Traveling is an amazing way to explore new places and immerse yourself in different cultures. But unfortunately, not everyone shares this mindset.
Certain tourists leave a trail of ignorance and entitlement wherever they go, from littering beautiful landscapes to behaving inappropriately at sacred sites.
Below, we’ve gathered some of the most shocking examples of this behavior. Scroll down to see for yourself, and don’t miss our chat with travel writer Pati on how we can all be more mindful when exploring the world.
#1 Travel To A Foreign Country And Complain About Bad English
Image credits: reddit.com
#2 Tourist Stands In Front Of "You May Be Bitten" Sign. She Makes Sure The Sign Was Worth Putting Up
Image credits: SmackedWithARuler
Traveling, as wonderful and eye-opening as it is, can sometimes come at a cost to local communities. That doesn’t mean we should stop exploring the world, but it’s a sad truth that some tourists are careless, ignoring rules, customs, and even the environment.
Take Iceland, for example, where concentrated tourism in certain areas is causing damage to its natural landscape. Or consider overcrowded cities like Venice and Dubrovnik. In April of last year, residents of the Canary Islands took to the streets with banners reading, “Tourist: respect my land!” as 13.9 million people visited the seven main islands in 2023 alone. This sentiment has been echoed in protests across other popular European destinations like Barcelona, Athens, and Málaga.
#3 It's Sad That People Like This Still Exist
A Chinese man kicked a deer like a soccer ball, so I immediately started filming. They kept making excuses and the woman that was with him started acting like the victim and got angry, so I chased them out of Nara Park. What did you come to Japan to do? I really won't forgive anyone who abuses animals.
Image credits: hezuruy
#4 This Main Character At Auschwitz. It Takes A Special Kind Of Stupid To Be Capable Of This
Image credits: Rambourn
To learn more about how we can be more responsible travelers, Bored Panda spoke with Pati, author of the blog One Way Ticket To Anywhere.
“I still remember how puzzled I was many years ago when I first saw travelers visiting Spain, a country rich in culture and cuisine, choosing to eat at pubs and lie by the pool at all-inclusive hotels,” Pati recalls. “Since then, I’ve visited many countries, and I’m still surprised by how tourists sometimes behave.”
#5 Tourists Have Started Putting "Love Locks" On Shoes On The Danube Bank, A Memorial In Budapest Of The Thousands Of People Who Were Executed On The Banks Of The Danube During WW2
Image credits: Twohandedfap
#6 A Group Of Tourists In Yellowstone Were Spotted Exiting Their Cars And Sprinting Towards A Mama Bear And Her Two Cubs. One Of The Tourists Had A Child In His Arms
Image credits: yashar
#7 Tourist Engraves The Name Of His Girlfriend With Keys On The Colosseum In Rome. He Is Facing A 18.000 € Fine
Image credits: leggoit
“Recently, I traveled to Southeast Asia, and although it should be obvious to mindful travelers who have done a little research that the society in many regions of that continent is quite modest, many people, more often than not, unconsciously disrespect the culture by the way they dress or behave,” Pati says.
“But this often comes down to not being informed,” she explains. “We see some great photos of Thai or Indonesian islands or Malaysian colonial cities, see photos of the beaches, and we pack the shorts and off we go. We don’t know that we shouldn’t disrespect the king, that we should take off our shoes before entering a room, or cover our heads before entering a temple.”
#8 This Travel Agency Has Heard Everything, From Complaints That Water Parks Don't Provide Free Swimsuits, To Docks Not Being Air-Conditioned
Image credits: mrmonster459
#9 Irish Tourists In Bologna, Italy Fined €500 Each After They Stripped Down To Their Underwear And Mounted The Neptune Fountain
Image credits: Alberto Aitini
#10 Yellowstone Tourist Files Complaint Over Lack Of Trained Grizzly Bears
Image credits: Unofficial Networks
Sometimes, advice on how to navigate local customs isn’t easy to find. It’s something that travel influencers or agencies rarely talk about. “This needs to change!” Pati insists. “But the issue is, as always, a bit more complex.”
“In today’s fast-paced world, travel is often seen as an escape—an escape from reality, from long working hours, far away from those who might judge our choices,” she continues. “This mindset can lead tourists to behave less respectfully. They feel they’ve earned this time off and want to do as they please.”
