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Saturday, January 11, 2014
Anonymous
Most travelers will be familiar with that sinking feeling when they find themselves against a less than desirable flight partner – the one who hogs the armrest and pushes his over sized duffel bags into your leg space. Here are some tips to help you transform from being a passive sufferer to a street smart globe trotter who handles any situation with suave.
Missed flights: - Be prepared to pay a re-booking fee. Most airliners will charge a fee for you to be booked on another flight. Also, try to make a run for it – some airports close the gate as late as 15 minutes before departure. Once the gate closes on you, immediately call up your airlines. The sooner you do this the better your chance of being assigned a seat on the next flight (if there is space). Make sure you have checked multiple portals for cheap flight tickets before making an online air ticket booking.
Noisy hotel neighbours: - Call the manager, who in turn can summon the security. Also, he will know when your hell-raising neighbors will be checking out. If its only mildly irritating, ask for ear plugs as most hotels expect some kind of noise pollution in the form of traffic, birds and toddlers. Don't expect the other guests to be moved; if you want some peace and quiet, you will have to shift rooms yourself.
Space hogging seatmate: - Claim your territory (overhead space, underseat space and armrests) early on. Try to be sensitive to the size of your neighbor, also try to discreetly inform the flight attendant if you can get a change of seat. Aggressive nudges and dirty looks only escalate the situation and is best avoided. Be aware of airline etiquette that the middle seat occupant has rights to both the armrests.
Photographing locals: - Do ask for permission, if there is language gap, point to your camera and wait for a reaction. Try to strike up a conversation with the subject, ask for a tip or even better, share a laugh. Don't be too pushy or aggressive, if they refuse, just leave them alone and find someone else to photograph.
Inattentive waiter: - Try to get the attention of another waiter and ask them for help to track down your server. If everything else fails, be ready to speak up and ask for the manager. Don't snap your fingers or wave your napkin or resort to similar flagrant methods to draw their attention. Also, don't assume it to be bad service, in certain cultures it is customary for waiters to be obstructive as possible and will be attend to you only when called.
Missed flights: - Be prepared to pay a re-booking fee. Most airliners will charge a fee for you to be booked on another flight. Also, try to make a run for it – some airports close the gate as late as 15 minutes before departure. Once the gate closes on you, immediately call up your airlines. The sooner you do this the better your chance of being assigned a seat on the next flight (if there is space). Make sure you have checked multiple portals for cheap flight tickets before making an online air ticket booking.
Noisy hotel neighbours: - Call the manager, who in turn can summon the security. Also, he will know when your hell-raising neighbors will be checking out. If its only mildly irritating, ask for ear plugs as most hotels expect some kind of noise pollution in the form of traffic, birds and toddlers. Don't expect the other guests to be moved; if you want some peace and quiet, you will have to shift rooms yourself.
Space hogging seatmate: - Claim your territory (overhead space, underseat space and armrests) early on. Try to be sensitive to the size of your neighbor, also try to discreetly inform the flight attendant if you can get a change of seat. Aggressive nudges and dirty looks only escalate the situation and is best avoided. Be aware of airline etiquette that the middle seat occupant has rights to both the armrests.
Photographing locals: - Do ask for permission, if there is language gap, point to your camera and wait for a reaction. Try to strike up a conversation with the subject, ask for a tip or even better, share a laugh. Don't be too pushy or aggressive, if they refuse, just leave them alone and find someone else to photograph.
Inattentive waiter: - Try to get the attention of another waiter and ask them for help to track down your server. If everything else fails, be ready to speak up and ask for the manager. Don't snap your fingers or wave your napkin or resort to similar flagrant methods to draw their attention. Also, don't assume it to be bad service, in certain cultures it is customary for waiters to be obstructive as possible and will be attend to you only when called.
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