Insider Travel Secrets Exposed | Your Next Trip Will Never Be the Same! - video Dailymotion

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Discover the ultimate insider travel secrets that will transform your next trip. Don't miss these game-changing tips!  Animation is created by Bright Side. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/   Check our Bright Side podcast on Spotify and leave a positive review! https://open.spotify.com/show/0hUkPxD34jRLrMrJux4VxV   Subscribe to Bright Side: https://goo.gl/rQTJZz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightside Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightside.official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brightside.official?lang=en   Stock materials (photos, footages and other): https://www.depositphotos.com https://www.shutterstock.com https://www.eastnews.ru ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  For more videos and articles visit: http://www.brightside.me  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.

Transcript

00:00:00Are the letters SSSS on your boarding pass a reason to worry?

00:00:06What's much more dangerous than turbulence?

00:00:09Should you really be the first to board the plane? You're about to figure it out.

00:00:17You might have noticed that most planes have blue seats. There's no mystery here.

00:00:22Airlines opt for this color because it's considered to have a calming effect.

00:00:26This color supposedly puts passengers at ease and helps even the most nervous flyers to relax.

00:00:33But there's also another, more practical reason. Stains, dirt and scrapes are less visible on dark blue fabric.

00:00:42Never throw your boarding pass away in a public place.

00:00:46It contains tons of your sensitive information including your name and frequent flyer number.

00:00:51This in turn may allow someone else to check your future bookings,

00:00:54change your seat or even cancel your flights.

00:00:59So the best way to deal with a boarding pass for a flight you've already boarded is to take it home and feed it through a paper shredder.

00:01:07By the way, if you ever see the letters SSSS or S on your boarding pass, get ready for additional security checks.

00:01:16Instead of these letters, there may be a checkerboard pattern.

00:01:19Anyway, if you have any of these marks, your carry-on luggage can also undergo a thorough inspection.

00:01:26Why might they choose you for secondary screening?

00:01:29Some of the criteria are making a one-way reservation or paying cash for your ticket.

00:01:34In some cases, the selection is absolutely random.

00:01:39Look, your gate is open and the boarding has started.

00:01:43Wait, where are you running? There's no need to hurry.

00:01:46The trick experienced globetrotters use is always board last.

00:01:51For one thing, you don't have to waste time standing in line.

00:01:54Then, there are fewer people on the jetway and in the aisle, and you spend less time on the plane.

00:02:00No one is going to take your seat anyway.

00:02:03There's one exception though.

00:02:05If you have a bulky carry-on bag, it may make more sense not to board last.

00:02:09Otherwise, the chances are high that all the overhead bin space will be occupied by the time you reach your seat.

00:02:16And then, your bag may end up in another part of the plane, and you'll have to wait till the other passengers disembark before you get to your luggage.

00:02:24Duh!

00:02:26Before take-off and landing, flight attendants usually flip a small switch on the bathroom door.

00:02:31This prevents it from flying open when it's not supposed to.

00:02:34With the same ease, a flight attendant can open the door when someone is inside.

00:02:39Look, they only need to lift the lavatory sign and move the knob into the unlocked position.

00:02:46Pilots don't worry about turbulence.

00:02:48That's because they know that there is a thing way more dangerous than any turbulence.

00:02:53It's an updraft.

00:02:55In most cases, turbulence only drops you a couple of feet down, even though it might feel as if you're falling from the top of the Empire State Building.

00:03:03If the turbulence is strong enough for the pilots to ask flight attendants to sit down,

00:03:07the plane can go 10 to 20 feet down.

00:03:10The most extreme white-knuckle turbulence is super rare.

00:03:14But an updraft is a big air mass, part of a storm or some other weather phenomenon, moving upwards.

00:03:21Pilots don't see updrafts on their radars at night.

00:03:25And when a plane hits one, it feels like driving over a huge speed bump at 500 miles per hour.

00:03:31An updraft is also extremely treacherous because it can push an aircraft upward to dangerous altitudes.

00:03:41Modern planes have a special system that detects other aircraft, mountains, and different solid objects in their path.

00:03:4810 miles away from another plane, and a voice in the cockpit starts chanting,

00:03:555 miles closer, and the same voice begins to give pilots the directions.

00:04:01Airplanes can operate with one engine, even during takeoff and landing.

00:04:05Both engines failing simultaneously is almost unheard of.

00:04:09But even then, a plane wouldn't drop from the sky like a rock.

00:04:13Pilots would have up to 20 minutes to find a suitable place to land.

00:04:18The way the cabin is pressurized has a great effect on your taste buds.

00:04:22You lose up to 30% of your ability to taste sweet and salty things.

00:04:27In other words, it's not that airplane food isn't tasty, you just don't feel its flavor.

00:04:33That's also the main reason why airline catering companies add extra salt and spices to the dishes they cook.

00:04:40But you know what may help you? Noise-canceling earphones.

00:04:44For some reason, that probably has a scientific explanation.

00:04:48Cutting off all that noise around can help your taste buds.

00:04:52Each of those dings you hear during the flight has its own meaning.

00:04:56In most airlines, a boing soon after takeoff indicates that the landing gear is getting retracted.

00:05:02Three dings in a row means more urgency than just one.

00:05:06A high-low ringtone informs crew members that their colleague needs them in another part of the plane.

00:05:12Three low chimes means some serious turbulence ahead.

00:05:17Crew members are supposed to put away meal cards, take their seats, and fasten their seatbelts.

00:05:23If you're a nervous flyer, pick a seat in the middle of the cabin.

00:05:27Turbulence mostly affects the front and rear parts of the cabin.

00:05:31The middle section, which is over the wings, doesn't shake so much.

00:05:36Pilots and co-pilots eat different meals.

00:05:40The reason for this precaution is very simple.

00:05:42Imagine both pilots having the same dish and getting food poisoning.

00:05:46In this case, neither of them will be able to control the plane.

00:05:50If they still want to have the same dish and won't agree to have anything else, there is a safety net.

00:05:57Pilots don't have their meals at the same time.

00:06:00If one pilot ate the dish and still feels okay several hours later, the other pilot can brave their meal as well.

00:06:07What would you say when asked about the filthiest place on a plane?

00:06:10Nope, that's not the toilet seat. It's not even in the bathroom.

00:06:15Flight attendants warn that you should be particularly careful with headrests, seat pockets, tray tables, and seatbelts.

00:06:23Experiments have shown that one-third of all seatbelts have yeast and mold on them.

00:06:29Most tray tables are covered with bacteria.

00:06:32Seat pockets are extremely filthy too, but headrests are the dirtiest of them all.

00:06:37In most cases, flight attendants don't have enough time to change or disinfect them in between flights.

00:06:46If your captain announces they're finishing some paperwork, it means they're busy revising the flight itinerary or waiting for the ground staff to prepare the flight logbook.

00:06:56That's a journal that contains the official record of a journey.

00:06:59Some places, especially those flying long distances, have secret bedrooms for crew members to catch some shut-eye.

00:07:06These bedrooms, called crew rest compartments, are located either at the back of the plane or behind the cockpit.

00:07:13Such a compartment can have up to 10 comfortable beds where flight attendants can have a rest.

00:07:19Plane windows are made of super-strong plexiglass that can easily cope with high speeds.

00:07:24And the window panes are shaped in a special way so that the high pressure inside the cabin pushes them against the aircraft body.

00:07:32In other words, plane windows are very unlikely to get broken.

00:07:37Once upon a time, plane windows were square, but the pressure built up in the corners of such windows, making them ultimate weak spots.

00:07:46This means that each square window had four weak spots.

00:07:49This made them likely to crash under the enormous stress of high altitudes.

00:07:54Luckily, making airplane windows curved solved this problem once and forever.

00:07:59Such a shape distributes the pressure and reduces the likelihood of cracks or any other damage.

00:08:04Planes regularly get struck by lightning, at least once a year or once per 1,000 hours of flight time.

00:08:11These days, it's totally safe.

00:08:13The electric charge simply runs through the aircraft's aluminum shell.

00:08:17It doesn't cause the plane any damage.

00:08:20But did you know that airplanes not only get hit by lightning, but they also trigger it?

00:08:27When an aircraft is flying through a cloud, the friction between its fuselage and the air creates static electricity.

00:08:35Sometimes, it can cause lightning.

00:08:37Flying has long become routine for many people.

00:08:40But even frequent flyers sometimes don't know about things you should never do on a plane.

00:08:46No bare feet on a plane – it's one of the biggest no-no's of air travel.

00:08:51Even if we omit the topic of unpleasant odors, phew!

00:08:55The airplane floor is extremely filthy.

00:08:58People with contagious skin can't even walk on it.

00:09:02There's likely to be a lot of dirt left after previous passengers.

00:09:06And don't even get me started on the floor in the lavatories, ew!

00:09:10If your feet need some freedom, take off your shoes, but at least wear your socks.

00:09:16Or bring along a pair of light slippers.

00:09:19Keep in mind that the pressurized air in the passenger cabin is just as bad as it is in the plane.

00:09:24Or bring along a pair of light slippers.

00:09:27Keep in mind that the pressurized air in the passenger cabin is just as bad as it is in the plane.

00:09:33With only about 20% humidity.

00:09:36That's why your skin may feel discomfort after a flight.

00:09:40But wouldn't it make more sense to install several humidifiers that could add some moisture?

00:09:45But this extra load would cost airlines lots of money.

00:09:49Plus, the plane's airframe is mostly made of aluminum and other metals,

00:09:52and humid air could lead to corrosion.

00:09:55So, don't forget to bring a moisturizer and use it during the flight.

00:10:00Always secure your tray table as soon as the plane starts moving on the tarmac.

00:10:04And never lower it during the take-off and landing.

00:10:07It's a security measure, which ensures that you and the other passengers

00:10:11will have a clear pathway in case of an emergency evacuation.

00:10:15Also, keep your seat in an upright position during take-off and landing.

00:10:18First of all, a reclined seat can seriously slow down an emergency evacuation,

00:10:24since it will block a person sitting behind.

00:10:27What's more, the more backward you're leaning,

00:10:30the harder it is to get into the braced position during an emergency landing.

00:10:34Try to avoid snoozing during or right after take-off and landing.

00:10:38For one thing, it's not the best thing for your health.

00:10:41The main problem is that the air pressure inside the cabin

00:10:45changes very quickly during these phases of the flight.

00:10:48This, in turn, affects the air pressure in your ears.

00:10:51It's important to be alert during this time to relax and open up your ears.

00:10:56For example, by yawning or swallowing frequency.

00:10:59Chewing gum works for me.

00:11:01If you're sleeping, you can't do this, which can lead to permanent damage.

00:11:05And, of course, there's a safety issue.

00:11:08Most accidents happen during take-off and landing.

00:11:11If you're sleeping during these stages,

00:11:13you might not be alert and conscious enough if an emergency happens.

00:11:16Now, this next recommendation comes from the EPA,

00:11:20the Environmental Protection Agency.

00:11:22According to them, you might want to skip on hot drinks on a plane.

00:11:26The water used to make tea or coffee doesn't come from bottles.

00:11:30It's regular tap water.

00:11:32And water tanks on airplanes are often old and full of bacteria.

00:11:36In 2004, there was a study which found that

00:11:39more than 12% of water samples contained harmful bacteria.

00:11:43But if you still decide to have a cup of hot beverage on a plane,

00:11:47never pour coffee or tea on your own.

00:11:50Flight attendants are trained to handle this task

00:11:52in crowded aisles of a moving airplane

00:11:55and won't accidentally burn you or other passengers.

00:11:58Now, it's probably better if you don't order Coke on a plane.

00:12:01The cabin pressure, so low up in the air,

00:12:04causes a lot of foam.

00:12:06For apparent reasons,

00:12:08flight attendants don't want to serve you a cup filled with froth.

00:12:10That's why they'll fill only half the cup,

00:12:13then wait for the bubbles to settle,

00:12:15and then finish pouring.

00:12:17That can take ages.

00:12:19Keep your air vent open.

00:12:21This way, you'll minimize the spread of germs.

00:12:23Planes have high-quality air filters.

00:12:25They'll catch up to 99% of all airborne germs.

00:12:29So, you should be safe there.

00:12:31But make sure to wipe that tray table.

00:12:33With 8 times more bacteria than the toilet flush button,

00:12:37it's the dirtiest place on board.

00:12:38Another thing you should avoid

00:12:40is leaning your head on the window,

00:12:42if you have a window seat.

00:12:44You never know who occupied your seat before you.

00:12:47And, in any case, the glass is likely to be covered with germs.

00:12:51Say no to backless sandals and high heels on a flight.

00:12:55I do.

00:12:57There are very serious safety reasons for such a request.

00:12:59The first is that both these types of footwear

00:13:02make it very difficult to evacuate the aircraft fast.

00:13:05If you wear high heels,

00:13:06you will anyway have to leave them behind

00:13:09in case the crew is using emergency slides during an evacuation.

00:13:13The heels are very likely to damage the slides,

00:13:16so off they go.

00:13:18Now ask yourself,

00:13:20do you really fancy running away from the airplane barefoot?

00:13:23I'll answer that for you. Nope.

00:13:25Instead, wear sturdy shoes with a solid sole.

00:13:28In this case, you won't find yourself

00:13:30standing on the hot tarmac or in the weeds

00:13:33without any footwear at all.

00:13:35Don't stuff heavy objects into overhead compartments.

00:13:38Your things may not stay inside during severe turbulence,

00:13:41and while falling out,

00:13:43they will injure you and other passengers.

00:13:45Ow!

00:13:47That's why if it feels difficult to lift something

00:13:49into the overhead compartment,

00:13:51better put it under the seat in front of you or elsewhere.

00:13:54Don't blame the pilot for the hard landing.

00:13:57When you experience it in bad weather,

00:13:59it might be intentional.

00:14:01If the runway is covered with water or snow,

00:14:02the plane has to touch down hard

00:14:04in order to break the water layer

00:14:06and prevent aquaplaning.

00:14:08Otherwise, the water can perform the role of a lubricant,

00:14:11and the plane won't be able to break

00:14:13or respond to any control.

00:14:15Deploying an emergency slide

00:14:17when there's no emergency

00:14:19is a bad, very bad idea.

00:14:21It can cause hour-long delays

00:14:23and cost airlines thousands of dollars

00:14:25to pack the undamaged slide

00:14:27back into its container.

00:14:29Why would someone do it?

00:14:30Apparently, some think it'll help them

00:14:32get off the plane faster.

00:14:34Well, they're an idiot.

00:14:36Don't be one yourself.

00:14:38Just keep in mind that it doesn't work this way.

00:14:40Don't ignore the instructions of the cabin crew

00:14:42to open window shades during takeoff and landing.

00:14:45This way, flight attendants can see

00:14:47what's happening outside,

00:14:49assess the situation,

00:14:51and act fast, organizing the evacuation.

00:14:53For example, if there's a fire outside one exit,

00:14:56they will redirect passengers toward another door.

00:14:59Avoid carrying spray deodorants

00:15:01or shaving cream in your carry-on baggage.

00:15:03Both these things tend to explode mid-flight

00:15:06and, therefore, aren't allowed on board the airplane.

