Nicole_H, Okt. 2023
The encounter was truly exceptional. The tour guide exhibited a high level of expertise and effectively engaged the group. Regrettably, our interaction with the tour guide took an unpleasant turn when he seemingly singled out my friends and me due to a perceived lateness on our part and a misunderstanding of our actions from afar. Instead of addressing this matter discreetly, he opted to display disrespect towards us in front of the entire group.
Prior to the tour, we received a notification specifying a departure time of 7:50 p.m., without an explicit mention of an earlier arrival requirement. Consequently, we arrived at the designated location approximately half an hour ahead of schedule. It was only when a friend alerted us to the gathering of the group that we joined them. At this juncture, the tour guide erroneously accused us of having observed the group from a distance while sitting in our vehicle, an assertion that was unfounded. He also accused us of causing an unnecessary delay and wasting everyone's time.
Despite our intention to maintain a respectful demeanor, the tour guide persisted in his unwarranted confrontation, suggesting that he could exclude us from the tour. We refrained from responding to this provocation, as we wished to avoid any scene or disruption. As the tour commenced, we harbored hope for a positive experience; however, the guide continued to target us. He inquired about our occupations, and when I could not provide details about my friend's job, as it differed from my own, I chose not to respond and instead attended to a message from my mother, who had recently undergone surgery.
It appeared that the guide was dissatisfied with our lack of engagement and remarked, "Are you enjoying yourselves?" I replied affirmatively, but he persisted, stating, "Well, it doesn't appear that way." I chose to disregard this statement in order to prevent any power struggle or further conflict. Nevertheless, he persisted, asserting, "Because if you're not, I have no issue offering you a refund," within earshot of the entire group.
In an attempt to distance ourselves from this intimidation, my friends and I moved to the rear of the group, hoping that the situation would eventually improve. Unfortunately, this was not the case. After some time, the guide slowed his pace, turned around, and posed the question once more, "Have you decided to continue or would you prefer a refund? I want you to be here, but if you don't wish to stay, you don't have to." Once more, we chose to disregard these attempts at intimidation, primarily to ensure that one of our friends, who was genuinely enthusiastic about the tour, could continue to enjoy the experience.
Thankfully, the tour guide eventually refocused on the tour itself, ceasing his unwarranted harassment. This behavior was both disappointing and inappropriate. Had the guide felt the need to address our situation, we would have been more than willing to engage in a private and discreet conversation, ensuring a more positive experience for both him and our group.
In the future, we hope that he can express any frustrations or grievances in a manner that is respectful and appropriate, rather than resorting to intimidation or personal attacks. It is imperative to recognize that individuals may have personal circumstances unrelated to the tour's proceedings. As we understand the significance of punctuality for such events, we diligently adhered to the instructions provided to us and arrived promptly.