Palma – Want to just sleep in on your summer vacation? This hasn’t been possible for years on many beaches and pools around the Mediterranean. The reason for this is sun-seekers who reserve their deck chairs at dawn and spread out their beach towels there.
This has been banned in many places, at least on Mallorca. But German and British holidaymakers in particular are inventive and have taken the deckchair war to the next level of escalation: now it’s not the deckchairs that are being occupied, but the parasols on the beach! Again with towels, of course.
The new trick on the beach in Mallorca
Many holidaymakers move in Beach vacation arrive at dawn to hang their towels in the straw umbrellas in the first row, reports a lifeguard.
“You can see this not only in the Ballermannyou can find that all over the Playa now,” complains a German resident in the “Mallorca Magazine“.
Those who arrive late must look where they are
However, if you don’t play this game, you’ll only be left with bad seats – or you’ll come away empty-handed. BILD was on the beach in Palma de Mallorca on the road, asked German holidaymakers what they thought of the new towel scam.
“Some don’t come back until 5 hours later”
Jenny S. (27, left) and Corina W. (27) are currently vacationing in Mallorca
Jenny S. (27), an industrial clerk from Augsburg (Bavaria) told BILD: “I find it a bit selfish that people are now leaving so early in the morning, when there are no loungers set up yet, and reserving beach spots using straw hats. Most of the time, people put their towels on the loungers, go out to eat and only come back after five hours.”
“Typical German”
The Berliner at Ballermann
Vanessa Vogt (19), a saleswoman from Berlin, told BILD: “The fact that holidaymakers reserve their beach spots here at Ballermann is definitely typically German. I can understand it for older people because I think they are used to it and it’s a tradition.”
“You should already be there”
The three friends from Leipzig on Friday at the beach
Steve P. (38, right) police officer from Leipzig to BILD: “I don’t think the reservations are right. If you are at the time Strand then you should take the loungers. If you don’t take them, then you shouldn’t occupy them either.”
Charly U. (24), police officer from Leipzig: “I agree with my colleague, I find this so typically German.”
Mark. S. (25), also a police officer from Leipzig: “I don’t think it’s a good idea to reserve spots on the beach. You should be there and use the spots.”
App users can vote here: “Do you also fight for the best sun lounger every morning?”
Can I just take the towels away?
Lawyer Arndt Kempgens from Gelsenkirchen to BILD: “The boss in the ring is the lounger rental company. They can decide whether and how loungers or parasols can be reserved. On the other hand, travelers have no right to make a reservation or to a special parasol. So you also have no right to mark your territory with a personal object without asking.
Anyone who puts away such an object (towel, book or sunglasses) is not committing a criminal offence. However, it could be that the opponent is committing a criminal offence if he comes back (insult, bodily harm).”