolve, countering any perceptions of weakness. This situation also serves as a reminder of the historical ties between the US and Italy, particularly their alliance during World War II and within NATO. It is imperative that Italy upholds the standards of respect and security for tourists, reflecting the shared values and commitments of NATO members.

It is time for President Biden to step in and remind Italy of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not get the hate against tourists. I lived in a tourist town myself for many many years. Tourists tend to stay in very specific areas. Go to Venice, Barcelona, Paris...Anywhere, and just a few streets away from tourist spots it's all quiet and normal. Barcelona is increasing the tourist tax to create more revenue, and tourism is a huge industry for the city. I agree about cracking down on Airbnbs, but no need to vilify people. As for the social media posting, I think people are basing this on what they themselves see on instagram from influencers and from a few hated acquaintances. It's pretty normal to TAKE pics, but I don't know anyone posting them obsessively. I have teens who don't do it, their friends don't, nobody on my Facebook does...If anything it is all viewed as braggy.

This is the issue. Tourism has changed. Hotels used to be centralized around “tourist” areas and only impacted the immediate surroundings. AirBnBs allow lodging further out, and DO impact local communities. Most of the housing for AirBnB is not owned by local residents, nor in communities where people ever thought they would be dealing with a transient population.

I’d question I’d many of you would feel happy with this kind of real estate all over your neighbourhood? And it’s quaint to trey to compare, but DC is NOT the kind of tourist trap Barcelona or similar locales are, as fun as it is to visit (mostly for Americans)

+1. It's changed the life for the locals and I can see how that would be disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

Sir, you deserve some serious squirting.

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Italy is deeply concerning. Under Italian law, such an act can be considered assault, especially if done in a manner that instills fear or provokes the victim​. This behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed to ensure the safety and respect of American tourists abroad.

President Biden has a critical opportunity, especially with the upcoming NATO summit, to assert a firm stance against these attacks on American citizens. By addressing this issue directly with Italy, Biden can demonstrate strong leadership and resolve, countering any perceptions of weakness. This situation also serves as a reminder of the historical ties between the US and Italy, particularly their alliance during World War II and within NATO. It is imperative that Italy upholds the standards of respect and security for tourists, reflecting the shared values and commitments of NATO members.

It is time for President Biden to step in and remind Italy of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve.

Is this a bot? Of all the things Biden needs to address.....this is not it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

How did we get from Spain to Italy?

Maybe it was just tourists in Venice aiming at seagulls.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/venice-hotels-are-supplying-guests-with-water-guns-to-ward-off-seagulls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

Sir, you deserve some serious squirting.

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Italy is deeply concerning. Under Italian law, such an act can be considered assault, especially if done in a manner that instills fear or provokes the victim​. This behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed to ensure the safety and respect of American tourists abroad.

President Biden has a critical opportunity, especially with the upcoming NATO summit, to assert a firm stance against these attacks on American citizens. By addressing this issue directly with Italy, Biden can demonstrate strong leadership and resolve, countering any perceptions of weakness. This situation also serves as a reminder of the historical ties between the US and Italy, particularly their alliance during World War II and within NATO. It is imperative that Italy upholds the standards of respect and security for tourists, reflecting the shared values and commitments of NATO members.

It is time for President Biden to step in and remind Italy of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve.

... especially when they are in the Italian resort town of Barcelona, where locals eat linguini with Gaudi every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcelona is not worth a visit. Between the pickpockets, panhandlers and nasty locals, you're better off anywhere else Spain. Just spend a day to see the Gaudi stuff and be out.

Italians are awful and racist, imagine if we did this to people in the US. I hope these people get charged with assault! Totally terrible, they need to blame themselves not foreigners, so xenophobic. They should be welcoming us with open arms especially after WW2 and the revenue helps their awful economy.

Sir, you deserve some serious squirting.

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Italy is deeply concerning. Under Italian law, such an act can be considered assault, especially if done in a manner that instills fear or provokes the victim​. This behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed to ensure the safety and respect of American tourists abroad.

President Biden has a critical opportunity, especially with the upcoming NATO summit, to assert a firm stance against these attacks on American citizens. By addressing this issue directly with Italy, Biden can demonstrate strong leadership and resolve, countering any perceptions of weakness. This situation also serves as a reminder of the historical ties between the US and Italy, particularly their alliance during World War II and within NATO. It is imperative that Italy upholds the standards of respect and security for tourists, reflecting the shared values and commitments of NATO members.

It is time for President Biden to step in and remind Italy of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve.

Is this a bot? Of all the things Biden needs to address.....this is not it.

More likely to be a piece for The Onion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a little weekend house on the Shenandoah River. It's a small community of homes -- maybe just shy of 100, not all of them river front (most not river front). Unsurprisingly, several river front properties have been purchased and turned into AirBnbs fairly recently. A couple of homes were even built, brand new, as AirBnbs. I think in the last 5 years or so.

I actually worry about the folks who live there year-round doing something drastic (maybe even violent). The resentment has been brewing for years and is really bad at this point. The big complaint is speeding (our roads are gravel, speed limit is 15, and people have kids and pets out playing), but there is simmering class tension at the root of it. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that rage is building regarding the Airbnbs.

So this does not surprise me. Airbnbs are stressing communities all over the world.

If there is any class tension rage building, your little non-primary residence is right in the bulls eye of it. You think you are better than people who can only afford to spend a few nights in your paradise, but you are not.

We have owned our house there for over 30 years. My DH is on the board of the HOA (which does nothing but road upkeep). We know almost everyone, and were up there for a week last week dog sitting for a neighbor whose spouse had a stroke. We have done volunteer hard labor on the roads when they needed work and the coffers were running dry. We are part of the community, contribute to it more than most, and have do so for decades.

Not the same thing as the exploitive Airbnb situation at all. So take your assumptions and ignorant aggression elsewhere.

From a housing availability standpoint, it is exactly the same. That's what you mean by "the exploitive Airbnb situation," right? You own a unit that could be used to provide full-time housing, but you choose not to rent it out. That you keep if for your own use and don't use it for short-term rentals doesn't change that. Actually, you keeping it vacant for your occasional use contributes less to the local community than if it was occupied by vacationers, notwithstanding your efforts at "road upkeep." I realize this is uncomfortable for you to hear, but it's the truth.

[Anonymous]

It's happening in the US as well: Juneau, Alaska. Or a lot closer to DMV: Old Rag Mountain, Appalachian Trail.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/city-wants-ban-cruise-ships-214707359.html