The worst things I've seen when no one was looking

A lot of people like to present travel as full of Instagrammable moments and sunshine, and while that's partly true, I've had my fair share of less pleasant encounters, and I'm not talking about pickpocketing or petty theft, but the kind of stuff that no one wants to talk about or even acknowledge. Here are some of the worst things I've seen when no one was looking:<br><br>1. **Incessant arguing between partners** - I've witnessed couples in their fifties, sixties, or even seventies having loud, heated arguments in hotel rooms or airport lounges, completely oblivious to their surroundings. Sometimes, it's about finances, other times about aging parents or simply petty things. It's hard not to feel uncomfortable or sad when you realize even the seemingly happiest couples face these issues behind closed doors.<br><br>2. **Middle-aged crises** - It's not uncommon to see men in their forties or fifties trying to show off, whether it's by dressing in ridiculous clothes, acting like they're still twenty, or even attempting to hit on younger women, usually with little to no luck. This can be seen in bars, clubs, or even during daytime activities.<br><br>3. **Loneliness and desperation** - Everywhere I've traveled, I've encountered people—often older—who are clearly lonely. They're always trying to strike up a conversation, sometimes to the point of being intrusive. I've had people in their eighties or nineties approaching me for chats, which, while nice, can be a bit off-putting.<br><br>4. **Over-the-top materialism** - I've seen tourists, usually from very affluent backgrounds, act like they're entitled to everything. They'll push to the front of lines, ignore local customs (like not wearing swimsuits in public), and often act like the rules don't apply to them. They might also be extremely rude to service staff or locals just because they think they're paying for a "premium" experience.<br><br>5. **Drunk tourists causing trouble** - This is pretty common in party destinations. I've seen groups of drunk people stumbling back to their hotels at 4 a.m., fighting with locals or each other, or simply being loud and disruptive in residential areas.<br><br>6. **Disrespect towards local customs** - This includes things like taking pictures of people in mosques without permission, walking into temples barefoot, or disrespecting local dress codes. I've even seen people openly smoking weed in religious areas, which, aside from being illegal, is incredibly disrespectful.<br><br>7. **Sex tourism** - Unfortunately, many places cater to sex tourists, especially those with young or vulnerable populations. I've seen how some locals or business owners exploit these situations for financial gain.<br><br>8. **Mental health crises** - With social media making everyone feel like they're supposed to be perfect, I've encountered people—often young—having mental breakdowns. This could be due to body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, or simply feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, these crises happen in public, and it's heartbreaking to witness.<br><br>9. **Disrespect towards the environment** - This can range from littering to deliberately destroying public property. I've seen people intentionally break or destroy park benches, light poles, or other public items just because they feel like it.<br><br>10. **Scams and manipulation** - There are always people trying to scam tourists. Whether it's overpriced goods, fake tours, or outright manipulation, it's surprising how many people try to take advantage of those who are unfamiliar with a place.