00:15:09A much better idea is to choose stick deodorants.

00:15:12You also mustn't keep power banks

00:15:14in your checked luggage.

00:15:16And if you want to bring one on board,

00:15:18its capacity shouldn't be more than 20,000 milliamps.

00:15:21Besides, you shouldn't use them during the flight

00:15:24since they might catch fire.

00:15:26In general, lithium batteries

00:15:28are safe to use.

00:15:30But since they're high-energy,

00:15:32they can catch fire if they're not treated with care,

00:15:34misused, or if there's a manufacturing fault.

00:15:37Such batteries have been the cause

00:15:39of quite a few fires on board airplanes,

00:15:41as well as during ground handling.

00:15:43Do not worry about airport scanners.

00:15:46They won't harm your health.

00:15:48Otherwise, airport employees

00:15:50wouldn't be able to stay near them

00:15:52without special clothing.

00:15:54Even when you're passing by a baggage scanner,

00:15:56the risk is minimal.

00:15:58Don't act like a jerk on board.

00:16:00Behave yourself.

00:16:02I know you will.

00:16:04Also, never try to land a plane on your own.

00:16:06Nah, don't laugh.

00:16:08I'm not kidding.

00:16:10In movies, they often show us

00:16:12that something happens to the pilots

00:16:14and they can't land the plane.

00:16:16And that's when the main character,

00:16:18a very skillful person, starts their game.

00:16:20Unfortunately, it's close to impossible

00:16:22to do it in real life.

00:16:24Even if a person is a genius,

00:16:26is fond of computer simulators

00:16:28and is ready to follow

00:16:30all the instructions from the ground,

00:16:32they're likely to fail

00:16:34due to one simple aspect.

00:16:36Stress.

00:16:38It is true that there have been cases

00:16:40throughout history when amateurs

00:16:42landed smallish private planes

00:16:44after the incapacitation of a pilot.

00:16:46However, there has never been a case

00:16:48of a non-professional pilot

00:16:50landing a commercial passenger airplane.

00:16:52It's only in the movies.

00:16:54You heat a pack of popcorn

00:16:56in the microwave

00:16:58and you can get rid of them

00:17:00before you open the bag.

00:17:02See this little tiny hole at the top?

00:17:04Shake the pack over the plate

00:17:06and all the grains

00:17:08will fall out of the hole.

00:17:10It's much better

00:17:12to peel off the stickers

00:17:14not from the bottom to the top

00:17:16but tear them off from the side.

00:17:18This way, the paper remains flat

00:17:20and its low side doesn't bend.

00:17:22Peel the banana starting from the top.

00:17:24Then you will not have to

00:17:26squeeze the bottom of the fruit.

00:17:28You can insert a spoon

00:17:30into this hole while cooking a soup.

00:17:32Cardboard containers

00:17:34with Chinese food can be opened

00:17:36so that four paper walls

00:17:38lie flat on the table.

00:17:40So, all you need to do

00:17:42is unfold the container.

00:17:44This way, you'll get

00:17:46a very realistic plate

00:17:48and scorching food

00:17:50will cool down faster.

00:17:52An easy way to peel an orange

00:17:54is to cut off the top

00:17:56and end of the orange.

00:17:58Almost all people

00:18:00misuse a travel pillow.

00:18:02Usually, the two ends

00:18:04of the U-shaped cushion

00:18:06are directed forward.

00:18:08The correct position

00:18:10is to turn the pillow

00:18:12on the other side.

00:18:14The arc should be under your chin

00:18:16and the two ends should look back.

00:18:18Your neck will feel

00:18:20much more comfortable

00:18:22in this position

00:18:24and you'll get a great nap.

00:18:26Your ceiling fan

00:18:28or summer mode.

00:18:30In summer mode,

00:18:32the fan pushes the air down

00:18:34and it sucks the air up

00:18:36in winter mode.

00:18:38According to the rules of etiquette,

00:18:40you must first let those

00:18:42who leave the room,

00:18:44building, elevator out

00:18:46and only then can you enter.

00:18:48First, they come out,

00:18:50then you come in.

00:18:52If you're inside,

00:18:54then you come out first.

00:18:56This simple rule

00:18:58will work incorrectly

00:19:00when they pick their teeth

00:19:02immediately after eating.

00:19:04The correct and cultured way

00:19:06is to go into the restroom

00:19:08and carefully pull out

00:19:10all the food leftovers

00:19:12from your mouth.

00:19:14Here's the right way

00:19:16to tie a garbage bag

00:19:18without making this little hole

00:19:20on the top.

00:19:22Don't tie these thin straps together.

00:19:24Hold them up,

00:19:26make a knot,

00:19:28and tie your sneakers

00:19:30inside the dryer

00:19:32but leave the lace's tips sticking out.

00:19:34Close the lid

00:19:36so that it clamps the shoelaces.

00:19:38Done!

00:19:40Wired headphones

00:19:42fit much better in your ear

00:19:44if you put them on

00:19:46in a way when the tips

00:19:48with the wire direct up.

00:19:50Then the wire can be put

00:19:52around the auricle

00:19:54so your headphones

00:19:56will not fall out of the ear.

00:19:58Hold your teeth

00:20:00with an electric toothbrush

00:20:02using fast movements.

00:20:04The electronic toothbrush

00:20:06should pass smoothly

00:20:08through the teeth.

00:20:10You can tear a bag of sugar

00:20:12with one hand.

00:20:14Hold the bag above a mug.

00:20:16Just place it on your index

00:20:18and middle finger.

00:20:20Then press your thumb

00:20:22into the middle of the bag.

00:20:24It will break the center

00:20:26and sugar will easily pour out.

00:20:28You wear sunglasses

00:20:30and enter the room.

00:20:32Where are you gonna hide them?

00:20:34Do you leave it on your head,

00:20:36hang it in your shirt collar,

00:20:38or put it in your pocket?

00:20:40The best way is to put the glasses

00:20:42in the breast pocket

00:20:44so the lenses will be inside

00:20:46and only one temple

00:20:48sticks out of the pocket.

00:20:50Your glasses will be safely inside

00:20:52and the lenses will be

00:20:54protected from damage.

00:20:56When you flush the toilet,

00:20:58press the flush button

00:21:00while keeping the toilet lid open.

00:21:02You don't have to tear off

00:21:04the plastic sheeting

00:21:06from the dishwasher tablet

00:21:08and crumble it.

00:21:10Just put it in the tank

00:21:12and close it.

00:21:14The water will dissolve

00:21:16the sheeting.

00:21:18It doesn't work

00:21:20with all the brands out there

00:21:22so check the instructions.

00:21:24The compartment under the stove

00:21:26is not properly used

00:21:28and everyone has a plunger

00:21:30with a round rubber shape.

00:21:32In the movies,

00:21:34we have seen how many times

00:21:36it's used to eliminate

00:21:38a blockage in the toilet.

00:21:40In fact, this plunger

00:21:42is needed to eliminate

00:21:44a blockage in the sink.

00:21:46For the toilet,

00:21:48you need to use

00:21:50another special plunger.

00:21:52You're eating a taco

00:21:54and all the food

00:21:56is falling out

00:21:58of the toilet.

00:22:00To clean the toilet,

00:22:02you first need to

00:22:03cut the peeler.

00:22:05When you're ready,

00:22:07start cutting

00:22:09and when you're done,

00:22:11you can aim

00:22:13the peeler

00:22:15and keep on cutting.

00:22:17You can also

00:22:19replace the peeler

00:22:21with a new one

00:22:23and then quickly

00:22:25remove the peeler

00:22:26The correct way is to put the paper so the round side, in the middle, looks into the back part of the toilet.

00:22:32Advertisements show us that we need to cover the entire surface of the brush with toothpaste.

00:22:38One small pee is enough to brush your teeth.

00:22:41Companies want you to use the paste fast and buy another one.

00:22:46That's why they show this wrong and uneconomical way.

00:22:50We've been applying deodorant wrong all this time.

00:22:55The most effective way to use deodorant is to apply it at night before you go to bed.

00:23:01The easiest way to peel garlic is to put it in the microwave.

00:23:05Cut off the upper part, then put the garlic in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

00:23:11Done! The skin easily tears off the garlic.

00:23:16Most people cut pizza from the middle to the edge.

00:23:19The filling always leaves the dough and you have to make a lot of cuts.

00:23:24The correct and convenient way is to cut the pizza across, from one edge to the other.

00:23:31You only need two cuts to divide the pizza into four pieces, three cuts to divide by six, and so on.

00:23:40It turns out that it's not necessary to wrap the suitcase with protective plastic sheeting.

00:23:46You can just put a t-shirt on the bag.

00:23:49Make sure the handle sticks out of the collar.

00:23:52And don't forget to make a little cut for the side handle.

00:23:56The table attached to the seat in the plane can also be used as a hammock for your feet.

00:24:02Just tie a belt, a blanket, or a towel around the table and hang your legs.

00:24:09To move a needed letter or a word on your phone screen, it's not necessary to press your finger on the text area.

00:24:18Press the space button and hold it to control the slider. Works on all iPhones.

00:24:24The Spotlight function on your Mac is designed not only for quick search of files and applications.

00:24:32You can use the search bar as a calculator.

00:24:35Just enter a mathematical example that you need to solve.

00:24:39Spotlight also uses internal dictionary data.

00:24:43Enter any word and get data from the dictionary about this word.

00:24:48If you're hungry and don't know what to order in a restaurant, there are special mobile apps to help you out.

00:24:54They show how the dish looks, its size, and weight.

00:24:59Now first, you probably already know that germs are everywhere.

00:25:03And it's impossible for humans to get rid of them.

00:25:06These tiny creatures train our immune system.

00:25:09We're becoming stronger when our organism constantly faces bacteria and improves its protection skills.

00:25:15So don't worry about what you see next.

00:25:18Welcome to one of the favorite places among bacteria and microbes – hotel rooms.

00:25:24Yes, they seem to be so clean, but in some ways, they're more dangerous than a garbage dump.

00:25:30Everything is dirty at the landfill, and you're afraid to touch anything.

00:25:34But the dirt in hotel rooms is almost invisible.

00:25:38They're waiting for you here, and there are a lot of them.

00:25:41So the first problems appear already in the elevator.

00:25:44The buttons on the panel are swarming with various bacteria.

00:25:48Suppose no one cleans them with a disinfectant.

00:25:51In that case, these buttons become the arena where billions of microbes multiply and devour each other.

00:25:58Take a look at an ordinary apartment building.

00:26:00There are elevators too.

00:26:02The same people live in this house, transmitting the same germs when they touch the elevator buttons.

00:26:08Your body encounters these microbes often and quickly develops the needed protection.

00:26:13But different people stay in hotels.

00:26:16A guy from some African country can bring a bacterium that will be dangerous for a girl from cold Norway.

00:26:22Therefore, after you touch the button, wash your hands with a soap or disinfectant.

00:26:28So the elevator opens its doors, and you walk towards your room.

00:26:32Watch out! There's another hot spot ahead.

00:26:35See that door handle?

00:26:37This area is another beloved playground for germs.

00:26:40How many people have touched it before you?

00:26:43How long has it been since it was washed?

00:26:46Do you know why such a handle is more dangerous than a toilet seat?

00:26:50Most of all, microbes accumulate on our fingers and palms.

00:26:54When we don't wash them, we transfer a million bacteria from one place to another by touching the surfaces of different objects.

00:27:02So the best way is to touch the door handle with the same hand you used to press the button in the elevator.

00:27:08As soon as you enter the room, wash your hands.

00:27:12The good news is that hotel staff clean bathrooms and toilets much better than the rest of the room.

00:27:17So you're a bit safer here.

00:27:19But still, take a good look at the corners of the bathroom and the tiles.

00:27:23If you see black spots somewhere, it means there's mold.

00:27:28This thing can cause allergic reactions like runny nose and eye irritation.

00:27:33Mold can be pretty dangerous, but hotel staff usually watch it closely.

00:27:37So it's unlikely that there will be something like this in your room unless it's a cheap hotel.

00:27:43You don't stay there, do you?

00:27:45Oh, by the way, did you know that toilet paper in a public toilet contains more germs than the toilet lid?

00:27:52You make a mistake if you cover the seat with pieces of that paper.

00:27:56First, many people touch it, which means they transfer bacteria onto it.

00:28:00Secondly, dirty little splashes get on the roll when someone flushes the toilet.

00:28:05Microbes feel more comfortable living on soft paper than on the hard surfaces of the toilet.

00:28:11So don't put it on the seat.

00:28:13But if you see a metal or plastic cover on the roll, you're lucky since the roll is protected from germs.

00:28:20Then, after you've done your business and washed your hands thoroughly,

00:28:24you have two options – wipe your hands with a paper towel or use a hand dryer.

00:28:29It doesn't matter which you choose, both variants have a lot of germs.

00:28:33But if you use the dryer, bacteria will fly all over the room.

00:28:38So better grab a towel.

00:28:40Okay, you come out of the bathroom and find yourself in a danger zone.

00:28:45Don't think that all germs there are harmless.

00:28:48Some of the most common bacteria in hotels cause intestinal infections.

00:28:54If you don't want to spend the rest of your vacation or business trip next to or on the toilet,

00:28:59get ready to fight colonies of tiny parasites.

00:29:03The first thing you need to do is wash those glasses and cups with soap.

00:29:07Some travelers carry their own mugs with them, which is a good idea.

00:29:11Then look around and ask yourself, which places do people touch the most?

00:29:16These are the TV remote control, coffee machine, fridge, door handles, tables, hair dryer, and windows.

00:29:24But relax, you don't need to do the cleaning instead of the hotel staff.

00:29:28It's enough to have wet wipes with a powerful disinfectant.

00:29:32Wipe the surface of all these objects.

00:29:34Perhaps you worry in vain, and the hotel carefully monitors how clean the rooms are.

00:29:40Or you can tell the manager you want to have your room cleaned again.

00:29:44So you've wiped all the surfaces and jumped into bed tired.

00:29:48Unfortunately, you're not the only one to rest on that soft mattress.

00:29:52You have a huge company of bacteria.

00:29:55Of course, washing pillowcases and bed linen destroys germs, but what about the bed spread?

00:30:01Most likely, nobody washes it.

00:30:04Removing germs from the tissue is difficult, so you'll probably have to put up with it.

00:30:09But the thing you shouldn't accept is bed bugs.

00:30:12If you notice dark spots on your mattress, this is most likely the waste left by bed bugs.

00:30:18You're not hungry, are you? I don't want to spoil your appetite.

00:30:22The insects themselves can hide deep in the mattress.

00:30:25They can sleep there for months and then wake up to satisfy their hunger.

00:30:29While you're resting, they come out and bite your legs.

00:30:33If you notice small red spots on your skin in the morning, then bed bugs have, well, kissed you.

00:30:41The bites of these beetles are not dangerous.

00:30:43Some people may have a mild allergic reaction in the form of irritation on the skin.

00:30:49But the problem is that some bed bugs can get into your clothes or things.

00:30:53Then you'll bring them home.

00:30:55These creatures multiply rapidly.

