Comments on: 9 things I’ll never understand about travel

By: Athens Walker

Athens Walker — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:23:37 +0000

1. Most hotel pillows in Greece seem to have been on a looooong diet, unless you stay at a really good hotel.
2. My (and most Europeans’ I think) related question on the matter: What is that Americans find so hard in using a shower with a cord-line? And -vice versa- how do Americans manage to shower (in the US) without getting their hair wet?
3. Good one. Hadn’t thought about it. The beer has probably clouded my judgement.

7. Coke is quite sweeter in Greece than in the US. That I know for a fact. And more expensive as well.
9. People asking for change in Athens are only drug addicts or professional beggars. Sad but true. “Regular” Greeks would feel too ashamed to ask strangers for money. There are phones everywhere you can use to call whoever you need or you may just get into any store and ask to make a call. But asking for money? No, no!

By: Talon (@1Dad1Kid)

Talon (@1Dad1Kid) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:12:33 +0000

Perhaps it’s because I’m not a fan of Coke, but I have noticed a difference in flavor in the countries. Usually it’s pretty similar, but for some reason it tasted noticeably different in Ecuador and Mexico.

I so agree with #8, too. Does seem to move more slowly during nighttime travel.

I’ve been pretty lucky with Customs in most countries. The ones in the US seem to be more friendly than many, but the process is so much more involved. Peru looked so intensely bored, they could barely speak to me. Although I did like their take on random searches: Push a big button. If you get a green light, you get to exit. If it turns red, your luggage gets searched. Although, I was also body screened in that airport when I was switching from arrivals to the domestic flight section of the airport. Philippines seemed to mostly go through the formality, but we were in a large group doing a medical mission, so we probably had different treatment than the average traveler. In France he never spoke a word or smiled, but after stamping my passport, I just kept walking. No inspection or anything, which I appreciated. Ecuador only examined the luggage of the young, college-aged women in our group (they were all male), but at least they were more friendly.

By: Karen Wise

Karen Wise — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:41:15 +0000

David’s no 10 is spot on. Why do people do that? It’s not like they have to fight for a good seat?

I always find McDonald’s tastes different in every country. (I have a McD’s just to prove my hypothesis!)

By: StefanoPedoni

StefanoPedoni — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:16:23 +0000

#7 Ever tryed African Coca Cola? The one that comes in the classic shape glass bottle like in the 50′s? Nothing better than that!!!!

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 05:01:41 +0000

I’ll never understand how my stuff can fit in my bag one day, but if I buy one small souvenir, it magically won’t zip!

By: Mark Robertson

Mark Robertson — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:59:20 +0000

Love your 9.

I’m always amazed at the way a giant hunk of steel carrying 100s of people can go from A (1000s of kms) to B like clockwork. Just flying, I know. It’s incredible to me.

By: Juno

Juno — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:55:34 +0000

Number 6! Totally understand. Fried spring roll as breakfast. mmm.. who says fried food is not for breakfast?
I don’t normally stay at hotel but I know what you meant by number 5.
Another great post Andy!

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:42:25 +0000

Thank you to everyone for the many observations and comments. Enough here to write another list!
Good to hear so many different explanations for the variation in Coke taste. Water, sugar, corn syrup … I’ve learned a lot here. And agree with Lisa that chocolate tastes very different. I’m confident I could pick out UK vs US vs Aus Cadbury’s in a blind taste test.
David, many good insights here. I particularly agree with your first point that we don’t normally complain about pillows as it’s likely to be little more than an unpleasant parting shot. Yet it can make or break a good night’s sleep, as so many people have said. And so true on the people queuing for flights, but airport behaviour is another topic by itself!
Tiffany, your point on seat reclining works both ways. I agree with you that if you want a reclining seat then it should be able to recline properly. Having said that, being almost as tall as David, one of my pet peeves on a plane is someone reclining fully into my lap and cutting off all of my limited legroom without even looking round and warning me. I would personally pay a small premium to be in a section of the plane where seats don’t recline at all.
Jeremy, thanks for your comments about giving while travelling. It had me thinking and has spurred me into another post on this topic. Coming soon…
Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to a great discussion.

By: Kaylin

Kaylin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:36:00 +0000

For me the biggest difference in Coke (and sodas in general) is In the US or Not in the US. The US is one of the only places that uses corn syrup in the formula rather than sugar, and it makes a huge difference! The Coke in Fiji is delicious and made with sugar cane that is grown all over the islands; I drink coke at home in the US too, but after I got back from 6 weeks in Fiji I couldn’t stand the stuff because it was TOO sweet from the syrup. I got something at the airport in LA on arrival and had to throw it away because I couldn’t drink it.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:28:40 +0000

Yes! What is up with the pillows? Especially the ones that start out fluffy until you put your head on it. And why, when a hotel goes through a major renovation, do they make everything in the bathroom out of glass? Where’s my privacy?

And an airplane seat that moves 2 inches is not in a reclining position.