| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 11/29/2007 3:01:25 AM | | I always bring extra of standard OTC stuff, plenty to share. But if you are on a group tour, the tour leader should provide these things and be prepared and responsible for the health of group members. You should never give anyone heavy stuff like antibiotics - if they have a reaction you could be liable or at least feel like crap if they die. | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 7/9/2008 6:44:51 PM | | This has already been said but, I would typically pack more than one dose for sure. I almost always bring enough meds for others if necessary. The fact that he is a loud mouth would not bother me at all. I would still help. I just wouldn't hang out with him. But, there would more than likely be many different people with many different bad traits. I would probably have a few myself. I'm sure I would. | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 7/16/2008 3:36:37 PM | | Why would it be "the right thing to do" to endanger yourself to try to help someone who had already screwed himself up? The fact is I would have nothing to give him, because I don't take a pharmacy with me when I travel. One time my sister gave me a pack of medicine-all over the counter stuff-and I took it just to please her. At customs I was held up for four hours while the foreigners investigated why I hadn't had the right visa, and licenses. They assumed I was a pharmaceutical rep bringing samples into their country on a business trip on which I intended to sell medicine to local doctors/etc. I had a tourist visa. I finally convinced them of my honesty, and told them to destroy the meds if they wanted. They did so, and finally released me. My ethics say I'm not going through that again even to medicate myself...let alone strangers. Those who eat/drink what they shouldn't will have to suffer the consequences. I am careful, and don't need meds, and those who aren't can go pay a doctor to help them. | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 7/23/2008 10:01:19 AM | Since generic Imodium comes in 200 dose bottles, I would offer to share a few doses.
But antibiotics should only be dispensed by a medical professional.
I'd CYA by offering to share the OTC medicine, but keep the prescription stuff for myself.
Maybe offer it to the guide, and let the guide give it to him. So obnoxious guy doesn't hit you up for other supplies he neglected to pack, seeing you as a soft touch. | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 8/27/2008 11:17:24 AM | Whenever you give of yourself or in this case your supplies/comfort, it will return to you ten fold. if we all think of others first, then it stands to reson we will be first in others eyes when we need to be.  | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 8/31/2008 12:38:41 PM | I am with Skudger ...... you can go on a tour when your over 80 .... till then I think it's more fun to find the "Music of the Night" with a little research on one's own. But I agree with some of you others... if he is bad enough he will be transported to help if not it too will pass. No help offered!
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 8/31/2008 5:48:54 PM | Wow: there are sure enough opinions floating around on this forum.
As a 40 year veteran Tour Director, a World Traveler, and STILL under 80, by the way...I have some definite feelings regarding this questions....don't even know if I'd call it "ethics"....some of it might be considered "common sense".
It was my duty to see that EVERYONE on our tours had received every piece of literature that had been sent out by the Tour Operator...including the VERY IMPORTANT info regarding shots, medications, etc....I had a copy for myself and discussed it with the group, upon departure from the US...that's the first time I met most of them.
Over the years I have seen strokes, blood pressure spikes, headaches and more than enough upset stomachs, flu and other illnesses. IT WAS NEVER MY DUTY TO DISPENSE ANYTHING to Tour Participants. I often carried packets of crackers and cheese...mainly for anyone with diabetes problems who might be in need of a snack to tide them over til we were able to make a comfort stop....
I have had more than my share of people who did not follow the suggestions and directions given by the Tour Company and/or by me...and, YES, they did have problems... Thankfully, I have not had many obnoxious people to contend with, but, some of them sure thought they KNEW IT ALL....
I was there, along with either hotel staff or motor coach driver or restaurant staff, etc. to assist these people to get the help they needed....several people became ill at the Taj Mahal in India and we dealt with the hotel doctor, and transportation was arranged for necessary trips to the hospital. Someone broke a leg on the Great Wall of China (After I had cautioned about non-experienced climbers going up the steep side rather than the comfortable side....the view was the same!) I assisted with transportation to the hospital and spent several hours trying to put together several non functional wheel chairs in order to make one functional one.....sure hope they had it under better control for the Olympics.... Never had a problem in Africa, THANK GOODNESS.
The story of the "drunken Slashee and Slasher"...roommates, is for another time....