00:30:57Therefore, if you don't want a colony of biting bugs in your house,

00:31:01then wash your clothes, clean your luggage, and go to the shower.

00:31:05But before that, ask the hotel manager to refund your money.

00:31:10Because bed bugs are unex…

00:31:12By the way, even if the room is squeaky clean, it doesn't mean there are no bed bugs in it.

00:31:16Perhaps previous guests brought them.

00:31:19So, your bed has no black spots, and you've wiped all the dangerous surfaces.

00:31:24That's it, you're safe!

00:31:26But try to walk on the floor wearing slippers or thick socks, as the floor is also a source of dirt.

00:31:32You spend several nights in the hotel, and finally return to a clean and safe place – your home.

00:31:38Unfortunately, your house can also have many germs you don't see.

00:31:42Do you like to have fun with friends and play video games?

00:31:46Do you remember when the last time you cleaned the game pad was?

00:31:50All your friends have held it in their hands, which means you've collected all of their microbes there.

00:31:56Your kitchen cutting board – how thoroughly do you wash it?

00:32:00It's not enough just to splash it with water, especially if you cut meat and vegetables.

00:32:06You can cut some squash, and its germs will stick to the surface.

00:32:10Then you quickly wash the board and put it back in place.

00:32:14But the germs haven't gone away.

00:32:16They're still firmly attached to the surface, waiting for you to cut bread.

00:32:20Then they'll jump onto the food and get into your stomach.

00:32:24How's that appetite doing? Still good?

00:32:27Another dangerous place is a dish sponge.

00:32:30Even if you use a good detergent, germs still accumulate there.

00:32:34The best way to get rid of them is to change sponges once a week.

00:32:38And now you'll see a paradise for bacteria.

00:32:41A place with an ideal cold temperature and a lot of food, from fresh to spoiled.

00:32:47Hey, it's your fridge!

00:32:49There you put products that you bring from the supermarket.

00:32:52Hundreds of people could touch them with their hands, leaving millions of germs.

00:32:56Therefore, don't forget to wash your fridge often.

00:32:59And also, keep any meat away from packaged products,

00:33:02because germs on a rare steak multiply and spoil it quickly.

00:33:07Well, perhaps you're too worried about your health now.

00:33:10If so, then you should remember the words from the beginning of the video.

00:33:14Let me quote.

00:33:16You probably already know that Germans are everywhere.

00:33:19Wait, that's not it.

00:33:21Ah, sorry.

00:33:23Airports are some of the most visited and, at the same time, mysterious places out there.

00:33:29So, let's see what's going on behind the scenes and what secrets airports hide.

00:33:34At some airports, there are special people called profilers.

00:33:38Such people bring to life a special program called SPOT,

00:33:42Screening Passengers by Observation Technique.

00:33:45They analyze or mimic gestures and behavior in order to detect suspicious people.

00:33:51Their job is to notice nonverbal signs of anxiety,

00:33:55people licking their lips, itching, or looking around a lot.

00:33:59If a profiler notices a person acting in an unusual way,

00:34:03they can invite them for an inspection.

00:34:06There, they talk to this person trying to find out more about them

00:34:10and confirm, or not, their suspicions.

00:34:13Airport agents might also be watching you all the way from the security check to your gate.

00:34:18Some airports have facial recognition scanners that can easily track you.

00:34:23They're equipped with special software that compares passengers' faces with their IDs.

00:34:29Keep in mind that if you don't charge your laptop before the flight, it may be confiscated.

00:34:35It's not uncommon for an airport security officer to ask you to power your device up.

00:34:40If you fail to do it, your gadget can be taken away for an additional check.

00:34:46For safety reasons, it's crucial to make sure that it hasn't been tampered with

00:34:50or modified in a way that can cause harm during the flight.

00:34:54Packing an electric brush in your check-in luggage may land you in trouble.

00:34:58Brushes produced by some brands have lithium batteries inside,

00:35:02and those can potentially lead to serious problems in the air.

00:35:06That's why leaving your electric brush in your check suitcase isn't an option.

00:35:11But you're allowed to store them in your carry-on bag.

00:35:14At the same time, if your device runs on AA batteries,

00:35:19you can put it wherever you want.

00:35:21Anyone who's ever traveled by plane knows about the no-liquids rule,

00:35:25but not everybody knows that this rule also applies to peanut butter, toothpaste,

00:35:30creams, lotions, liquid makeup, laval lamps, snow globes,

00:35:35some kinds of medications, deodorant, and even gel shoe inserts.

00:35:42Now, let's go outside for a while and look at those landing spots.

00:35:46Airports charge airline companies huge fees for landing on their runways

00:35:50on certain days and at particular times.

00:35:53But the most interesting thing is that the landing spots can be bought and sold.

00:35:58For example, in 2016, Oman Air paid Air France around $75 million

00:36:04for one early morning arrival slot at London Heathrow Airport.

00:36:09You must have noticed that airfare has increased over the past decade.

00:36:13That's because of the extremely high prices of landing slots.

00:36:18Dispatchers don't only control the planes in the sky, as you can often see in the movies,

00:36:23but they also look after their movements on the ground.

00:36:26They also control the lighting on the runways.

00:36:29There's three types of air traffic controllers, en route, terminal, and tower.

00:36:34Each of these dispatchers has their own area of responsibility.

00:36:40One dispatcher has about five monitors, and the information on them is constantly changing

00:36:45since the monitors show weather conditions and information about other planes.

00:36:50You know how it sometimes goes.

00:36:52You come to a security checkpoint, and all of a sudden,

00:36:55it turns out you have something prohibited in your carry-on.

00:36:59But worry not. You still have a chance to save your favorite penknife.

00:37:04At some airports, there are on-site postal services,

00:37:08and you might have an opportunity to mail your belongings to any address you provide.

00:37:12But the mailing fees are pretty high.

00:37:15Plus, certain items are prohibited, and the postal service won't deliver them.

00:37:20Airports can be selling your lost luggage right now.

00:37:23Of course, I don't say that there's no chance for you to get back your suitcases

00:37:27that's traveled to a different destination.

00:37:30But just as likely, you might not see it again.

00:37:33In this case, an airport has the right to sell your misplaced belongings at an auction.

00:37:39Most airports have an annual lost luggage sale.

00:37:42After paying an entry fee, you can bid on electronics, clothes, bags, and other stuff.

00:37:49While flying, you might have a celebrity on board, but you won't know it.

00:37:53Large airports have separate check-in and security procedures for celebrities.

00:37:59They often board the plane directly through a hidden door located beside the jet bridge.

00:38:05Some airlines also use cool cars to transfer VIP passengers from the terminal building to the plane.

00:38:11At the same time, most people come to the airport well ahead of time.

00:38:16And the most popular activity while waiting for a flight is wandering through the duty-free zone.

00:38:22And even though people rarely plan to buy anything there,

00:38:26different products end up in their shopping baskets.

00:38:29That's because lots of airports are designed in a special way that makes people feel relaxed and at ease.

00:38:36I'm talking about all those huge windows, a lot of light, massage chairs, and comfortable seating areas.

00:38:43And statistically, calm passengers are 10% more likely to spend money on retail, duty-free, and food.

00:38:51Designers put a lot of thought into airport layouts.

00:38:55It helps to ensure the smooth flow of travelers.

00:38:58And the main point here is easy navigation that can prevent people from getting lost.

00:39:04This is achieved through subtle but very effective design cues.

00:39:08And placing duty-free zones between security checkpoints and boarding gates is one of them.

00:39:14They supposedly help you relax after clearing security and lead you where you need to go.

00:39:20But speaking of food, a celebrity chef restaurant at the airport might not be as good as it would be if you were visiting the real thing.

00:39:28Not chefs themselves, but special restaurant companies are responsible for airport outlets.

00:39:34One of the reasons is the extremely strict security that surrounds airport deliveries, including food.

00:39:40You may still have a nice meal, but it won't be the same.

00:39:45Now, I'll tell you about one more way airports manipulate you into spending your money.

00:39:50They make you walk through the shiny duty-free stores straight after the security check.

00:39:55But the most curious thing is that the walkway through such stores usually veers to the left.

00:40:01That's done because most people are right-handed, which means they use their right arm to pull their luggage and are more likely to look to the right while passing through the stores.

00:40:11And the duty-free zone veering to the left leaves more space on the right where passengers are more likely to look.

00:40:19Oh, and have you ever noticed how many mirrors there are at airports?

00:40:23Mirrors are strategically placed there to make airports appear larger and create an illusion of more space.

00:40:29This in turn helps to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and makes the airport experience more comfortable for travelers.

00:40:37If you have an opportunity, don't exchange cash at the airport. You'll never get a good rate there.

00:40:43Those who didn't buy local currency in advance can instead order it online and collect it at the airport.

00:40:49Some services only need a few hours' notice for such an order.

00:40:54Or it might even be better to use an ATM to withdraw some cash at your final destination.

00:41:00Now, have you ever paid attention to airport codes?

00:41:05The most often used are three-letter codes.

00:41:08Why this number?

00:41:09Back in the 1930s in the USA, pilots used the National Weather Service's two-letter city codes to refer to airports.

00:41:17But soon, the number of airports in the country outgrew the number of such codes.

00:41:23That's why airlines expanded this system by adding the third letter.

00:41:27It was usually X.

00:41:29That's how LA, Los Angeles, turned into LAX.

00:41:33But even though there shouldn't be two airports with the same code, some of these codes sound so similar you could easily mistake one for the other.

00:41:42For example, look at this airport with the code CGP in Bangladesh.

00:41:47And here we have CPG.

00:41:49It's the code of an airport in Argentina.

00:41:52It's dangerously easy to fly to the wrong place.

00:41:55So pay attention!

00:41:56A lot of airports are built near water and there's a whole bunch of reasons for this.

00:42:01First off, most airports are located in big cities.

00:42:04And big cities are usually built near some form of water anyway.

00:42:08Back in the day, before trucks and proper roads were built, goods were transported by ship.

00:42:14Having a river or ocean nearby was vital to deliver essential supplies to the cities, like food and building supplies.

00:42:21It also allowed for trading to boost the local economies.

00:42:26Because most people travel into big cities for business and holidays, rather than rural areas, it made sense to build the airports there.

00:42:33The high demand for travel meant that the airports were needed and also made them profitable.

00:42:38But that's not the only reason they're built near water.

00:42:41Big cities are usually super crowded and airports require a lot of land.

00:42:46Imagine trying to find a space big enough in the middle of New York City to put an airport.

00:42:51It would be basically impossible.

00:42:53Areas next to water are usually a bit more rural.

00:42:56So there's more space than the big cities filled with skyscrapers.

00:42:59Some countries have even taken this one step further.

00:43:02Land is really scarce in Japan.

00:43:05So to build Kansai International Airport, the architects of Osaka headed three miles offshore to Osaka Bay to make a man-made island.

00:43:13The artificial island is 13,200 feet long and 8,500 feet wide.

00:43:19That's so big that it can even be seen from space.

00:43:22It took a whopping 38 months to complete and travelers can get across to the main island of Honshu via car, railroad or high-speed ferry.

00:43:31Kansai International Airport opened in 1994 and became the world's first airport to be built on the sea.

00:43:39Despite its location, it has the longest airport terminal in the world with a length of just under one mile.

00:43:46Airplanes also can't have any obstacles around them when landing.

00:43:49It would be really difficult to try landing a plane with obstructions.

00:43:53These include trees, mountains, buildings and power lines.

00:43:57Over water, nothing will restrict planes from taking off or landing, making it much safer.

00:44:03On mountainous islands, runways are often parallel to the ocean as the mountains are inland,

00:44:09just like in the Grand Canaria Airport located on one of the Canary Islands.

00:44:13It also links to safety reasons.

00:44:16If a plane has to cancel a runway landing and go back around again,

00:44:20there must be enough room for it to do this safely without hitting anything.

00:44:24It's also got to be able to climb back up into the air at a safe angle to avoid causing problems for the passengers inside.

00:44:31Reaching this safe altitude is much easier, quicker and safer by the sea,

00:44:36compared to big cities or mountainous areas.

00:44:39Speaking of failed landings, pilots are trained to deal with engine failure on takeoff.

00:44:45If a plane reaches the right speed for takeoff, it has to leave the runway, even if the engine fails.

00:44:51But don't worry, planes can still fly with only one engine, it just requires a bit more effort.

00:44:57Because of the reduced capacity, it takes longer to reach the right altitude and more space is required for takeoff.

00:45:04Taking off towards the ocean makes it easier to climb to a safe altitude without worrying about colliding with any obstacles.

00:45:12Another reason for airports being built at water level is that the higher up we go, the thinner the air becomes.

00:45:18It causes the thrust of the engines to decrease as well as the lift produced by the wings.

00:45:24Setting off from higher areas means it's more difficult for the planes to take off.

00:45:28In terms of money, this would mean building longer runways which would cost more, and no one wants that.

00:45:34This also means the planes require less fuel as they don't burn as much energy on takeoff.

00:45:40This means there's less noise made as the planes don't have to work as hard.

00:45:44But despite this making the planes less noisy, airports are going to have pretty high noise levels.

00:45:50Imagine hearing planes zooming over your house while you're trying to get sleep at night.

00:45:54This is a key reason why airports are usually built on the coast far away from any residential areas,

00:46:00as fish aren't generally known to file noise complaints.

00:46:04Airports actually have to provide upgrades for nearby houses that will be affected by the noise.

00:46:09Germany is one of these countries, and they do everything from improving roofs to adding wall insulation to cover all that noise.

00:46:17Building by the coast means that they don't have to pay up for all these expensive upgrades, which saves the airport lots of cash.

00:46:25Coastal areas also have weather advantages for flying.

00:46:28Sea breezes are steady winds that blow from the water to the land.

00:46:32Planes mostly land and take off with the wind, making it the perfect place to build an airport as there'll be no delays caused by unexpected strong winds.

00:46:40But while the sea breezes that come in spring and summer are great, areas near water can be prone to fog during fall and winter, so this part has its pros and cons.

00:46:50But not every airport is on the coast, as it does also pose a number of issues too.

00:46:55One of the biggest is birds.

00:46:58Our feathered friends love the coast because of all the yummy fish, but they can cause big problems for pilots.

00:47:04But airports manage to get around this using scare tactics.

00:47:08Birds don't really enjoy noise, and planes aren't the quietest of things.

00:47:12Airports also make loud bangs and even train hawks to take down birds that are in the way.

00:47:18The most obvious risk of building close to the sea, though, is flooding.

00:47:22Airports cost crazy amounts of money to build, and planes aren't cheap either.

00:47:27Back in 2018, Kansai Airport was flooded by Typhoon Jebi.

00:47:31They had to cancel all operations for two days, and the water was so high that it damaged the engines of the planes.

00:47:38While coastal airports put measures in place to protect against flooding, it's pretty difficult to save everything from a typhoon.

00:47:45With rising sea levels and an increase in extreme weather, these floodings are also looking more and more likely to happen.

00:47:52A quarter of the world's 100 busiest airports are less than 32 feet above sea level.

00:47:58And 12 of those, including New York, San Francisco, and Shanghai, are less than 16 feet. Yikes!

