RUSSIANS ARE THE NEW GERMANS

News

Contributor / 2009-08-27 14:14:12

Russians have been named the worst tourists in the world, with voters claiming they are tracksuit-wearing, greedy, money-flashing oafs... who hide sun loungers in their hotel rooms.

Beating the traditional winners - German tourists, who took the honour previously and were the subject of many jocular complaints about hogging sun loungers at the crack of dawn, were knocked into second place by the newly-rich Russians. The 'world's worst holiday-maker' poll surveyed more than 1,000 British tourists who went on holiday abroad this summer. Russian holidaymakers have been annoying British tourists this summer with 'rude, pushy' behaviour, which included hiding sun loungers in their hotel rooms.

Those who holidayed in Spain, France, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Portugal took a dislike to Russians, claiming they: Took hotel sun loungers into their rooms to make sure they get a seat by the pool in the morning. Ate 'almost everything' at all-inclusive dinners - even taking doggie bags to stock up on grub. Flashed their money around and ordered hotel staff to be at their beck and call. Belched and swore in public areas such as hotel swimming pools and bars. Dressed like 'chavs' - wearing tracksuits and gold bling. Pushed into queues in bars and shops to be served first.

Holiday expert Gary Hewitt, who runs Real Holiday Reports website, said a 'flood' of UK holiday-makers had complained about the behaviour of Russian tourists his summer. 'To be honest, when we started the poll we expected the normal complaints about German tourists hogging the sun loungers - the same old stories. 'But to our surprise we've been flooded with complaints about Russians on holiday. People have commented that they are rude, flash their cash around and think they own the place.'

Mr Hewitt, who set up the holiday advice website eight years ago, added: 'With many Russians going abroad for the first time since the country started becoming rich, they do not know how to behave and are known as arrogant, rude and greedy. 'Russians are the 'New Germans' only they wear dodgy clothes, especially the men, who always seem to have a wife or girlfriend 20 years younger then them.

Tags: Tourism