If strolling down the Hollywood Walk of Fame is on your bucket list, it might be time to think again.

Because the popular hotspot running through the heart of Los Angeles has actually been ranked as the world’s worst tourist attraction.

Luggage storage network Stasher analyzed a whole host of factors to reveal which sights to steer clear of on your next vacation.

It included Google reviews, quality of local accommodation, distance from the nearest international airport, tourist safety and TikTok popularity to give each attraction an overall score out of ten.

And it turns out that the famous boulevard is far from alone in being underwhelming – as dozens of other attractions have also left visitors disappointed. 

The Tate Modern in the UK, the Palace of Versailles in France and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany were all among the worst-rated list. 

Take a look below to explore the 15 hotspots which were the least satisfactory.

15. Forbidden City, China (5.41 out of 10)

Forbidden City is a sprawling imperial palace complex situated in the heart of Beijing.

It was commissioned in 1406 by an emperor of the Ming dynasty and so named because access to the area was barred to most of the subjects of the realm.

But despite its long history – it seems that it leaves much to the imagination.

Among the Google reviews people wrote that tourists had ‘expected more’ after being left ‘extremely disappointed with how boring the inside of the place was.’ 

And another simply branded it as ‘repetitive and expensive.’ 

14. Magic Kingdom Park, USA (5.41 out of 10)

The Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida, is one of the most visited amusement parks in the world – with more than 17 million people attending in 2022.

The theme park consists of classic attractions, enchanting fireworks, musical parades and a whole host of Disney characters. 

But it seems that many visitors to ‘the land where fantasy reigns’ were actually left in disbelief.

The recurring issues were around price and cost with one Google review summarizing most of the complaints in one, writing: ‘Terrible, overcrowded, there is not even space where to sit to eat. 

‘It is not possible to ride anything because of the lanes. Just a terrible day.’

13. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA (5.39 out of 10)

The world-renowned Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.

Its official website states that it is America’s most visited national park thanks to the ‘diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture.’

But not everyone agrees.

A recent visitor passionately argued: ‘Don’t waste your time…  I’m a huge supporter if our parks but this is the WORST national or state park we’ve ever visited.’

Another branded it ‘an absolute travesty’ and added: ‘You cannot find a more poorly operated national park in the US.’

12. PortAventura World, Spain (5.37 out of 10)

PortAventura World, which consists of ‘six worlds in a single destination,’ claims to have been the first theme park in Spain.

It currently boasts more than 40 rides and five kilometers of rollercoaster track. 

Yet, one user wrote: ‘We came here to have fun and a relaxed time but it is not fun at all.’ 

Elaborating further as to why, she slammed the staff as ‘impolite and unfriendly’ and claimed it ‘smelt like a sewer’ before criticizing the queuing system and adding that it was ‘strewn with litter.’

Another simply labeled it an ‘endless disappointment.’ 

11. Pier 39, USA (5.27 out of 10)

Located in San Francisco, the iconic Pier 39 is a 45-acre waterfront complex lined with restaurants, shops and independent attractions.

It also offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and Alcatraz.

But it seems that is still not enough for some.

Pier 39 has been branded as ‘a big disappointment’ with one Google reviewer elaborating further: ‘It has become so dirty and smelly over the years.’

Others also criticized the place as a whole, writing: ‘San Francisco is no more a safe place to live or visit or tour.’ 

10. Everland, South Korea (5.17 out of 10)

Korea’s largest theme park, Everland, welcomed its first visitors in 1976 and continues to draw in the crowds.

It is split into five individually-themed zones – namely Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure and Zootopia. 

Yet, it seems that it is still not enough to meet everyone’s needs.

Visitors took to review forums in their droves to argue that it was ‘too old’ and ‘disappointing’ with ‘too many people.’

Someone else stated that despite the big build-up, ‘generally, the attractions are lousy.’  

9. Great Wall of China, China (5.05 out of 10)

The Great Wall of China is one of the largest building-construction projects ever undertaken – with the total length of all sections ever built adding up to about 21,196 kilometers.

It actually consists of numerous walls that were built over some two millennia across northern China and southern Mongolia.

And, despite the feat, some visitors were less than impressed.

One tourist wrote: ‘There were throngs of people pushing and shoving to buy tickets and the huge queues to get on the wall itself.’

Issuing a warning to others, another added: ‘Expect to spend a few hours in the heat among thousands while standing.’ 

8. Fushimi Inari Taisha, Japan (5.04 out of 10)

The Fushimi Inari Shrine, which has ancient origins, is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari – the Shinto god of rice.

Most foreign tourists primarily visit to explore the surrounding mountain trails – but the building itself is also incredibly attractive. 

But not everyone could see the beauty as one user claimed that it was a ‘joke,’ adding: ‘Not a serious place by a mile.’

