French Backpackers stealing and leaving a mess behind

I don't think we want a 'carriage service' used to make threats either.

Appreciate your concern but leave the abuse and threats out.

We were in Mundubbera QLD last month. Same story, same people, IGA was the loser.

G'day Santta

You do say "identified and caught stealing". That would seem to me to be a positive outcome, providing they are charged etc.., and it would seem to me to have the effect of going some way to eliminate the problem.

And as you report having seen the traveller, is it reasonable to assume that you have reported the behaviour to the police? This would also lead to elimination of the problem, at least the problem caused by "a certain international traveller".

I think it's also a reasonable observation that there are some folks 'of our kind' who do the same thing as the folk that you refer to. All thieves, fee evaders, and rubbish spreaders spoil it for the rest of us.

Cheers
John

These european back packers are a problem in the Kimberly and are trusted.

I have witnessed this myself first hand. We stayed in the Grampians for three nights. We paid up front for our site at $38 per night. On average, at around 9.30-10pm nightly. The backpackers would roll in set up camp. In the process disturb every one else. Then pack up again at 5.30-6am. Again disturbing every one and then buggering off. I assume the strategy here was arrive late, leave early and don't pay. Then my kids would go over and clean up their mess. We even took rubbish into town that some Asian tourists had left behind. These people are not paying their way. I believe the way to address this is through the rental van companies. If these people get caught camping where they shouldn't or without paying. Send an infringement notice to the rental company and they can take the fine out of the bond for the vehicle. Or back charge the renter via credit card. This would then put onus on the industry and the people who do the wrong thing.

Some of it is ignorance and other bits are plain "hey I am visiting the once and then going home so IDGAF". I ran tour groups through the Kimberley and it always embarrassed me the amount of rubbish i would see left behind and the habit of some to want to carve their initials or spray paint some slogan, like that in some way justified their existence or saved them from the inevitability of their own demise.
But i think it is broader than just a few backpackers, locals and others can put their hands up for some of that as well. As I have said in the past those that do the right thing will continue on and those that don't will do the same as they ever did. Do i wish that i could visit some terrible justice upon them, yes, will I probably not, as i value my freedom to much and quite frankly i don't believe those oxygen thieves to be worth it.

Orf with their heads.

cultural differences.
here in Australia its considered shamefull to steal. I travelled with a German back packer and they have a totally different culture
stealing is totally fine as its up to the shop etc to make sure you cant steal. the shame isnt in stealing its in allowing your stuff to be stolen
she couldnt believe the self serve isle in coles - backpackers call it the free food isle

I sent this thread for comment to one of my adult children who has been working in Germany in the backpacker orientated hospitality industry for the past two years. He has also travelled extensively through Europe, USA and parts of the Americas & southern Africa.
His comment was that in Munich Australian backpackers have the worst reputation for behaviour of all young travellers, especially during Octoberfest when the Australian Embassy (based in Berlin) has to set up a temporary embassy in Munich to deal with the strife young Aussie get into. When he has to call the Bavarian Police to help with unruly late night behaviour at the business he works in, the Police ask the nationality of the troublemakers, if they are Australians they respond with extra police.

Could it simply be a "type/demographic" of western traveller rather than a specific nationality, we seem to be comparing predominantly older Aussies you see on the road with younger Europeans?