Why oh why must some of the European ladies go topless on foreign beaches? Is it that they haven’t taken the time to learn about the culture they’re visiting or is it because they know it’s inappropriate but simply don’t give a shit?

Whatever the reason, it really pisses me off. I’m not personally offended by it, but the look of shock is evident when locals pass by these ignorant women. Vietnam seems fairly liberal in its big cities – visit either Saigon or Hanoi and you’ll see many young women dressed stylishly in revealing dresses and heels, though even this will get clucks of disapproval from the older people. In the smaller towns or at religious sites proper, respectful attire should be donned. And it’s NEVER okay for a woman to take off her top in public. How important is it for you to tan your damn nipples?

Every responsible traveller should educate themselves about where they are going BEFORE they go. Many Aussies don’t realize that we tip in North American restaurants and they spend their vacation stiffing servers wherever they go. That just leaves a server grumbling that they missed out on some potential cash. Exposing yourself in a conservative country has a much longer-lasting effect on the people. It’s no wonder how negative stereotypes of Western women come to be born.