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Walking the tightrope of good taste is always tricky, and when it comes to travel, it can be especially treacherous. Who wants to offend an entire nation with a pair of flip flops?
Taste and etiquette expert Laura Windsor, who advised Netflix on Regency-era social graces for Bridgerton, despairs at the way many of us travel now and says we’ve become a nation obsessed with the right to brag. “The elegant among us don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” he says. “And we certainly have no desire to keep up with the Joneses.”
Here, the self-proclaimed Queen of Etiquette delivers her verdict on which vacation habits are truly world-class, and some that are a one-way ticket to Naffville…
Mega resorts: luxury bread or silly destination?
Sprawling five-star resorts in places like Dubai have reinvented the humble flop-and-drop. They have international restaurants, themed children’s clubs and elegant spas. A Championship League footballer or Instagram star could be sipping Dom Perignon by the pool. Our expert blanches at the mere mention. ‘These generic resorts think they know what you like, but they often miss the point; They dilute traditions and culture… and then charge you a lot for that privilege.’ As for Dubai: ‘Go to work, nothing more!’
VERDICT: In bad taste.
Budget travel: does low cost equal low rent?
The biggest misconception about what constitutes upper class is that you need to show cash, advises Laura Windsor. “An Airbnb with character or a stylish bed and breakfast will leave you with a much richer experience than any identikit resort.”
VERDICT: In good taste
Budget airlines: Easyjet or Emirates?
There is no shame in boarding a low-cost airline; The glamorous days of short trips are long gone. So if easyJet takes you to your idyllic Spanish island, good.
VERDICT: In good taste.
Private Charters: Rude or Classy?
A yacht holiday in the Mediterranean isn’t cheap, but it will make the taste barometer soar. “You’re in a small group, you need to be close friends, but you have maximum privacy, which feels very exclusive,” says Windsor. And rent your own private jet? ‘If you have the money, why not? Just don’t brag about it on Instagram.’
VERDICT: In good taste.
TikTok: full of advice or garbage?
‘Why would you put your hard-earned vacation in the hands of an influencer or a Tripadvisor reviewer? You have no idea how these strangers view luxury. And style and elegance are totally subjective,” says Windsor. “Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to get a top-notch recommendation.”
VERDICT: In bad taste.
Loungewear for the holidays: chic or outrageous casual outfit?
“Brits abroad dressed very smartly,” our expert grimaces. Now, our love of loungewear and leisurewear and, of course, flip-flops are, says Windsor, crimes against style. ‘You decide how people treat you by the way you dress. If you go to a restaurant wearing sneakers, horrible jogging pants, or horrible pants, people will treat you accordingly. Shirtless men should stay at the beach or, better yet, at home.
VERDICT: In bad taste.
Overpacking: Less is more or more is less?
Do you usually pay for an extra case? Give yourself a pat on the back. Vacuum packing clothes in a backpack just to avoid airfares is cheap in every way, says Windsor. “Put a woman in a divine dress, or a man in a spectacular suit, and they will behave wonderfully.” And there’s another plus: “In my experience, when you dress well, you often get upgraded too.”
VERDICT: In good taste.
Social sharing: instant magic or tragic gloating?
Do you remember those who, in the 80s, installed projectors at home to show you 100 vacation photos? They are now updated in real time on social media, Windsor says. “Don’t be that person.” A good photo should serve as a reminder of happy times as the years go by, not as an online boast.
VERDICT: In bad taste.
Airport drinks: Pass or pass the rosé?
You could also declare your nationality, says Windsor, and not in a positive way. “The British have such a bad reputation abroad and drinking pints at 8am at the airport doesn’t help.” On the ground, drink like the locals do. In Italy, one would have an early afternoon aperitif, but not the overexposed Aperol Spritz; I would have a Crodino (a non-alcoholic version) instead.
VERDICT: In bad taste.
Tourist menus: Good value for money or terrible gastronomy?
Do you love a menu you can understand? Stay home, our expert wasps. High travelers balk at touristy restaurants, and so should you. Learn some slang jokes before your trip, eat where the locals dine, and chat with the waiter about the dishes. The ultimate culinary sin? Running a ‘spag bol’ in Italy is out of the ordinary. Windsor says, “That’s just not Italian food.”
VERDICT: In bad taste.
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