Catering to the lowest common denominator, that is.
Why do people insist on taking a holiday to a foreign destination – then living life *exactly* as they would at home? You don’t need a chip butty in Spain. There is no need for the term ‘chip butty’ to be known by ANYONE in Spain. Remove it from your vocabulary when you leave your hole in the UK. The area wouldn’t cater so heavily to the tourist population if you guys hadn’t consistently behaved like utter assholes about it. Whine, whine “I can’t even read the menu!” whine whine “I’d kill for a fry-up” whine whine “I’m such an ignorant prick of a tourist I can’t even be bothered to try something different while I’m on holiday”.
Seriously, Benalmadena – make the bastards eat some local food! It’s one of the best things about being in Spain. Spain is famous for its delicious local cuisine – it is hearty, yet somehow delicate (jamon, anyone?). Yet, despite this, the entire area was flooded with Irish pubs, restaurants advertising ‘classic British meals’, ‘full English breakfasts’, and bloody Manchester United games on the TV. Why?!
It might look pretty from up here...but they're lobsters, the lot of them!
British tourists have an intriguing perception of the way they portray themselves to others whilst on holiday. They think they look and behave like the glitterati of the Costa del Sol. In reality? They’re the fat, red-faced ignorami who’re sitting at the table across the room yelling at the waiter so he’ll ‘understand’ them.
It’s NOT pretty. Smarten up your act, and let those countries outside of the UK retain some of their national identity.
Oh, and yes, I am aware that not all tourists are like this. But the ones that are, ruin it for the rest.
Ahhh – the chip! UK’s contribution to global cuisine. I’ve watched that show “Places in the Sun” – about Brits looking to move to Spain for the better weather there – and yes, unfortunately every second restaurant features steak, egg and chips on the menu. And the reality is, if they didn’t these places would go broke in about a week. So viva la Chip! Long live the chip and all those who dine on it. Thanks to the chip the restaurant business in Spain is booming. And thanks to all those other travellers who relish stepping outside their usual squares and delight in the exquisite cuisine of a different country – I applaud you all. As the saying goes – “when in Rome…” or in this case – Spain!
Oh GOD Mum, I forgot about Places in the Sun!! Terrible!
But actually, the business isn’t booming there – we spoke to someone who owned a resort there, and he said it was the worst investment ever. Not only can he not sell the damn place, but if he did, he’d lose quite a bit of money as a result. And all the restaurants in Benalmadena were quiet. We did that thing where you try to find a restaurant that’s packed with locals – but we didn’t find one until we got to Malaga. Sigh. When in Rome indeed!
Oh god it’s terrible isn’t it? It’s exactly the same in Thailand, places everywhere doing fish and chips, full English breakfasts, etc. Why the shit are you in Thailand/Spain if you don’t want to experience what it’s like there?
Tell me about it! I shouldn’t have to walk 45 minutes to experience something Spanish. I’m already IN Spain – it should be right there! The thing that annoys me the most is that it’s the bottom-feeder tourists who’ve made it this way. They’re ruining something wonderful for the rest of the world, by insisting that cultures cater to them, and their way of life – rather than being adaptable and open-minded.
Thanks for commenting, Justin :)
You just hit the nail on the head of my pet hate. So many culturally clueless and disrespectful people out there who lose all sense of who they are when they go overseas and think that their stronger currency gives them a reason to act disgracefully. So much to cringe about! Great blog.
Ahhh the lobsters. Yep, met them, smelt them and took the piss out of them lol. When you’re travelling for a long period of time then yes, sometimes a McDonalds is allowed but if you’re just heading to Spain for a week or two then why the f*** did you get on the plain to eat the same shit that your deep fat fryer can do at home. GOD!! Pisses me off soooo much! With you all on the way on this one Chloe haha
You’ve been reviewed: http://iwillfuckingtearyouapart.blogspot.com/2011/05/take-half-clothes-and-twice-money.html
Indeed I have. Harsh, but fair. I like that.
*must try harder*
Camping: If you believe this, please give us a linky back.
Done. Ask and ye shall receive…and all that ;)
Jamon is quite possibly the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.
Brits trying to take over over countries? Old habits die hard it seems.
Ill always remember being in Majorca during Euro 96. 8 years old watching England play Spain in a local bar, the commentary was in Spanish and one loud mouth cockney pipes up “Oi, barman, Turn it over to bloody English commentary”
To which the Barman ever so calmly replied, “you want English commentary? Fuck off back to England”
My young ears never recovered :)
I LOVE that! Oh god, that’s amazing. That comment would have stayed with me too!
Thanks for commenting, Lee :)