00:48:05All that water poses another problem. If planes overshoot the runway, they have nowhere to go.

00:48:11Overshooting is basically when the pilot underestimates the length of the runway and doesn't reach takeoff speed in time.

00:48:18There are usually extra bits of concrete or grass that the plane can run onto when the airports are on land.

00:48:24There'd be a bit of damage to the plane in this case, but nothing major.

00:48:28But with coastal airports, the plane might go straight into the water.

00:48:32Luckily, there's new tech that aims to prevent this from happening.

00:48:36These new kits let the pilots enter in all the flight calculations, including the weather conditions that could affect takeoff.

00:48:42This system then calculates how much runway the plane will need to stop.

00:48:48Many airports also have added soft concrete to the end of runways to avoid a watery disaster.

00:48:54When the plane glides onto this soft concrete, they get stuck and it stops them traveling too far.

00:49:00There are also financial issues with building airports next to the water.

00:49:04Land rent next to the coast or lakes is usually higher than the mainland due to the demand.

00:49:10Like 40% of the US population lives on the coast, despite coastal areas only making up around 10% of America's total landmass.

00:49:20Airports require flat land to be built on, but this isn't always easy to find.

00:49:24And coastal land can pose particular problems due to sand conditions on marshland.

00:49:30But this doesn't mean it's not possible.

00:49:32One of the world's most famous airports, New York's JFK, was built on marshland.

00:49:38The land was a lot cheaper than usual, and marshland can't really be used for a lot.

00:49:44Of course, it can cost a lot of money to make the ground suitable to carry heavy loads, but this was all sorted.

00:49:50Finding such a big area close to one of the world's most famous cities was a very rare find, even if it was marshland.

00:49:59You check into your hotel room, connect to Wi-Fi, jump on the bed, and post 15 photos of your new window view.

00:50:07When the initial surge of excitement is gone, you notice a suspicious blinking light on your big TV.

00:50:13Could it be that someone is watching you? Or have you just seen too many spy movies?

00:50:19Well, hidden cameras come in all shapes and sizes.

00:50:23Large ones are easy to spot, but the small ones can be really sneaky and inconspicuous.

00:50:29They can be hiding behind furniture, in decorations, or vents, and anywhere else you'll have trouble noticing.

00:50:36There are even special cameras that can be hidden in everyday movable objects, like alarm clocks, picture frames, vases, and lamps.

00:50:45Check to see if these objects are facing at a strange angle, or if they're positioned to get the best view of your room or bathroom.

00:50:54The easiest way to spot a hidden cam is to look for the lens reflection, because all cameras come with lenses.

00:51:01Turn off the lights and slowly scan the room with a flashlight, laser pointer, or a special wireless spy cam detector.

00:51:09It comes with infrared scanning lights and one illuminating light.

00:51:14When you find a reflective red spot, you gotta turn on the flashlight to help check if there is a hidden camera.

00:51:21Definitely check the vents along with any other holes and gaps in the walls or ceiling.

00:51:26Some advanced detectors even show you what the camera is seeing, making it way easier to spot and disable.

00:51:33The detectors only work on cameras that are turned on and working normally, though.

00:51:39Your mobile phone can also help you find some hidden threats.

00:51:44Turn on Bluetooth and walk around. See if any unknown devices pop up on the screen.

00:51:50Another idea is to install a network scanner app that shows all devices that are connected to the Wi-Fi network you're using at the hotel.

00:51:59When it's done scanning, study the list for devices called something like IP camera or cam.

00:52:06Plus, you can put your phone on selfie mode, turn off the light and close the curtains, and look around the room slowly while focusing on the screen.

00:52:16Keep an eye out for purple or white lights on the screen.

00:52:21You can play detective some more and call your friend or family member and start walking around your room.

00:52:27Secret cameras should emit a sort of radio frequency. It will most likely interfere with your phone call signal.

00:52:35If you start hearing any weird noises while you're on the phone in a certain area of your room, make sure to inspect it carefully.

00:52:43Check out the light switches, electrical outlets, lamps, and other objects you normally wouldn't pay attention to.

00:52:51If they look a bit crooked, have a hole, or seem misplaced, it could be a sign that someone tampered with them.

00:52:59Many spy devices need wires, and whoever installed them had to hide those wires, often behind the vinyl baseboard.

00:53:07That's why the place where the floor and the wall meet is another area you should check.

00:53:12Ridges, bumps, or discoloration could be a sign there's a microphone hiding there.

00:53:18The same goes for spots on ceilings and walls, even if they're not larger than a coin.

00:53:24If you do find a hidden camera or something looking suspicious, don't shy away and let the hotel administration or your booking service know about it.

00:53:34Don't try to touch or move the device yourself. If the hotel denies everything, contact local law enforcement.

00:53:42After you've scanned the room for cameras, check out the mirrors.

00:53:46Someone could be watching you from the other side.

00:53:49First, see if the mirror is built into the wall or can be adjusted.

00:53:54If the mirror is semi-transparent, it will be built into the wall.

00:53:58You can do a simple test to check the mirror.

00:54:01Press your fingertip against the glass and push firmly enough to leave a fingerprint as you move your finger away.

00:54:10Study the fingerprint. If there's a small gap between the print and the mirror where the glass should be, then it's just a mirror.

00:54:18On a semi-transparent mirror, there will be no gap.

00:54:22Another way to check if your mirror is semi-transparent is simply to tap the glass.

00:54:28If someone is watching you from the other side, the mirror will make an empty sound.

00:54:33A double mirror needs a brighter light on the other side than on yours.

00:54:37Get close to it and cup your hands around your eyes.

00:54:41Do you see some light behind the mirror?

00:54:43If so, you might have an unwanted audience.

00:54:47Before you leave your room or go to bed, make sure every door is securely locked.

00:54:53By every door, I mean not only the entrance to the room, but also the door leading to the terrace, if you have one.

00:55:00You can bring a portable door lock with you for extra security if you're staying in.

00:55:05You could also start a little DIY project and wrap a belt or a bag strap around the arm that pushes the door shut.

00:55:13Buckle it up and wrap it around several times for an extra layer of protection.

00:55:19Another idea for when you're about to nap or go to sleep is to build a pyramid of stuff by the door.

00:55:26Glasses and mugs will do perfectly.

00:55:29If someone tries to get inside while you're sleeping, there'll be some serious noise.

00:55:35Intruders prefer to keep it low-key, so they're highly likely to give up on robbing you straight away.

00:55:42If you travel with some valuables and don't feel comfortable leaving them around the room, you could put them in the safe inside your room.

00:55:49But because those safes use passcodes instead of physical locks, someone from the hotel has to know the master code to unlock it, just in case.

00:55:58So, you can bring your own safe with you instead.

00:56:01You can find the ones looking like books on Amazon, for example.

00:56:05They're made of strong metal and textured paper.

00:56:08They come with a combination lock and have enough room to fit your passports, cash, and jewelry.

00:56:15In case you have to leave your laptop in the room and want to make sure no one plugs in a USB drive to steal your data, here's what you can do.

00:56:23Leave a bottle of water or some other item next to the USB port.

00:56:28Measure the distance. Let's say it's one thumb-length away.

00:56:32For someone to plug in their device in the laptop, they need to move the bottle.

00:56:37You can take it one step further and drop a pen parallel to the laptop under a certain angle.

00:56:43You can measure the angle with your smartwatch or phone using the Compass app.

00:56:48Again, if someone moves it, you'll know.

00:56:51Even something as simple as a Please Do Not Disturb sign can help you figure out if someone entered your room while you were away.

00:57:00Make it look like you left in a rush and the sign accidentally stuck between the door and the door frame.

00:57:06If you come back and the sign is hanging freely, then someone must have ignored it and tried to disturb you.

00:57:12In that case, you can contact reception and ask to send someone to enter the room with you to keep you safe.

00:57:21If you care about the cleanliness of your room as much as you do about your belongings and your personal safety, this one's for you.

00:57:30Hotel housekeeping workers normally have up to 20 rooms to take care of on an 8-hour shift.

00:57:37It means they'll have no more than 30 minutes for your room.

00:57:41It gives them enough time to make the bed, clean the floors in the room and the bathroom, empty the trash bins and dust all surfaces.

00:57:50But, they rarely have the time to take care of smaller objects like light switches, door and drawer handles and remotes.

00:57:58And yes, these are exactly the objects you'll be in contact with the most.

00:58:03They can actually have more germs than the toilet.

00:58:06So, if you want to be sure those germs won't land on your hands, bring enough antibacterial wipes to clean all those things before you touch them.

00:58:15Hotels are places where you know for sure lots of people stay every day.

00:58:19And, not all of those places pay attention to cleanliness as much as they should.

00:58:24There can be bed bugs and other pests around that you won't notice until it's too late.

00:58:29So, here's the deal.

00:58:31When you arrive at a hotel and open your room, don't rush to open your bags and put all your clothes onto the shelves and especially the bed.

00:58:40Better place your bags into the bathtub for the time being and go check the room for those pesky bugs.

00:58:46Check out all the rugs, soft furniture, cushions and all other places that pests could live in.

00:58:52Only after you've done that, take your bags out of the bathtub and unpack.

00:58:57The bathtub is the safest place because no bugs are able to survive there.

00:59:02So, naturally, none of them will crawl into your stuff while you're not looking.

00:59:06You may want to throw that comforter on the floor at once, by the way.

00:59:10While sheets may be cleaned regularly, the comforters are not.

00:59:14Some hotels wash them every week or so, but others don't even bother.

00:59:19Same goes for your bedding.

00:59:21Most high-end hotels will change the sheets daily.

00:59:24But a lot of budget ones don't change the pillows or bedding after a guest checks out.

00:59:29Definitely a good idea to request fresh pillowcases when you arrive.

00:59:34It's also best not to drink out of that glass in the bathroom, as many glasses aren't cleaned properly.

00:59:40Some workers even use disinfectant or furniture polish to get the glasses looking spotless.

00:59:46Ever wondered why they never use fitted sheets in hotels?

00:59:49They might be convenient, but they're impractical for hotel use.

00:59:53The sheets are changed much more often than you do it at home.

00:59:57And the elastic becomes worn out all too soon.

01:00:00Besides, it's a nightmare to store fitted sheets.

01:00:04They have to be of two different sizes, one for either type of bed.

01:00:08It's just easier to take two universal flat sheets per double bed and get on with it.

01:00:14Speaking of sheets, you must have noticed that bed linen and towels in hotels are almost always white.

01:00:20The first reason is convenience, of course.

01:00:23When everything is white, it's easy to wash it all together and use bleach to get rid of any possible stains.

01:00:29The second explanation, however, is customer experience.

01:00:33According to public polls, people perceive a white color as luxurious and fresh, which makes their stay more pleasant.

01:00:40If you see an unusually attractive price for a room on a website, be careful.

01:00:45It might not include a mandatory resort fee.

01:00:49If you have an option to pay for a room in advance, you'll see the final cost at the checkout.

01:00:54It'll normally list the initial price you saw before booking and all the extra charges, resort fee included.

01:01:01If you decide to pay at the hotel, though, you might be up for a surprise when you check out.

01:01:05So always make sure to read the fine print.

01:01:08You may have seen a rather weird thing in many hotels.

01:01:11A phone in the bathroom, especially just next to the toilet.

01:01:15You'd probably be surprised to know that it's an actual requirement for hotels to receive a four-diamond rating from AAA.

01:01:22But this also makes pretty good sense.

01:01:25For example, if you slip and fall on the wet floor of the bathroom, a phone can be handy to call for help.

01:01:31Returning to bathrooms, hotels typically don't provide plungers in rooms.

01:01:36You see, hotels want you to have a feeling that you're the first person ever to enter the room you're staying in.

01:01:42It's a question of your comfort, which is the primary concern of any respectable hotel.

01:01:47And a plunger in the bathroom, according to anonymous polls, makes people think that the toilet may malfunction at some point,

01:01:55which doesn't help the image.

01:01:57If your hotel has card keys with magnetic strips, make sure you put your card key apart from your cell phone and wallet.

01:02:04The problem is that key cards are rewritten quite a lot, and they're designed for that process to be quick and easy.

01:02:11So a fairly strong magnet, like the one in your cell phone, could erase your key card, and you wouldn't be able to get inside your room.

01:02:19The hotel will surely provide you with a new card, but that's still inconvenient.

01:02:24Many hotels only accept credit cards as a form of payment,

01:02:27and without one, you won't be able to book a room directly or use the paid services provided by the place.

01:02:34Booking a room is just the first step of your stay at a hotel.

01:02:37During your vacation or business trip, you might use the minibar or other paid services that you'll only have to pay for at the checkout.

01:02:45If your debit card doesn't have enough funds on it to cover all your expenses,

01:02:49the hotel has no means to get their money apart from suing you.

01:02:53If you pay with a credit card, however, all the additional costs go to the bank, and everyone's happy.

01:02:59The time of check-in and check-out is fixed not to annoy you.

01:03:03It's done so you don't barge in onto guests who stayed in the room you booked,

01:03:07and the hotel staff can clean the room and prepare it for the next guest's arrival.

01:03:12By the way, the checkout time is normally about 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., because hotels actually care about your well-being.

01:03:21They not only let you have your breakfast, but also give you some time to prepare for departure without hurry.

01:03:27Isn't it kind of annoying that many hotels don't have a socket near the bed?

01:03:31In fact, time is to blame in this case.

01:03:34Lots of hotels around the world were built before mobile phones and other portable devices became so popular and widespread.

01:03:41Back then, of course, they didn't need bedside sockets, and many of them haven't yet caught up with the times.

01:03:47You can avoid this issue if you stay at a hotel that's been built relatively recently.

01:03:52Once you're at the check-in desk, it's likely that the hotel staff already recognize you.

01:03:57Many hotels, especially higher-end ones, will do a little research of their guests' social media.

01:04:03While this seems a bit creepy, it's only so they can see who you are to make your stay more comfortable.

01:04:09At check-in, you'll also be given an initial key which will reset the door lock and cancel any existing keys.

01:04:16But make sure to be respectful to your receptionists.

01:04:19Sometimes, they may play practical jokes on rude customers by key-bombing.

01:04:24This is where they give you two of the initial keys.

01:04:27Either key resets the door, so once you use the second one, the first will no longer work.

01:04:33Toothpaste is one item you probably won't find in the hotel room's bathroom.

01:04:38For budget hotels, it's often too expensive to order, as it's classified as a medical supply.

01:04:45For luxury hotels, it's the opposite.

01:04:47They often can't find a toothpaste manufacturer that's fancy enough to be present in their rooms.

01:04:53While the staff clean hotel rooms frequently, disinfecting smaller items is not on the top of their priority list.

01:04:59Remote controls and phones are some of the dirtiest things in a hotel room.

01:05:04So do yourself a favor and bring some disinfectant wipes to clean them before use.

01:05:09If you're thinking about putting your valuables in the safe for security, you may also want to think twice.

01:05:15Hotel locks use passcodes instead of locks, so there's a high chance someone in the hotel will know the master code.

01:05:22And who knows who else could get their hands on this information?