#11 Graffiti On The Bamboo In The "Bamboo Walking Path"
Such bamboo has to be cut and disposed of, and the bamboo is decreasing steadily. At this rate, we will lose the beautiful bamboo forests that people come to see from all over the world.
Image credits: Ebisu-ya Arashiyama
#12 Some Trashy Tourists Painted Theories On The Pantheon In Rome
Image credits: Mech-maniac
#13 Tourists Ignore Distancing Sign Of Beached Turtles In Hawaii
Image credits: reddit.com
Pati believes we need to remember that, as travelers, we are guests. “There are no foreign countries. We are the foreigners taking advantage of the locals’ hospitality. It’s our responsibility to research our destination and respect local customs.”
#14 Tourist In Estes Park Gets Too Close To A Bull Elk During Rutting Season
Image credits: DisruptSQ
#15 Tourist Gets Headbutted And Thrown To The Floor After Standing Next To A King's Guard Horseman. Tourists Are Warned Not To Get Close To The Horses Or Guards With A Nearby Sign
Image credits: OliLondonTV
#16 Every Year Many Tourists Break Off And Steal Pieces Of The Coliseum In Rome
Image credits: reddit.com
For many locals, the issue isn’t just about disrespectful behavior, but about the sheer volume of tourists and the lack of benefits to the community.
Sebastian Zenker, an expert in overtourism and academic director at Copenhagen Business School, explains, “If you look at the Canary Islands, I've read that a third of the population live on the edge of poverty. Tourism offers a big income to these islands—but for whom? It's not enough to say that we want to welcome well-behaved tourists who are quiet and spend more money, it's about where the money goes. At the moment, a large proportion of the population does not benefit.”
He suggests that if locals see a direct benefit, such as improved infrastructure or better living conditions, there could be a healthy coexistence between tourists and residents.
#17 Naples, Vanderbilt Beach. You Can Always Tell When The Folks From Miami-Dade Come Here For Holiday Weekends Because They Leave Their Trash All Over Our Beaches
Image credits: RealisticWoodpecker3
#18 This Is The Absolute Worst Kind Of Tourist. Do Not Go To Japan And Do This
Image credits: zozalajail
#19 When Tourists Come And Pose With The Endangered Wildlife. It's Against The Law To Disturb A Sea Turtle And To Pass It Around For A Picture Is Ridiculous
Image credits: lifeismeaningful
Managing large crowds isn’t just the responsibility of visitors; it also requires effective tourism management from relevant authorities. However, travelers can play a key role by educating themselves about the places they visit. This not only enhances their own experience but also helps them avoid being a burden.
#20 American Tourist Complains That Restaurant In Tokyo Gave Her The Menu Item She Ordered. Doubles Down By Blaming The Restaurant For Not Having Enough Menus In English
What's worse is that the menu is literally in English.
Image credits: Reddituser0346
#21 Tourist In Yellowstone National Park Ignores Warnings From Several People That She Was Too Close To A Mother Grizzly Bear
Image credits: NBCMontana
#22 Today We Took These Photos Of A Coral Destroyed By Careless Divers
Image credits: OK Divers
For Pati, being mindful has made her travels more meaningful. “Traveling is a journey of discovery. It’s enriching, educational, and exhilarating. It’s changed my life, made me a better, braver, and more aware person. I want that for everyone, which is why I’m passionate about sharing this mission.”
#23 Polish Tourist Attacked After Climbing The Ancient Pyramid In Mexico
Image credits: MerGarza
#24 Man Attempts To Enter Hogwarts In London
Image credits: erosion
#25 Shameful
Image credits: SidHimachal
“I often say there’s a difference between traveling and ‘touristing’,” Pati adds. “Staying at the resort, lying by the pool, and eating at the hotel buffet—that’s ‘touristing.’ Getting out, learning about the local culture, meeting people, using local transport, and respecting customs—that’s travel. And I hope everyone gets to experience it.”
