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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm getting images of Triumph the Comic Insult Dog from your writing.

[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.

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

I stand corrected, same applies to spain

[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.

I stand corrected this is for spain and biden needs to address this, we look weak and sad

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Spain is deeply concerning. Under Spanish 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 Spain, 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 Spain, particularly their alliance within NATO. It is imperative that Spain 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 Spain of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve. This is a prime moment for Biden to assert his leadership and reinforce the importance of protecting American citizens abroad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I stand corrected this is for spain and biden needs to address this, we look weak and sad

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Spain is deeply concerning. Under Spanish 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 Spain, 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 Spain, particularly their alliance within NATO. It is imperative that Spain 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 Spain of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve. This is a prime moment for Biden to assert his leadership and reinforce the importance of protecting American citizens abroad.

I say Biden send one or two destroyers to Barcelona and show them what American water cannons can do.

Watching many of the demonstrators carry the typical crazy left banners makes the prospect even more attractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I mean these days yes, 85% of tourism is garbage vanity traveling. People travel all over simply to get likes and selfies at spots and just leave. We were in the British Museum of Natural History the other day and literally 99% of the people there were just there for taking selfies with ridiculous poses. It got sooooo annoying trying to read the information on the exhibits because you were always pressured to move because you might be in someone line of sight for a selfie. Hardly anyone was there to actually read and learn about anything in the displays. They were all too busy clogging up the stairs trying to take selfies in the main hall which is photogenic.


And actually yes, I have zero social media accounts and never post traveling photos of anything. I don’t have an insane urge to feel like I need to show off my travels for vanity purposes so that I can get virtual thumbs up.


Modern day tourism is too cheap and allows anyone with a job at Walmart to travel. TikTok has warped everyone’s brain to flock to sites all over the planet for selfies and then to move on like locusts to the next site. It was not like this 25 years ago.

I don't have any social media accounts either. I find them ridiculous.

What I find even more ridiculous is blaming this for the problems of over-tourism. What I find most ridiculous is the idea that one person's reason to travel to a place is more virtuous than another's. You are essentially saying "you stay home so it is better for me." That's EXACTLY snobbery of the worst kind.

You LITERALLY insult people who work at Walmart. You complain that it has become affordable for them to travel. My goodness, if you don't see the reprehensible nature of that position I can't help you.

While the writer shouldn't have singled out one company's employees, it is undeniable that tourist numbers have gone up leading to the crush of people at popular locations. When I started traveling, people in communist Eastern Europe and China weren't allowed out of their countries, so the tourist pool was smaller. Incomes in many countries were lower. Flights were costlier compared to salaries. People read about far flung places in National Geographic but didn't imagine ever going there.

When I see photos of Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice, I can understand why locals are unhappy.

I'll respond to this:

While the writer shouldn't have singled out one company's employees

That's not what PP did and you know it. It was a euphemism for people of a lower class than them. It is repulsive and PP should be ashamed, as should you if you don't see that.

PP literally blamed poor working class people for ruining tourist locations by simply going.

Yea that PP you responded to is no better with their xenophobia. “When I started traveling, people in communist Eastern Europe and China weren't allowed out of their countries, so the tourist pool was smaller.”

If people feel this way so what you are trying to shame them but they don't care what you think otherwise they would not have said what they said. I agree with them. I want to go to Europe to experience Europe, not BRIC country culture.

DP - Lol here we go again... I don't want to go to Europe and see any non-Europeans EXCEPT FOR ME.

Yes, trying to shame them, and you, and rightfully so.

I guess you come from a shame-based collectivist culture? The U.S. is not one by the way so your "shame shame shame!" over the interwebs means nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm getting images of Triumph the Comic Insult Dog from your writing.

Thanks. (I think?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I mean these days yes, 85% of tourism is garbage vanity traveling. People travel all over simply to get likes and selfies at spots and just leave. We were in the British Museum of Natural History the other day and literally 99% of the people there were just there for taking selfies with ridiculous poses. It got sooooo annoying trying to read the information on the exhibits because you were always pressured to move because you might be in someone line of sight for a selfie. Hardly anyone was there to actually read and learn about anything in the displays. They were all too busy clogging up the stairs trying to take selfies in the main hall which is photogenic.


And actually yes, I have zero social media accounts and never post traveling photos of anything. I don’t have an insane urge to feel like I need to show off my travels for vanity purposes so that I can get virtual thumbs up.


