# This is why we can't have nice things: asshole tourists in Japan **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 1, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391 "2024-06-01T21:03:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/241 "2026-06-13T08:01:06Z")
Another Israeli museum, another preschooler: > **[Famed Magritte painting damaged by child with pine cone | CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/12/travel/magritte-painting-damaged-child-scli-intl)** > > A painting by the Belgian artist René Magritte has been damaged by a 5-year-old boy wielding a pine cone. I had a copy of the painting, Magritte’s “Castle of the Pyrenees,” taped to my door growing up - it’s popular among fantasy lovers. I’m glad they’ll be able to fix it, but really wish they’d improve their security. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/242 "2026-06-13T10:56:26Z")
[![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b0/Rene_Magritte_-_The_Castle_of_the_Pyrenees.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b0/Rene_Magritte_-_The_Castle_of_the_Pyrenees.jpg) It’s pretty cool yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/243 "2026-06-13T11:25:08Z")
Yes, although; see references in that article to surprising (to me at least) number of similar incidents in museums worldwide. I guess this sort of thing is statistically inevitable when you’ve got millions of people annually in proximity to tens of thousands of precious and notable objects. Maybe having “escort” docents helping usher families with small children through vulnerable exhibits wouldn’t be a bad idea, though. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/244 "2026-06-13T12:52:15Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s pretty cool yeah. Cool? Those poor people in that castle on top of the rock are about to crash into the ocean! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/245 "2026-06-13T15:26:45Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Cool? Those poor people in that castle on top of the rock are about to crash into the ocean! Nah, Sokovia is going to be just fine. What could go wrong? ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/246 "2026-06-13T17:07:52Z")
It appears to be hovering, not crashing with style. No motion artifacts. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/247 "2026-06-13T18:23:11Z")
You presume there should be any such artifacts? Apart of course from knowing how gravity works? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/248 "2026-06-13T21:40:55Z")
Gravity only works if it’s all reet with Magritte… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/249 "2026-06-14T02:53:38Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Maybe having “escort” docents helping usher families with small children through vulnerable exhibits wouldn’t be a bad idea, though. I don’t know if that’s really a practical solution for most museums as this would increase their operating costs. For starters, pretty much every painting in an art museum is going to be a vulnerable exhibit unless it’s behind glass. How many “escort” docents would some place like the Israel Museum in Jerusalem need? At most art museums I’ve been to, the tours have all been self-guided and there’s very little interaction with any of the staff. Would the museum require people with children to form groups and follow the docent around? I’m of two minds. The first is that we simply don’t allow children into certain museums. But this isn’t an acceptable solution for most people. The second is that we simply accept things like this are going to happen from time-to-time. I never had a problem with a kid wrecking anything at the museum I worked at…though I had some jerks who couldn’t stay off the Jeep. They weren’t kids though. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/250 "2026-06-14T04:27:30Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > The first is that we simply don’t allow children into certain museums. But this isn’t an acceptable solution for most people. FTR, among New York art museums, this is already the policy at the Frick Collection (10 and up only) and the Neue Gallerie (12 and up only). ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/251 "2026-06-14T07:10:16Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > FTR, among New York art museums, this is already the policy at the Frick Collection (10 and up only) and the Neue Gallerie (12 and up only). That’s a bit sad. Last summer I went with my 4 and 3 year old nephews to MoMA and they loved it. They had a book of artwork at home so were excited to see the real paintings. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/252 "2026-06-14T11:48:36Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I never had a problem with a kid wrecking anything at the museum I worked at…though I had some jerks who couldn’t stay off the Jeep. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/krYtNWNSmhw/maxresdefault.jpg "[The Simpsons] Bart Takes Hitler's Car for a Short-Lived Joyride") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krYtNWNSmhw) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/253 "2026-06-14T11:53:10Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Another Israeli museum, another preschooler: So, are pinecones something you normally find in Israeli museums? Is there a pinecone booth selling overpriced pinecones to over-enthusiastic toddlers? What, exactly, did the kid do with the pinecone? Throw it? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/254 "2026-06-14T12:06:32Z")
[Here’s](https://www.imj-germany.de/wp-content/gallery/israel-museum-time-huersley/Areial-IMJ_AL11_7_19_1354d.jpg) a shot of the museum, from the air. If you look carefully you might spot a few pine tries. From what I understand, the kid found a cool pine cone and was walking around with it, rubbing it against stuff, until it scratched a picture. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/255 "2026-06-14T13:01:25Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ioGn5ZWVTzA/maxresdefault.jpg "The Simpsons: Bart in the Spirit of St Louis") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioGn5ZWVTzA) ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/256 "2026-06-14T13:59:19Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > From what I understand, the kid found a cool pine cone and was walking around with it, rubbing it against stuff, until it scratched a picture. I can’t understand what the grandparent was thinking. We had outdoor activities (throwing things, yelling, running around, etc.) and indoor activities. Rubbing pine cones against stuff sounds like an outdoor activity. Don’t most parents do this? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/257 "2026-06-14T14:15:52Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > I can’t understand what the grandparent was thinking. “Let kids be kids” 🤬 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/258 "2026-06-14T14:26:43Z")
Just be glad the kid wasn’t trying to smoke it! You know kids these days. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/259 "2026-06-14T19:06:35Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > I can’t understand what the grandparent was thinking. My guess? The kid found a pinecone on the way to the museum, the grandparent told him to throw it away, the kid begged them to let him keep it, the grandparent, not wanting to be the bad guy, said OK, keep it but don’t touch anything with it, the kid promised he wouldn’t, and then, being five years old, immediately forgot. Also, it was probably an Aleppo or Turkish pine cone, and those are petty small. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/260 "2026-06-14T22:14:47Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > OK, keep it but don’t touch anything with it, the kid promised he wouldn’t, and then, being five years old, immediately forgot. Well, yeah, it’s not the five year old who is at fault here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391.md?page=14)