01:05:26Hotels usually overbook themselves, as the average daily no-show rate is around 10%.

01:05:31This means there's a chance that you won't actually get your reserved room.

01:05:35If you show up and there are no available rooms, chances are you'll get walked.

01:05:40This basically means the hotel will pay for a room at another similar hotel in the area.

01:05:45There's a surprising amount of items left in rooms that hotels don't want you to know about.

01:05:51In one hotel in Portugal, a worker even found a shark that was left behind.

01:05:56With no idea how it ended up there, the shark was eventually returned to its natural habitat, safe and sound.

01:06:03Most, if not all, hotels have fully carpeted floors, and there's a couple of very good reasons for that.

01:06:09First of all, it's your safety.

01:06:11You're far less likely to slip and fall on a carpet than on a wooden or tiled floor.

01:06:16Secondly, it's much more cost-effective, because it's faster and cheaper to replace a spoiled carpet than change the whole flooring in a room.

01:06:25And finally, carpets add to the room's soundproofing, which you'll be thankful for if you have overly active neighbors.

01:06:33Ever wondered what a continental breakfast is, and why it's called that?

01:06:37In fact, the name comes from the UK, which is a group of islands, and it means a breakfast that's served in continental Europe.

01:06:45It may include pastries, sliced bread with different toppings, meat, cheese, fruit juice, and hot beverages.

01:06:54Check around the corner, under the bed.

01:06:57Wait, what's that hiding over there?

01:07:00Hotels are supposed to be your home away from home, but do you know what secrets they're keeping?

01:07:06Here's what no staff member or manager would ever tell you.

01:07:10Some hotel owners are very superstitious of the number 13, or they know guests might be.

01:07:16Whatever the case, you may find room 13 or the entire 13th floor completely missing.

01:07:23In the Far East, the same can be said about the number 4.

01:07:27You can easily get an upgraded room without any additional charge if you have a birthday, anniversary, or wedding.

01:07:34Just call ahead of time and warn them about the upcoming event.

01:07:39You might be checking that bed for stains and bugs, but you're probably overlooking the dirtiest thing in the room – the TV remote.

01:07:47It doesn't get disinfected between guests.

01:07:50Put it in a plastic sandwich baggie before using it.

01:07:55Plenty of other filthy things in that room, but we'll touch on those later.

01:08:00Every hotel has a place where housekeeping stores forgotten things.

01:08:04The most frequently lost items are phone chargers, but more interesting discoveries have been found.

01:08:11False teeth, glass eyes, and even boxes of worms.

01:08:15If no one comes for these strange treasures after 5 or 10 years, yes, they're nice enough to wait.

01:08:21The cleaners raffle the lost items among themselves.

01:08:25Some luxury ones may have hidden cameras built in for safety reasons.

01:08:30The most common place for this is the door peepholes.

01:08:33So, always put a piece of masking tape or putty over the one in your room.

01:08:38But hidden cameras in the room itself are never okay.

01:08:42To check the place, turn off the overhead light and switch on your phone's front-facing camera.

01:08:48Slowly scan the room. Your front camera will pick up their infrared light.

01:08:53Common spots are near the bed and in the bathroom, so check those areas thoroughly.

01:09:00Hotel owners often let their friends and family stay for free.

01:09:04You wouldn't know it since they usually leave before peak season starts.

01:09:09The employees and cleaners also get in on some perks.

01:09:13They keep towels, slippers, bathrobes, and shampoos.

01:09:18But what you might not know is that hotel chains are fine with you taking things from the room.

01:09:23Stationery, toiletries, coffee mugs, umbrellas – anything with their name and logo on it.

01:09:30This will serve as free advertisement when you take those things with you.

01:09:34Those beautiful bright vegetables and fruits near the hotel restaurant's entrance aren't just a decoration.

01:09:41They trick your body into feeling full before you even get your plate.

01:09:46You eat less, and the company saves money.

01:09:49They may give you extra bottles of shower gel or other toiletries,

01:09:53but there are ones that charge you for grabbing too much food during the breakfast buffet.

01:09:59To avoid upsetting the cooks with the amount of discarded food,

01:10:03some hotels in certain countries make their guests pay for anything left uneaten on the plate.

01:10:10No hotel chain would willingly tell you how to get the biggest discount for your stay.

01:10:15So, if you have a limited budget, make a reservation after 6 p.m.

01:10:20This is when the sales department tries to sell all canceled reservations at the last minute.

01:10:26That often means cutting the price down, sometimes in half.

01:10:31The first Sunday of the month is the best time to check in.

01:10:34Vacationers are leaving, business travelers haven't arrived yet,

01:10:38so most of the best rooms will be available.

01:10:41To get the top pick, use a special service called Rooming.

01:10:46You can view everything in the hotel and choose which room you like the most.

01:10:50Just ask the receptionist about it.

01:10:53They won't willingly speak up about other free services unless you ask.

01:10:58Free phone chargers, hair irons, bottled water, and board games are among them.

01:11:03They can also order a transfer for you,

01:11:07book concert or theater tickets,

01:11:09and wake you up at a specified time.

01:11:12Hotels can refuse you a check-in, even if you've paid for a booking in advance.

01:11:17They can cancel your reservation if you don't show up before 6 p.m.

01:11:22If something's holding you up on your way, call and let them know in advance.

01:11:27Even if you arrive on time, you can still be denied a room.

01:11:32It usually happens when the hotel is overbooked.

01:11:35In that case, they might redirect you to a different one.

01:11:38Even more surprising, the chances of this happening depend on who you are.

01:11:44Young single men, couples, and groups of friends

01:11:47will usually get the boot before a family or a single older woman.

01:11:51It's because the first group is usually more flexible about the unexpected move.

01:11:57Before you pounce on that minibar,

01:11:59better check to see if those drinks are sealed.

01:12:02Hotel workers say they've had cases

01:12:04where guests finished all the provided beverages

01:12:07and then filled the bottles up with tap water to avoid paying for them.

01:12:11Shh! You didn't hear it from me.

01:12:14Large chains often have their own special transport

01:12:17for meeting important guests or getting around town.

01:12:21Their own taxis are usually cheaper than city ones.

01:12:24So if you want to save some money,

01:12:26check the cost of their transport at the reception.

01:12:31But don't ask the receptionist to recommend where you should have a meal.

01:12:35The hotel clerk will point you to a local place

01:12:38that pays them for their recommendations,

01:12:40even if it's overpriced and tasteless there.

01:12:44Guests don't really pay for the room itself,

01:12:46but for the hotel's location.

01:12:49Proximity to the airport, the beach, downtown,

01:12:52and famous sites will cost you an additional amount.

01:12:55Yes, even if it doesn't have any stars at all,

01:12:58and the conditions inside aren't great.

01:13:01Think twice before handing over your keys for valet parking.

01:13:05There have been cases when hotel workers

01:13:08took an expensive car for a joyride and even filled it.

01:13:12My car? No.

01:13:14A famous person could be staying in the room right next to you.

01:13:18Nobody would know it,

01:13:20since they get to use made-up names to conceal their identity.

01:13:24For the rest of us common folk, that's not allowed.

01:13:28You requested a single room with a big bed

01:13:31and a nice view of the beach.

01:13:33What you got?

01:13:34A room with two small beds and a lovely view of a brick wall.

01:13:37It happens all the time.

01:13:39But they're supposed to give you compensation

01:13:42or some free service to make up for the difference.

01:13:45Know your right to this if the manager doesn't offer.

01:13:49The safe in your room can be anything but safe.

01:13:52If you have some valuables,

01:13:54ask the receptionist to put them in the main hotel safe up front.

01:13:58This place is usually much more secure

01:14:01since all the staff doesn't have access to it.

01:14:04Although hotel chairs and sofas look clean,

01:14:07wait till you see one under a microscope.

01:14:10Don't sit on them without first laying down a towel or blanket.

01:14:14You don't know if the guests before you had their feet up on the furniture.

01:14:18And their feet would certainly be filthy

01:14:22Some rooms' carpets are rarely shampooed,

01:14:25maybe once a year or even less.

01:14:27That being said, don't walk on them barefoot.

01:14:30If you use slippers or keep your shoes on,

01:14:33make sure to put shower caps on the bottoms

01:14:36when you pack them into your suitcase before leaving.

01:14:39Same story with that bed.

01:14:41Before you lie down on it,

01:14:43know that the cleaning staff might launder the linens between guests,

01:14:46but not that big, beautiful, germy bedspread.

01:14:49Don't touch the drinking glasses either.

01:14:52Even if they get it wiped out,

01:14:54it was probably with the same cloth used to clean other surfaces.

01:14:57Why?

01:14:59Well, because staff have only 20-30 minutes

01:15:02to clean each room completely.

01:15:04So they need to do it quickly, not thoroughly.

01:15:07Things that often get overlooked?

01:15:10Light switches, door and drawer handles, remotes.

01:15:13Ironically enough, it's the things that get touched most often.

01:15:17Experts have found that these items have as much germs on them as the toilet.

01:15:21Solution?

01:15:23Always bring plenty of antibacterial wipes.

01:15:26And if you ask about the hotel's cleaning practices,

01:15:29remember, cleaning doesn't mean disinfecting.

01:15:33Choose your words wisely,

01:15:35and don't give the manager a loophole.

01:15:39You pull up to a hotel and see a No Vacancy sign,

01:15:42but don't necessarily believe it.

01:15:45Hotels usually do this when they only have 2 or 3 rooms left.

01:15:48Instead, try calling the front desk to see if they have rooms.

01:15:52Hotel star ratings aren't always reliable,

01:15:55as the rating systems vary between countries.

01:15:58In Italy, for example, a hotel can be given 5 stars

01:16:01just for having a 24-hour reception desk,

01:16:04receptionists that speak 3 languages,

01:16:07and rooms that start at 16 square meters.

01:16:10Instead of using stars, look at ratings or reviews instead.

01:16:15Booking late can also get you the best deals.

01:16:18If your stay is not urgent, try booking a room on the day of the stay.

01:16:22If the hotel isn't full, you'll likely get a discount.

01:16:25Hotel managers reduce room rates last minute to fill them.

01:16:29It's also usually better to book directly with the hotel.

01:16:33Third-party websites are often given worse rooms or whatever is left over.

01:16:37Hotels are also likely to offer a reduced rate if you book directly.

01:16:41This is because third-party sites charge the hotel a fee.

01:16:45Once you're at the check-in desk,

01:16:48it's likely that the hotel staff already recognize you.

01:16:51Many hotels, especially higher-end ones,

01:16:54will do a little research on their guests' social media.

01:16:57While this seems a bit creepy,

01:17:00it's only so they can see who you are to make your stay more comfortable.

01:17:03At check-in, you'll also be given an initial key

01:17:06which will reset the door lock and cancel any existing keys.

01:17:09But make sure to be respectful to your receptionist.

01:17:12Sometimes they might play practical jokes on rude customers by key-bombing.

01:17:17This is where they give you two of the initial keys.

01:17:20Either key resets the door, so once you use the second one,

01:17:23the first will no longer work.

01:17:26If your key has a magnetic strip on it,

01:17:29make sure not to put it near your cell phone or wallet.

01:17:32A strong magnet like the one in your phone can erase your card key,

01:17:35meaning you won't be able to get into your room.

01:17:39Now that you're all checked in, let's head up to your room.

01:17:42Make sure to have a quick scan of your doors and floor.

01:17:45Some hotel guests have reported tiny cameras

01:17:48being slipped underneath their doors.

01:17:51Even if the door is locked, endoscope cameras can easily slide under.

01:17:54The general rule is,

01:17:57if you can fit your finger under the door, a camera can fit too.

01:18:00Try covering the gap with a towel.

01:18:03Now, how about the room in general?

01:18:06You can easily request a change.

01:18:09If there are other available rooms, the manager will be happy to help.

01:18:12Once you are settled in,

01:18:15you'll want to head into the bathroom to check out all those samples.

01:18:18But while you might think you're being sneaky

01:18:21by grabbing the free shampoos,

01:18:24hotels actually want you to take them.

01:18:27The items contain the hotel's logo,

01:18:30so you're basically giving them free advertising

01:18:33Many hotels are now adding radio frequency chips

01:18:36so they can track stolen items.

01:18:39Toothpaste is one item you probably won't find in the hotel room's bathroom.

01:18:42For budget hotels,

01:18:45it's often too expensive to order

01:18:48as it's classified as a medical supply.

01:18:51For luxury hotels, it's the opposite.

01:18:54They often can't find a toothpaste manufacturer

01:18:57that's fancy enough to be present in their rooms.

01:19:01But it's actually a requirement from the AAA

01:19:04for hotels to receive a 4-diamond rating.

01:19:07It does also act as a safety feature.

01:19:10If you slip on the wet floor or get stuck in the bathroom for some reason,

01:19:13you can easily call for help.

01:19:16While the staff clean hotel rooms frequently,

01:19:19disinfecting smaller ones is not on the top of their priority list.

01:19:22Remote controls and phones are some of the dirtiest things in a hotel room.

01:19:25So do yourself a favor

01:19:29and use some disinfectant wipes to clean them before use.

01:19:32If you're thinking about putting your valuables in the safe for security,

01:19:35you also might want to think twice.

01:19:38Hotel locks use passcodes instead of locks,

01:19:41so there's a high chance someone in the hotel will know the master code.

01:19:44And who knows who else could get their hands on this information.

01:19:47You may also want to throw that comforter on the floor too.

01:19:50While sheets may be cleaned regularly,

01:19:53the comforters are not.

01:19:57Some hotels wash them every week or so,

01:20:00but others don't even bother.

01:20:03The same, I fear, goes for your sheets.

01:20:06Most high-end hotels will change the sheets daily,

01:20:09but a lot of budget ones don't change the pillows or bedding

01:20:12after a guest checks out.

01:20:15Definitely a good idea to request fresh pillowcases when you arrive.

01:20:18Now you're ready to kick back on the bed and rent a movie.

01:20:21But don't try to be sneaky and claim you clicked on it by accident

01:20:24The workers at the hotel's front desk can actually see

01:20:27how long you watched a movie for.

01:20:30So if you clicked out after a few seconds, they'll believe you,

01:20:33but not if you watched it till the end.

01:20:36Fancy a drink while you watch your movie?

01:20:39Make sure to check the seals on those minibar drinks.

01:20:42Sneaky guests often drink from the bottles and refill them with water.

01:20:45This way they waive the fee and you may be charged

01:20:48if housekeeping hasn't noticed.

01:20:52After a good night's sleep, you're looking for something to do on your vacation.

01:20:55Instead of heading to Google or TripAdvisor to find the best spots,

01:20:58ask the front desk.

01:21:01Receptionists are trained to give guests the best recommendations

01:21:04for local activities.

01:21:07While you're out, housekeeping will drop by your room,

01:21:10but they might not just be cleaning.

01:21:13Sometimes, if a staff member is tired and they have enough time,

01:21:16they might take a cheeky nap on the bed.

01:21:20If you leave your room in a mess, the staff will have to move your things.

01:21:23They'll have to touch your stuff to actually clean.

01:21:26So if this bothers you, either put out the Do Not Disturb sign

01:21:29or clean up yourself.

