I Hate Rick Steves
Mar 30, 2009, 10:46 am
#196
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Mar 30, 2009, 10:51 am
#197
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sometimes Houston, Sometimes London.
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In any case, it sounds like you are just against group tours, have never been on one, have convinced yourself they are a ripoff, and it's unlikely that anything will convince you otherwise. This seems like a generic argument, rather than anything specifically against RS in particular.
Ever seen "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium?" Imagine going through that as a 10 year old and you'll get a bit of insight into my dislike of tours like these. Ugh.
Geesh.
Mar 30, 2009, 11:03 am
#198
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GNV which is not where we would like to be :)
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Mar 30, 2009, 3:46 pm
#199
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Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
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There is Samantha Brown (http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown) 
MisterNice
Mar 31, 2009, 1:14 pm
#201
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 16
Bashing Samantha Brown is easy - but Rick? He's a good guy, and local. He doesn't try to play cool-guy, and although I am not a fan of the TV show - I do appreciate the radio show from time to time.
How could someone hate Rick? It's like...like...hating bread. It can be boring without anything else to eat, but hey - it does the job.
How could someone hate Rick? It's like...like...hating bread. It can be boring without anything else to eat, but hey - it does the job.
Mar 31, 2009, 1:42 pm
#202
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
Programs: DL Diamond and Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz Pres Circle
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There is Samantha Brown (http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown)
Mar 31, 2009, 3:25 pm
#203
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toronto
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Posts: 2,979
I actually find Rudy Maxa...
...kinda smarmy...RS while as white bread as all get out...at least makes an effort to integrate for the one hour he graces a place. Look all of us are road warriors and many have used our hotel/airline points to travel the world. But I speak to coworkers in the USA who only get 2 weeks vacation a year and they seem to appreciate his books/tv shows. Are they for me?...No but I've been to over 60 countries...but for folks who going to Europe is a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity, especially for Americans who seem to think they are gonna get cheated, taken advantage of, overcharged, or miss something on their 4 country 10 day jaunt through Europe.... RS does have his fans. I've had 2 US coworkers tell me they used and loved his books while they took their big trip to Europe. So RS I applaud you for knowing your market!
Apr 24, 2009, 9:43 am
#204
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 36
If I happen to enter a restaurant full of Rick Steeves' guidebooks on the tables I'll leave - you'll have no choice but to overhear hoards of American's banal conversations as they eat in their new tennis shoes and white socks purchased for especially for their trip.
Steeves tells you exactly how to be an American in which ever country you're visiting.
Steeves tells you exactly how to be an American in which ever country you're visiting.
Apr 24, 2009, 12:18 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
If I happen to enter a restaurant full of Rick Steeves' guidebooks on the tables I'll leave - you'll have no choice but to overhear hoards of American's banal conversations as they eat in their new tennis shoes and white socks purchased for especially for their trip.
Steeves tells you exactly how to be an American in which ever country you're visiting.
Steeves tells you exactly how to be an American in which ever country you're visiting.
But Steves' motivation is to teach his audience how to be "temporary locals." He prefers mom-and-pop outfits to chains. His advice is generally good, but the focus he shines on certain places can cause them to lose some of what attracted him in the first place.
Apr 24, 2009, 12:38 pm
#206
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Asheville, NC
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Posts: 141
I find Mr. Steves' books and TV programs just dull, so I didn't care enough about him to hate him until a few years ago. That's when I discovered that my favourite hotel in Paris is often full of folks on Rick Steves tours, which makes getting a reservation occasionally tricky.
When they're in residence, there is a schedule posted next to the lift. A sample entry:
"7:00 am. Gather in lobby for orientation on how to use the Metro."
I'd sooner gouge out my own eyes than get up at the crack of dawn to be taught how to ride a subway.
When they're in residence, there is a schedule posted next to the lift. A sample entry:
"7:00 am. Gather in lobby for orientation on how to use the Metro."
I'd sooner gouge out my own eyes than get up at the crack of dawn to be taught how to ride a subway.
Apr 20, 2011, 11:27 am
#207
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
I stumbled on this thread by accident and while it is years old, I would like to say that I find his radio program to be horribly patronizing. I often feel like shouting 'SHUT UP and let the person answer your question, and actually listen to the response'.
Thank you, I feel much better knowing that I am not alone.
Thank you, I feel much better knowing that I am not alone.
Apr 20, 2011, 12:02 pm
#209
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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I stumbled on this thread by accident and while it is years old, I would like to say that I find his radio program to be horribly patronizing. I often feel like shouting 'SHUT UP and let the person answer your question, and actually listen to the response'.
Thank you, I feel much better knowing that I am not alone.
Thank you, I feel much better knowing that I am not alone.
Apr 20, 2011, 2:50 pm
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
And for whatever his faults, I will defend Rick Steves to the death. He's a brilliant travel book writer -- his series is better than any other (I know nothing about his guided tours). I probably have more experience than 99.99% of travellers, and I grab a copy (often from the library) of his books when I go to Europe. Sure, I rarely stay at his recommended hotels, and eat only occasionally at his recommended restaurants, but his "nuts and bolts" info is better than anyone else's. When friends and family ask me for European travel advice, I always tell them to read Rick Steves first and then ask me questions.