#26 Tourists Being Tourists
Image credits: reddit.com
#27 33°C (90°F) Today In Venice. 3 Pairs Of Sweaty Feet On The Seats. The Little Girl Was Walking Barefoot Even Before Getting On The Train, Her Feet Were Extremely Dirty
Image credits: mjb00
#28 Dumb Tourists Walking Right Up To These Sheep
For anyone who might not know, if you get too close, the males might charge you, which would hurt. Also, they were ruining the view.
Image credits: Male-milk
#29 Tourists Completely Disrespect The Place They Save All Year To Visit
Decided to visit a local beach where I live, and when I looked behind me I saw this. They were hanging out for over an hour right next to one of the numerous signs asking to stay off of the dunes. It’s not that hard.
Image credits: chief-kief710
#30 When The Same 2 People Act Like The Scenic Spot Is Their Personal Background For A Photo Shoot For More Than Half An Hour, It Was Impossible To Get A Photo Without Them
Image credits: schuurme
#31 Last Night In Thailand, This Tourist Ruined The Cultural Dance Show For Everyone, By Sitting In Front Of The Stage Taking Pictures And Blocking Everyone’s View For The Entire Show
Image credits: reddit.com
#32 Tourists Climb Around 7-Foot-Tall Fences To Get The Perfect Selfie. This Was Taken In The Grampians National Park In Australia
Rangers had built 7-foot-tall fences with massive pictorial signs telling people to stick to the paths. These goons just went further back up the path and hiked through vegetation areas to get a selfie. These ledges are 50+ meters in the air, a decent slip, and it is lights out (it was drizzling rain too). Really grinds my gears, as once the problem becomes too big, the Rangers will just shut down the trail. They don't have the resources to properly enforce laws.
Image credits: Nicoloks
#33 Those Damn Europeans Living In Europe
Image credits: Spirited-Arugula-672
#34 Elephant Eating Plastic Left By Tourists
Image credits: Biryani-Man69
#35 "Stupid Tourist Thursday", From Dynjandi Waterfall Last Spring
Image credits: BTRCguy
#36 Left By Tourists, Who Probably Don't Appreciate This Zen Garden As Much As I Do
Image credits: achikunn
#37 Yellowstone Tourists Put Bison Calf In Their Car, Because They’re Worried It’s Cold
Image credits: Nate Eaton
#38 Tourists In Cyprus Parked Their Car In Front Of Outdoor Seating At A Restaurant, Blocking The View Of The Ocean
Image credits: reddit.com
#39 Tourist Showing Off His Gymnastics Skills In A Japanese Subway
Image credits: ahoy_cubism
#40 This Is What My Town Looks Like Throughout The Summer Thanks To Tourists
Image credits: Traizork
#41 Thoughtful Tourist Offers Kyoto Natives Waste Management Advice
Image credits: mister_peeberz
#42 I've Been Visiting Archeological Sites On My Tour Of Greece And Have Found Plastic Dental Flossers Littered Amongst The Ancient Remains At More Than One Site
Image credits: janisselbyjones
#43 Typical Tourist Behavior In Malaysia
Image credits: Reddit_Account2025
#44 "Begpackers" - Tourists, Who Travel With The Intent To Beg For Money From The Locals To Fund Further Travel
Image credits: jackd223
#45 I Put Out Miniature Bob Ross Paintings As An Art Treasure Hunt In My Tourist-Ridden Beach Town. I Get A Lot Of Requests For Certain Dates Or Places But This Is The Worst One So Far
Image credits: happylittletreeshhi
#46 Trash Cans Are 10 Feet Away
Image credits: greenecoservices
#47 My State Just Voted To Raise The Minimum Wage. Tourist Karens Complained Because It Might Affect Their Vacation
Image credits: Madeline_Kawaii
#48 Tourists In Canadian National Parks
Image credits: Daemonixx
#49 People Breaking Glass On Beaches
Tourists come here and do this all the time, came here for one day, made a mess and left. I live here and am at the beach all summer with my family. And not to mention all the other trash and dog poop left behind.
