Selfies. Don’t hate the player hate the game.

| Theresa

Would it be too dramatic to say selfies and subsequent selfie sticks are the bane of many travelers’ existence including my own?  I get the need for an occasional selfie.  Somewhat. I’ve traveled alone enough to know they can be needed. You’re in a cool city, you’re alone, you want your face in the picture, the whole “pics or it didn’t happen” phenomenon is swirling around in your brain. I understand the dilemma.

What I cannot wrap my head around is the blatant irreverence of places, people and things.  I’ve had to dodge numerous selfies sticks barreling towards my head in a massive crowd. Or worse yet, the sticks raised in the air ruining a perfectly good Kodak moment (Siem Reap at sunrise immediately comes to mind.) Additionally, I struggle to understand the pouty fish lip pose in front of a sacred site.  Do we really need a selfie in front of a Budist temple? Lastly, selfies are never just one picture either.  They undoubtedly turn into a photo shoot session, typically delaying all others from getting a good shot.  I’ve heard the Louve in Paris as banned selfie sticks.  Kudos France!

Trust me dear friends, I know selfies are sometimes a necessary evil. So if you must, please consider following these simple rules:

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Rule 1- Get low.
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Rule 2- It’s all about the angle.
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Rule 3- Selfie sticks have no age limit, as long as you are young at heart.
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Rule 4- It’s all about YOU. If you cut other people out of the picture, so be it. It’s called a selfie not an usie.

 

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Rule 5- Blocking the pathway of others is totally acceptable. Again, this is about you and YOU alone.

 

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Rule 6- Try to blend into the culture. If you use a selfie stick, at least wear traditional clothing so you don’t look like a total tourist.
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Rule 7- Be as expressive as possible. The selfie has less to do with where you are and more to do with your excitement of being there.
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Rule 8- Do two things at once. Yes, you should be texting while using your selfie stick. It’s called multitasking people.
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Rule 9- When in doubt take your picture in a reflective surface. Does it officially count as a selfie? No, but in a pinch it will suffice.
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Rule 10- Friends provide moral support. Lean on them when you can.
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Rule 11- Take pictures parallel to your friends. No need to ask them to take a photo for you when you have amazing selfie skills.
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Rule 12- Reach out, smile, and take the perfect selfie.

Please follow these rules carefully, because remember it’s not about the picture it’s about the selfie.

 

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