Another added: ‘We didn’t spend long here as it was like sardines and crammed with tourists.’  

And a third, referencing the approach via stairs, said it was ‘a miserable slog to nothing’ and ‘poorly designed.’

7. Ocean Park, Hong Kong (4.96 out of 10)

Ocean Park has been billed as a ‘must-see destination for nature lovers and inquisitive minds’ as well as being a go-to for thrill-seekers.

The site, which is praised for its immense and diverse attractions, opened in 1977 and has been delighting almost all visitors ever since. 

But there are some that have been left wanting more. 

One family who visited earlier this year wrote a review to brand it: ‘The biggest disappointment during our Hong Kong trip.’ 

And another summed it up by simply saying it was ‘absolute sh*t.’ 

6. Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong (4.89 out of 10)

The city façade Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, often considered to be the birthplace of the city itself, has become one of the most recognizable skylines in the world.

The surrounding area is bustling with hotels, retail shops and commercial offices in a busy neighborhood that never sleeps. 

But, with the Pearl of the Orient welcoming 55 million visitors to its shores every year, it seems impossible to keep them all happy.

One such disgruntled visitor wrote: ‘Please don’t even bother. There is nothing here.’

Another added that they were ‘not certain why people would come to view this’ before a third candidly said: ‘Went around in circles. Not much to see.’

5. Lotte World, South Korea (4.80 out of 10)

Lotte World is a major recreation complex in Seoul, South Korea, and is home to the world’s largest indoor theme park – as well as a mall and aquarium.

Having open in 1989, it has been a staple for locals and tourists alike for decades – but not everyone is convinced.

One recent reviewer wrote: ‘This has to be one of the worst theme parks I have ever visited. It is overcrowded. There is nowhere near enough rides with capacity for the amount of people they cram into this place.

‘The rides are pretty poor and none of them have less than an hours wait unless you are there at rope drop.’

And someone else simply said: ‘I had never seen so many people in such a tiny park.’ 

4. Busch Gardens in Florida, USA (4.52 out of 10)

Busch Gardens, which first opened in 1959, is a 335-acre theme park located in Tampa Bay, Florida, with the entire attraction landscaped around themes of Africa and Asia.

Despite there being a staggering 12,000 animals, one wrote: ‘Absolutely waste of time do not visit save your money.

‘The place is dirty and full of attitude from the catering staff. Animal enclosures are disgraceful.’

It seemed as though they had more to say, but concluded: ‘Don’t really want to waste anymore of my time reviewing the sh**hole.’

And others agreed, urging tourists to ‘do something else with your vacation.’

3. Taj Mahal, India (3.83 out of 10)

The Taj Mahal is widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings ever erected.

The immense mausoleum of white marble was built in Agra, India, between 1631 and 1648.

It was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife whom he dubbed Mumtaz Mahal or ‘Chosen One of the Palace.’

However, even the love story was not sweet enough for some, as one visitor wrote: ‘The Taj is a bit cliché, once you have seen the photos there is nothing really extra to see.’

One particularly unhappy visitor branded it as ‘a lifeless celebration of death’ with the experience only being ‘exacerbated by the hagglers who will haunt you like hyenas every step of the way.’

2. Grand Bazaar, Turkey (3.48 out of 10)

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the world’s oldest covered markets, having been running during the Ottoman Empire as the marketplace of jewelry and precious hand-woven textiles.

And the impressive legacy continues today as it is now home to more than four thousand sellers.

However, it still ranked as second worst tourist hotspot in the world following the analysis – losing several points for tourist safety – and the reviews also gave an added insight.

One states: ‘I have to be completely honest. I was really looking forward to seeing this place and I was really let down. I thought the variation of things was poor and more importantly the attitude of the sellers just annoyed me. I don’t think I’d ever bother going back again.’

And another reads: ‘Full of fake goods. Nothing has price displayed. Sellers aggressive/pestering to the point of being rude.’

1. Hollywood Walk of Fame, USA (3.42 out of 10)

Topping the list of least popular landmarks from around the world was the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

There are more than 2,700 plaques lining the sidewalk on the boulevard to commemorate some of the biggest names in the industry.

Yet, even still, most visitors branded it as ‘average’ on various review sites.

Giving specific details about its perceived flaws, one tourist appeared to sum up the situation with a review that read: ‘This is grim. It’s just a lot of grubby stars on a pavement. 

‘The area is awful, with aggressive street sellers, and others half dressed with trousers around their knees, shouting and swearing at passers by. Famous stars are surrounded by mobile burger stands. Save your time and give this a miss.’

Welcome to the cafe of the future, where the waiting staff are all robots.

And the location? No surprises there – Tokyo.

It’s called the Dawn Avatar Robot Café and travel content creator Maz Green dropped in for a juice and a green tea, with the short video she made of the visit garnering tens of thousands of views on Instagram.

