Unspoken Travel Rules: Things Nobody Told You but Everyone Hates

Table of Contents

The Airport Is a Jungle (and You’re Not Tarzan)

Boarding Isn’t the Hunger Games, Please Calm Down

Overhead Bin Chaos and the Great Carry-On Olympics

The Recline Debate: Are You a Monster or Just Tired?

Smelly Food, Loud Talkers, and Other In-Flight Crimes

Hotels Aren’t Your Trash Can, Just FYI

Quiet Zones Exist for a Reason (Looking at You, Train Talkers)

Personal Space? Heard of It?

Tourist Mode: How Not to Be "That" Tourist

Final Rant (And Why I Still Love Traveling Anyway)

1. The Airport Is a Jungle (and You’re Not Tarzan)

Okay, real quick story—last year, I got elbowed in the ribs twice by the same woman in the security line because she kept trying to get her bag on the conveyor belt before mine. I swear, I wasn’t even being slow! I had my laptop, belt, shoes, and emotional baggage all ready to go. But apparently, airport lines bring out everyone’s inner gladiator.

Like… why are people sprinting through the airport like there’s a prize at the end? We're all going to the same gate, Sharon. Chill.

Anyway, I learned a few things that day. Mostly that I bruise easily. But also that there are unspoken rules in travel—stuff that no one tells you, but you’ll get silently judged (or violently elbowed) for ignoring.

So, let’s talk about them. All the little things that turn a decent trip into a full-blown episode of “Why Am I Surrounded By Maniacs?”

2. Boarding Isn’t the Hunger Games, Please Calm Down

Zone 5 means ZONE FIVE. Not "Zone 2, but you hover close enough to sneak in when the agent blinks."

You ever watch people crowd the gate like it’s a Black Friday TV sale? The plane’s not leaving without you, Karen. And no, standing closer to the gate doesn’t make it board faster. It just makes it awkward for everyone else trying to get to their actual group.

Also: if you’re in the middle seat, please for the love of all that is holy, don’t rush to sit down and claim both armrests. We’ll get to that in a sec.

3. Overhead Bin Chaos and the Great Carry-On Olympics

There’s a special place in travel purgatory for people who put their tiny backpack in the overhead bin while others are dragging wheeled chaos behind them.

Seriously—if your bag could fit under the seat, why are you hogging precious top real estate?

And then there’s always that one guy (let’s call him Chad) with a carry-on, a personal item, and somehow… a third bag that’s like the size of a toddler? Watching Chad desperately try to stuff everything in the overhead like he’s playing 4D Tetris while people behind him fume—that is a universal experience.

I’ve even seen someone take out another person's bag to fit theirs in. Like?? Is this a lawless sky-town now?

4. The Recline Debate: Are You a Monster or Just Tired?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the (very small, cramped) room.

Seat recliners.

I’m torn. Like, my spine is basically made of cheap spaghetti, so I get the need to recline on long flights. But when someone slams their seat back mid-snack and spills my ginger ale? I feel violence in my soul.

So here's my rule: If it’s under 2 hours, don’t recline. If you have to recline, do it gently. And maybe—just maybe—look behind you first?

Also, once had a guy recline into my tray table so hard my laptop bounced. I’m still emotionally recovering.

---

5. Smelly Food, Loud Talkers, and Other In-Flight Crimes

Let’s list a few things that should be absolutely illegal at 35,000 feet:

Egg salad sandwiches.

Watching TikToks on speaker.

Taking your shoes off—barefoot. (Socks at least, you animal.)

Talking across aisles like it’s a BBQ.

FaceTiming your dog mid-flight.

Oh! And chewing gum like you’re auditioning for a cow impression. Bonus points if you’re doing it with noise-cancelling headphones on so you can’t even hear how loud you are.

Sidebar: My friend Rachel once brought a tuna wrap onto a flight and unwrapped it right as we hit cruising altitude. The look on the guy’s face next to her? He aged 10 years in one sniff.