01:21:32It's also best not to drink out of that glass in the bathroom

01:21:35as many glasses aren't cleaned properly.

01:21:38Some workers even use disinfectant or furniture polish

01:21:41to get the glasses looking spotless.

01:21:44Housekeeping also don't always vacuum your room.

01:21:48Make sure to be nice to the staff.

01:21:51Most hotel staff are willing to give out upgrades

01:21:54and free stuff to a friendly face.

01:21:57They're not required to, but a smile goes a long way.

01:22:00Oh, and a tip always helps.

01:22:03Now it's time for checkout, but you're leaving early

01:22:06and will miss your breakfast.

01:22:09If your breakfast is included in the price of your room,

01:22:12the staff can prepare a takeout box for you.

01:22:16Also, take a look at the floor on your way out.

01:22:19It's carpet, right?

01:22:22Most hotels have fully carpeted floors.

01:22:25This is for three main reasons.

01:22:28One, you're much less likely to slip on carpet than wood or stone.

01:22:31Two, carpets act as added soundproofing.

01:22:34And three, it's more cost-effective for the hotel

01:22:37as carpet is much easier and cheaper to replace.

01:22:40You're all prepared for your next vacation,

01:22:43but if you miss your last minute, oh, a nightmare!

01:22:46Everything's booked, so it looks like you'll be charged

01:22:49that pesky last-minute cancellation fee.

01:22:52If you call the hotel and ask to change to a later booking date,

01:22:55there's a chance that when you cancel this new date,

01:22:58the charge will be lifted.

01:23:01Hotels also usually overbook themselves

01:23:04as the average daily no-show rate is around 10%.

01:23:07This means there's a chance you won't actually get your reserved room.

01:23:11Chances are you'll get walked.

01:23:14This basically means the hotel will pay for a room

01:23:17at another similar hotel in the area.

01:23:20Most hotels also only accept credit cards as a form of payment.

01:23:23While it may be annoying,

01:23:26this is to ensure that they get their payment.

01:23:29Guests often use extra-paid services like the minibar,

01:23:32which they pay for at checkout.

01:23:35If your debit card doesn't have enough funds to cover the cost,

01:23:39attorneys come for a separate fee.

01:23:42There's a surprising amount of items left in rooms

01:23:45that hotels don't want you to know about.

01:23:48In one hotel in Portugal,

01:23:51a worker even found a shark that was left behind.

01:23:54With no idea how it ended up there,

01:23:57the shark was eventually returned to its natural habitat safe and sound.

01:24:00Once again, be careful when you first go into the bathroom.

01:24:03Carefully arranging your used towels

01:24:07isn't the best thing to do in a hotel.

01:24:10You're just not helping.

01:24:13The general rule is dump them somewhere like the bathroom floor or in the bathtub.

01:24:16Then the staff can see that they need to change the towels.

01:24:19If you keep them all nice and folded,

01:24:22the staff may just get it wrong and leave them as they are,

01:24:25thinking that they're still fresh.

01:24:28You're on a low-budget trip and you brought along some appliances

01:24:31so you can cook right there in the hotel.

01:24:35It's not a big deal, but if there's only one outlet

01:24:38and you want to boil some eggs in your electric kettle,

01:24:41maybe don't.

01:24:44First, you never know what capacity the outlet has.

01:24:47It might even set off the hotel's fire alarm.

01:24:50Just stick to sandwiches or something.

01:24:53Of course, you can boil water for some ramen noodles,

01:24:56but if you feel like a slice of fresh, crusty toast,

01:24:59never try to make it with an iron.

01:25:02What happened?

01:25:05They ended up having to go look for another hotel and an actual restaurant.

01:25:08Always look for hotels that include breakfast.

01:25:11It's usually way more expensive to have breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

01:25:14Plus, you most likely wouldn't know where to go.

01:25:17Much better to hit the hotel's breakfast buffet –

01:25:20coffee, cheese, ham, toast, fruit.

01:25:23If you play your cards right, you'd be too full for lunch.

01:25:26Sometimes your hotel room's way bigger than you expected.

01:25:30If there are two beds, but you're traveling alone,

01:25:33maybe don't use both of them.

01:25:36That'll just add a bunch of unnecessary work for the hotel staff.

01:25:39Even though room service includes cleaning,

01:25:42it's polite to do some basic tidying up yourself before you leave.

01:25:45Pick up any paper lying around.

01:25:48Wipe up that coffee you spilled on the floor.

01:25:51Don't make the bed, though.

01:25:54The staff's gonna replace the sheets no matter what.

01:25:58Plus, if you make the bed right after you get up,

01:26:01you're just actually creating a lovely dark environment for tiny dust mites.

01:26:04Yeah, bugs might be a real issue.

01:26:07Even the best hotels with the best staff

01:26:10can be powerless against those little guys.

01:26:13Put your luggage in the bathtub first –

01:26:16it's the cleanest place in the room.

01:26:19Then check the place over for bugs.

01:26:22If you don't see any, start unpacking.

01:26:26The most common way for mold to get into a hotel room

01:26:29is if you chuck your wet towel on the bed

01:26:32and go out for the day.

01:26:35You might get back to an interesting smelling room.

01:26:38If you're going to be traveling a lot

01:26:41and plan on using the same hotel chain more than once,

01:26:44don't try to trick the hotel into thinking

01:26:47you never drank that soda from the minibar.

01:26:50Yeah, a can of soda might cost you double

01:26:53the amount you put on the hotel's naughty list.

01:26:56This one sounds hilarious, but still,

01:26:59no one should ever be boiling their socks

01:27:02or any other item of clothing in the kettle

01:27:05that comes in the hotel room.

01:27:08Some hotel managers claim to have seen it happen.

01:27:11Just send your clothes off to the hotel's cleaning service people.

01:27:14If you love sleeping on a thick pillow,

01:27:17ask the front desk for an extra one.

01:27:21Chances are, it's never really been washed.

01:27:24Saying thank you is always polite,

01:27:27but a nice tip would go down even better.

01:27:30It's not that polite to leave your room service tip

01:27:33on the last day of your stay.

01:27:36Different people might have been cleaning your room,

01:27:39so only tipping the last one is kind of unfair.

01:27:42If you decide to leave your tip on the very last day,

01:27:45leave a note along with it to make sure

01:27:48You can also tip the parking valets when you drop off

01:27:51and pick up your car.

01:27:54And in general, don't be shy.

01:27:57You can tip a door person, a porter.

01:28:00Those small tips can add up,

01:28:03and they'll be really grateful for any extra cash.

01:28:06Taking reusable items from your hotel room

01:28:09as a souvenir is a big no-no.

01:28:12Though it's okay to grab those shampoos,

01:28:16leave those towels, glasses, and dishes behind

01:28:19for the next guest.

01:28:22If your room has the bathrobe of your dreams,

01:28:25you can always go to the front desk and ask if you can buy one.

01:28:28If you try to take one with you without asking for permission,

01:28:31chances are your credit card's gonna be charged for it later.

01:28:34By the way, don't dry hotel towels out on the balcony.

01:28:37If you end up saying goodbye to one of them

01:28:40just because the wind took it away

01:28:43or was it some shady neighbor,

01:28:46you'll be the one who's gonna pay for it.

01:28:49They're just plain white towels, but they can be pretty pricey.

01:28:52Don't be too shy to call down to the front desk

01:28:55and ask for a late check-out.

01:28:58It's probably not a big deal for the hotel,

01:29:01but it might make all the difference to you.

01:29:04Hotels know you might be more likely to choose them again

01:29:07or leave a nice tip if they give you a few extra hours in your room.

01:29:10If they say no, well, at least you tried.

01:29:13One thing you can do to help the staff out when you leave

01:29:16is to air out your room.

01:29:19That small step is one of the most time-consuming things they have to do,

01:29:22and they have to clean the rooms really fast.

01:29:25Just leave the windows open to freshen the room up a bit.

01:29:28If it's really hot outside,

01:29:31you can even leave the air conditioning on.

01:29:34Just don't do both at the same time.

01:29:37Leave the TV remote on the desk,

01:29:40any cutlery on the table, and all the chairs back in their places.

01:29:43It'll save housekeeping a lot of time.

01:29:46They're already in a huge rush.

01:29:49Imagine cleaning hundreds of rooms every single day.

01:29:52Accidents can happen anywhere,

01:29:55and it's okay if you accidentally drop a glass and it breaks.

01:29:58But don't try to get away with it.

01:30:01Give the front desk a call.

01:30:05Plus, management might think the housekeeping staff broke it,

01:30:08and they might make them pay for a replacement.

01:30:11Never turn down a chance to join your hotel's reward program.

01:30:14It's usually free, and you can get it after your first day.

01:30:17If you travel a lot,

01:30:20try to choose those big chain hotels that give you bonuses every time you book.

01:30:23You could get bumped up to a suite,

01:30:26get better Wi-Fi, a free gym pass,

01:30:29or even a free night.

01:30:34If you accidentally release all that water vapor into your room at the same time,

01:30:37you might trigger the hotel's fire alarm.

01:30:40They keep those things extra sensitive just to be on the safe side.

01:30:43So make sure you keep the door shut

01:30:46next time you steam up the place.

01:30:49If you're traveling with a pet,

01:30:52let the hotel know about it beforehand.

01:30:55Pet policies can differ from one hotel to another.

01:30:58And if you have a more unusual pet, better double-double-check.

01:31:01It might be a pet-friendly hotel,

01:31:04but you probably can't show up with your pet peacock.

01:31:07If they say no,

01:31:10they'll usually be able to tell you about another hotel nearby.

01:31:13Trying to hide your little furry friend isn't the best idea.

01:31:16Dogs can be super noisy.

01:31:19So can cats. So can peacocks.

01:31:22You're going to be looking at a hefty fine if they catch you.

01:31:25Booking etiquette is a bit different now than it used to be.

01:31:28You might have to confirm your stay at some hotels by writing them a letter.

01:31:31Nowadays, just make sure you have

01:31:34all your booking info handy on your phone.

01:31:37That'll make the front desk people pretty happy.

01:31:40If it's a big hotel, they might have hundreds of people checking in

01:31:43in the span of a few hours.

01:31:46The front desk staff are usually super busy managing guests,

01:31:49deliveries, events, emergencies,

01:31:52a random peacock running through the lobby, and so forth.

01:31:55Otherwise, don't disturb them for every minor question you might have.

01:31:58Check out that booklet that's normally hanging out on the bedside table.

01:32:01The answer is most likely in there.

01:32:04Enjoy your stay!

01:32:11So why did people decide to add heels to shoes?

01:32:14Because they already had tongues? No.

01:32:17The heel invention dates back to the 10th century,

01:32:20and the original goal was to make horse riding more comfortable.

01:32:24Low heels let them fix their feet better in the stirrups

01:32:27to prevent slipping off.

01:32:30After many years, by the 17th century,

01:32:33shoes with heels became a fashionable trend in Europe.

01:32:36People wore them to show they had a horse,

01:32:39and this way tell everybody they were rich.

01:32:42Remember the chewing gum turbo and its unusual shape?

01:32:45They created such a shape to make the gum

01:32:48look like a track from a racing car tire.

01:32:5110-9-8-7

01:32:54You know, space engineers didn't invent the countdown.

01:32:57It was created by Austrian-German-American

01:33:00film director Fritz Lang in 1929.

01:33:03One of his films included a scene with the countdown.

01:33:06Then, NASA decided to steal it.

01:33:09I mean, use it.

01:33:12You take a spaghetti spoon with big teeth.

01:33:15See that hole in the middle?

01:33:18Its purpose is not to take out pasta.

01:33:21Use this circle to determine how much of it one person needs.

01:33:24The amount of dry spaghetti that fits in the hole

01:33:27is one standard serving.

01:33:30You don't have to guess how much spaghetti to cook for 3 people.

01:33:33Measure it with the spoon.

01:33:36In a supermarket, you pass by a shelf with eggs

01:33:39and try to decide which ones are better,

01:33:42the white ones or the brown ones.

01:33:45There's actually no difference between them.

01:33:48The egg's color depends on the breed of the chicken.

01:33:51These birds produce two different color pigments.

01:33:54You can take eggs of any color because the nutritional components

01:33:57of the eggs are almost the same.

01:34:00So, what came first, the brown egg or the white egg?

01:34:03Never mind.

01:34:06It's enough to use a small amount of toothpaste to brush your teeth,

01:34:09the size of a pea.

01:34:12You can cover the entire toothbrush with paste

01:34:15as a marketing ploy.

01:34:18You see, manufacturers want you to buy a new tube faster.

01:34:21Now, a plane leaves white lines behind in the blue sky

01:34:24thanks to the condensation of carbon dioxide,

01:34:27steam, and burning fuel.

01:34:30In winter, steam comes out of your mouth.

01:34:33The same principle works here.

01:34:36It's always icy at the altitudes where planes are flying.

01:34:39The steam comes out of the turbines.

01:34:42When it collides with cold air, it creates thick lines of steam.

01:34:45Now, chefs' big hats indicate their status in the kitchen.

01:34:48It's kind of like heels.

01:34:51The chef wears the tallest hat.

01:34:54Thanks to it, it's easy to find them in a kitchen among the staff.

01:34:57The number of folds on the hat means the number of ways

01:35:00the chef can cook eggs.

01:35:03Of course, modern kitchens no longer adhere to these traditions.

01:35:06But a hat is still a must.

01:35:09Thanks to it, not a single hair falls into the food, thank goodness.

01:35:12Doctors wear hats for the same reason –

01:35:15to prevent hairs from falling into the patient's soup during surgery.

01:35:18Well, actually, there's no surgical soup.

01:35:21I made that up.

01:35:24They install cameras in shops, banks, and hospitals

01:35:27to monitor everything.

01:35:30If something happens, you can call the police or rescuers.

01:35:33A camera really helps to solve a lot of problems.

01:35:36So, why are there no cameras on planes?

01:35:39The crew keeps order on the plane.

01:35:42But they won't be able to do anything if something serious happens.

01:35:45Besides, there's nowhere to run on the plane.

01:35:48During the flight, the cameras are useless.

01:35:51And after the flight, the words of the passengers work ideally

01:35:54instead of cameras.

01:35:57So, if cameras do no good, then why spend money on them?

01:36:00Now, almost all hotels have white bedsheets.

01:36:03They choose this color specifically to show

01:36:06how high their standards of cleanliness are.

01:36:09The white and brighter the sheets are,

01:36:12the more luxurious the hotel seems.

01:36:15It's much easier to see dirt and stains on white linen.

01:36:18It's like proof that you've checked into a clean room.

01:36:21Ever wonder why a computer mouse is called like that?

01:36:24Well, in 1968,

01:36:27Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research Institute

01:36:30introduced the computer mouse.

01:36:33He couldn't remember why it was called like that.

01:36:36The reason was probably that this little device with a wire

01:36:39really looks like a mouse with a tail.

01:36:42Gasoline looks like a rainbow in a puddle

01:36:45because it can't mix with water.

01:36:48It forms a thin membrane over it.

