Embarrassing tourists: the most clichéd holiday photos
Nick Trend, Telegraph Travel's consumer correspondent (not pictured above), argues that taking a camera on holiday compromises the experience of sightseeing. A safari in Kenya, he says, was spoiled by "incessant clicks and motorised whirrs". At the Taj Mahal, most of the other tourists "experienced the site through a viewfinder" and "expected those of us who were not to be continually on our guard to make sure that we weren't getting in the way of their picture".
Recently, the travel writer Paul Theroux came into the Telegraph's offices for a webchat with readers. When asked about photography he replied: "I never bring a camera – because taking pictures, I’ve found, makes me less observant and interferes with my memory."
Messrs Trend and Theroux both make a good case for the remorseless suppression of tourist photography, and the following images only add weight to their argument. Leave the camera at home and there is no chance you will resemble one of these grinning goons. Read on to see our selection of the most cringeworthy, clichéd – and common – tourist photographs...
Holding the Taj Mahal
When the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this marble-hewn masterpiece in memory of his late wife, he didn't count on hordes of tourists spoiling the view with their strange impressions of tea pots.
Kissing the Sphinx
Wearing a bandana in the desert, like some kind of modern day Lawrence of Arabia, should also be avoided.
A show of strength in Pisa
The multitude of failed mime artists in the building's vicinity does little to add to its appeal.
Straddling the Equator
What is the attraction of these Equatorial excursions? You endure a wiltingly hot and bothersome ride in a Ugandan minibus, before being offloaded at a desolate car park so you and your sweaty travelling companion can smile listlessly while straddling a painted line.
Being Jesus in Rio
Particularly ill-advised if you are wearing a sleeveless top and/or own a pair of bingo wings.
Doing an Atlas
It's not big and it's not clever.
Standing on Kjeragbolten
Precariously balanced boulders, like this one in the Norwegian Fjords, are a magnet for gurning tourists. Expect at least one middle-class hippy to pull out the lotus position and disappear into a zen-like trance.
Gaining some perspective
The salt flats of Bolivia. Marvel at the vast emptiness. Stare in awe at the blindingly white and disorientating landscape. Or simply spend two hours inching back and forth trying to make your boyfriend look like a tiny fairy.
Crossing Abbey Road
A staple for embarrassing tourists and aspiring musicians alike. Pictured here are "The Silver Beats", a Tokyo-based Beatles tribute band. It's only a matter of time before a disgrunted Kilburn taxi driver sees a bumbag-wearing buffoon posing on this crossing, and decides not to stop.
Posing next to Bruce Lee
If being photographed alongside statues of celebrities really winds you up, don't visit Madame Tussauds.
Kissing Oscar Wilde's grave
Judging by the number of lipstick marks on Oscar Wilde's Parisian gravestone, not only is kissing it entirely unoriginal (the great rebel would not have approved), but it also presents a serious coldsore hazard.
Lipstick is also said to be damaging to the stone itself, according to Wilde's grandson Merlin Holland, who has previously asked tourists to refrain.
Statue groping
One can only speculate on what this Harold Bishop lookalike was thinking when he posed for this photo, outside Buckingham Palace. Belittling Michelangelo's David is equally unacceptable.
Peace out
Hand gestures should always be avoided, unless you want to look like this gentleman. Other banned poses include the thumbs up (see image 1), the devil's horns (a rock 'n' roll favourite), and the a-okay (unless scuba diving).
Nick Trend, Telegraph Travel's consumer correspondent (not pictured above), argues that taking a camera on holiday compromises the experience of sightseeing. A safari in Kenya, he says, was spoiled by "incessant clicks and motorised whirrs". At the Taj Mahal, most of the other tourists "experienced the site through a viewfinder" and "expected those of us who were not to be continually on our guard to make sure that we weren't getting in the way of their picture".
Recently, the travel writer Paul Theroux came into the Telegraph's offices for a webchat with readers. When asked about photography he replied: "I never bring a camera – because taking pictures, I’ve found, makes me less observant and interferes with my memory."
Messrs Trend and Theroux both make a good case for the remorseless suppression of tourist photography, and the following images only add weight to their argument. Leave the camera at home and there is no chance you will resemble one of these grinning goons. Read on to see our selection of the most cringeworthy, clichéd – and common – tourist photographs...
Holding the Taj Mahal
When the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this marble-hewn masterpiece in memory of his late wife, he didn't count on hordes of tourists spoiling the view with their strange impressions of tea pots.
Kissing the Sphinx
Wearing a bandana in the desert, like some kind of modern day Lawrence of Arabia, should also be avoided.
A show of strength in Pisa
The multitude of failed mime artists in the building's vicinity does little to add to its appeal.
Straddling the Equator
What is the attraction of these Equatorial excursions? You endure a wiltingly hot and bothersome ride in a Ugandan minibus, before being offloaded at a desolate car park so you and your sweaty travelling companion can smile listlessly while straddling a painted line.
Being Jesus in Rio
Particularly ill-advised if you are wearing a sleeveless top and/or own a pair of bingo wings.
Doing an Atlas
It's not big and it's not clever.
Standing on Kjeragbolten
Precariously balanced boulders, like this one in the Norwegian Fjords, are a magnet for gurning tourists. Expect at least one middle-class hippy to pull out the lotus position and disappear into a zen-like trance.
Gaining some perspective
The salt flats of Bolivia. Marvel at the vast emptiness. Stare in awe at the blindingly white and disorientating landscape. Or simply spend two hours inching back and forth trying to make your boyfriend look like a tiny fairy.
Crossing Abbey Road
A staple for embarrassing tourists and aspiring musicians alike. Pictured here are "The Silver Beats", a Tokyo-based Beatles tribute band. It's only a matter of time before a disgrunted Kilburn taxi driver sees a bumbag-wearing buffoon posing on this crossing, and decides not to stop.
Posing next to Bruce Lee
If being photographed alongside statues of celebrities really winds you up, don't visit Madame Tussauds.
Kissing Oscar Wilde's grave
Judging by the number of lipstick marks on Oscar Wilde's Parisian gravestone, not only is kissing it entirely unoriginal (the great rebel would not have approved), but it also presents a serious coldsore hazard.
Lipstick is also said to be damaging to the stone itself, according to Wilde's grandson Merlin Holland, who has previously asked tourists to refrain.
Statue groping
One can only speculate on what this Harold Bishop lookalike was thinking when he posed for this photo, outside Buckingham Palace. Belittling Michelangelo's David is equally unacceptable.
Peace out
Hand gestures should always be avoided, unless you want to look like this gentleman. Other banned poses include the thumbs up (see image 1), the devil's horns (a rock 'n' roll favourite), and the a-okay (unless scuba diving).
