Maybe. I’m 35 now and any time I participate in any kind of catered tourism
it turns my stomach. Maybe I was just spoiled on it by reading ‘A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again’. Maybe I’ve worked too many service jobs. But regardless, I just can’t put out of my mind how little business I have being there other than that I have some cash to burn. Paying for hospitality is about as appealing as paying for sex. In my mind if I don’t have a single friend who can host me in a city, I just don’t have a reason to go.
Then again I already live in a beautiful place and I’ve always been great at being a tourist in my own city. Ask me again in 10 years and maybe I’ll have your outlook.
This feels like pretty typical millennial sensibilities (including me). We don't like class differences made explicit via performative gestures. The fact that they are happening even if you don't participate is irrelevant.
I like lush beautifully designed resorts, my room cleaned, and top-notch local fare room service, but all the other service song-and-dance, the waiting on you hand and foot (as is typical in some developing nations), I can do without.
the reality is people need to feed themselves, and sometimes a job that feels shitty is better than no job. I’m sure you know that, i just point it out to say “it’s ok”. They signed up for that job because they need it. It’s not slave labor.
If you feel guilty about the class difference, then do what i do, and tip very generously. I like to leave $100 tip on the bed for housekeeping (at fancy hotels) upon checkout. Tip your taxi / uber well. you get the idea.
It's important to recognize other cultures and realize that while Americans enjoy tipping (and often rely on tips as their source of income), not every country, especially in Asia, accepts or appreciates tips, and some treat it as an offense.
Then again I already live in a beautiful place and I’ve always been great at being a tourist in my own city. Ask me again in 10 years and maybe I’ll have your outlook.