At Macchu Picchu....a passenger gave me Ibuprofin for a wicked headache I had up there...(I don't use "Aspirin" as such and whatever I had, never put a dent in the headache.) Something like THAT I would dispense...NEVER a prescription item....
I'm not looking at this from the angle that the person was obnoxious...but, my job was on the line if I had strayed from the instructions I had been given. Perhaps different Tour Companies and Tour Guides do things differently.
Travel can be a wonderful thing...it sure gave me a fantastic 40 years...working at it. Now, I'm retired and still at it, but no responsibilities other than to myself...I READ EVERYTHING...and FOLLOW IT. I've just returned from Norway, Sweden & Denmark and I'm about to depart for Israel next week. Happy travels to all of you....
Oh, and, yes, having experienced Tours for so many years, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM. The good quality Tour Operators are the REAL experts. There is PLENTY of time for exploration and free time....
Just my experience
KK | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 9/2/2008 7:44:39 AM | I'd keep my meds for myself because it's all I've got and I need them in case I get sick. The fact that he is an obnoxious loudmouth has nothing to do with it. If *everyone* in the group had meds and only one person didn't, you could probably have everyone contribute one and everyone would be okay. I'd do that. But if you were the only one with meds, your once course isn't going to take care of the entire group.
Since I am not a medical professional, I would not be qualified to dispense prescription drugs to anyone. When I have traveled in some countries, I've gotten prescriptions for some meds before I went because of the distinct possibility of getting sick in remote areas. As someone pointed out, over the counter meds usually come in quantities large enough to share anyway, so that's no big deal. You should carry them in the original bottles if you're going through customs so more than likely you're going to have more than enough. In many less developed countries, drugs that require a prescription here are available without one.
If you're on a tour group, they are trained and prepared for people getting sick. They will deal with it.
I traveled in Nepal and encountered many perfectly nice tourists along the way who were sick. I would have lost my meds first day in the mountains if I'd given them to the first unprepared trekker. I spent a month in Nepal and didn't need them, in the end, but I didn't know that until I headed home.
I've been in a travel group with an obnoxious loudmouth. It's trying for everyone. They come in female form, too.
Regarding the redhatted lady's comment on being a tour director: you must be a saint! But what an interesting life.
I've travelled in a dozen countries, mostly solo, and mostly have preferred not to be with a tour group. However, they work well for many people and there are some times when it's the only way to go. I was with a medical exchange group to Russia and Latvia, for instance, and another time with a volunteer group to Honduras and El Salvador. I hooked up with a tour group in Costa Rica because it was the only practical way to get somewhere that I wanted to go at the time. Some people don't want to travel solo for a variety of reasons - or shouldn't - so even though I myself prefer to travel on my own, I would not discourage someone else who wants to do it. | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 9/4/2008 2:05:53 PM | | I try not to prevent others from fully enjoying their own karma. Its a learning experience for Mr. Loudmouth. Would you really deny him this opportunity to learn from his mistakes? | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 9/6/2008 8:11:45 PM | One simple question ALWAYS gives me the PERFECT ANSWER ... EVERY TIME!!
Sometimes it looks like tough love because LOVE knows what is in everyone's highest interest...
and
sometimes I am asked to do what I don't want to do or feel I can't do YET LOVE always gives me what I need to do its work.
The question?
WHAT WOULD LOVE DO?
NOT human, conditional love!
Universal, divine, LOVE, the light, spirit, whatever you choose to call that life force that is all and knows all.
I too have travelled quite a bit and can tell many stories of how that question saved my life, someone else's or simply made life much simplier.
IT IS THE ONLY REASON WE ARE ON THIS PLANET... To be LOVE in action and we will attract to us all that we need to learn how to be it...kissy kissy nice nice or tough love...works every time...
So, what would LOVE do in your situation? ONLY YOU can answer that.
Best wishes with any future exchanges with other travellers on this exciting journey. | |
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| How are yout ethics when it comes to this?
Posted: 9/10/2008 4:37:55 AM | Hey without being too goodey-two-shoes about it, yes I will share....I wlll. I would ensure that he is well enough to carry on, and in between treatments, lots of I-told-you-so's and all manner of lectures, painful advice and guilt inducing trips....plus you'll never know, loudmouths tend to have a sister who is ummm, mega hot.
Ok, bottomline is I won't stand to see someone suffer. I'd help. | |
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