6. Hotels Aren’t Your Trash Can, Just FYI

Why do some people treat hotel rooms like frat houses they don’t have to clean?

No, you don’t need to throw towels on the floor like you’re signaling the end of a war. And maybe… don’t leave toothpaste graffiti on the mirror?

I had a roommate once who would peel the complimentary soaps open just to smell them, then leave them half-used on the sink. Why? What did the soap do to you, Amanda?

Also, if you're in a rental, try to leave it somewhat livable. Hosts talk. Airbnb karma is real.

7. Quiet Zones Exist for a Reason (Looking at You, Train Talkers)

Trains are supposed to be a peaceful way to travel. Emphasis on supposed to be.

But there’s always one person who turns a quiet zone into the stage for their one-woman Broadway show. Loud phone call, loud snacks (how are chips THAT loud??), and just general loud energy.

If you're traveling with kids (respect to you, parent warriors), maybe bring headphones or snacks that don’t sound like you’re unwrapping ancient scrolls.

Also, I once saw a guy watching a soccer match at full volume in the quiet carriage. It was a replay.

8. Personal Space? Heard of It?

This might be controversial, but… the armrest in the middle seat belongs to the middle person. Always. No debates.

They have nothing else. No window, no aisle, just existential dread and leg cramps. Let them have the armrests.

Also, if you're wearing a backpack, please remember you now have the turning radius of a small car. Don’t whip around in a crowded airport and body slam me with your Jansport. (Looking at you, bro from Terminal C.)

9. Tourist Mode: How Not to Be "That" Tourist

Let’s talk respect. Because there’s travel, and then there’s trauma-causing tourism.

Don’t touch sacred things. (I shouldn't have to say this, but apparently I do.)

Don’t pose on monuments. (Why are you on the statue??)

Ask before taking people’s photos. Especially locals in traditional dress—it’s not a costume for your Instagram story.

Learn like three words in the local language. It goes a long way.

My friend Luca (not his real name, but he wishes) once tried to order a hotdog in French and accidentally asked for “the sausage of my sadness.” Honestly, that’s a whole vibe.

10. Final Rant (And Why I Still Love Traveling Anyway)

Okay, okay. I know I just spent, like, 2,000 words complaining. But here’s the thing…

Traveling is still the best thing I’ve ever done.

Even when I’m sleep-deprived, seated next to someone who thinks deodorant is a government scam, and silently judging the person blasting Netflix without headphones—I still love it.

Because between all the chaos and awkward encounters and overpriced airport food, you also get moments.

Watching the sun rise over a new city. Getting lost and discovering the best meal of your life. That first deep breath when you step out of the plane and feel the warm air of somewhere far away.

So yeah, people are annoying. But traveling? Still worth it.

So… your turn:

What’s your unspoken travel rule? That one thing people do that drives you absolutely nuts? Or maybe something you do that you know is probably annoying but can’t help?

(Confess. I won’t judge. Much.)

And hey—if you liked this rambling mess of pet peeves and minor tantrums, maybe check out How to Make Traveling Actually Enjoyable Again in 2025? Or Why Everyone Should Travel Solo at Least Once? No pressure though. Just… you know… be cool about it. 😉

 

Author Profile:

Hi, I’m Florian Werner, the founder of FLOWZOOM. The idea for FLOWZOOM started during an unforgettable trip around the world. After spending what felt like forever on long flights, I noticed just how tough it is to stay comfortable while traveling.

I tried every travel pillow I could find, hoping for some relief—but nothing worked the way I needed it to. That’s when I decided to create my own. At FLOWZOOM, we focus on designing pillows that actually do what they’re supposed to: keep you comfortable and supported while you travel.

I’ve spent years figuring out what makes a great travel pillow. My goal is to make every trip easier for people who, like me, want to enjoy their journey without the aches and pains. I’m proud to share what I’ve learned through FLOWZOOM’s products and tips for better travel.

Here’s to making every trip a little more comfortable!