Maz, who posts eye-catching photos and videos to Instagram and TikTok to hundreds of thousands of followers using the handle ‘Where To Find Me‘, explained to MailOnline Travel that all the food and drinks are served by robots – and that they’re controlled remotely ‘by people with medical or physical limitations who cannot come into work but want to stay connected to society’.

Maz, who is half Japanese though born and raised in London, was told there are 70 staff members who work as robot pilots.

Inside, she saw ‘about 10 avatar robot waiters, one barista robot, one robot behind the bar, and a few more tiny robots dotted around the cafe’.

Plus, humans were assisting with issues and helping customers place their orders, and making drinks and meals.

The robots, though, serve everything and customers can interact with them.

Maz, 31, said: ‘The robots can all speak. Each avatar features a camera on the robot’s forehead, a microphone and speaker, so that the pilots can communicate with customers as if they were standing right in front of them.

‘The robots can perform simple movements, such as nodding their head or raising their hand, all through eye-tracking technology.

‘I interacted with so many of them. A robot greeted me at the entrance and explained how the cafe works, then I spoke to my robot waiter and with the mini robots by the bar.

‘Because I can speak Japanese, I was able to learn about the lives of many of the pilots.

‘It was fascinating to hear their stories and their appreciation for the job, which allows them to feel less isolated and more social during their week.

‘They are all lovely and are very keen to converse with their tables in English.

‘Most of the robots have iPads stationed beside them, so that you can see a photo of the person piloting the robot and where in the world they’re logging in from.’

And what was the service like?

Maz revealed that as you enter the cafe, which is in the Nihonbashi Honcho area of Tokyo, you make your order and pay on an iPad before being assigned to a table.

Her juice and green tea ‘came within minutes’ and none of the robots made a mistake.

Did the robots demand a tip?

Maz said: ‘No, because in Japan, it’s not the custom to tip. If you try, they’ll deny it and sometimes even chase you out of the restaurant to return your money.’

And what was Maz’s overall impression?

‘I loved it,’ she said. ‘It was pricier than your average cafe, but worthwhile knowing that you’re supporting a great initiative that provides opportunities for people with mobility or isolation issues.

‘It was very futuristic and as a result a quintessential Tokyo experience that I highly recommend.’

For more about the Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe visit dawn2021.orylab.com. Where To Find Me can be found on Instagram here and on TikTok here. 

Do you panic when you get a text message or call from a number you don’t recognize? 

Forget having to send that awkward ‘sorry, who is this’ text or Googling the phone number – there are several ways to track down the caller.

TikToker Liz Perez posted a recent video detailing what to do when you get a call from an unknown number. 

Here’s how it works: If you get a text from an unknown number, mobile payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or PayPal can help you put a name to that number.

All you have to do is copy and paste the number into your payment app of choice to unveil the mystery sender’s name.

However, this only works if you already have an account with one of those apps, and the sender has to use their real name and number in the app, too. 

Then there’s the flip side. What if you don’t want your name and phone number to be so readily available? 

Be sure to disable your mobile payment app from sharing your name and phone number with other people. The steps vary per app. For example, in Venmo, open Settings, Friends and Social and toggle off Phone contacts.

However, there are also settings in iPhone and Android phones that can figure this out. 

Here is DailyMail.com’s step-by-step guide to revealing mystery callers. 

What about blocked numbers?

Maybe you remember from your pranking years: Dialing *67 conceals your number from someone you call. There are similar numbers you can dial to respond to mystery callers.

The first is *69, which traces the number of the last person who called you. It works even for anonymous or hidden calls, so you can get the phone number and exact time they called. 

Once you have that number, you can block it on your phone so they can’t call you anymore.

In more dangerous circumstances, such as harassment, another number you can use is *57. 

It gets you the phone number and call information that *69 does, but it goes above and beyond by passing that info on to the police.

Your phone service will log a *57 call so authorities can more easily locate whoever is harassing you. 

To get the most out of this, call the police right after a *57 call with a written log of the calls from your harasser so law enforcement can act. 

Your phone company might charge you extra for these calls, so it’s worth checking your plan to see if it supports the shortcuts.

‘I just want it to stop’

If you have an iPhone, you can take a more extreme step and automatically block numbers that aren’t on your Contacts list using Silence Unknown Callers.

Calls from numbers not in your Contacts will still go to your voicemail and appear in your recent calls list, but your phone won’t ring for them. Follow these steps to turn it on:

● Go to Settings, then Phone.

● Scroll down to Silence Unknown Callers. Slide the toggle to the right to enable the feature.

If you have a Samsung Galaxy:

● Open the Phone app and tap the More icon (three vertical dots) at the bottom of the screen.

● Tap Settings, then Call blocking.

● Turn the Block anonymous calls switch to on.

