Things people do that irritate you when you go to the zoo? #2
- Thread starter birdsandbats
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Makes sense. Most interchangeable lens cameras don’t have flash built in though so use of flash tends to be phones (and some all in ones).
Some people are a bit selfish but I think that’s more them than their equipment.
Honestly, I feel like the average zoo visitor is more worried in taking selfies they can post on Instagram than actually enjoying the animals. That's not really annoying, but deeply saddening.
I know zoos are not the only place where this has become commonplace, but it's where I've seen it happen the most.
I know zoos are not the only place where this has become commonplace, but it's where I've seen it happen the most.
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There’s a paradox with your statement. Either the average zoo visitor is more worried about taking selfies, or most people are there to see the animals. It can’t be both.
I'm sorry I made it confusing. What I originally meant is that zoos are places for people to see animals they normally would not have the chance to see, yet more and more, the average zoo visitor becomes increasingly worried about taking selfies rather than actually seeing the animals.
Also, sorry for previously editing my post.
That is common in tourism generally, people concentrating on taking a selfie of say, the pyramids, rather than enjoying the experience of being there.
There is nothing wrong with that at all. It just seems strange that sometimes people seem to spend their whole trip looking at a phone camera and not at what they came to see.
Yes, I agree with your statement. I myself love photographing the animals at the zoo.
My problem, however, as MRJ pointed out, is that people nowadays care more about sharing their visit to the zoo than actually enjoying their experience there.
It has become to a point where sharing the fun you've had is more important than having said fun itself.
When people pass over seeing exhibits for native species because they think they're "boring". I get people come to the zoo to see exotic animals but native species are often underrated when they can be just as interesting as exotics.
Honestly, I do this myself sometimes... Most Brazilian zoos have the same native animals. Therefore, seeing animals such as a blue-and-gold-macaw isn't that surprising or fun, especially when they are in awful enclosures, as they do most of the time.
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I've noticed that a lot of native species in zoos get the short end of the stick in terms of exhibits.
Indeed, they do in most places. I mean, you guys still have it a lot better in America. In South America, the exotics get the short end of the stick too. You need to see my local zoo's lion exhibit, as an example.
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Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I absolutely cannot stand when parents bring their children to zoos and teach them zero respect for the animals, other guests or the exhibits. I recently went to see Columbus' Orangutan infant, and a child preceeded to literally spit in my face while screaming. The parents said nothing. The sheer amount of ridiculous behavior children exhibit in zoos, as if it isn't a public space too, is beyond me.
Lori Patton
Well-Known Member
I always try to visit the zoo during the week when children are at school to have a more peaceful experience. While I absolutely support kids visiting zoos, the lack of self-control many of them have is very distracting. Oftentimes, they run up to the animals and scare them away right when I'm trying to take pictures. The parents seldom correct their kids' behavior. I also feel sorry for the animals when the kids squeal and it hurts their ears. I saw a Cape porcupine wince and look frightened when a kid screeched at the top of his voice. I advise everyone to visit zoos during the week if at all possible.
I overheard this convo once between a father and son:
Kid: Dad look, it’s a unicorn!
Kid’s Dad: (Sighs)
Kid: I was just joking.
Kid’s Dad: Yeah, well do you see any other kids your age pointing to goats and calling them unicorns?
It was a male Lowland nyala…
Nile Lechwe
Member
I visited Sigean African Reserve Tuesday, when children are at school, during Winter. A royal peace. Many animals were outside and looks zen. Like the Nile Lechwes and Cheetahs. When i come during Summer, no Nile Lechwes and Cheetahs.
But a thing irritate me personnally, it's when people said antelopes are boring animals.
ApeLadyNZ
Well-Known Member
I overheard this convo once between a father and son:
Kid: Dad look, it’s a unicorn!
Kid’s Dad: (Sighs)
Kid: I was just joking.
Kid’s Dad: Yeah, well do you see any other kids your age pointing to goats and calling them unicorns?
It was a male Lowland nyala…
It's quite shocking how many people at the zoo are like this, and a lot of them are adults, not kids. Not only do they not read signs, but they don't bother asking the many volunteers around who are highly knowledgeable and willing to answer any number of questions about the animals, even down to knowing their names and personalities!
And I agree with the people who say an off-peak time to visit the zoo is a good idea if you can manage it - although it's more difficult for those of us in full-time work. Holidays in particular seem to bring out silly behaviour in some visitors. I've had to report people throwing food to the baboons and squirrel monkeys, and a group of well-dressed, fully grown men teasing the otters in the past!
Completely agree with ApeLadyNZ's post above.
I find it quite disheartening how many times I hear parents display their ignorance to their enthusiastic offspring. Even if the parent doesn't know what the animal is, how hard is it to look for the sign? A recent example was a kid asking their Dad what a particular animal was. It was a roan antelope. Their Dad's answer was "A big thing" before hurrying the kid along to the next enclosure. Even worse are parents who tell kids they are wrong when they are right. Another recent example, kid "Look at the tigers": Kid's Mum "They aren't tigers, they are lions". They were tigers. Occasionally I do see parents try to seek out a sign to answer the question.
I also agree that sometimes you can get bizarre behaviour from people you wouldn't expect it from. I have recently seen two middle aged couples mooing at banteng.
Most of my zoo visits are at weekends due to work, but I do like to take some time off to visit zoos during the week outside of school holidays. Fewer people around the popular exhibits. Much easier to get something to eat to as places are usually rammed at weekends unless the weather is poor.
I find it quite disheartening how many times I hear parents display their ignorance to their enthusiastic offspring. Even if the parent doesn't know what the animal is, how hard is it to look for the sign? A recent example was a kid asking their Dad what a particular animal was. It was a roan antelope. Their Dad's answer was "A big thing" before hurrying the kid along to the next enclosure. Even worse are parents who tell kids they are wrong when they are right. Another recent example, kid "Look at the tigers": Kid's Mum "They aren't tigers, they are lions". They were tigers. Occasionally I do see parents try to seek out a sign to answer the question.
I also agree that sometimes you can get bizarre behaviour from people you wouldn't expect it from. I have recently seen two middle aged couples mooing at banteng.
Most of my zoo visits are at weekends due to work, but I do like to take some time off to visit zoos during the week outside of school holidays. Fewer people around the popular exhibits. Much easier to get something to eat to as places are usually rammed at weekends unless the weather is poor.