Weird things people do when they travel

With all of the new TSA air travel security measures, some travel preferences such as standing in planes may be momentarily curtailed -- at least during the last hour of a flight. While others such as photographing your teddy bear in front of monuments is still unfortunately alive and well.

Standing in planes

It’s normal to get up during a flight to stretch your legs. But some passengers try to avoid sitting at all costs, lingering near the restrooms until a flight attendant forces them to belt up. Soon, they can stand all they want: According to Wired magazine, a private Chinese airline hopes to offer standing-room tickets for basement prices.

Tuning out with earplugs and masks

Some travellers can’t sleep unless it’s pitch black and quiet. Solution: eye masks and earplugs. Others are wary of airborne germs, so they don surgical masks. A special few insist on wearing all three. So what if they look like a cross between the Phantom of the Opera and The Mummy? You'll never see them again, and they'll never see you.

Disinfecting every public surface

Bacteria-laden subways and public restrooms are understandable no-touch zones. But some travellers won’t push an elevator button without first dousing it with disinfectant. Ironically, their over-zealous sanitization can breed super-resistant germs.

Avoiding unlucky numbers

Superstitious Chinese shun the number four because the word sounds like “death” in Cantonese. Some go so far as to change airplane seats and hotel rooms that contain the ominous number.

Buying ugly postcards

“Hello, I’m looking for the most dreadful postcard on the racks.” Believe it or not, this request is not uncommon in gift shops. Why pick the Great Wall when you can take home an image of ancient Chinese men prancing like arthritic cranes?

Photographing a stuffed toy in front of landmarks

Weird: Adults who bring stuffed animals on trips. Weirder: Adults who take photos of Teddy sleeping in the airport, eating ramen, posing in front of landmarks …

Have a quirky travel preference? Know somebody with a quirky travel preference? Tell us about it.

La Carmina writes about Harajuku pop culture and all things spooky-cute. She is the author of three books about Japanese pop culture and food, including Cute Yummy Time and Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo – for which she did all the photos and illustrations. Both books were released in October, accompanied by a US major city book tour.

For more, please visit her website.

Read more about La Carmina