Keep in mind that if you send calls not in your contacts directly to voicemail, there are downsides. You will miss important phone calls, say from your doctor or child’s teacher.

Using a different phone? Search your phone’s model name and “call blocking” for directions if you need them.

Use a (virtual) burner

Giving away your real number to anyone and everyone is always a mistake. Think about all the accounts your phone number is attached to. Scary stuff.

Google Voice gives you a free phone number to use however you like for domestic and international phone calls, texts, and voicemails. All you need is a Google account to get started.

Here are steps for doing this: 

● Download the app for iOS or Android or go to voice.google.com/u/0/signup to get it for your computer.

● Next, sign into your Google account.

● Review the terms and proceed to the next step.

● Choose a phone number from the list. You can search by city or area code.

● Verify the number and enter a phone number to link to your Voice account.

● You’ll get a six-digit code to enter for the next step.

Another option is downloading a burner app. These give you a second phone number and use your internet data or Wi-Fi to make and receive calls and texts.

Burner is one of the most popular apps of this kind. You can route calls directly to your secondary number. The app comes with a seven-day free trial, and plans start at $4.99 monthly for one line.

Hushed lets you create numbers from around the world, so you can go outside your area code or the country if needed. 

A prepaid plan starts at $2.99 for seven days and comes with bundled minutes for local calls and texts. You can step up to unlimited talk and text ($4.99 per month) and international service ($6.99 per month).

Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon. 

Listen on 425+ radio stations or get the podcast. And join over 500,000 people who call her free 5-minute daily email newsletter. 

Life in the fold of the super-rich comes with serious perks, these nannies and former nannies reveal.

They’re taking to TikTok to lift the veil on the reality of au pairing for the super-rich – and shedding light on the luxurious benefits that are part and parcel of the role. 

Working holidays on private yachts, flying by private jet, VIP access to theme parks and meals cooked by private chefs can be all in a day’s work, they reveal.

One example is Ginger Rose Smith, 27, who recently shared a video about her experience working as a nanny for a Middle Eastern royal family who were spending time in Los Angeles. It taught her ‘how the wealthiest of the wealthy live’, she reveals. 

Ginger Rose, who is no longer a nanny, was employed in the position five years ago  to support herself while she was doing an unpaid internship in the city. Speaking to MailOnline Travel, Ginger Rose says that VIP access to ‘some of the most elite shops, events, and shows’ was one of the biggest perks of the role. She says: ‘We’d go shopping at the Nike store and they would literally close the store down for us to shop there.’

The most luxurious experience she had, she reveals, was when she accompanied the family on a trip to the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. ‘I got to see how the one per cent attends these sort of experiences,’ she says, adding: ‘We had a personal guide [and] got to cut straight to the front of every line.’

Ginger adds that when they went on rides at the theme park, no other park visitors were allowed on the ride at the same time. ‘That day was pretty crazy,’ she says.

Another bonus was the ‘free stuff’ she was gifted. Ginger says: ‘I cleared out one of their spare rooms and they told me I could keep anything I wanted – I found a box filled with gift cards and over $400 (£322) worth of quarters.’

And meals cooked by the family’s private chef were another plus. ‘I would get to work in the morning and their private chef would ask me what I wanted to eat. There was always a million staff coming and going,’ she says.

Chef-prepared dishes are something Sami Jean Williams also enjoys daily in her role as a nanny – she frequently shares videos of these lunches and dinners with her 27,000 followers on TikTok.

Originally from Prince Edward Island in Canada, Sami has spent the Past two years working for uber-rich families – with billionaires among her employers – in the U.S.

In her videos, Sami, who is currently working for a family in Miami, reveals that other perks of the job include travelling by private jet, swimming in families’ private pools and holidaying with families on their private yachts. ‘Some families take you on vacation if they want you to help,’ she explains.

A video she shared of a yacht holiday on the job – titled ‘life is good’ – has racked up more than eight million views, with one user, ‘Bella’, declaring Sami’s role the ‘dream job’. And ‘user423541’ commented: ‘Some people live incredible lives.’

Another North American TikToker, Katrina Martin, also offered insight into the glamorous holidays that can be part of the role in a series of viral videos. 

In one clip, which has racked up more than 3.2million views, she admits: ‘My experience as a nanny was terrible, to say the least, but the one kind of interesting thing from my experience was that they took me with them on a family vacation to Turks and Caicos. We flew there on a private jet and we stayed in this insane villa – I’ve never seen anything like it.

‘It was giant. The staff there later told us that celebrities like Drake, Rihanna [and] countless Victoria’s Secret models had all stayed there.’

And luxury travel is a perk similarly enjoyed by nanny Valerie DaBaldo, 19, who is a university student and works as a live-in nanny in the summertime. Greece, Florida and Long Beach Island on the eastern coast of the U.S are among the destinations she has travelled to as part of the role. 

