British tourists have been slammed by Spanish locals after it’s been claimed they are “rude and bothersome” while visiting the popular holiday destination. It appears that locals in Barcelona made the complaint as they aired their views on social media, and the claim has left people pretty torn.
It comes after protests previously took place in Spain back last year, which made some people hesitant about visiting the destination. None the less, it looks like some locals aren’t afraid to share their thoughts on how they think British people act while spending their time abroad during the summer months.
On Reddit, a user wrote: “British people are the worst. I’m a local and I haven’t seen people so rude, annoying and loud. It’s interesting that they’re so polite when they’re in the UK, but so insanely rude and bothering when they come to Spain.”
Naturally, the post sparked quite a debate online, with hundreds of people having shared their views on the matter. While some people think the influence of alcohol makes a difference to people’s behaviour, others believe Brits are being unfairly judged.
Opinions on the matter clearly varied, but one person kicked off the discussion simply writing: “Brit here. The people who are d*******s abroad are often also d*******s at home. The polite ones you’ve seen in the UK go unnoticed abroad.”
Another wrote: “Just as awful at home when drunk to be honest. But I do think this weird pent up aggression is released on vacation.”
A third replied: “All agree, but Spanish still win on everyday loudness wherever they are.” Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “British here and absolutely hate rude people.
“The people that are rude at festivals and gigs are generally the ones that are rude in the UK. Don’t tar all British with the same name.”
Someone else also wrote: “A lot of British people who holiday in Spain are just rude wherever they are, it’s not geographically limited. It may be magnified abroad because of their sense of entitlement when they go away.”
One more offered a different view, writing: “Currently in Spain (not Barcelona). I have travelled all over the world to dozens upon dozens of countries, and I have never seen anything like this before.
“At 11am, drunken Brits walking all over monuments holding beers, drunken Brits kicking a football around inside of a restaurant, Brits throwing trash all over the streets and conservation areas, Brits screaming at people to speak English.”
Another person from Spain wrote: “Brits coming here from their depressive country thinking they own everything and are above everyone else. No wonder everyone (all countries) says they are the worst tourists.” One more replied: “I cannot wait for all these people to go home.”
It comes as more anti-tourism protests are planned to take place in Spain this week. It’s been reported that activists are planning to arm themselves with water pistols and soak holidaymakers amid demonstrations.
On June 15 tourists in Spain may want to remain vigilant, as one of the city’s leading anti-tourism organizations has confirmed a new protest will take place, and is also encouraging the use of water pistols.
The organization, who helped to plan last year’s rally, has claimed it wants to “disrupt the tourist normality”. Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, a member of the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourism Degrowth, told The Mirror about why they plan to use water pistols.
He said they are “a popular symbol of resistance against the plundering of the tourism monoculture”, as well as claiming that the tourism industry “is incompatible with life.” His group is calling for “tourism regrowth.”
On the same day, other protests will take place across the country, including in areas such as Ibiza, San Sebastián, Palma de Mallorca, Granada, the Pyrenees and in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, Catalan News reported.
So far, the only information about the June 15 protest that’s been released is the date. It’s scheduled to kick off at midday, and will start from Jardinets de Gràcia.
The event has been planned 11 months after protesters in the city hit the headlines following major campaigns. Some marched down streets and remonstrated with tourists sitting outside restaurants, while other holidaymakers were soaked with water pistols.