I have to admit I have on occasion encountered rudeness - ignorance really, as described in Penny's thread and from people who should be old enough to know better. In Cuba one particular older women moaned and groaned about every single little thing you could imagine. Not getting water always on time in the room, the room wasn't good enough, didn't like the trips. mosquitos, you name it there was something wrong with it. She had a tantrum because her wine wasn't on the table ready as soon as she walked in to the restaurant, the place was too hot (unbelievably) and when hotel staff were falling over themselves to make things ok her middle-aged male companion accused them of 'only being after the pesos'. Obviously the thought about reading up on anything about the culture before taking a holiday like that hadn't crossed their minds I shouldn't think. You don't have to know every single detail about Cuba or anywhere like that but it helps to understand a little bit about the people etc. With role models like that you cannot blame the young. I could have been equally rude and suggested that they stick to Benidorm or Blackpool in future but that would have made me as bad.