TripAdvisor Survey Looks @ Beach and Pool Etiquette

TripAdvisor has unveiled the results of its beach and pool etiquette survey of over 900 travellers in Southeast Asia, with the worst beach and pool offences being littering at beaches and spitting in pools.

70% feel that teenagers and young adults are the key culprits but nearly all (95%) have never or rarely ask them to stop behaving rudely.

"As travellers prepare to flock to the beach and pool this holiday season, it will be good to be aware of what exactly makes other beach- and pool-goers tick," said Jean Ow-Yeong, TripAdvisor spokesperson. "This ensures that everyone can have some fun in the sun harmoniously."

Most Annoying Beach and Pool Etiquette Violations

"Reserving" Chairs: 82% cannot tolerate those who save beachside or poolside chairs by leaving their belongings on them. 71% maintain that they never do so while 22% rarely do so.

Sun Tan Camaraderie: 36% feel that it is their responsibility to inform those who have a sunburn while 41% think that it is none of their business.

Personal Space on the Sand: 24% feel the closest acceptable distance to sit next to another stranger on a crowded beach is three feet (0.9 metres), 20% think it should be two feet (0.6 metres) while 15% say four feet (1.2 metres) is more comfortable.

On non-crowded beaches, 27% consider three to six feet (0.9 to 1.8 metres) to be the closest acceptable distance to sit next to a fellow beach-goer, 25% feels it should be seven to ten feet (2.1 to 3 metres) while 19% say twenty feet (6.1 metres) is appropriate.

Top restricted beach and pool zones travellers wish for:

Travellers Oppose Waterside Smoking and Shower-Skipping

71% think smoking should be prohibited at the beach and pool.

28% and 7% feel there is no problem smoking at the beach and pool respectively.

58% consider it a breach of etiquette for not rinsing off before entering the pool, with 60% and 24% who always and often do so respectively.

The survey was conducted with 929 travellers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, between 3 October and 31 October 2012.

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