Silly Emails

DOver the course of a year, my staff answers thousands and thousands of emails. Our goal this year is to have our one-on-one travel consulting time morph into using our great travel consultants to manage and contribute to our online travel forums. As we review the emails dealt with in the last year, we find that many are routine, many are forgettable… and many are worth a chuckle.  Here are a few actual, unedited emails my staff has fielded in the last year:

  1. Travel Show in Long Beach: I Loved the presentation today but it wasn’t necessary to continue to advertise the book sales — you had me at “hello”!  PS. I’m your age and single :-)
  2. Please, Rick Steves, get your hand out of your pocket in your TV programs! You look like an absolute dork!
  3. Why doesn’t Rick do episodes with dogs and cats that live in different countries? He could do episodes of how other countries have a love for cats and dogs. It may sound silly or boring, but some people such as I would love to see episodes like this. Someday I hope to go to Ireland and wish to know if the Irish love cats and/or dogs. Rick can do episodes of what type of cat and/or dog is most popular in countries.
  4. Has rick steves ever thought about doing a travel show for adults?
  5. What does Rick pack when it comes to “that” time of the month? Rick is a lovely young lady and must have dealt with a period or two overseas. Does Rick meet hot men in Europe and have sex with them?
  6. Where is the best place to find open leg flights? How does one request this info?
  7. Is the guidebook page binder for use on an e-book?
  8. Rick is a ham and that is not a compliment. I do not buy his tapes and edit them on TV to get him off camera. He is in almost every scene. It may satisfy his ego but it annoys the viewers. Do his cameramen get paid by the number of times they photo him? I’ am so tired of seeing him: Coming, going, head out a window, sampling (cheapo), drinking, eating, checking in, checking out, lounging on bed, driving, looking as if he doesn’t know he’s on camera, etc, etc, etc. Rick: introduce yourself and get OFF camera. Ya ain’t dat attractive ! Save your self for home movies, don’t bore the public. Less of you may entice me to buy your films.
  9. Will my Kentucky flag be honered? Even in Doblin?
  10. 10. I know full well that Mr. Steves tries to be positive about travel, but the rail strike between Paris and Milan in mid-June disrupted our trip. You buy first class, check, double check, and triple check to confirm hours before scheduled departure and then they pull their merde. I swear on the souls of my grandchildren that I will never visit France or Italy again.
  11. My husband really wants the “Back Door Productions” T-shirt, but I don’t believe you make these? Please consider it; it would make his day as a little Christmas gift.
  12. Three of my women friends and I retired this year, and we’d like to take a celebration trip for 2-3 weeks. One friend won’t fly and one gets seasick. We’re all well traveled, but want something different and special. Any suggestions?
  13. I loved your article on Iceland in Sunday’s Tribune….My question — not being weird, but in a totally respectful way: how were the women, looks-wise, in Iceland? One hears the urban myth that they are these blonde goddesses & men from London go to the bars in Iceland for their bachelor parties, like we go to Vegas for ours. What are you honest & non- re printable thoughts on the subject?
  14. I am planning a trip to Tuscany in late March/early April. I would love traveling barefoot as much as possible and into as many places as possible (trains, museums, restaurants). What is your “barefoot-friendly” experience there? My wife is NOT a barefooter and is sensitive to people’s reactions. Thank you!
  15. This is a serious question. My wife and I are nudists and, like everyone, RS fans. Watch the show every few nights. We want to make some RS-style videos of nude travel destinations around the world and have the finances to do it. Money don’t make you Rick Steves, though, and we were wondering if you’d care to offer any advice on doing such a project. We plan to start with a one hour show on the Caribbean, then Italy/France/Med and so forth. Our humble little project will not compete with your fine program and we would hope that your example would help us produce a good body (pun) of work as well. So, any comments or suggestions? Thanks! Keep on keeping on, friends.
  16. Please consult a fashion/ dress professional. Rick u look a mess traveling or not fix ur look. The clothes u wear at least wear something that fits and looks nice. The wrinkled baggy granola look is gone. U r on TV people look at u please b kind to our eyes. Ur not fat buy smaller sized clothing if nothing else but remember belt shoes should match a little. Dress black belt with what u choose to wear…no.
Comments

4 Replies to “Silly Emails”

  1. The person who asked about pets in other countries may have touched upon a marketeer’s nerve endings if they are in touch with the vast majority of the public globally. These little people in fur suits seem to have captured the hearts of almost all the world’s travelers (well, the South Koreans may disagree)and RS and his staff put themselves at risk if they do not acknowledge them. I remember a couple on an RS tour who had a dog they had sent to class and who were anxiously awaiting its graduation. Of course we can’t forget the inimitable words of an old timer by the name of Groucho who famously said: Outside of a dog, man’s best friend is a book. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read. So what RS’s youthful staff thinks is hilarious, just might be the next I Phone. Ask your own guides. Woof.

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