Describing how wealthy host families travel, she tells MailOnline Travel: ‘They don’t take ordinary trips, it’s always top of the line… the biggest perk is definitely the endless adventures and events I get to experience with [my host family] because they can afford to bring a nanny along.’ 

She adds: ‘I also gain access to limited clubs and country clubs just by being their nanny.’ 

And the homes she stays in as a live-in nanny are equipped for a pampering lifestyle. She says: ‘Wealthy people have an endless amount of luxurious technology and access to luxurious places. The home I stay at now has two saunas, a steam room, [a] home gym and a personal [masseuse] that we can call whenever.’

Documenting her life as a nanny on TikTok, Valerie shared one video showing her enjoying the walk-in shower in her host family’s ‘$9million (£7.3million) beach house’ that has racked up nearly 40,000 views. Another shows her unwinding in their infrared sauna, while others show her sunbathing by the pool or on the beach during her time off work. 

She also frequently shares outfit videos with her followers on TikTok, from bikinis for the beach to more laid-back looks for running errands. 

Valerie says that while working, she spends ‘most travelling days exploring with [the family’s children], at the pool or beach’. She adds: ‘My role as a nanny mainly comes at night when they’d like to visit a theme park or when they need a ride somewhere.’

Naturally, this exposure to luxury also applies to nannies hired by A-list stars, TikToker Rachel DiBease reveals. 

Now a model and content creator, she spent several years working as a nanny for famous families in the U.S and tells her followers: ‘As a celebrity nanny you are exposed to a different kind of wealthy.’

In one TikTok video, she reveals how she received gifts such as a Gucci bag from one of her employers and in another, she describes how one of the high-profile families she worked for ‘had an elevator put in [to their home], a bowling alley, a sauna, a game room with Skee-Ball [arcade machine]… just everything’. 

What about pay? New Jersey native DiBease worked as a medical assistant before becoming a nanny and admits that the career change quadrupled her annual salary.

She says that in the U.S, nannies working for celebrities and high-profile clients are paid annual salaries that range from $75,000 (£61,000) to $175,000 (£142,000). ’They are very high paying, almost always six-figure positions,’ she admits.

This set salary isn’t the only financial perk to the role. DiBease says: ‘I trialled with families who were open to giving me a living stipend if I lived in New York or California where the cost of living is really expensive… that’s something that a lot of families offer.’ Paid time off and a 401(k) – a retirement savings plan – are also common, she explains.

So how do you become a high-profile nanny? There are nanny agencies designed specifically for high net-worth families, DiBease reveals. Among them are agencies such as ‘The Nanny League’ and ‘Elite Nannies’.

When it comes to interviewing for the role, DiBease notes that wealthy families ‘really look for individuality’ from their nannies. It also helps if you’re bilingual, she adds.

If you’re hosting a dinner party soon, pay close attention.

Laying beautiful tables is all in a day’s work for Royal Household-approved butler Daniel Prattley – and he’s willing to share his expertise.

Daniel, 50, has been a full-time butler since 2009 and works for a variety of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in luxurious villas and estates around the world for several weeks at a time.

He occasionally shares videos on TikTok of the stunning tablescapes he has curated on the job, and they’ve proven a hit – one clip captured in the dining room of a country estate, showing candles flickering and neat rows of polished silverware, has racked up more than one million views.

So, what makes the perfect dinner-table set up? Daniel, who describes himself as a ‘modern-day butler’, tells MailOnline Travel: ‘Whatever makes your guests gasp [or] comment… is a perfectly set table, in any format. If your guests have had a good time and enjoyed the table, then it was a perfectly set table.’

Successful table settings can be formal or more relaxed, depending on the occasion, the Devon native explains. 

Some of Daniel’s clients ‘100 per cent insist’ that he lays the table according to what’s known as the ‘butler’s rule’, which means that ‘every placemat, napkin, glass is the same distance and every place setting is a mirror image of all the rest’.

However, that’s not the case for every wealthy client. Some ‘just want the table to look cosy and inviting’, he says. 

The most common request, he finds, is for a ‘relaxed formal’ table. Daniel says: ‘This still means attention to detail is high and the level of service is flawless but it’s just done in a more familial, friendly manner.’

Regardless of the occasion, something it’s important to get right, he notes, is glassware. He says: ‘If you are using multiple glasses, you want them in order – water as the first glass, then each glass for each course wine pairing followed by dessert wine then port.’

He also recommends that you get creative with your arrangement. Daniel says: ‘Make it festive, make it colourful, use your best china and napkins.’

What are the don’ts when it comes to table-setting? He says: ‘A personal preference is to keep napkins simple. I don’t like them in glasses or folded into a waterlily. 

‘I like them ironed, folded perfectly sideways so they are long and can drape off the plate or mat below the table with a simple flower, cut lavender or name card [placed] on them.’

