When you go on holidays, do you go to the same place year in, year out, or do you want to explore somewhere new? Do you gravitate towards the nearest Irish bar (they are everywhere) or seek out the little local bar where no one speaks English, but the craic is good?
There are many different types of holidaymakers but we are often divided into just two categories. There are those who want a home away from home, and those who want a new adventure every time they travel. I think there is a third category which is a combination of the two.
Even the most adventurous of us like a bit of familiarity when we are away. I am guilty of bringing Barry’s tea bags whenever I travel. I love trying local food and drinks, but I need a decent cuppa and it’s bad enough that one can rarely get boiling water, never mind a half-decent tea bag. So even when I was travelling solo through Mexico, I had my bag of Barry’s tea.
As the tourism season draws to a close, I reflect on the things that many of the visitors I’ve met throughout the year find different when here on holiday and what they miss from home.
Living on an island, most Irish people have travelled abroad at least once in their lives, if not once a year or more. Those who live on huge continents such as America, Canada and Australia have so many places to visit in their own country that many don’t travel further afield.
So what are the things that some visitors find different and outside their comfort zone when they take the plunge and travel abroad?
Face cloths! Yes, face cloths, or washcloths as they are called in America, are an issue. In particular, American visitors expect every hotel and B&B to supply them. Very few do nowadays. Visitors have asked me how we wash ourselves without them.
Non-European visitors are confused by the caps on our water and mineral bottles. They find the way the cap stays on irritating. Sure, I think we can all agree with them on that one, even if it is environmentally friendly
There have been times when I have been tempted to put on a fake Irish accent and say: ‘Arra sure, we don’t need to wash unless we’re going to a wedding or a funeral.’ Just in case Fáilte Ireland is reading this, I’ve never actually voiced that thought.
People visit Ireland for our scenery, our history, maybe family connections and something different. But they can be quite put out when not every hotel room has fly screens, air conditioning, a top sheet and the already mentioned face cloth. I understand the confusion around room cards which are needed for power in the room, as this is not as common on other continents, but the other items just aren’t necessary here.
Yes, we had a very hot summer but AC would only be used a few days a year normally, so it is hardly worth the expense of installing it.
When it comes to things like local currency, I think it’s more a lack of research than wanting the familiar. I’m sure many readers remember the days of getting travellers’ cheques or ordering lira, pesetas or French francs before we travelled to Europe. The euro has made it simpler for us and other travellers, and yet many arrive here with their own currency.
Tour guides, bar staff, etc., regularly get tips in dollars. Can you imagine the face of a New York barman if I tipped him in euro?
When it comes to food and drink, most love our food, as they should (I’m biased). They miss certain types of coffee, creamer, and as a tea bag carrier, I get that. Non-European visitors are confused by the caps on our water and mineral bottles. They find the way the cap stays on irritating. Sure, I think we can all agree with them on that one, even if it is environmentally friendly.
I have noticed some places appealing to the tourism market by offering food and drinks they would be familiar with. I get that as a business model, but are we in danger of losing what makes us unique? Do we all need to be more open to embracing what is different? Surely the best souvenir a traveller can bring home is the memories of experiencing a different culture, different food and stepping even one foot outside our comfort zone.
