6 Times When It’s NOT OK to Take a Travel Selfie
In the age of Facebook and Twitter and the ubiquitous selfie, when we all feel the need to make our lives look more exciting by plastering everything we do and see across social media, I have begun to notice a disturbing trend while traveling the world.
A trend that leans toward the ignorant, the insensitive, and the downright disrespectful.
We've all seen THAT tourist. The one throwing up a peace sign at a war memorial. The one grinning at a burial ground. The one snapping selfies at a concentration camp (yes, I've actually seen it happen).
You've probably seen them, too. And maybe you felt a special type of rage towards them like I did.
JUST because you have a smartphone and a nice smile does NOT mean you need to commemorate visits to certain places by taking grinning selfies.
These are just a few of those places:
6 times when you shouldn't take the selfie
1. At a memorial honoring the dead
War memorials, disaster memorials, memorials to people who suffered… these are not the places for grinning or goofy selfies. These are places where people – often people who knew or are related to the victims – go to pay their respects; to remember and honor those who died. You may not have the same connections to these people, but you should keep in mind that others around you do.
Where I've seen it: I see it at nearly every such memorial I visit. Some notable spots have included the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, the 9/11 Memorial in New York City (the last time I was at this one, there was actually a woman doing a fashion photoshoot with a purse there), and even the memorial for the Boston Massacre.
2. At a place where people actually died
I feel like this should be a given. If you are visiting a place where people lost their lives in some sort of horrific fashion, it's not the place to snap a duck-faced selfie. Period. Show some respect. If you're not interested in learning about what happened at said place, at least pretend like you are. Or just don't go in the first place.
Where I've seen it: I'll never forget going to the 9/11 Memorial for the first time in New York City. I went on a tour led by 2 people who were there that day, both of whom had been in one of the World Trade Center towers and managed to get out before they collapsed. Their stories moved me to tears. And then I turned around to see tourists posing with big smiles and peace signs in front of the memorial fountains – fountains that are covered with the names of the victims who died on that very spot. Noooot really the place.
And we've all heard about how literal concentration camps in Europe have had to write rules banning selfies, because people were taking them. (They're still taking them, of course; I just saw a man recently posing for a smiling photo at Auschwitz with my own eyes.)
3. When you are disrespecting the locals
First of all, you should always be respecting the local people in the places you're visiting. After all, YOU'RE the outsider. But, if you're not going to respect them, at least don't take photos of yourself mocking them, their homes, or their way of life. Don't take a photo of (or with) someone that you wouldn't want someone to take of (or with) you.
(In fact, don't use people as props in your photos, period. You should always get permission to take any photos of fellow humans.)
Where I've seen it: People taking selfies with homeless people (because apparently this is cool?). Or people taking selfies with monks when they're going about collecting their morning alms (this one is getting out of control in Southeast Asia).
4. When you are acting like a douchebag
“Acting like a douchebag” can cover a lot. I realize this. But I'm sure you know what I mean – we don't need any more selfies drunk people in public, posing with something inappropriate, defacing something ancient, etc. If you insist on BEING a douchebag, fine. But there's no reason for you to put evidence of it up on Instagram.
Where I've seen it: The worst was probably people snapping selfies while feeding bags of potato chips and cans of Coca Cola to monkeys in Thailand. First of all, please DO NOT FEED WILD ANIMALS in the first place – and especially don't feed them crappy human food. I wanted to slap each and every one of these people.
And I'm sure you've all heard the stories of people taking photos of themselves doing illegal things on their travels (how stupid). If you're going to be an idiot and film proof of it, you deserve to get caught.
5. When something bad is actually happening
Lastly, if you find yourself in a situation where something bad is happening right at that very moment, for the love of God don't think about the best angle for your epic selfie. Put aside your vanity and either get the hell out of there, or figure out what you can do to help.
“Citizen journalists” ARE a thing. But these people report the news – they don't snap MySpace-style selfies when people are getting hurt in the background.
Where I've seen it: I thankfully haven't witnessed this in person – yet. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time.
6. When you're being selfish or oblivious
This one isn't quite as heinous as taking a selfie at a concentration camp, but it's perhaps the situation that will piss off your fellow travelers the most: when you're so oblivious to your surroundings and other people that you inconvenience others and get in everyone's way to take your own photo.
I believe in being very diplomatic when it comes to taking photos at very famous lookouts and viewpoints; I have no problem with people taking selfies – as long as they move out of the way in a decent amount of time so everyone else can get their own photos, too.
If you are either selfish enough to think only your photos matter, or so oblivious that you don't even realize you're blocking others or ruining their special photos, then you are the type of traveler people can't stand.
Where I've seen it: Honestly everywhere these days. But it was definitely the most rage-inducing around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC during cherry blossom season. The views here are great, and you CAN get photos without hundreds of other people in them. But professional photographers like to set up and hog all the best spots for their clients instead of taking turns, which I hate! No one is more deserving of the pretty view just because they're carrying a nicer camera.
What other selfie habits give you rage?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
THIS!
I went to Thailand in February and remarked on the monkeys (here, if you want to look what I said). It’s so bad, and so disrespectful, especially when you then leave the litter all over the beach. Just no!!
Also, Auschwitz / concentration camp selfies. NO!
Sara | This Girl Loves
Yeah, Monkey Island was terrible – I wish I would have never went there!
I have to disagree on the douchebag selfies. Anything that helps get some of these people arrested and away from the harm they are doing is good. Really great article by the way.
