While many people go on vacation to relax and escape the stresses of everyday life, some tourists look for excitement and end up breaking the rules. In Bali, a Russian tourist named Yuri Chilikin was recently deported after posting a semi-nude photo of himself on top of a sacred island mountain. He later apologized, saying that his actions were due to personal ignorance. Similarly, in Venice, two tourists were caught riding electric surfboards on the Grand Canal and were fined €1,500 each and had their boards confiscated. The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, called the tourists ‘imbeciles’ and plans to introduce a visitor’s tax to combat overtourism.
According to travel psychologist Michael Brein, the reason some people behave badly while on vacation can be attributed to the “Spring Break phenomenon.” When we are on vacation, we feel more free and have fewer constraints, allowing us to experiment more culturally, socially, and behaviorally. This freedom can also result in a lack of control, leading to rule-breaking behavior.
While most people go on vacation to relax, it’s important to remember that we are guests in other countries and need to be respectful of their culture and traditions. Breaking the rules can have serious consequences, including fines and deportation. As tourists, it’s our responsibility to be mindful of our behavior and show respect to the places we visit.
