I used to work at a tourist attraction in a who shall not be named, and it was always a pleasure to serve all the different types of people who visited us.
However, I have to say that one particular group of people that came to us always stood out of the crowd. I’m talking about the so-called “cheapskate tourists”.
They always come in a huge group, make a lot of noise and then order the cheapest thing
These people didn’t leave a very good impression on me and the other staff members at the tourist attraction. They would usually arrive in groups, make a huge bunch of noise and always order the cheapest items from the menu.
Once, I remember that a group of cheapskate tourists ordered a cup of coffee, and then asked me for six empty cups so that they could split the coffee amongst themselves.
It was clear that this group of tourists was trying to save money by sharing the same cup of coffee between them instead of ordering individual cups. I was taken aback by this request, as it was not something that we usually see in our cafe.
However, after some thought, I decided to let them have their way and gave them the six empty cups.
The cheapskate tourists thanked me and took the six empty cups away to where they were seated. But, as I watched them split the coffee between the six cups, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit disgusted.
I felt they are saving money at the expense of the business’ resources
I mean, it was one thing for them to try and save money, but it was another thing for them to go until this level.
I think that this incident really made me aware of how some tourists can be really selfish when it comes to saving money. It’s not only about the money; it’s also about the lack of respect they show towards the resources of the place they are visiting.
Of course, I understand that everyone has their own financial situation, and that some people are more privileged than others. However, there are ways to save money without being disrespectful to the people who offer services to you.
I think it’s more important to be mindful of how you spend your money when you’re travelling, and to remember that you’re a guest in someone else’s land.