And when it comes to adding final flourishes, there are many simple – and affordable – things you can do at home, Daniel reveals. 

Daniel says: ‘Definitely use what you have, go into your garden if you have one and see what you can bring in.

‘It does not always have to be floral. I cut whole branches of trees and bushes and then stuff them with tomatoes or lemons and limes and use that as the centrepiece table runner.’

He recalls: ‘I once had to set a table for a black-and-white theme and I had so much fun with that. I used black sea salt and put black dye in the flower water, which, during the night, turned the white roses in the table vases black.’

However, when adding these flourishes, one of the most common mistakes people make is underestimating the importance of ‘sight lines’. Daniel says: ‘You want everybody to be able to have eye contact with each other so don’t have a centrepiece, [such as] flowers or candles, that will block that.’

Establishing the arrangement of the seating is another important part of the process. 

Failing to leave enough elbow room or leg room between guests is a common mistake, he says, explaining: ‘Guests being comfortable is so important, so sit in all [of] the chairs to see what the space is like around them and check that it’s not too cramped.’

On top of that, Daniel says that failing to pay careful attention to the seating plan is a major ‘no-no’. He advises putting strangers together, avoiding putting two shy people together, and mixing up the seating plan if dinners are being held amongst the same group over several days in a row.

Where did Daniel acquire his masterful table-setting skills? He says: ‘I have to give credit here to a client I worked for in France for many years.

‘To me, she is the immaculate hostess in everything she does and I have learnt so much from her. She could serve canapés out of Faberge eggs or a thousand-dollar wine out of tin mugs and [it would be] amazing… always her main focus is to give her guests the best time and she goes all out with the table decor.’

Daniel says he has been inspired by this client’s ‘mix-and-match mentality’ and now follows her lead in mixing expensive pieces – such as napkin rings and crockery – with more organic features such as fresh fruit or flowers from the garden.

Under her guidance, he has also learned to create an ‘edible centrepiece’, in which he covers the table with crudités and cheese for guests to consume as their starter. ‘It looks incredible and really gets guests talking especially if they are sitting next to someone they don’t know,’ he says.

More tips Daniel has picked up from this creative French client include creating thoughtful name cards that are personal to each guest and using deliberately mismatched tea towels instead of napkins.

Daniel does note, however, that the strength of a table setting is entirely subjective. He says: ‘There will be 1,000 books to tell you how to set a table, especially in reference to bygone eras.’

The main thing, he insists, is to have ‘fun’ with it. He says: ‘A dinner party is a wonderful thing, bringing people together to chat, eat and drink so make it however you want it to look like, have fun and enjoy it.’

To see more videos and content from Daniel, visit his Instagram and TikTok profiles.

Dating is a minefield – and a first date can often feel particularly incendiary, with those involved usually a bag of nerves, paranoid about saying or doing the wrong thing.

No one knows this better than relationship expert Jacob Lucas, 31. And he’s here to help.

The ‘Her Dating Coach’ author has more than 750,000 followers on his TikTok channel ‘jacoblucas101‘, and here shares his top tips for making sure a first date is fun, even if you don’t hit it off with your companion.

DURATION 

How long you spend with your date is ‘such an important part of the process’, according to Lucas, who believes three hours is ‘the perfect time to spend’ on a first date.

‘Three hours gives you enough time to get to know each other,’ he tells MailOnline Travel. 

‘And because the date isn’t too long, you will leave them wanting more, which is great when building attraction.’

The dating guru, from Wiltshire, warns that those who stay longer during the initial meeting ‘risk the date turning stale’, but if you leave too soon, your date may think you are not interested in them.

‘With the mix of dating nerves and excitement it’s easy to get tired quickly when dating because your social battery runs out faster than when you’re hanging out with friends,’ he says.

‘If you spend too long on a date, you may not come across as the best version of yourself, and it may harm your chances of getting a second date.

‘However, if the date is too short then it’s very hard to get to know each other. You need time to be able to invest in the conversation with the person you’re dating to see if you are both compatible.’

LOCATION

Lucas says keeping the date relaxed and casual is key to combatting any first-date nerves.

The dating whizz recommends a coffee shop or a cocktail bar for the first meeting, which he says offer the ‘best of both worlds’ whether your date goes well or not.

‘These types of dates are great because if you don’t like the person, you will only have to endure the time it takes for you to have one drink and then you can leave in a polite manner,’ he says.

‘However, if you like that person and want to continue getting to know them then you can order another drink and go for a nice walk after your coffee. Best of both worlds.’

Another key tip from Lucas is to ‘always remember to go somewhere public’.

He adds: ‘It’s much safer and sets the right tone for you to get to know each other without it feeling too intimate too soon.’

