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Do NOT holiday with Thomson (TUI)
Comments
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A couple of suggestions:
- When such incident happens never blame someone else, just tell them you think the spoon is not clean and you want them to replace it ... never point out fingers on others, definitely not with Arabs as their culture is much different than yours, and most of them don't live "posh" life with hygiene and such, so if I were in Egypt I would have never ever tried to do something like that because you can literally get killed for that, hands down.
- There is a saying in the middle east both in Arabic and Hebrew. Basically in their culture they tell people "don't be right, be smart!" ... so even if the justice is with you just play it smart ... why? because you never know what the reaction would be! In the UK it's different so you can stand on your rights ... in the middle east doing so might end up in different consequences and I'm not joking.
- Speaking of the middle east, if you are looking for more "civilized" cultures then try Saudi Arabia or Israel ... in those countries they would have never asked you who made the spoon dirty but instead they would have just replaced it. Try visit one of those countries instead of going to Egypt where people can kill you there for upsetting them.
- Whilst you are complaining about Thompson and I am not getting involved with that complaint, I hope others would appreciate the danger and risks involved by going to Egypt, and would consider visiting other more civilized countries in the Middle East.
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Sorry for your situation OP.
But just to add as others have done that I've had nothing but good/great experiences of booking holidays through Thompson.
Probably helps that we always do a great deal of research into a place before we book so we know we're getting a good resort, but in terms of everything that they've handled on the Thompson end, been very impressed.Mortgage remaining: £42,260 of £77,000 (2.59% til 03/18 - 2.09% til 03/23)
Savings target June 18 - £22,281.99 / £25,0000 -
jumperabv3 wrote: »A couple of suggestions:
- When such incident happens never blame someone else, just tell them you think the spoon is not clean and you want them to replace it ... never point out fingers on others, definitely not with Arabs as their culture is much different than yours, and most of them don't live "posh" life with hygiene and such, so if I were in Egypt I would have never ever tried to do something like that because you can literally get killed for that, hands down.
- There is a saying in the middle east both in Arabic and Hebrew. Basically in their culture they tell people "don't be right, be smart!" ... so even if the justice is with you just play it smart ... why? because you never know what the reaction would be! In the UK it's different so you can stand on your rights ... in the middle east doing so might end up in different consequences and I'm not joking.
- Speaking of the middle east, if you are looking for more "civilized" cultures then try Saudi Arabia or Israel ... in those countries they would have never asked you who made the spoon dirty but instead they would have just replaced it. Try visit one of those countries instead of going to Egypt where people can kill you there for upsetting them.
- Whilst you are complaining about Thompson and I am not getting involved with that complaint, I hope others would appreciate the danger and risks involved by going to Egypt, and would consider visiting other more civilized countries in the Middle East.
I agree - although some people who have enjoyed holidays in Sharm would vehemently disagree.
People visiting countries such as Egypt should always remember that whatever the welcome they receive they will always be classed as infidels and often treated accordingly.0 -
totallybored wrote: »If a giant man was shouting at me, intimidating me and I thought he'd become violent towards me I'd have called the police.
Arguing with Egyptians and calling the Egyptian police is likely to get you a new place to stay, but it won't have air con, the food won't be pretty and you're likely to be shouted at by an even bigger man :eek:0 -
When such incident happens never blame someone else, just tell them you think the spoon is not clean and you want them to replace it ... never point out fingers on others, definitely not with Arabs as their culture is much different than yours, and most of them don't live "posh" life with hygiene and such, so if I were in Egypt I would have never ever tried to do something like that because you can literally get killed for that, hands down.I hope others would appreciate the danger and risks involved by going to Egypt, and would consider visiting other more civilized countries in the Middle East
Your comments about Egypt show that you don't really know about the country, the resorts or the people.:beer:0 -
Arguing with Egyptians and calling the Egyptian police is likely to get you a new place to stay, but it won't have air con, the food won't be pretty and you're likely to be shouted at by an even bigger man :eek:
I personally wouldn't have been arguing. If one person is shouting and screaming like a madman you don't want to join them!0 -
mick_vandick wrote: »Sorry, but i have to disagree. It's Sharm they were in, not some back street local cafe. And many Arabs do live what you call a posh life. Have you never seen Dubai??
Dubai is not Egypt.
I mentioned Saudi Arabia or Israel as countries where you can go to and feel much more safe. Dubai is also one of them, but I wouldn't classify Egypt with those other 3 countries, there is a huge difference between the lifestyle and culture in Dubai, SA or IL than what you would experience in Egypt!mick_vandick wrote: »What 'dangers' are they exactly?
Your comments about Egypt show that you don't really know about the country, the resorts or the people.
As far as I remember not a long time ago the entire country was burned to the ground fueled by protests against the government, and if this lady was there during those times arguing about a spoon, I am wondering what the "crowd" would have thought about that.
As a matter of fact, Egypt is classified by the US as a risky country to visit ... and surprisingly the UK government does the same thing warning about terrorism and safety issues in this country:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt
You might think you know the Middle East like the palm of your hand but I was born and raised in that culture, and I might not know all of it but I know what not to do when I'm there and I will never try to be a smart-s playing with the locals because I know I can get stabbed for doing that.0 -
jumperabv3 wrote: »As far as I remember not a long time ago the entire country was burned to the ground.
You remember wrong.
You probably think the whole of Britain was burned to the ground too during the summer riots a couple of years ago !!
That said.....*some* Brits really shouldn't be booking holidays to places like Egypt-not because they are dangerous but because they can;'t cope with the cultural differences and really just want Torquay or Blackpool but with guaranteed sun and it's bound to end in disappointment.
(and before anyone starts jumping up and down -I said SOME- not all ! Some people want different cultures to experience - some simply don't)I Would Rather Climb A Mountain Than Crawl Into A Hole
MSE Florida wedding .....no problem0 -
I do get a bit weary of "I had a problem with my holiday (that was often down to local issues rather than anything the holiday company did) so I'll try and damage their business by telling everyone not to book with them". One incident doesn't make a company like Thomsons bad- just as one fantastic experience doesn't make them wonderful either.
I don't like the cashier in my local Tescos she never smiles-so I urge everyone to boycott Tescos.
Missed that bit, you dont have to dislike the cashier, it should just be done, profits are going down steadily so some are getting the message0 -
As far as I remember not a long time ago the entire country was burned to the ground fueled by protests against the government, and if this lady was there during those times arguing about a spoon, I am wondering what the "crowd" would have thought about that.
You really have no idea at all about places like Sharm el Sheikh. I didn't say i know the middle east like the palm of my hand but i know Egypt, especially the Red Sea, extremelly well and travel there numerous times a year. There might have been issues in Cairo last year but with the exception of the odd protest in other parts, this was it.I will never try to be a smart-s playing with the localsDubai is not Egypt.:beer:0
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