Back to Basics – Etiquette 101

What the heck is going on in the world?? When did basic common decency and consideration become uncommon? When did we forget the basic rules of society? Why are fully grown adults now throwing toddler worthy temper tantrum’s when they don’t get their way?

On my most recent trip its definitely clear that a LOT of people need a refresher on how to act when out in public.

Remember, there are indeed other people in the world. It doesn’t revolve around you and you are definitely NOT the main character!

Basic Life Etiquette

Just some general reminders of how decent people should act in public.

• Manners matter!! Saying “please” and “thank you” is just common decency. Showing kindness and respect to people, regardless of their job, would make the world a much better place.
• Pick up after yourself!! Staff in hotels, resorts, theme parks, malls and so much more, have tough enough jobs without rude people adding to their work. It takes hundreds of people to make our vacations amazing, but you need to take ownership and responsibility for your actions as well. Nothing irritates me more than seeing parents tell their kids to just “leave their trash” on tables or the floor.
• Stop having a toddler temper tantrum when things don’t do your way! Things happen, take a deep breath and remain calm. And definitely stop screaming at staff who have zero control of the rules you are likely screaming about.
• Your trip is YOUR responsibility. There are lots of travel agents still out there that specialize in different kinds of travel and they are happy to help you plan your vacation, but at the end of the day, YOUR TRIP IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! If you have a question, ask. If you aren’t sure about a travel requirement, such as visa’s, ask! More and more people are agent bashing because they “weren’t told” something, but in truth, they never asked!
• Have a passport!! Travel outside of your country requires a passport. Most countries have passport validity rules as well. Knowing these are YOUR responsibility. And, geez people, make sure you have your passport before you leave your house. Actually, make sure your passport is valid and you know where it is before you even book your trip! Blaming others because you forgot your passport is childish and ridiculous.

Hotel & Resort Etiquette

Almost everyone has stayed in a hotel room at some point or another in their lives. Some people love hotels, others hate them. Regardless of your feelings, there is a certain level of etiquette that seems to be largely missing now a days.

• This may seem like common sense, but READ your hotels rules. If the pool closes at 10pm, don’t freak out and yell at the staff. Knowing the rules is actually on you. You agree to those rules when you check in, claiming you “didn’t know” is weak and childish.
• Don’t smoke where you shouldn’t!! Seriously. In my most recent hotel stay, the amount of people I saw vaping indoors was truly disgusting. I saw a woman in the airport washroom, a man walking through a gift shop, so many people in a mall I lost count, and more. Smoking and vaping is gross and disgusting. Vaping is actually *worse* for you than smoking. Seriously, it’s the act of truly selfish, ignorant and childish people that do this. Knock it off.
• It is NEVER ok to “hold” chairs by the pool for longer than about 20 minutes. I totally understand one member of the family going down a little early to grab chairs, but saving them for a day “just in case” you want to use the pool is just flat out rude. And usually against hotel/resort policy. Just don’t be that person!
• Be respectful when walking down the halls and in your room. Hotel rooms are NOT sound proof!!! your neighbours can hear you. Teach your children to be respectful when walking through a hotel hallway, regardless of the time of day. Allowing your kids to run, screaming down the hallway is really rude and inconsiderate.
• Stop slamming your hotel door!! Most hotel and resort doors are super heavy and while they will be loud when they close, there is NO reason to slam the door.
• Don’t take your portable speaker to the pool or beach and blast your music. Literally no one wants to hear it and you are ruining the enjoyment for others.
• Before leaving your room, check for your belongings!! The amount of posts I see about how someone forgot their favourite item, clothing, kids toy, etc is baffling to me. Again, if something is important to you, why is it not one of the first things that you pack or make sure that is in your bag? Why are you not ensuring that everything is packed and organized the night before checkout? If it is your kids absolute favourite toy and can’t possibly sleep without it why is it not the last thing you make sure you have before you leave your hotel room.

Theme Park Etiquette

As someone who goes to Walt Disney World 2 to 3 times a year, I have noticed a HUGE change in the general behaviour of guests. The self entitlement is out of control!!

