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1500 questions
30
votes
5 answers

What's with Canada's airport codes?

In my flying experience (passenger), I've gotten used to seeing 3 letter airport codes. AKL = Auckland. LHR = London Heathrow. LGW = London Gatwick. LAX = Los Angeles. Generally, they seem to make sense - some sort of logic flow is applied to the…
Mark Mayo
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11 answers

Is there any United States slang I should avoid in the UK or Ireland?

We'll be spending a couple weeks this summer in the UK (Scotland and London), then a week in Ireland. Is there any slang common in the United States that we be best avoided in either country? For example, 'fag' is commonly used in the UK for…
Pete Nelson
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30
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1 answer

Carrying Condoms while traveling to Dubai

I am traveling to Dubai in last week of May 2016, I wanted to know is it OK to carry condoms in my luggage or I'll be stopped at security check?
trip traveler
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1 answer

Can a shop in the Netherlands force you to buy clothes if you take a photo?

I've just been in a shop in Amsterdam which had a sign saying: No pictures allowed and specially not when wearing our garments!!! If we see you making pictures anyway, you will have to buy them by law!! To my British sensibilities, it seems…
gsnedders
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30
votes
3 answers

DIY computer in hand luggage - what to expect on security checks?

I have a DIY computer which looks like a 7" tablet, only thicker. The case is plastic, and the whole device is about as thick as a laptop. There are no scary wires popping out and no ticking noises, and there's no problem to turn it on upon request.…
30
votes
4 answers

Why is it uncommon to fill airliners from both ends?

In Norway, it is common at airports with jet bridges (of which there are at least four) for aircraft (largely 737s and A320s) to be boarded and exited through both ends: the passengers with seats in the front half of the plane board/exit through the…
haroba
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30
votes
2 answers

Why does Ryanair check non-EU passengers' visas on intra-Schengen and domestic flights?

Ryanair requires that all non-EU citizens report to the check-in counter to verify their immigration status, even on intra-Schengen and domestic flights. According to Ryanair's official website the rationale is that: Non EU/EEA passengers must do…
JonathanReez
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30
votes
3 answers

Meaning of asterisks and binary mask in the US visa

What do these two sections mean in the United States visa? Asterisks (stars) below a photo. Some kind of binary mask of size 4. On this photo, it is 0111 in the right middle part of a visa. Most sources say that it's a "risk" indicator.…
30
votes
3 answers

Is the Sea of Stars real?

I fairly frequently see pictures online of this semi-mythical glittering beach in the Maldives. However I can't find any accounts of people having actually visited it and reported on how it was. Can anyone tell me any hard information about this…
30
votes
5 answers

Is it OK to play the piano housed in the lobbies of hotels?

I travel a lot and often find grand pianos in lobbies of hotels. Is it appropriate to just sit down and play them for a while (FWIW, I am good and play slow classical music. My playing will not ruin the mood)? Or are they primarily for show?
user29550
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9 answers

How much cash am I supposed to prepay at gas station in the US?

In the US (and probably Canada as well), it is possible to pay at a gas station either with a credit card often with a fee (in the US) or cash. If I pay cash, gas stations often require to prepay for the gas. However, I always wonder how much I…
Vince
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30
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1 answer

Am I supposed to pay for parking when the parking meter is buried under the snow (USA)?

I am travelling by car in the USA (Boston, Massachusetts). The weather is currently pretty snowy. Am I supposed to pay for parking when the parking meter is buried under the snow? E.g.:
Franck Dernoncourt
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30
votes
4 answers

Is it rude to talk on a mobile phone for the whole journey, when travelling alone in a London black taxi?

I had an uncanny feeling that it was rude of me to talk on a mobile phone for the whole journey, while travelling alone in a London black taxi. Is it the etiquette to have a conversation with the indeed highly qualified driver when travelling alone…
sks
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30
votes
6 answers

Tipping in Europe when paying by credit card?

I've been traveling in Europe for the past few months and I'm still confused about this! In most countries, it seems the common courtesy (according to tipping websites and the locals that I've talked to) is to leave a 5%-10% tip in restaurants,…
Archagon
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30
votes
9 answers

How to check a large backpack?

When travelling on airlines based in the US with a large backpack, I prefer to carry the bag onto the plane as part of my hand baggage allowance. Most foreign flag carriers, however, have a significantly more restrictive hand baggage allowance. I…
Chris Mueller
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