Unfortunately, a lot of stupid stuff people do isn’t actually illegal. (Like feeding the monkeys – people are actually encouraged to do it there, even though it’s definitely wrong.)
Woah. This reminds me of something I read (on Buzzfeed probably) about teenagers taking funeral selfies. “At grandpa’s funeral. Here’s my sad face!” wtf!?!?
Yeah, WTF is up with funeral selfies??
YESSSSS! I had the same thoughts when I was at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin and then wrote an entire post about people’s horrible behavior at Auschwitz. I wish people had a little more respect when they travel to these kinds of places.
Me too. I’m not sure what to blame the lack of respect on… but it’s definitely a problem.
Well said lady! Luang Prabang, Laos. The morning alms collection. I actually cried to see what goes on these days, it was horrible. Some of the monks are just 8 years old, horrible.
I’ve heard that it’s pretty bad there. I went to watch some monks going on their morning alms rounds in Chiang Mai, but it’s not nearly as much of a spectacle there. I did take some photos, but only after getting the attention of the monks to let them know I was going to snap some shots (from afar). And I certainly didn’t try to take any selfies!
Ugh some people can be so annoying. I went to the Oklahoma Memorial with some of my friends and I was really disappointed with them. They were giggling while we were walking up and I was mortified. I walked faster to separate myself from them as I didn’t want others to think I was part of the group. Once inside they stopped thankfully.
In that case, I know that some people just don’t know how to handle really somber places like that and jut dissolve into nervous giggles. I would have been embarrassed, too. At least they weren’t snapping selfies, though!!
Selfies with homeless people? This reminds me of a news story I heard a few years ago where people were randomly attacking homeless people — beating them up, and taking videos and putting it online.
Crazy stuff! I really don’t get people sometimes – how could you possibly think that’s okay??
Like all things in social media selfie’s are a passing trend. Next year something else more shocking will take its place. I thing a little of thought is required before taking a selfie. Majority just do it on impulse.
I really HOPE that they are a passing trend!
I feel like an old fuddy duddy using the line, “kids these days,” but yeah kids these days… Taking selfies has become such a norm for so many people, that some might not stop and take a second to think about whether or not a selfie is appropriate for where they are/who they are with, etc.
I don’t have a smartphone, and I hate taking photos of myself, so I’m pretty much the opposite of a selfie person. Actually I felt weird just taking photos of the concentration camp at Dachau when I was there a few years ago, even when I was being respectful.
Haha, I feel the same about “kids these days,” Alouise.
And I’m with you – I’m pretty anti-selfie in most cases.
Oh dear! There are some shockers in there!
Yes. And the sad thing is I have seen most of these happen on my travels!
Disrespecting the locals is huge.
I actually didn’t know, but taking pictures in a Shinto Shrine in Japan while someone is praying is completely rude UNLESS you have strict permission. Japanese people are usually too polite to complain, and it truly is an amazing picture opportunity, but you really need to ask.
In Cambodia (where I am now), I saw a traditional Khmer dance show. When the performers came out to bow, almost immediately, people started rushing the stage to take pictures with the obviously uncomfortable performers. I get that it is a nice picture, but you have to have some self awareness to see that they are obviously not smiling and being used as props.
South East Asian culture has a tendency to appease the tourist by any means necessary. While it actually bothers me, my Thai friends don’t see a problem with this, so I am kind of confused. They see it as just being easy going.
Great post Amanda.
SO much of it just comes down to many tourists having no sense of awareness. They ignore the uncomfortable signs given off by the people they’re photographing because they’re too concerned about getting “the shot” to step back and consider that what they’re doing might be in bad taste.
In Goa I saw a russian couple take a photo as they handed over a 20 rupee note (about 40 cents) to a poor man with no legs and one arm at the markets. Disgusting.
Ugh that’s horrible.
I couldn’t agree more. It seems as if the numbers of inappropriate selfies are increasing which is just sad. There are so many places where you just shouldn’t be playing around or taking grinning pictures near. And I don’t think it’s a lack of education it seems like a sheer lack of respect. Some young woman was taking grinning selfies at a concentration camp and she KNEW what it was. You just want to hit her over the head and yell “don’t you realize that people DIED horribly here?!”. I don’t get it.
I don’t get it either, and I hate that it’s a trend that just seems like it will continue and get worse!
I agree with most of these items. I think someones people see something of significance and whip out their camera. We’re conditioned to always smile when there is a camera in their face. Whereas in many Asian cultures, it peace sign is their conditioned response to a camera. It’s almost automatic if you will and people don’t think too much about it.
However, specifically with Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, I think the behaviour of kids running around and playing through it is encouraged. I saw a lot of families out in the memorial during my visit. My tour guide explained it as a way for the next generation to understand the past, but also look to the future. I wouldn’t condone that type of behaviour elsewhere though.
Yes, I totally agree that some things are just instinct when someone puts a camera in your face (like smiling or throwing up a peace sign). I just think people should think twice before they even pull the camera or iPhone out in these situations.
Someone else made a similar comment about the memorial in Berlin. If the locals encourage playing around in/on it, that’s one thing. But I dunno, I was still bothered by it!
I really appreciate sites (such as the Deportation Memorial behind Notre Dame in Paris) with signs that say no photos! It makes you stop and think of why and how that place is so important. There are plenty of other places to take pix!
Oh I wish more places like this would enact (and enforce) a no-photo rule!