• STOP SMOKING AND VAPING IN THEME PARKS!! I’ve seen grown men walking through a theme park fully smoking a cigarette. Almost all theme parks nowadays are either non-smoking inside or have very few dedicated smoking sections. Smoking and Vaping is disgusting. Both of these things will kill you and can make others around you sick. The fact that people still do this is truly disturbing, and the fact that they do it with no regard to the people or children around them, especially in theme parks geared towards families is truly truly awful.
• Manners Matter (see above!). The cast members are there to make sure your vacation goes smoothly, but they definitely don’t deserve to be yelled at when you don’t get your way. Rides break down. Rides will close to be updated, cleaned and maintained. When a ride is down your vacation is not “ruined”. If that ruins your vacation, that’s entirely on you.
• Multi Pass & Lightning Lane. It doesn’t mean that you jump on the ride automatically with zero weight. Lightning lane is a reduced weight. Really sick of people complaining and bitching about the fact that they don’t immediately get on the ride. And yes, it cost money. So does every other version in other theme parks around the world.
• Stop using our kids stroller or wheelchair/scooter as a battering ram!! Sorry, but just because you have a stroller or are with someone in a scooter does not give you priority over everyone else.
• Stop putting kids on your shoulders. Yes, I know kids are little and might have an issue seeing something, however, it starts a ripple effect. Once one parent does it, more do it and then no one, but those kids, can see. If you are concerned about seeing something, plan to get their early! And if you aren’t their early, DO NOT push your way in front of other people. That’s just straight up rude.

Transportation Etiquette

While most of us have our cars for use at home, while on vacation most people rely on buses, taxis or ride share services like UBER.

• Buses. If you have been to WDW, you know how packed a Disney bus can get. If you are lucky enough to get a seat, WAIT until those standing exit the bus first before standing up to get off. I’ve been pushed out of the way while standing when it would have been faster to just let me get off.
• If you have a stroller, be prepared when the bus arrives or step to the side. The people behind you should not have to wait, because you are unprepared.
• When taking UBER, be respectful to the driver. Saying good morning/evening, asking about their day and other basic niceties makes the ride so much more enjoyable. In places like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, there are lots of UBER drivers so the wait for a ride is usually pretty low.
• If you take a taxi, make sure you know whether they take cash or card and know you where you are going!

When going on vacation, most people take an airplane and let me say, I am extremely lucky that I’ve never had a truly awful flight experience. But if there is one place that most people need to better education, it’s airport and airplane etiquette.

• Do not line up at the gate until your group is called!! Geez. This is not new. Almost all airlines board this way, it’s pretty simple. Why would you want to sit on the plane any longer than you have to? Since I hardly ever have a carry-on that needs to go in the overhead bin, I wait until the “final” boarding call to board. There is no reason to leap up and stand in everyone’s way.
• Your seat is your space. Sure, use the arm rest, but stop spreading into the space of other seats. Airplane seats are small enough without someone else taking up even more of your space.
• Carry-on luggage. This is going to be a VERY unpopular opinion, but people should have to pay to use the overhead bin. This is why people feel the need to rush onto the plane, to make sure they get space to put a bag up that they definitely don’t need on the plane. Even on my 13 hour flights to and from Dubai, I still didn’t need anything out of my bag in the overhead bin.
• Stop leaping up and blocking the aisle when the plane lands. It’s annoying and stupid. Once the seatbelt light goes off, you usually have another 5 – 10 minutes before you can exit the plane. When you are standing in the aisle, it slows down the exit process as others need to get their bags as well.
• Exit by row. This is legit so simple. Just exit by row. If you are in the last row, sorry, you just have to wait. And once off the plane, if you need to, move over to the side of the bridge and allow others to pass you.
• Stop blaming airlines and gate staff of things beyond their control, like the weather. They can’t make the planes get there, board or take off any faster. Respect goes a long way.

Thank You

I have often said that by taking responsibility of our actions and everyone being, like 5% nicer to each other, the world would be a much nicer place.

Smiling, saying hello, thank you and being respectful to people would just make everything better.

Can we just all agree to try to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday?