Posted on 12/28/2009 7:38:51 PM PST by NCjim
ASKING what time the Loch Ness monster is fed and where the Boston Tea Party takes place are some the stupidest questions asked by tourists.
Tourism boards from around the world have revealed their quirkiest questions of 2009.
According to Jennifer Haz, of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, one holidaymaker wanted to know "which beach is closest to the ocean?''
Paul Gauger, of VisitBritain.com office said he was asked: "Why did they build so many ruined castles and abbeys in England?"
One tourist complained to Philadelphia Tourism that the Kennett Square mushrooms were "not square".
Would-be visitors to Japan have also been disappointed. Nori Akashi, of the Japan tourism, says she has been asked: "How long does it take from Tokyo to Korea - by the famous bullet train?''
Heather Bryant, of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, says one tourist asked about taking a ferry around downtown. Another wanted to know what time the whales swim by.
Going to the Netherlands? Be sure to visit the tulip factory. At least that's what one visitor wanted to do, Rosina Shiliwala, of the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions said.
Someone also wanted to know if they would end up in Holland if they drove through the Holland Tunnel in New York.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Anyone who’s actually been down to the waterfront in Boston would know that “where did the Boston Tea Party take place” would not be a stupid question, assuming one was already in the city. It’s a veritable maze in the old part of the city (like the rest isn’t), and the harbor stretches quite a ways up to the north (and actually encompassed some of the lower Charles until they filled in the Fenway). Wanting to know what part of the waterfront was the site of the actual event is perfectly understandable.
“On a cruise ship:
Do the crew live on the ship?
Does this elevator go all the way to the front of the ship?
Who picks up all the golf balls that are hit off the back of the ship?”
LOL!
And when in Hong Kong, after checking into your hotel, ask the desk clerk “if there’s anyplace around here where I can get some Chinese food”;)
If you’re in Greece and want a Greek Salad, do you just order a salad?
Is there a trick to ordering french fries when you’re in France?
Asked of a ship’s tour director,
“Do all these islands move around with the seasons?”
Daylight savings...
Is it spring back, fall forward?
When I moved to Switzerland from California I asked a few stupid questions myself.
“How do these crops get irrigated?” (I never saw the irrigation ditches or systems!)
“Where are the slums?”
And one that still surprises me: “Why didn’t you get your dog neutered?” When hearing that they HAD gotten their male dog neutered, I mentioned that I could still see his, ahem, equipment. (This was at a PARTY.) Everyone turned to me, horrified, asking “You mean in America they cut them OFF????”
It’s good to be blonde.
ROFL!!!!!!!
They are pommes frites in France. And a German Shepherd in Germany is just a Shaeffer (shepherd).
I find the best part of the “job” is dealing with the public, you just never know what a lot of them will say or ask for. We have people from all over the world come in, Arlington is the 2nd most popular tourist area in Texas, and I have met some of the most interesting people you could imagine. It is the visitor that makes it fun.
I live in WV. The biggest laugh I get is when I tell people I’m from WV and they say, “Oh, I’ve been to Richmond. It’s a nice city.” I just nod and keep going.
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