Doing stupid things

Are we self judging or reflecting on the judgment received from others?

I would say "Unbelievable!!!", but then looking at your question and considering my own adventures, I wonder.....

I am a hiker and most frequently a solo traveler. Australia is known to have a number of dangerous snakes, some commonly found in people's back yards as well as on hiking trails. I am well aware of this. I've even had taxi drivers warn me as they dropped me at trailheads.

Nonetheless, I decided I didn't want to take the well-trod path before me when exploring; I was off on a more interesting unused trail, solo. That is until I all but put my foot down on snake sunning itself on the stone path before me. At my quick glance, it could have been one of the venomous brown snakes - or perhaps one of the non-venomous variety, but not worth finding out the answer!

I changed course and went for the path populated by others. Since, I have stuck to my rule of hiking solo only in areas where there are others out and about.

Well, I did not participate, but I guess I "instigated" that what could have been considered a "stupid tourist action."

It was our first Rick Steves' tour....Paris city tour. I saw one the darling really, really small cars (forget the make/model) ,and I commented to my husband (and other fellow RS male tour mates were well within ear shot): "I wonder if someone could pick up that car?"

Well (sorry), but you know how guys are, especially when "in a pack." Next thing I know they were picking up the car, which was apparently easy to do. I do have a photo or two or three somewhere.

But they/we were all darn lucky the bumper did not come off (or some other peril) the sweet little car....also lucky the owner did not see what took place.

Yep, pretty stupid!!

I have since been very, very, very careful in the random questions I ask...................especially when said question might come across in any way as a "challenge."

I wonder IF the tourist had travel insurance, would the insurance pay for the medical care or would the insurance be considered invalid because of the “stupid”/dangerous/hazardous activity undertaken by this tourist?

The title of this thread could easily also serve as the title of my autobiography.

Age 47 thinking he is still as spry and agile as he was at 27?

Why is it what comes to mind is Ron White and his "you can't fix stupid"

However what about things I'd like to do, or have done that may result in harm.

I have a really good idea for your next vacation in a major German city.

Rarely a day goes by when I'm out on my bike in Munich without almost running over at least one, but usually several, tourists standing or walking on the bike path. That would be a real test of courage... what did you do on your vacation in Munich? I bravely stood on the bike path and I survived. So if you're up for an adventure, drop me a note :-) :-)

Or we can both just ride our bikes and play tourist scare.... Soooorry sometimes my humor takes a strange turn.

"Bad things happening" is just a statistical thing. From all the stupid things I did when younger, and survived, I know that is true.

From "young people thinking/feeling they're immortal" => trying/doing some things they're not supposed to => nothing bad happens => all that is just "old people" thinking

=> then they (usually, not always) run into a low probability event => bad thing happens

:(

I went snorkeling by myself in Cozumel. My husband was chatting with the Newlyweds sitting next to us, and I wanted one last look at the sunken airplane off the beach in front of the La Ceiba Hotel. I was in a rush, so I didn't put on my snorkeling vest or my fins. Of course, I got caught in the current and couldn't get back to shore - where my husband was taking pictures for the happy couple.- he didn't notice that I was flailing in the water.

Some people on a cruise ship snorkeling tour saw me panicking and helped me back to shore. I think they saved my life - but as we returned to shore, they couldn't resist admonishing me at length for (1) snorkeling alone (2) not wearing a snorkeling vest or other flotation device (3) not wearing fins. They were absolutely right, but by the time we made it to shallow water I hated them.

^^^^^ Oh golly - that's one I could have been guilty of. And, I would have had the same reaction to the admonitions that you did.

I can so relate - I had to snorkel solo in a shark infested reef..... Thanks for sharing! The adventures that tempt us.....

I bravely stood on the bike path and I survived

I'll be in Amsterdam next week and I've been warned that pedestrians need to be on the lookout there as well. Even if I have the right of way.

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From "young people thinking/feeling they're immortal" => trying/doing
some things they're not supposed to => nothing bad happens => all that
is just "old people" thinking

One summer when I was about 10 I lost a front tooth in a biking accident, the next summer I lost the other in a waterslide incident. Apparently being young and bulletproof doesn't protect your teeth. I've also replaced both veneers as an adult when I knew I was no longer bulletproof, just stupid.

Crossing van Baerlestraat in front of Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam involves (in order) bike lane, auto lane, tram lanes, auto lane, bike lane, with occasional bikes going the "wrong way" in the bike lanes. Keep your head on a swivel!

Lots of non locals standing in the bike lanes in Vienna too!

And of course, looking the wrong way crossing the street in London.

I'll be in Amsterdam next week and I've been warned that pedestrians need to be on the lookout there as well. Even if I have the right of way.

True statement.

Perhaps that impaled tourist should have asked should I climb a fence in Italy on this forum for some sage advice.

Perhaps that impaled tourist should have asked, "should I climb a fence in Italy", on this forum for some sage advice

Had he been smart enough to ask, he would have been smart enough to know the answer, and asking wouldn't be necessary