Traveller letters: Australian tourists dress standards overseas - men are worse

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Traveller letters: Australian tourists dress standards overseas - men are worse

Mombasa, Kenya.

Mombasa, Kenya.Credit: iStock

DUD DUDS

I had a good chuckle and nodded my head in recognition at Chris Grigsby's letter (Traveller letters, September 3). The truth is that if you cast your gaze across the crowds in just about any hotel lobby or airport concourse, pretty much anywhere on the planet, you can always reliably spot an Aussie male.

The women are harder to spot, as they seem to dress more appropriately, but the men between the ages of 30 and 55 are the ones dressed like five-year olds on a school picnic or zoo visit.

Wildebeest at the Mara River were a highlight for Dianne Aulsebrook.

Wildebeest at the Mara River were a highlight for Dianne Aulsebrook.Credit: Getty Images

David Gerber, East Lindfield, NSW

I wholeheartedly agree with Chris Grigsby's letter (Traveller letters, September 3) regarding Australian men, in particular, dressing down.

I recently took a cruise from Amsterdam to Basel then holidayed in Switzerland. On many occasions some Australian men wore only shorts (not even a bit dressier versions) and casual shoes into the dining room and main lounge area.

On one occasion one even attended a talk with no shoes on and I was amazed that the staff either did not notice or chose not to take any action. I found this to be in totally bad taste.

I do not advocate that people dress formally (except on designated occasions), with ties and jackets, however there should be a minimum dress standard. Is not too much of an effort to have a shower and change into something more suitable.

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Kev Cummins, Nowra NSW

LETTER OF THE WEEK

My friends and I have just enjoyed an amazing three weeks in Kenya with a tour company that was recommended in Traveller Letters. It was a wise decision to go with David from Pal-Davis Adventures. He created a safari to suit our needs and budget.

Our most exciting experience was watching huge herds of wildebeest on their annual migration across the Mara River. Our favourite accommodation was Crocodile Camp, a small but affordable tented camp just near the Talek Gate entrance to Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve.

It was a delight to sit on our porch and watch elephants wandering past across the river, warthogs splashing in the shallows, and a family of mongoose cavorting right under our noses.

The food was amazing and the tents, complete with en suite, a real home away from home. Thanks to Tony and his team, our three-night stay was a delight. We happily recommend staying in this beautiful camp.

A trip to Kenya should be on everyone's bucket list.

Dianne Aulsebrook, Golden Square, VIC

BITTER BLOW

Does John Byrne (Traveller letters, September 3) just turn on hotel hairdryers to hear how noisy they are and "cringe on seeing them" when they are usually hidden away in a drawer or closet? Maybe he meant it be tongue-in-cheek. If so, he failed.

It has just taken me over 20 minutes to get my thick, long hair almost dry, with a powerful dryer. Hotel dryers need hubby's assistance, at least two extra towels, and about an hour: hell when travelling in northern hemisphere winters where I can't let it dry naturally outside!

Corinne Johnston, Gymea Bay, NSW

SINKING FEELING

When it comes to hotels (Traveller letters, August 27) I'd be grateful for a plug in the bathroom sink. It is so mean-spirited of hotels to leave out this key item for guests who want to do their own laundry.

Genevieve Milton, Newtown, NSW

VINTAGE WHINE

While it may seem callous, I find it hard to feel sorry for Julian Meagher's problems in regard to the cost of wine purchased in Italy (Traveller letters, August 27).

I suppose the wine involved is so much better than that he could have purchased in Australia but as someone who has never paid $203 for a dozen bottles here, I can't believe he would not have been able to buy similar wines without the added cost of freight and taxes.

However, I guess it is all a matter of taste.

Brian Stevens, Cherrybrook, NSW

PLANE WRONG

I am not sure which aeroplane your contributor Sue Bennett was travelling on, on her flight to the Antarctic but it was not a B747-800. What she was travelling on was a Qantas B747-400 (Longreach Series).

Michael Hayden, Kiama Downs, NSW

EARLY BIRDS

Following on from Peter Fenton's letter (Traveller letters, August 27) regarding the 30-day advance online check in offered by Aer Lingus, Easyjet also offer the same. I do have to agree with Peter regarding the peace of mind this offers to travellers.

Jennifer D'Arcy, Ussel d'Allier, France

I can go one better, Peter Fenton. In 2014 I needed to fly from Barcelona to Frankfurt. I booked online with Vueling Airlines several months prior to the flight and received confirmation of my booking, plus my boarding pass for the flight. In due course I took the flight.

Very well done Vueling, an airline I had never even heard of prior to this flight.

Carolyn Anderson, Manly, NSW

LOST AND FOUND

I am sorry to hear that Susie Holt (Traveller letters, September 3) never gets her left-behind belongings back. I recently had the opposite experience when my partner left some clothes in a drawer at the Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne.

Before we even knew they were still there the hotel had telephoned, arranged to post them back and, because of a couple of service issues we experienced, did so for free.

Thank you, Adelphi.

Anni Browning, Clovelly NSW

I left my favourite sun visor behind in a hotel and, after few days, I rang the hotel. They said it had been found and that they would post it to me if I paid the cost. It was old, so really not worth the hassle. However, six months later on my next trip my sun visor had been placed my room and was waiting for me.

Thank you, staff at Sebel Brisbane.

Kerry Surtees, Tewantin, QLD

WE WELCOME YOUR TRAVEL-RELATED OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES

The writer of the letter judged the best of the week will receive a Lonely Planet prize pack. See lonelyplanet.com.

Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Preference will be given to letters of 50-100 words or less.

Email us at travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.

To read more Traveller Letters, click here.

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