Modern day tourism is too cheap and allows anyone with a job at Walmart to travel. TikTok has warped everyone’s brain to flock to sites all over the planet for selfies and then to move on like locusts to the next site. It was not like this 25 years ago.

I don't have any social media accounts either. I find them ridiculous.

What I find even more ridiculous is blaming this for the problems of over-tourism. What I find most ridiculous is the idea that one person's reason to travel to a place is more virtuous than another's. You are essentially saying "you stay home so it is better for me." That's EXACTLY snobbery of the worst kind.

You LITERALLY insult people who work at Walmart. You complain that it has become affordable for them to travel. My goodness, if you don't see the reprehensible nature of that position I can't help you.

While the writer shouldn't have singled out one company's employees, it is undeniable that tourist numbers have gone up leading to the crush of people at popular locations. When I started traveling, people in communist Eastern Europe and China weren't allowed out of their countries, so the tourist pool was smaller. Incomes in many countries were lower. Flights were costlier compared to salaries. People read about far flung places in National Geographic but didn't imagine ever going there.

When I see photos of Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice, I can understand why locals are unhappy.

I'll respond to this:

While the writer shouldn't have singled out one company's employees

That's not what PP did and you know it. It was a euphemism for people of a lower class than them. It is repulsive and PP should be ashamed, as should you if you don't see that.

PP literally blamed poor working class people for ruining tourist locations by simply going.

Yea that PP you responded to is no better with their xenophobia. “When I started traveling, people in communist Eastern Europe and China weren't allowed out of their countries, so the tourist pool was smaller.”

If people feel this way so what you are trying to shame them but they don't care what you think otherwise they would not have said what they said. I agree with them. I want to go to Europe to experience Europe, not BRIC country culture.

DP - Lol here we go again... I don't want to go to Europe and see any non-Europeans EXCEPT FOR ME.

Yes, trying to shame them, and you, and rightfully so.

I guess you come from a shame-based collectivist culture? The U.S. is not one by the way so your "shame shame shame!" over the interwebs means nothing.

No idea what you are talking about. But clearly you got the point, so I guess it did mean something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The logical conclusion of the argument is to ban all second homes and timeshares.

Or require a tourists pass and limit the amount available each week/day/month. Do it Everest style.[/


What’s Everest style? Basically to trash and cause damage/ degradation of one of the most revered and unique places in the world? Risk the lives of locals to accompany tourists, and then again later to clean up garbage and dead bodies?

Tourists have taken a majestic place and turned it into a landfill. Yay tourism!

[Anonymous]

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$$.

What band were you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I stand corrected this is for spain and biden needs to address this, we look weak and sad

The recent incident involving a US tourist being squirted with water in Spain is deeply concerning. Under Spanish 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 Spain, 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 Spain, particularly their alliance within NATO. It is imperative that Spain 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 Spain of these obligations, ensuring that American tourists are treated with the dignity and safety they deserve. This is a prime moment for Biden to assert his leadership and reinforce the importance of protecting American citizens abroad.

Yes, when I saw the Spanish water guns incident my first thought was how this looked bad for Biden, thanks a lot Obama.

/s

[Anonymous]

It would be very American to jump up and pull super soakers out of a back pack and start firing back. It's a misguided protest but lately everyone is pinning systemic issues on easy targets so I don't blame their passion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

Yes locals are fighting back and I don’t blame them. I still have lots of places I want to visit/never got a chance to visit. And yes, Airbnbs are more convenient. But should my desire to travel supersede people’s way of life?
I see people are fighting back with “well the boomers got to travel so they shouldn’t gatekeep traveling for us” argument but that does nothing to address the impact on locals. IMO, The issue isn’t the type of tourists traveling like some PP suggested but the number.

[Anonymous]

Biden needs to remind them about nato and that us can pull their funding

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Biden needs to remind them about nato and that us can pull their funding

Are you taking substances?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

Yes locals are fighting back and I don’t blame them. I still have lots of places I want to visit/never got a chance to visit. And yes, Airbnbs are more convenient. But should my desire to travel supersede people’s way of life?
I see people are fighting back with “well the boomers got to travel so they shouldn’t gatekeep traveling for us” argument but that does nothing to address the impact on locals. IMO, The issue isn’t the type of tourists traveling like some PP suggested but the number.

Agree