# Has any government ever addressed rude behavior by LOCALS at tourist destinations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 15, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928 "2024-06-15T23:01:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/41 "2024-06-17T08:14:09Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > One of these days a tourist is going to reflexively sock one of those guys in the nose and create an International Incident. I think you’re vastly overestimating the importance of tourists here. If a Caribbean vendor grabs an American tourist, and that tourist hits back, that will, most likely, not even cause the police to be called in unless there’s a serious injury. If there is a serious injury, the police will be called in and the tourist tried in accordance with local law (which may or may not result in an acquittal on the basis of self-defence, as the case may be). That doesn’t cause an international incident; tourists don’t have immunity from the jurisdiction of the countries they visit, and the State Department does not assert that they do. As long as basic fair trial rules and the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (which provide that detainees must be given an opportunity to contact their consulate) are observed, the American embassy won’t interfere, other than perhaps help you get advice from a local lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/42 "2024-06-17T09:15:36Z")
My elderly mother worked in a hotel in the Cotswolds, popular with American tourists. When she worked behind the bar and a customer failed to say “please” she would ignore them. If they persisted, she would tell them, as one talking to a three-year-old, why she was not serving them, ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/43 "2024-06-17T09:31:33Z")
> [@bump](#): > > or even the Frenc-speaking parts of Belgium. Ok, I’ll bite. What about the Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/44 "2024-06-17T10:04:11Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > This guy was offering 4 camels. And they thought he was serious? > > Suppose they agreed, and sold him the girl from their group. What would they have done with the camels–put them on their tour bus to take home? Probably, yeah. I mean, how much room do you need for cigarettes? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/45 "2024-06-17T11:43:27Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > I think you’re vastly overestimating the importance of tourists here Forgive me, I was being hyperbolic, and failed to make that clear. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/46 "2024-06-17T12:33:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > My personal worst locals-conning-tourists experience was in New Orleans. Heh, a local guy approached us and started that “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes” thing. My gf laughed at this and asked him if he wanted to join us for drinks at whichever bar we were headed to. We ended up buying him a few drinks and sharing some snacks. He definitely added to our experience. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/47 "2024-06-17T13:08:50Z")
In my case the eldest of the group of “got shoes” con artists was about 15. No free drinks for them. But you’re certainly right that it would have been an interesting slice-of-another-life conversation had I been able to get them out of their con artist character actoring and into their genuine selves. IMO/IME those convos are the high point of every trip. You and GF seem especially talented at finding and nurturing them. Bravo for doing it right! ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/48 "2024-06-17T13:17:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Heh, a local guy approached us and started that “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes” thing. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > In my case the eldest of the group of “got shoes” con artists was about 15 What’s the follow-up and the scam? Do they try to sell you shoes? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/49 "2024-06-17T13:24:55Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > What’s the follow-up and the scam? They assure you they’ll be able to tell you where you got your shoes, and they try to get you to play along and bet them $20 or whatever. Then the reveal: “You gotcher shoes on Bourbon Street” meaning where you are standing, not the original place of purchase. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/50 "2024-06-17T13:37:49Z")
Or: _“You got those shoes … on your feet.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/51 "2024-06-17T14:00:30Z")
That sounds more like a harmless joke than a scam (unless efforts are made to enforce the $20 “winnings” violently). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/52 "2024-06-17T14:02:33Z")
The whole con works much better if the conman (always male IME) speaks with the AAVE dialect to a generic white bread suburbanite tourist. > **Con Artist (CA)**: Ah knows where yo got dem shoes. > **Mark** : No you don’t. You couldn’t possibly. > **CA** : Oh yeah, ya wants ta bet? > **Mark** : Sure (thinking “you ignorant idiot”). How much? > **CA** : Twenny bucks. > **Mark** : Twenty dollars it is. You’re on. > **CA** : Yo got dem shoes on yo feet! Hee hee. > **Mark** : Shit. [feeling stupid while peeling off a Jackson for the kid]. The con works much better on somebody with a wife or a couple of friends in tow. The mark is torn between being a stand up guy admitting he was conned far and square, and trying to renege on the deal and loose face with his audience. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/53 "2024-06-17T14:14:34Z")
Why is the “where you got your shoes” thing always associated with New Orleans? Other cities aren’t good enough? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/54 "2024-06-17T14:20:17Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Why is the “where you got your shoes” thing always associated with New Orleans? Apparently, due to a particular reputation for street scams and con artists who prey upon tourists. > **[New Orleans Tourist Traps, Scams, and Other Things to Avoid](https://freetoursbyfoot.com/new-orleans-tourist-traps/)** > > This post covers a dozen different tourist traps to avoid in New Orleans, including multiple locations, people, and activities. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/55 "2024-06-17T14:23:37Z")
In Paris its the “I found this gold ring next to you scam”. I think that I read about it here first and then actually experianced it in Paris. I played along and still have my gold ring today, I paid 5 Euros to be entertained. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/56 "2024-06-17T14:31:04Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Why is the “where you got your shoes” thing always associated with New Orleans? I heard about it before my first trip there and was actually happy to hear someone doing it. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/57 "2024-06-17T14:42:26Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Why is the “where you got your shoes” thing always associated with New Orleans? > Other cities aren’t good enough? I encountered it in Chicago (“on your feet”) along with an attempt to clean my shoes followed by a demand for payment. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/58 "2024-06-17T15:03:34Z")
We have an Irish friend who lives in Paris. She says there are a lot of (I assume government-sponsored) ads on TV emphasizing the importance of tourism to the economy and treating tourists in a friendly manner. The ads are widely ridiculed by the French public. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/59 "2024-06-17T15:32:44Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > My elderly mother worked in a hotel in the Cotswolds, popular with American tourists. When she worked behind the bar and a customer failed to say “please” she would ignore them. If they persisted, she would tell them, as one talking to a three-year-old, why she was not serving them, That cracks me up! I can visualize that easily and the probable astonishment on the part of the American as I happen to be reading and enjoying this book, there’s a quote that has come up a few times “ It’s the English you know, they’ll do you every time” > **[Tea & Antipathy](https://books.google.com/books/about/Tea_Antipathy.html?id=pRCSBQAAQBAJ)** > > Tea & Antipathy is a delightfully hilarious and true account of one American family's summer in the posh London neighborhood of Knightsbridge in 1965. Capturing the helpless feeling that living in a foreign city often brings, the book... ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928/60 "2024-06-17T22:32:59Z")
I wouldn’t characterize this as unapologetically hostile, but I think it pretty much fits the OP’s bill. > **[How San Diego went from street vendor ‘free-for-all’ to controversial beach...](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/05/25/how-san-diego-went-from-street-vendor-free-for-all-to-controversial-beach-yoga-crackdown/)** > > SAN DIEGO — The recent backlash against San Diego’s crackdown on beach yoga classes is only the latest in a long series of controversies sparked by the city’s efforts to… Local vendors and private companies virtually taking over chunks of prime public tourist areas when it’s been technically against municipal code for years. The yoga crackdown has gotten some national press. Is it a free speech issue when 100+ yoga people lay down their mats and effectively block off a small scenic public park overlooking the beach? Maybe it is, but it’s also fucking rude. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-government-ever-addressed-rude-behavior-by-locals-at-tourist-destinations/1002928.md?page=4)