From speakerphone FaceTime sessions by the pool to monopolizing entire breakfast areas, these cringe-worthy vacation habits are creating an invisible barrier between generations at hotels, beaches, and tourist spots worldwide.
Ever been sitting poolside, trying to enjoy your vacation book, when suddenly the peaceful atmosphere gets shattered by someone FaceTiming at full volume? Or maybe you've watched in horror as the couple next to you at the restaurant sends their meal back three times while loudly complaining to anyone within earshot?
If you're nodding along, you've probably witnessed what I call the generational vacation divide. And look, I'm not here to bash an entire generation. My own parents are boomers, and they're wonderful people. But after years of traveling and observing patterns, I've noticed certain behaviors that tend to create friction between older and younger travelers.
The thing is, most of these habits come from different expectations about what vacation should look like. But when these worlds collide in shared spaces like hotels, tours, and restaurants, younger travelers often find themselves actively avoiding certain situations. Let me share what I've observed.
1. Broadcasting every moment on speakerphone
You know the scene. You're finally relaxing on that beautiful beach you've been dreaming about, and suddenly someone nearby starts a video call at maximum volume. "CAN YOU SEE THE OCEAN? IT'S BEAUTIFUL HERE!" they shout into their phone, seemingly unaware that everyone within a hundred-foot radius is now part of their conversation.
I was at a quiet mountain lodge last year, trying to enjoy the sunrise with my coffee, when a woman spent thirty minutes giving her friend a virtual tour of the entire property via FaceTime. The irony? She was so focused on showing someone else the view that she wasn't actually experiencing it herself.
Younger travelers tend to text or use headphones for calls. When they do video chat, they usually find a private spot. It's not that they communicate less; they just do it differently.
2. Treating service staff like personal assistants
This one makes me cringe every single time. Whether it's snapping fingers at waiters, demanding special treatment because "the customer is always right," or haggling aggressively with local vendors, there's a certain entitlement that shows up way too often.
I once watched a man berate a young hotel clerk for ten minutes because his room wasn't ready at noon (check-in was at 3 PM). The poor kid was doing his best, offering alternatives, but nothing was good enough. Meanwhile, a line of other guests formed, all of us exchanging uncomfortable glances.
Here's what I've learned from my Saturday farmers' market volunteering: treating people with basic respect costs nothing but means everything. Younger travelers seem to get this intuitively, perhaps because many of them work or have worked in service industries themselves.
3. Monopolizing shared spaces
Picture this: you walk into a hotel breakfast area, and one group has spread their belongings across three tables, set up a mobile office, and settled in for what looks like the next four hours. Or the pool area where someone has "reserved" six loungers with towels at 7 AM but doesn't actually use them until noon.
The mindset seems to be "I paid for this vacation, so I can use the space however I want." But shared spaces are exactly that—shared. I've noticed younger travelers tend to be more conscious about taking up only what they need and moving along when spaces are crowded.
4. Dismissing local customs and culture
"Why don't they speak English here?" "This isn't how we do it back home." "Can't they make a normal burger?"
These comments make me want to hide under a rock. When you travel, you're a guest in someone else's home. I remember being in a small Japanese restaurant where a couple loudly complained that there weren't any forks and insisted the food was "too weird." The discomfort in that room was palpable.
Travel is about experiencing different ways of life. If you want everything to be exactly like home, maybe just stay home? Younger travelers often seek out authentic local experiences, trying to blend in rather than stand out.
5. Over-photographing without awareness
Don't get me wrong, everyone loves vacation photos. But there's a difference between capturing memories and turning every moment into a photo shoot that disrupts everyone around you.
I've seen people climb over barriers, block walkways for extended photo sessions, and even push others out of the way to get "the shot." At a recent art museum, I watched someone take flash photos despite multiple signs saying not to, arguing with security that they "needed good pictures for Facebook."
Most younger travelers I've observed are actually pretty efficient with their photo-taking. Quick selfie, move on. They seem more aware of not blocking paths or disrupting others' experiences.
6. Complaining loudly and publicly
Whether it's the weather, the food, the accommodations, or the activities, some people seem determined to find fault with everything. And they want everyone to know about it.
The hotel Wi-Fi is too slow. The beach is too crowded. The tour guide talks too much. The complaints become a running commentary that follows them everywhere. I've been on tours where one person's negativity brought down the entire group's mood.
Meanwhile, younger travelers tend to save their venting for private conversations or online reviews later. They might not love everything, but they don't make it everyone else's problem in real-time.
7. Ignoring basic tech etiquette
Full brightness screens in dark theaters. Keyboard sounds at maximum volume. Flash photography during performances. Not understanding that "silent mode" means actually silent.
Technology might be relatively newer to some, but that doesn't excuse disrupting everyone else's experience. I've been in countless situations where someone's phone has rung repeatedly during a guided tour because they don't know how to silence it properly.
8. Assuming everyone wants to hear their life story
Striking up conversations with strangers can be lovely. But there's a difference between friendly chat and cornering someone for forty-five minutes with unsolicited life advice and stories about your grandchildren.
On a recent flight, I watched a young woman trying desperately to politely exit a conversation while the person next to her continued talking despite her putting in earphones, opening a book, and even pretending to sleep.
Reading social cues matters. Most younger travelers are happy to chat, but they also respect when someone wants solitude.
9. Disregarding posted rules
"Rules don't apply to me" seems to be the underlying attitude. Whether it's bringing outside food where it's not allowed, ignoring "Do Not Touch" signs, or entering restricted areas, there's often a sense that rules are suggestions rather than requirements.
I've seen people feed wildlife despite warnings, pick flowers in botanical gardens, and climb on ancient monuments for photos. The entitlement is staggering.
10. Making everything a comparison
"Well, when we went to Greece..." "This is nothing like our cruise to Alaska..." "The service was so much better in..."
Constant comparisons suck the joy out of new experiences. Every destination, every meal, every hotel becomes a competition with past trips. It's exhausting for everyone who has to listen to it.
Final thoughts
Here's the thing: most of these behaviors aren't exclusive to any age group, and plenty of boomer travelers are considerate, adventurous, and respectful. But patterns exist, and these are the ones creating tension in shared travel spaces.
What strikes me most is that many of these issues come down to awareness—awareness of others, of local customs, of shared spaces, of impact. Travel has changed dramatically over the decades, and what might have been acceptable in the past doesn't always fly now.
The good news? None of these behaviors are set in stone. We can all learn from each other. Maybe it's time we stopped avoiding each other and started having respectful conversations about how to share these amazing travel experiences better.
After all, we're all just trying to explore this beautiful world. Let's not make it harder for each other than it needs to be.