01:36:51When light reflects from it and the water at the same time,

01:36:55Now, they make magnets shaped as horseshoe

01:36:58because this increases the magnetic force.

01:37:01Colors matter too.

01:37:04The blue part indicates the South Pole,

01:37:07the red part, the North Pole.

01:37:10The two poles work simultaneously

01:37:13and increase the attraction force.

01:37:16Now, that Do Not Disturb sign on your hotel room door

01:37:19is not a requirement, but just a suggestion.

01:37:22You have every right to go there if they suspect something's wrong,

01:37:25especially if you don't remove the sign for 24 hours.

01:37:28Why do clocks go to the right?

01:37:31The sun is the main reason.

01:37:34In ancient times, when people invented the sundial,

01:37:37the sun's shadow was moving to the right in the Northern Hemisphere

01:37:40and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

01:37:43Mechanical clocks were first invented in the Northern Hemisphere,

01:37:46so it always goes right.

01:37:49Or, as we now say, clockwise.

01:37:52Diamonds have such symmetrical shapes

01:37:55to show you their brilliance.

01:37:58Initially, the gems aren't so beautiful.

01:38:01They go through several stages of cutting

01:38:04and then become pieces of elegance.

01:38:07Most of these stones have a round shape with slightly pointed corners.

01:38:10Diamonds shine the brightest in this shape.

01:38:13So, why are there two holes in the socket?

01:38:16The left hole is neutral, the right hole is hot,

01:38:19and the gap underneath is ground.

01:38:22Electricity needs to flow through the chain.

01:38:25The current flows from the hot slot,

01:38:28passes through your phone charger, for example,

01:38:31and then goes through the neutral hole.

01:38:34Now, ever wondered what that small pocket on your jeans is for?

01:38:37Well, people used to wear watches on chains.

01:38:40A small pocket was meant for it.

01:38:43You can keep something small like a ring in there.

01:38:46The lollipop stick has two holes for a good reason.

01:38:49When they put the stick in hot syrup,

01:38:52the liquid flows through these holes.

01:38:55It helps hold the lollipop tightly on the stick

01:38:58when it's completely solidified.

01:39:01Now, the pen cap has two small holes too.

01:39:04They created it so you don't suffocate

01:39:07if you accidentally swallow the cap.

01:39:11All the same, keep the cap out of your mouth.

01:39:14Now, why did people start to wear a tie?

01:39:17That all goes back to the 17th century Europe.

01:39:20They invented a tie to tighten a collar.

01:39:23It protected soldiers from the cold wind blowing on their necks.

01:39:26But King Louis XIII liked this element of clothing so much,

01:39:29he made it a must-have accessory for royal gatherings.

01:39:35So, why are the chopsticks connected?

01:39:38Well, if they're disposable,

01:39:41they should be connected with a wooden clamp.

01:39:44It's to prove that no one used these chopsticks before you.

01:39:47The little fabric pieces stored in new clothes

01:39:50aren't actually patches.

01:39:53They're first test subjects before washing.

01:39:56You can put this cloth in the washing machine

01:39:59and see what happens to it.

01:40:02If everything is fine, you can safely wash your clothes.

01:40:05Because it helps you quickly find your drink on the table

01:40:08among snacks and drinks, and all those other red cups.

01:40:11Here's a hint. Write your name on your cup.

01:40:14Also, red is considered a color that provokes action.

01:40:17At the psychological level,

01:40:20it seems the red cup is asking you,

01:40:23Hey, drink me up!

01:40:26Now, they believe yellow taxis have their roots in 15th century Italy

01:40:29when postal businessmen used yellow cabins for delivery mail.

01:40:33He wanted everyone to recognize his cards.

01:40:37So, different sorts of pasta are shaped differently

01:40:40because a specific figure fits a particular sauce.

01:40:43For example, thin and smooth pasta

01:40:46is perfect for light sauces and ingredients.

01:40:49Thick ribbed pasta, such as penne,

01:40:52is good for thicker sauces and vegetable stews.

01:40:56Now, why are lab coats white, blue, and green?

01:40:59Previously, they only wore white clothes

01:41:02since this color was considered a symbol of cleanliness and sterility.

01:41:05Then, at the beginning of the 20th century,

01:41:08they started using green because it's easier for the doctor's eye.

01:41:11When a surgeon sees red for a long time during the operation,

01:41:14their eyes reduce sensitivity to this color.

01:41:17Shades of red mix,

01:41:20and doctors can't clearly see the nuances of the human body.

01:41:23But blue or green areas

01:41:26help refresh their vision.

01:41:29The eyes rest for a second,

01:41:32then return to red color again.

01:41:35If a doctor takes a look at the white coat during the operation,

01:41:38little green spots may appear in their eyes.

01:41:41You can check for yourself.

01:41:44Look at something red for a few minutes,

01:41:47then turn your gaze to a white sheet of paper.

01:41:50You'll see these spots of a greenish hue.

01:41:54Also, different hospitals may have their own rules.

01:41:57Robes can be of different colors according to the hierarchy.

01:42:00This is necessary to distinguish a doctor

01:42:03from a nurse or an intern.

01:42:06Meanwhile, hospital patients still have to wear

01:42:09that gown that's open in the back.

01:42:12Careful what's behind you!

01:42:15Many airports have carpets at their gate areas.

01:42:18This nicety usually comes with a few other perks.

01:42:21Lower ceilings, comfortable seats,

01:42:24and pleasant natural lighting.

01:42:27All this costs more for airports,

01:42:30and carpets are not so easy to clean as hard floors are.

01:42:33But they create a cozy feeling for passengers waiting for their flight,

01:42:36making them more relaxed.

01:42:39Still, it isn't a gesture of goodwill on the part of airports.

01:42:42According to social research,

01:42:45calm passengers are about 7-10% more likely to go window shopping

01:42:48and actually buy something in the lounge area or duty-free zone.

01:42:51So, by investing in the passengers' comfort,

01:42:54airports actually increase their own income.

01:42:57If you ever wanted to know what happened to your baggage

01:43:00while you're on board a plane,

01:43:03the short answer is that airport staff don't actually know

01:43:06once it leaves their territory, and they probably really don't care.

01:43:09Sorry.

01:43:12Baggage is sorted automatically.

01:43:16The three main tasks of airport baggage handlers

01:43:19are to move your bags from the check-in area to the gate,

01:43:22to move them from one gate to another when you have a connection,

01:43:25and to move your bags from the plane to the baggage claim area.

01:43:28And that's it.

01:43:31So if your luggage doesn't move fast enough,

01:43:34it can be late for your connecting flight, or the exact opposite.

01:43:37Your bag gets to your destination before you do

01:43:40because you're stuck at passport control.

01:43:43What happens if you forget to tear off any old stickers

01:43:46showing a different destination?

01:43:49In this case, the scanner might send your luggage to the wrong country.

01:43:52Most airports are equipped with giant kitchens

01:43:55where the food for passengers is prepared.

01:43:58These kitchens usually cook food for different airlines at once.

01:44:01And since that oh-so-delightful airplane food

01:44:04must be cooked for about 6 to 10 hours in advance,

01:44:07these kitchens have to work 24-7.

01:44:10When it comes to flight sound,

01:44:13the menu for your flight is developed up to a year in advance.

01:44:16This is a common practice for most airlines

01:44:19because every single ingredient matters and adds to expenses.

01:44:22In fact, one airline managed to save $40,000

01:44:25after they removed just one olive

01:44:28from every salad they served on their flights.

01:44:31Airport staff sometimes ask passengers

01:44:34to rub their hands on a piece of cloth

01:44:37It may seem kind of scary, but it's actually harmless.

01:44:40You're simply being checked by a machine called an atomizer.

01:44:43Before their working day starts,

01:44:46employees put samples of dangerous chemicals into the machine.

01:44:49The machine memorizes these smells

01:44:52and in case a person's hand smells like those chemicals,

01:44:55it alerts airport staff to this danger.

01:44:58You know how it sometimes goes.

01:45:01You come to the security checkpoint and suddenly it turns out

01:45:05But don't worry.

01:45:08All the things seized during the pre-flight inspection can be stored at the airport

01:45:11for as long as 3 months.

01:45:14On top of that, you have an opportunity to mail them any address inside the country.

01:45:17Things taken away by security and weren't claimed

01:45:20can also get sold at special auctions

01:45:23and are delivered worldwide.

01:45:26If you have a long layover between flights,

01:45:29going to the nearest hotel to rest might not be the cheapest option.

01:45:33Check if the airport or airline sells 24-hour access to the VIP lounge zone.

01:45:36In most cases,

01:45:39you can have free snacks and drinks there

01:45:42and use free shower cabins and rooms for rest at a very affordable price.

01:45:45In multi-terminal airports,

01:45:48search for underground passageways connecting terminals

01:45:51that most people might not know about.

01:45:54For example, at Frankfurt Airport in Germany,

01:45:57there's a walking tunnel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

01:46:00that's mostly used by employees

01:46:03since passengers are simply unaware of its existence.

01:46:06There's an actual term for the first 60 minutes after you clear check-in.

01:46:09The golden hour.

01:46:12It's the time that passengers statistically spend more money in retail

01:46:15and duty-free areas of the airport.

01:46:18And having the most comfortable seats in those areas right in front of the shops

01:46:21is a clever trick to lure you in for shopping.

01:46:24Let's admit, sitting in front of a comfy chair

01:46:27while looking at a flashy sign or shopping window can be tempting.

01:46:30And that's exactly what the airports want you to feel.

01:46:33If your flight is overbooked

01:46:36and you can't fly at the designated time,

01:46:39don't hurry to accept the first voucher you're offered as an apology.

01:46:42Normally, airlines keep raising the stakes

01:46:45until they have enough volunteers to give up their flight seats.

01:46:48And if they don't and you've been bumped in voluntarily,

01:46:51you can insist on a cash refund instead.

01:46:54Depending on your ticket price and the time of your delay,

01:46:57you might be entitled to as much as $1,300.

01:47:00Most airports have specific experts called profilers.

01:47:03These people practice what's called SPOT,

01:47:06or the Screening Passengers by Observation technique.

01:47:09They carefully analyze facial expressions,

01:47:12gestures, and behavior

01:47:15in order to detect suspicious people.

01:47:18Their job is to notice the nonverbal signs of anxiety,

01:47:21such as people licking their lips,

01:47:24itching, or looking around a lot.

01:47:27If a profiler notices a person acting in a weird or off way,

01:47:30they can invite them for an inspection

01:47:33where they can talk to a person to find out more about them.

01:47:36Profilers work in both the main halls and in passport control.

01:47:39The typical question they ask is,

01:47:42what's the purpose of your visit?

01:47:45Then they check the person's reaction to this inquiry.

01:47:48No matter how reserved a passenger is,

01:47:51if they have something to hide,

01:47:54TSA officers will find out,

01:47:57thanks to the tiniest cues in people's behavior.

01:48:00Before your luggage even gets on the plane,

01:48:03it goes through five security levels,

01:48:06and one of them, besides scanning the contents,

01:48:09includes being checked by a special dog

01:48:12that can sniff out dangerous chemicals.

01:48:15These dogs can distinguish smells

01:48:18from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than people do.

01:48:21No wonder airports take advantage of this super sense for security

01:48:24and regularly use these sniffer dogs to detect suspicious substances.

01:48:27What's really cool is that you can't even distinguish

01:48:30a detection dog from its civilian siblings.

01:48:33Unlike police dogs,

01:48:36the ones working at airports aren't trained to frighten or intimidate people.

01:48:39The most popular sniffer breeds are golden retrievers,

01:48:43and German short-haired pointers.

01:48:46Charging your phone at a specifically designated spot can look convenient,

01:48:49but it's not really safe.

01:48:52If the charging station only allows you to plug in your cord,

01:48:55you might get malware installed on your phone with you, none the wiser.

01:48:58The only safe way to charge your phone or tablet

01:49:01is to find an electric socket and use it with your own charger.

01:49:04Same goes for free airport Wi-Fi,

01:49:07apart from the airports requiring you to authenticate yourself more often than not.

01:49:11Someone can easily access your data

01:49:14while you're using an unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot.

01:49:17It's safer to use your mobile data,

01:49:20but if you absolutely have to use the airport's Wi-Fi,

01:49:23best clear or encrypt all your important data on your device.

01:49:26It might be exasperating to take your laptop out of your carry-on

01:49:29at the security check every single time,

01:49:32but the airport staff need to have a clear look at your device

01:49:35to make sure nothing is concealed inside.

01:49:38On the screen of an x-ray scanner,

01:49:41a laptop looks like a semi-transparent object

01:49:44with a clearly visible hard drive, CD drive and whatnot.

01:49:47But security officers can't see what's behind some of those parts,

01:49:50for example, a dense and rather large battery.

01:49:53People tend to choose the closest security line to them.

01:49:56If that line turns out to be super crowded,

01:49:59just look around after ID and ticket check.

01:50:02You may see another checkpoint with much fewer people.

01:50:06Some checkpoints at the airport are situated at the far edges of the terminal,

01:50:09and that's why passengers fail to notice them.

01:50:12Applying for a TSA pre-check can be a great time-saver

01:50:15for traveling in and out of the U.S.

01:50:18Being a member of this program has some great perks.

01:50:21First, getting through security and passport control happens faster.

01:50:24If you're a pre-check traveler,

01:50:27you won't have to take off your shoes or remove your belt.

01:50:30And forget about placing your stuff like liquids and laptops in special bins.

01:50:34If you aren't flying to or from the U.S.,

01:50:37then you can look up similar services available in your country.

01:50:42If you're flying economy class but don't like it, who does,

01:50:45check in online and check out the seating options

01:50:48about four days before your flight.

01:50:51It's about that time that airlines typically start upgrading seats,

01:50:54and you might get an upgrade to business class for a small fee,

01:50:57or even sometimes for free.

01:51:00You can also ask for an upgrade when you're already at the airport.

01:51:03Most people forget about this opportunity or simply don't care,

01:51:06so you might just get lucky.

01:51:09They're watching you when you're in the bedroom and when you're in the bathroom.

01:51:12No, I'm not talking about your three-year-old kids.

01:51:15One of the last things you think about when going on vacation

01:51:18is if the room you're staying in

01:51:21has hidden cameras planted all over the place.

01:51:24For starters, look in the most obvious spots in your hotel room

01:51:27to see if you can find any hidden cameras.

01:51:30According to some experts,

01:51:33if you can't find anything in plain sight,

01:51:36then using your smartphone is enough for a basic sweep.

01:51:39Every camera has a lens, and all lenses reflect light.

01:51:42So a quick way to check for hidden cameras

01:51:45is to close all the curtains in the room and turn off the lights.

01:51:48Use your phone's flashlight to point it at potential places or objects

01:51:51a hidden camera might be at.

01:51:54One of the apparent spots is the smoke detector on the ceiling.

01:51:57Grab a chair and point the light straight at it

01:52:00and try to see if there's any red or blue light reflected.

01:52:03You'll have to do it slowly since the light needs to strike the lens

01:52:06at the correct angle for you to see a reflection.

01:52:09After you're done, move on to other objects,

01:52:12like the showerhead in the bathroom or an alarm clock or phone charger.