Image credits: mertzen
#50 Entitled "Influencer" Thinks A Tourist Spot Belongs To Her
Image credits: Few-Ad4671
#51 There's Your Regular Clueless London Tourist, And Then There's This
Image credits: Roxythedog69
#52 Why Do Tourists Do This? Mo Paeng Waterfalls In Pai, Thailand
Image credits: glever-cirl
#53 There Is A Certain Pretentious Group Of People That Treat Thailand Badly. They Look Down Upon Thai People, Treat Them With Utter Disrespect And Are Just Generally Rude And Entitled
Tonight I witnessed it firsthand when at a restaurant near a beach, these people felt they could just throw rubbish and spit on the floor right next to their table in front of other customers and staff. I asked the young waitress what she thought of it, she said it happens every night and they never ask for a bin or ashtray. They never apologize or tip. They have zero manners or consideration for others. I know there are a few "types" of people that come to mind after you read this, but I bet the real one is at the top of your list. I love this country and its people. Hate to see them treated like this.
Image credits: duttydirtz
#54 Tourists In Orlando Complaining About Being Stuck Inside While A Hurricane Has Destroyed Homes, Flooded Roads, And Injured People
Image credits: aliceroyal
#55 Ultimate Tourist
Image credits: Waffle280
#56 Saw A Bunch Of "Begpackers" In Hanoi, Vietnam Begging Locals For Money To Fund Their Travel Around The World
Image credits: tangotango112
#57 I Just Returned From A Business Trip To Rio De Janeiro. I Was Blown Away By The Pollution I Found Just Outside Of The Tourist Areas
Image credits: robinson217
#58 Woman Visiting Arlington National Cemetery Ignores The "Do Not Cross" Signs, And Walks On The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier To Take A Selfie For Instagram. Tomb Guard Puts Her In Her Place
Image credits: TheMeltyNickle
#59 Tourist In Bali, Indonesia Filmed Riding A Scooter/Motorbike Without A Helmet, Carrying A Large Suitcase And Drinking
Image credits: DisruptSQ
#60 Entitled Tourists Think My Guitar Is A Prop At An Instant Photo Booth
Image credits: pingu280
#61 Karen Travels To Mexico For An American Holiday, Leaves 1-Star Review
Image credits: Iacouch
#62 Foreigners In Bali, Indonesia Ignore The Closure Of Tourist Destinations And Remove A Sign Stating "Closed For Visitor" To Gain Access To Karang Boma Cliff In Pecatu, South Kuta
Image credits: denpasar.viral
#63 Too Many Plastic Cups, Toys, Styrofoam. This Is Tourist Trash From The Beach
Image credits: greenecoservices
#64 American Tourist In A Museum In Vietnam
Image credits: Priamosish
#65 Imagine, You're Sat On A River Cruise And Someone Decides To Be The Only Person To Stand Up And Chooses A Spot Directly In Front Of You And Gets In The Way Of Every View
Image credits: normallynorfolk
#66 This Family Asking For Money Via Venmo On Their Way To Disneyland
Image credits: Objective_Reality232
#67 Karen Review Spotted
Image credits: rainyweather2022
#68 Some Tourists Can Be Very Disrespectful
Image credits: SSBloodRabbit
#69 Gold Star To These Geniuses. They Were So Thoughtful To Put Their Cup, Straw, Lid, Napkins, And Plastic Utensils Inside Their Jack In The Box Meal Box And Place Driftwood On Top
Image credits: kellylance_
#70 What Makes This Person Think We Want To Finance Their Travel Plans?
Image credits: DangerousDave303
#71 This Was At The Cafe In Machu Pichu. These Two Bought No Food Or Drink But Took The Prime Viewing Spot And Put Their Bags Down On A Third Chair In Between Them, So No One Could Sit There
There was plenty of room on the floor for their bags.
Image credits: willthepoofstevenson
#72 Review Of A High-End Beach Town In Southern California
I don’t even really like the restaurant that they are reviewing that much. The food is fine and I’ll go there in the off-season once in a while, it’s just kind of a tourist trap and very busy. But it's obviously the restaurant's fault for the storm and power outage with no generator, according to this person.
Image credits: nicaleka
#73 Tourists In Iceland. 50 Meters From The Car Rental
Image credits: Barbapappz
#74 Went To Iceland Earlier In The Month And Waited Nearly 10 Minutes For The Geysir To Blow, Only For Another Tourist To Walk Right In Front Of The Shot
Image credits: areyoustillwatching_
