I’m not what they call an “early adopter” by any means. When the selfie stick first debuted around a year ago, I hated them. Fast forward to today, I still hate them. Maybe I’m just not a fan of selfies in general (though I am occasionally guilty), but I get annoyed when I flip through my Instagram feed only to see a user obsessively posting selfies. To me, it just makes people look insecure, impersonal, and self-centered in a weird way. #endrant.
No matter what my views are about selfies and selfie sticks in general (and I really can’t believe I had it in me to dedicate a whole post about them), it looks like they’re here to stay. But I truly believe they impacting the travel experience for the worst, and here’s why:
They’re Antisocial
I like to consider myself a social person and I love connecting with other human beings in small positive ways. Maybe it’s a generational thing, but I’m seeing that today’s world is filled with people in their own digital worlds with their eyes buried in phones. People are seldom smiling and saying “hello” to each other, and seem to be avoiding small social interactions like the plague.
What happened to posing this friendly question?: “Hey, do you mind taking a photo?” That question right there is not only the best way to break the ice with other travelers, but you’ll also get what you asked for – a [hopefully] decent photo.
Selfie sticks are further pulling people apart because it eliminates those moments of small talk. Sure, I get that people might be introverted, shy, or may not want to “bother” other people for a photo, but I find that other travelers are more than willing to snap a few photos for you, especially since they’re likely looking for the same thing in return.
Can Make You an Easy Target for Pickpocketing
Nothing screams “distracted tourist” louder than a selfie stick. Think about it – there you are in lala-land snapping away. You’re likely distracted because you’re thinking about which filter to use before you broadcast your selfie to all of your social media accounts. Guess what? You’re an easy target. There are many tourist attractions that are notorious for skillful pickpocketing crimes, even without a distraction. In fact, my mom was pick pocketed twice in one day while visiting Spain before selfie sticks were even invented. Maybe they’re banned in some places for a good reason…
Many Attractions are Banning Them
Everyday, I learn of more and more places that are banning selfie sticks for reasons unknown. Maybe the attractions want to protect tourists from getting hurt or being a victims of crime, maybe they are a nuisance, or maybe selfie sticks are simply just annoying as hell. Either way, the list keeps on growing. In fact, I just read somewhere yesterday that Disney has jumped on the banned-bandwagon too.
They Get in the Way
I hate being smushed in crowded places to begin with, and I’ve been to my fair share of crowded tourist attractions. The last thing I need is to get whacked in the head with someone’s selfie stick. Granted a selfie stick has yet to physically assault me (or come close to it), I could only imagine what it’s like to be next to someone at say, an EDM type of concert, with a selfie stick. Sticks in the air + crowd moshing = disaster. Or what about if someone whips out a selfie stick while on a roller coaster? While I’d imagine they’d get a seriously impressive photo, but things could easily go bad (for nearby people and the phone) if the selfie stick was accidentally dropped. They just seem to overstep the boundaries of personal space in my honest opinion.
They’re Something Else to Carry
I take pride in packing light. Before kids, I would travel for 5 days with just a small backpack. Now with 2 kids, I am still able to pack for 3 in one small roller carry on. I do this by avoiding packing anything that’s unnecessary. Unless these selfie sticks fold up like a compak tampax, I wouldn’t want anything to do with transporting it. What exactly do you do with it when it’s not taking selfies? Do you use it as a walking stick?
Just for fun, are your curious to see what airlines think about selfie sticks? They have an opinion too.
Loading ...Do you have a selfie stick? What are your opinions on them? I’d love to hear your thoughts (and I’m ready to get ripped a new one by selfie stick loyalists…)
I don’t have a great reason for disliking selfie sticks. I just think they’re just plain annoying and, because you can see the stick in the photo, I’d never use one. At least try to make it look natural or get someone to do take it for you, as you said.
Although, I don’t mind being anti-social when it comes to travel photos. Most people do a really bad job taking photos of me and my girlfriend. They stand way too far back and the pics are just generic photos we’d never show anyone or frame, let alone post online.
I think you mean “early adopter”.
Haha, yes you are correct. Thx, I just made the change
Lighten up.
My left arm is my selfie stick — don’t even need to use a front-facing camera!
Hey look at me! Look at me! I was here! I was here! And I have a bazillion selifies to prove it and to make you feel stupid because you weren’t ! I’m so great and important and this photo proves it!
Where was that again?
Most people who take selfies only have their face in the picture, can’t even see much of the scenery, whats the point of tagging the picture?
I don’t think a travel blogger is in the best position to cast aspersions about people being “self-centered” in uploading their travel pics. I recently bought a selfie stick and I have to say it makes a big difference in my travel experience. Whereas before I had to rely on the kindness of strangers who often couldn’t figure out despite my urging that they really needed to hold the button down so that it takes a shot or would focus on me to the exclusion of the background, I know am at least able to make sure I have something similar to the shot I had in mind. I no longer have to wait until someone finds the spot that I’ve found or catch up to a bigger group in the hopes of seeing a friendly face. That doesn’t mean I never talk to travelers or never get others to take a photo, but it is nice to have some flexibility.
Most of your objections seem to border on hysteria. I haven’t seen any evidence that the selfie stick has made anyone a target for pickpockets. Many places ban backpacks and umbrellas and you don’t seem to have a vendetta against them. You admit that you haven’t been struck by someone else’s stick and the sticks do not take up much room and are relatively light. If you don’t want one, fine. Don’t begrudge those who do.
Right there with you 100x, Angelina.
– I feel that this is a reflection of increased narcissism. Instead of “Look at this amazingly gorgeous oceanside” or “Wow, what an awesome architectural marvel,” it’s “LOOK AT ME! ME! MEEEEEEEE!”
– They’re super annoying. When I was traveling recently, trying to look at artwork and gardens and such, I actually did keep getting bumped or inconvenienced by selfie-takers. Worse, when I tried to take photos of some of these places myself, it was hard to do it without getting lots of selfie-sticks in the pics.
– Did I mention that these folks just seem self-absorbed and selfish? They’re spending more time preening and posing and less time showing respect to and interest in their surroundings. I saw two rude couples taking selfies IN A CEMETERY recently. Seriously?!
I realize I’m an old man shouting at clouds, but selfies are a shorthand to what’s going wrong with society nowadays.
I normally love your posts but in this case, I disagree on so many levels. People should be able to do as they please as long as their not hurting other people.”You died and left you in charge “
*who*
Hi, thanks for the excellent insight on the selfie stick phenomena. It’s a very refreshing view. I have 2 selfie sticks but i have never taken it to public places or to take actual selfies (of my face at least) like people do. I use my selfie stick for sports in the bush or park away from touristic places. I recently acquired an electronic unicycle so it’s very interesting to see how many different angles of the wheel u can record with a camera almost touching the ground. However I do agree with other comments, The problem is not the stick, is the people holding them! most will use it wrong, by leaving the stick in the photo which contradicts the purpose of the selfie stick in first place, they cant figure out that all you need to do is play with the angles so that the stick is not shown in the frame. i also agree with you about the antisocial aspects of it, nowadays people just get social if theres opportunity for a selfie, which is very sad and pathetic, at least in my opinion.
Nice article! totally agree with your comment regarding selfie stick impact on social interactions.