A Recent Cruise: I have just returned from a 24 day cruise, 12 days around the Mediterranean and 12 days around the Blatic. It was a US cruise ship, The Carnival Legend, I was...

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I have just returned from a 24 day cruise, 12 days around the Mediterranean and 12 days around the Blatic.
It was a US cruise ship, The Carnival Legend, I was wondering how I would get on surrounded by thousands of Americans but I must say that I met many very nice US people who when they knew I was English would ask me lots of questions about the various Ports of Call etc. I was pleased to help them as best as I could and often they would regularly track me down to ask for more information.
My real problem was with the Japanese, I have never come across such an irritating group of people!!
They were very pushy, queue jumping, making stupid poses in front of the subject I was taking a photo of. They travel round in large groups (15-20) making so much noise it was impossible to hear what the guide was saying.
Was I just unlucky but is that the way the Japanese normally behave. If so that's something I must research before my next cruise.
JE

Photosmoke

I have had similar experience

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Ahhh-Sooo, your not alone

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

You think the japs are bad, try the Russians.

jadeast Loc: Virginia

It's similar here in the U S, The Japanese seem to be the worst of the bunch when it comes to stupid poses in front of landmarks but wherever there are tour buses there are going to be people who are on a tight schedule trying to get their photo ops in before the bus rushes to the next destination. I've only taken one cruise and that seems to me to create a situation where there is a large mass of people at a location with a limited amount of time all trying to get that great shot before it's time to move on to the next tourist trap.
I think you are going to get that a lot when you allow someone else to determine when you arrive at a destination and how long you're going to stay. This is not a criticism of the cruise industry because it works for a lot of people but there are always tradeoffs for the conveniences offered by the cruise and tour industries IMHO.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi jadeast, I know what you mean, I usually independently arrange my own trips so I avoid this happening, the problem was in Russia where the only way to avoid having a visa is to go on an organised tour, which is where I encountered the Japanese at their worst.
Cheers JE

Ron K. Loc: Upstate NY.

That was explained to me once in Hawaii. I was told that Japan is so crowded (subways, stores, etc,) that the people have to be assertive and annoying to make any headway going where they're going and they bring that type of behavior with them wherever they go.

jadeast Loc: Virginia

It's not all bad though. I was at Yellowstone waterfall when two busloads of Japanese were all trying to each get their picture taken in front of the waterfall. which wasn't really going very well until someone got the bright idea of getting an American to take their pix with their camera. keep in mind none of them spoke english and he didn't speak japanese. He evidently did such a great job that others lined up for him to take their pix too. he was still shooting when I got into my motor home and left.

Mercer Loc: Houston, TX, USA

Ron K. wrote:

That was explained to me once in Hawaii. I was told that Japan is so crowded (subways, stores, etc,) that the people have to be assertive and annoying to make any headway going where they're going and they bring that type of behavior with them wherever they go.

...a testament to the Japanese mentality, or at least the low-class segment of it.

jadeast Loc: Virginia

johneccles wrote:

Hi jadeast, I know what you mean, I usually independently arrange my own trips so I avoid this happening, the problem was in Russia where the only way to avoid having a visa is to go on an organised tour, which is where I encountered the Japanese at their worst.
Cheers JE

I understand the difficulties and the choices we have to make. I travel by motor home. we used to go to canada and mexico but since our cat travels with us we can't cross the borders anymore without a current health certificate for him, we don't go there anymore.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

As a people, the Japanese are not without certain character flaws. However, when was the last time someone got mugged on a Tokyo subway?

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I don't really know to be honest.

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

viscountdriver wrote:

You think the japs are bad, try the Russians.

I've met quite a few Russians and liked most of them... but, they really should bathe more often!

RAK Loc: Concord Ca

When I was younger and thought I was a stud snow skier I was going down the mt trail at Squaw Valley full tuck and at a high rate of speed. I came around a corner and 30ft in front of me where at least 50 Japanese tourist completely blocking the trail, I had to bail up hill into the rocks to avoid them. It was that or go over a 50ft cliff to the trail below. I crashed badly, wrecking gear and body alike. Those people completely ignored my plight and finished with their giggling picture taking while I was try to extricate myself from the rocks and then just glided off with out a care for the carnage they caused!

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

RAK wrote:

When I was younger and thought I was a stud snow s... (show quote)

They act the same while driving too. Bad!