Places to avoid on a first date? The cinema, Lucas says, because ‘you will both be focused on the film and not each other and it makes it difficult to talk’.

This is also the case for high-energy, activity-based dates, he suggests, which should be saved for a third date ‘when you know each other more and can be more playful’. 

He adds: ‘A first date is about the basics and you need a calming, moderate activity.

‘I also recommend avoiding double dates for a first date.

‘Double dates can be fantastic later down the line but on the first date it can be hard to get to know someone when there are four people in the conversation and makes it a bit too casual.’

CONVERSATION

‘A simple way to keep a conversation flowing is by asking open-ended questions and to avoid asking “yes or no” questions,’ Lucas says.

‘This creates a conversation that can move in many different directions.’

If you are asked a question then ‘answer it’, he assures, adding: ‘When you feel like you have said your part, ask them a question in return that links back to them about what you have just said.’

Sharing another top tip, Lucas suggests ‘falling back on your strengths and passions’ if you feel like there could be an awkward silence.

‘For example, if you love travelling talk about that,’ he continues. ‘Talking about something with passion is contagious and it should inspire them to talk about their interests as well.’

HOW TO END IT 

Almost half of Britons who are actively dating feel more confident and relaxed on a date if they’ve set a deadline and known when and how they’ll make their exit, according to research commissioned by Uber. 

Almost three-quarters of daters (73 per cent) worry about the awkward goodbye at the end of a date and three in five (61 per cent) wish they had a reason to leave, the findings show.

With this in mind, Lucas recommends pre-booking a ride home before your date as ‘a perfect way to end a date without feeling awkward’.

He says: ‘Let’s say you have booked a ride home for 9pm, then once the time comes you can leave the date in a way that doesn’t feel awkward, because you have a real reason to leave, and don’t need an excuse.’

The relationship expert says having your taxi home pre-arranged with a service like Uber Reserve not only ensures you get home safely but can also make you ‘feel more confident about your date because you will feel in control and not have to worry about what time you’re leaving’.

The service, which can be ordered via the Uber app, provides scheduled rides up to 90 days in advance with added benefits such as upfront driver assignment, early arrival, a longer 15-minute wait time, and an on-time pickup guarantee.

HOW TO END IT EARLY

If you feel your date is not going well, ‘the number one rule is to leave with good manners’, Lucas says.

‘Sometimes people just don’t have a connection and that’s okay,’ he adds. ‘However, if someone is rude to you, it doesn’t mean you need to stoop down to their level.

‘Keep it polite and classy and know that you’ve done your part.’

Lucas suggests saying you have lots of work to do when giving your reasons for leaving a date early.

‘Not many people will complain about this, because they will have also had moments when they’ve been overwhelmed with work themselves,’ he says.

‘Plus, it’s polite because you aren’t saying anything negative to or about them.’

Another way of drawing things to a close is by saying you have a lift home ‘that you have pre-arranged because you have a busy schedule’, the expert says, adding: ‘Again, your date should be understanding of this, and you won’t come across as rude but just a busy person instead.’

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By Raven Saunt For Dailymail.Com

Published: 16:57 EDT, 19 September 2023 | Updated: 11:11 EDT, 20 September 2023

A fuming traveller claims £1,000 ($1,200) worth of items went missing after an airline ‘lost’ her luggage for two months – despite her AirTag tracker revealing that it was at the airport.

Sarah Waite, 25, travelled from Los Angeles to Athens, with a layover in Paris.

But when she landed in the Greek capital, she discovered her suitcase had not made it on to the plane and would arrive later.

A week later, Sarah, who is originally from Los Angeles, received a notification from her AirTag, a tracking device by Apple, saying her bag had left Paris and was finally in Athens.

When she went to pick it up, she claims Air France staff told her they didn’t have it despite the AirTag showing its location at the airport.

The registered nurse spent two months without her luggage after the flight on May 14.

And when she was finally able to retrieve it, Sarah claims her suitcase had been damaged and £1,000 ($1,200) worth of items were missing, including shoes and makeup.

Sarah described the whole experience as ‘horrible and traumatising’.

It was the trip of a lifetime for Sarah, who travelled to Athens to pursue her dream of learning modern and ancient Greek literature.

So her dream trip wasn’t off to a good start when she landed in Athens with no luggage. 

She said: ‘I went to claim my luggage and almost all of the passengers were informed that it was arriving later.

‘We all had to make a claim at the Air France desk at 2am local time.

‘There were probably about 60 people that stayed to file the claim, me being one of them.’

In the hope of speeding things up, Sarah filed a claim online while waiting in the physical queue.

At 5am in the morning, three hours after landing, she finally left Athens International Airport – without her luggage.

Sarah had an AirTag inside her suitcase so she could see that the item was in Paris, where she’d had her layover.