01:52:15Keep in mind the positions of these objects.

01:52:18If the charger is placed where a surveillance camera could be,

01:52:21then investigate it and call the reception.

01:52:24Even a painting in the room can be a potential nest for a hidden camera.

01:52:27Other objects can be lamps, a hole in the wall,

01:52:30or somewhere inside the closet.

01:52:33Another creepy place is the bathroom mirror.

01:52:36This one is tricky to spy, so you'll have to be patient when inspecting it.

01:52:39You can also use your phone camera

01:52:42to spot surveillance cameras that spy on you at night.

01:52:45These secret cameras emit infrared lights

01:52:48that the human eye can't see so that they can work at night.

01:52:51You'll also have to turn off all the lights

01:52:54and put the camera in selfie mode.

01:52:57The rear-facing camera on most smartphones has an infrared filter,

01:53:00but the front one doesn't.

01:53:03You can try pointing a TV remote at the front-facing camera

01:53:06and press on any of the buttons to see it yourself.

01:53:09If you see a bright red light on your screen, that means it's working.

01:53:12All you have to do is move your camera in the dark

01:53:15to see if you can find a bright light around.

01:53:18It'll be good to do a second sweep to make sure you didn't miss anything.

01:53:21Another technique you can use is turning off the Wi-Fi

01:53:24when you enter the hotel room.

01:53:27Most of the cameras are hooked up to the Wi-Fi,

01:53:30so they won't be functioning anymore.

01:53:33If you get a call from the reception saying that the Wi-Fi is down in the room,

01:53:36that might be a red flag.

01:53:39There's no reason for them to know if the Wi-Fi was purposely turned off.

01:53:42It could mean that the cameras are on the local Wi-Fi.

01:53:45When you connect to your hotel room Wi-Fi for the first time,

01:53:48be careful about sharing your personal data.

01:53:51Most networks will ask for your login credentials, such as your email.

01:53:54Some people can recreate a Wi-Fi login page

01:53:57that's identical to that of the actual hotel,

01:54:00which can be deceiving.

01:54:03You might be connecting to a Wi-Fi router,

01:54:06but an email is all it takes for some people to know everything about you.

01:54:09One of the best things you can do

01:54:12is download an app that shows you what devices are currently connected

01:54:15to the Wi-Fi that you're using.

01:54:18It can show what smartphone, laptop, smart TV,

01:54:21and in the worst case, hidden cameras are connected.

01:54:24A radio frequency scanner can detect a wireless camera in the room,

01:54:27even if it's connected to its own Wi-Fi.

01:54:30It might be challenging, though,

01:54:33because of many wireless devices overcrowding the airways.

01:54:36You can pick up random signals even if you turn off all your devices

01:54:39and any wireless-emitting signals.

01:54:42Intrusion into your personal life can go so far

01:54:45as someone tapping your mobile phone or landline to listen to your conversations.

01:54:48One way of eavesdropping on people's conversations

01:54:51is installing a microphone to a line

01:54:54that sends the audio wirelessly to a recorder from a remote transmitter.

01:54:57Almost anyone can get their hands on such equipment,

01:55:00since it's not too expensive to buy

01:55:03and is available in many shops and online.

01:55:06If you notice strange sounds while talking on the phone,

01:55:09like clicking, distant voices,

01:55:12or that sound similar to an old record playing,

01:55:15then chances are someone is listening to your phone calls.

01:55:18These sounds aren't typical for a regular modern cell phone.

01:55:21Most bugging software runs in the background of your phone

01:55:24without you knowing, which drains the battery.

01:55:27There can be many explanations for why your phone battery keeps draining,

01:55:31but some software living on your phone, viruses, and malware

01:55:34will likely be the reason.

01:55:37You can also look out for unusual phone activity

01:55:40when you're not using your gadget.

01:55:43If your notifications keep popping up and you muted them,

01:55:46then maybe your phone is being bugged.

01:55:49In that case, they do not only have access to your phone calls,

01:55:52but your actual phone.

01:55:55They can fish out any picture, video, file, and information you have

01:55:58without you knowing it.

01:56:01If you try powering off your phone and it takes way longer than usual,

01:56:04it can be another sign of someone tracking your phone.

01:56:07For the phone to completely shut down,

01:56:10it needs to log out of all the tasks and activities properly.

01:56:13If your phone is transferring data to someone remotely,

01:56:16it might be the reason for the delay in shutting down.

01:56:19One of the biggest red flags is if you receive text messages

01:56:22that have random symbols and numbers.

01:56:25The ones who tap your phone use some illegal software,

01:56:28which sometimes requires them to receive secret codes.

01:56:31Make sure the text messages aren't something you subscribe to.

01:56:34Otherwise, contact someone who can help.

01:56:37If you scroll through your apps and notice something that shouldn't be there,

01:56:40or something that looks fishy,

01:56:43the app could be a disguise for a spying app.

01:56:46Also, check for weird history in your browsers

01:56:49for stuff you didn't search.

01:56:52You might notice your phone turning on and off randomly

01:56:55without you touching your phone.

01:56:58And, worst of all, they can turn on your phone camera anytime they want

01:57:01without you knowing.

01:57:04If you feel like your phone is tampered with,

01:57:07then you have to factory reset everything.

01:57:10It wipes out all the data, including files, settings, and apps.

01:57:13The same risks apply to your laptop.

01:57:16Every now and then, we all click on something that seems legit,

01:57:19which is an access point for spyware to enter our computer software.

01:57:22Draining battery, overheating, and weird activity

01:57:25are telltale signs of your PC being infected.

01:57:28GPS trackers are the most common ways to track someone's vehicle.

01:57:31It's pretty simple to get the job done,

01:57:34but it's very difficult to find the trackers

01:57:37since they're usually planted deep inside the car.

01:57:40If you ever get the spooky feeling

01:57:43that someone could be watching you while you drive,

01:57:46or, coincidentally, see the same person everywhere you drive your car,

01:57:49then start searching for that tracker.

01:57:52The most common places are underneath the car or near the back wheels.

01:57:55But the person tracking your car is smart and knows what they're doing.

01:57:58They're not going to let you find it that easily.

01:58:01If you find nothing on the outside of your vehicle,

01:58:04then try looking on the inside.

01:58:07If you find something there,

01:58:10it's a clear sign the person tracking you broke into your car

01:58:13and planted the tracking device.

01:58:16Or it could be someone you know who took a ride with you once

01:58:19and slipped it in without you knowing.

01:58:22Check behind the dashboard and within your car's electronics to be sure.

01:58:25Instead of ripping your car apart to find the tracker,

01:58:28you can buy a GPS bug detector.

01:58:31They work by finding electronic frequencies in your car's proximity.

01:58:34They won't block it from tracking you down,

01:58:37but they'll help you find it.

01:58:40If you feel like you're losing it,

01:58:43turn off your smartphone or put it in airplane mode.

01:58:46This way, the frequencies won't intercept with the tracking device.

01:58:49And if you feel like this isn't working,

01:58:52try parking your car in a remote area where nothing is in sight.

01:58:55Even a remote garage would do.

01:58:58Well, anyone else feeling a little paranoid?

01:59:01Let's see some hands.

01:59:04It's your first trip to Egypt,

01:59:07and the food seems a bit dull.

01:59:10So you decide to spice it up with salt and pepper.

01:59:13You don't see it on the table,

01:59:16so you ask the host for it,

01:59:19and you notice everyone's shocked.

01:59:22It turns out it's a huge insult to the cook

01:59:25when someone wants to change the original taste of the food on their plate.

01:59:28The cook made it that way for a reason,

01:59:31and wanting to spice it up means showing that the dish wasn't good enough.

01:59:34You're used to doing it as a kind gesture around the world,

01:59:37but don't tip waiters,

01:59:40taxi drivers, or hotel workers in Japan.

01:59:43They can get offended

01:59:46because they already get paid for providing you with good service,

01:59:49and there's no need for extra money to make it any better.

01:59:52If you really want to show appreciation,

01:59:55just say thank you.

01:59:58It's okay to tip private guides,

02:00:01food companies, and interpreters.

02:00:04You can put any amount that feels right to you in an envelope

02:00:07and hand it down to them.

02:00:10If you want to impress your new Japanese friends or colleagues,

02:00:13take some time to study chopstick etiquette.

02:00:16When you master the art of holding chopsticks,

02:00:19remember not to rub them together.

02:00:22People do it to remove splinters,

02:00:25so it might look like you're unhappy with the quality of the pair

02:00:29Don't put your chopsticks vertically in your bowl of rice.

02:00:32This way, it can be seen as an offering to the deceased.

02:00:35Don't wave chopsticks in the air

02:00:38or use them to point at things.

02:00:41Both are considered really rude.

02:00:44The same is with moving things with your chopsticks

02:00:47or the hand holding them.

02:00:50It looks disrespectful, plus you're likely to spill things.

02:00:53When in Italy, don't order a cappuccino afternoon.

02:00:57The locals don't do it because they believe the milk and foam

02:01:00turn this drink into a meal

02:01:03and it's not good for digestion.

02:01:06Also, be prepared to enjoy your coffee standing at the bar

02:01:09and pay for it before you even order it.

02:01:12First, you pay the cash register.

02:01:15Then, show the receipt to the server to get your drink.

02:01:18Are you a big fan of chewing gum?

02:01:21Well, you'll have an uneasy time in Singapore.

02:01:24Using, selling and importing chewing gum is banned there

02:01:27and you'd have to pay up to several thousands of dollars for doing it.

02:01:30This law was introduced in the 1990s

02:01:33to make the city cleaner

02:01:36and keep the local fast trains up to schedule.

02:01:39When they launched a new transit system,

02:01:42passengers stuck gum onto train door sensors

02:01:45causing some serious delays.

02:01:48With the new rules, this problem was solved.

02:01:51But other strict rules did help to make Singapore

02:01:54a really clean and fine city.

02:01:57Pun intended.

02:02:00If you absolutely can't imagine your life without chewing,

02:02:03the local authorities recommend replacing the gum with bananas.

02:02:06When someone asks you to pass them something,

02:02:09like salt at the table in Bolivia,

02:02:12don't give it directly to them.

02:02:15Hand it to the person sitting next to them and they'll pass it for you.

02:02:18If you're asking for that little favour,

02:02:21you still can't hand it straight to them.

02:02:24The person next to you will have to help.

02:02:27This table etiquette comes from a superstition

02:02:30that handing something to someone directly into their hands brings bad luck.

02:02:33For the same reasons, you can't reach across the table

02:02:36or stand up to pass something or toss it to someone.

02:02:39And don't forget to keep both hands on the table when you aren't eating.

02:02:42It might look like you're trying to hide something

02:02:45but it's a sign that you aren't visible at all times.

02:02:48When you arrive for a meal in Jordan,

02:02:51the hosts may give you some bitter Arabic coffee as a warm welcome.

02:02:54Don't try to stretch it for the rest of the evening.

02:02:57The polite thing to do is empty it fast.

02:03:00Only when everyone's done with the drink do people go back to socializing.

02:03:03As you pass the empty cup to the hosts,

02:03:06make sure to jiggle your wrists.

02:03:09If you just pass it without jiggling, it will mean you're asking for a refill.

02:03:13Don't rush to arrive at an event on time in Venezuela.

02:03:16People might think that you're rude or greedy.

02:03:19The polite thing to do is to be 10 to 15 minutes late.

02:03:22Events scheduled for 7 o'clock

02:03:25will often begin at 8 o'clock or later.

02:03:28A popular story goes that in the 1980s,

02:03:31a foreign reporter arrived at a press event more than an hour late.

02:03:34When he saw the room was mostly empty,

02:03:37he went to apologize to the host for missing the event.

02:03:41The host then told him he was the first reporter to arrive.

02:03:44It's quite interesting because the clocks in this country

02:03:47have officially been 0.9 seconds ahead of the rest of the world for years.

02:03:53Are you planning to travel by bus in Ireland anytime soon?

02:03:56Don't forget to thank the driver for the ride on your way out of the bus.

02:03:59You'll hear an overwhelming majority of locals do it loudly

02:04:02as it's basically not optional.

02:04:05Choose the gift wisely

02:04:08if you've been invited to a home in Vietnam.

02:04:11It's okay to bring fruit, sweets or incense.

02:04:14Handkerchiefs are believed to be a symbol of a sad farewell

02:04:17and cutting tools are a sign of cutting relationships.

02:04:20So don't bring those.

02:04:23Wrap your gift in colorful paper and don't opt for black.

02:04:26The locals believe this color to be a bad omen.

02:04:29When you present the gift, hold it with both hands

02:04:32and don't be surprised if the host don't open it right away.

02:04:35It's done after the giver has left.

02:04:38Don't leave anything on your plate in India.

02:04:41It's a sign of disrespect for the food you were served.

02:04:44Food is considered sacred in the country

02:04:47so it would upset your host a lot.

02:04:50So wash and dry your hands before starting the meal.

02:04:53Don't forget to praise the cook

02:04:56and wait for the eldest to stand up before you leave the table.

02:04:59In South India, it's common to serve food on a banana leaf.

02:05:02You gotta fold it over from the top

02:05:05when you're done with the meal.

02:05:08Folding it from the bottom means you weren't satisfied with what you got.

02:05:11It might be a good conversation starter elsewhere

02:05:14but don't brag about your achievements in Denmark.

02:05:17The locals believe that everyone is equal

02:05:20so you won't hear them talk about their successful careers or talents.

02:05:23So don't brag about your achievements in Denmark.

02:05:26The Danes can talk about their successful careers or talents

02:05:29or how special they are.

02:05:32And they expect the same from you.

02:05:35If you're looking for a good topic,

02:05:38they'll gladly talk to you about the greatness of their country.

02:05:41The Danes are really proud of it and all its wonders.

02:05:44If you're going on a trip to Germany

02:05:47and plan to drive on the famous Autobahn,

02:05:50make sure to tank up before you hit the road.

02:05:53Stopping, parking, making U-turns

02:05:56and backing up on this super speedy highway is illegal.

02:05:59Yes, even if you have to stop

02:06:02because you've run out of gas,

02:06:05you'll have to pay a fine since you were supposed to plan things better.

02:06:08And although the Autobahn technically doesn't have a speed limit,

02:06:11watch out if you're passing by urban areas

02:06:14like Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich

02:06:17or construction works and heavy traffic.

02:06:21There will be special speed instructions for these spots.

02:06:26In case you're planning to explore Cyprus by car,

02:06:29quench your thirst before you start the vehicle.

02:06:32Drinking anything, including water,

02:06:35isn't allowed while driving on the island.

02:06:38So if you can't resist snacking or drinking behind the wheel,

02:06:41prepare to pay a fine.

02:06:44In Ethiopia, you gotta think twice

02:06:48before choosing a gift for someone.

02:06:51They see it as a debt they'll have to repay in the future.

02:06:54So if you bring something really expensive,

02:06:57the receiver will either have to spend a lot of money

02:07:00on a return gift or feel indebted to you.

02:07:17Watch these videos and stay on the Bright Side!

Insider Travel Secrets Exposed | Your Next Trip Will Never Be the Same!

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