When I say "complain", I don't necessarily mean "get angry." Calling the hotel reception desk to tell staff your TV doesn't work isn't exactly a complaint; it's more of a request for the hotel to handle the situation. In nicer hotels, that situation may be handled by upgrading you, at no extra cost, to a suite, or giving you a free dinner.
As a woman, you need to be particularly concerned with safety; if you don't feel the lock on your door is adequate, or your window doesn't close properly, or your guide is being creepy, SPEAK UP. You don't just have a right to; you have an obligation to.
A complaint pushes businesses to do a better job for people in the future; past complaints may be why you end up having such a good experience with an airline, a hotel, etc. And when a complaint is met with an appropriate solution, COMPLIMENT.
I complain when the service I receive isn't what I think was promised or isn't up to a minimum standard. I won't complain about a baby crying on a flight (because, really, what can be done?) but I will complain about a flight attendant who treats passengers disrespectfully -- and I don't necessarily have to be one of those passengers being treated in such a way to complain. You may see a staff person behaving in an unbelievable way and think, "Why in the world does this airline/hotel/restaurant/whatever put up with this employee?" Well, perhaps no one has ever been willing to step up and say something.
Complain at the time if you think it will make a difference at the time. Complain in writing later if you think your suggestion wasn't taken seriously enough at the time, or if you feel this is a more effective way to complain.
But don't just complain; compliment! Particularly when I'm in developing countries, I make sure to compliment employees' excellent behavior to the management. I'm also big on sending written compliments to airlines, in order to reward the kind of service we should all be expecting/demanding. For instance, when the Delta staff in Atlanta, Georgia provided me with FANTABULOUS service and consultation as I stood there crying while my dogs were rolled away in crates for my move to Germany, I made CERTAIN to write the corporate headquarters about it. We tipped our driver hugely in Jordan for being just beyond wonderful, and thanked him profusely. And you will see more compliments than complaints in my travelogues.
I strongly encourage you to report about your hotel experiences, good and bad, via Trip Advisor. Since I found that site, I have written several reviews of every hotel I have ever stayed at, that I can remember. I use the site to find hotels, and the more reviews about a hotel, the easier it is for me to decide whether or not to stay there. Yes, there are fake reviews. But take the time to read carefully, and you will usually be able to see the truthful, sincere info.
Are you a woman? (however
you define that, I don't care). Have you traveled somewhere and
want to talk about it? Have a travel blog? Have an online album
of photos from your trip that you want to share? Have a tip for
travelers? You can post links to your blog at r/womenwhotravel,
an online discussion group on Reddit (a subreddit). Unlike other
women and travel subreddits and many other online communities,
this group DOES allow people to post links to their blogs,
YouTube channels, etc., so long as it's either focused on women
and travel or is by a woman who travels. Whether you are a
backpacker, a bicycle traveler, a budget traveler, a luxury
traveler, an adventure traveler, a cruiser, and whether its a
weekend getaway or some epic experience in another country, come
share your experiences at r/womenwhotravel.
And if you are an experienced traveler, join the group and help
answer questions from newbies. There's just one thing this group
doesn't allow: the question "Is such-and-such area safe."
Because that question is impossible to answer.
Quick Links
Some of my favorite photos from my travels. Very hard to pick favorites.
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The personal opinions expressed on this page are solely those of Ms. Cravens, unless otherwise noted.