She said: ‘Luckily I had an AirTag inside my luggage so I could see that Air France was not lying and it really was still in the Paris airport.’

Sarah kept in touch with airline staff over the next few days but found the communication difficult.

She said ‘I kept in contact with Air France about my claim and they were not communicative at all, leaving me on hold for long periods, not connecting me with someone who spoke English.’

A week later, on May 20, Sarah’s AirTag sent her a notification revealing that her luggage had left Paris Charles de Gaulle and was finally in Athens.

She decided to make her way to the airport but when she arrived, she was unable to reclaim her belongings.

Sarah said: ‘I went to the help desk and then finally to the lost and found with lots of effort and back-and-forth argumentation about my claim number.

‘It was not there and there was nothing I could do, even though my AirTag said it was there.’

As she found herself without her suitcase, Sarah, who suffers from Graves’ disease, had to buy a number of items including her thyroid medications.

The condition is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid.

She said: ‘I lost hope but I continued my communication with the airline every day, sending them receipts of the items I had to purchase.’

Two months later, on July 20, Sarah was still able to track her AirTag, so she made a final attempt and travelled to the airport again.

When she arrived, Sarah went to the airline desk and confronted the staff. 

She said ‘The people helping me were very rude, yelling at me when I expressed frustration, telling me there is nothing they can do even though they work at the airport and can take me to the AirTag location.

‘They even threatened to call the police on me because I started video recording the situation.’

A video shows the interaction between herself and the staff, where an argument breaks out.

According to Sarah, the staff eventually agreed to take her to the lost and found where she was finally able to retrieve her luggage.

When she was reunited with her suitcase, Sarah claimed that it was clear it had been damaged and items lost.

She explained: ‘I got my bag, but again with extreme frustration.

‘I went to the help desk and got permission to access the lost and found.

‘I went to the lost and found and then the other lost and found but my bag was not there.

‘I finally broke down and cried in front of the entire staff and that is when someone said, “Oh we called you, okay stay here.”‘

She added: ‘It took extreme emotional expression to get the people to understand who I was and that I was contacted, even though I was telling everyone who helped me out that my name is Sarah Waite and I was called because my bags were found.

‘A young man took me to the customs area where my AirTag was tagged and I got my bag.

‘My luggage was completely ripped open, shoes were gone, makeup gone, bags were missing and the original lock on the zippers is not on it.

‘I am devastated still, but at least my medication, which is in a liquid form, if you have Graves’ disease then you know, is viable.’

Sarah documented her lost-luggage frustrations on TikTok, revealing on one clip that she received $600 (£485) in compensation.

Air France has yet to respond to requests for comment. 

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By Mail Foreign Service

Published: 17:00 EDT, 17 September 2023 | Updated: 21:01 EDT, 17 September 2023

A cardiologist has sparked controversy on TikTok for claiming oatmeal has ‘no nutritional value’ and ‘is just propaganda.’

Dr Jack Wolfson, who practices in Arizona and goes by the Natural Heart Doctor on social media, posted a video earlier this month about why he never recommends eating oatmeal – known as porridge in the UK. 

The video, which has gained more than 4.6 million views, received backlash from numerous doctors and dietitians who claimed Dr Wolfson is spreading misinformation and ignoring oatmeal’s health benefits.

‘As a cardiologist, I never recommend eating oatmeal, certainly not every day as so many people do,’ he told his 448,000 followers. 

‘Our ancestors did not eat oatmeal. Neither should you.’ 

Dr Wolfson went on to say oatmeal has ‘no nutritional value’ and ‘contains a lot of anti-nutrients’ but did not provide any examples. Instead, he urged viewers to opt for eggs at breakfast rather than oats.

However, oatmeal is high in fiber and several minerals, which have been shown to ward off chronic health issues like diabetes. 

DailyMail.com reached out to Dr Wolfson’s team but did not receive a response. 

‘There’s been a lot of propaganda over the years about the benefits of oatmeal, and I think all of that really is just from the support of industry- Nabisco, Quaker Oats, Kellogg’s- about promoting us to eat oatmeal and oatmeal over eggs,’ Dr Wolfson said. 

Dr Wolfson specifically said people should eat eggs instead of oatmeal. Eggs are rich in vitamins A, B5, B12, D and E, as well as vital nutrients like calcium and protein. 

‘An egg is a cocoon for a baby chicken. An egg contains all the nutrients, the vitamins, the minerals, the fats, the proteins, that a chicken needs to come to life.

‘You can’t raise a chicken on oatmeal. You can’t raise a healthy human on oatmeal,’ Dr Wolfson continued.

However, experts criticizing him said there’s no reason to have to choose between eggs and oatmeal. 

Dr Siyab Panhwar, a cardiologist at NYU Langone in New York City, posted a response to Dr Wolfson’s video on Monday with a caption urging users not to ‘listen to alternative health influencers on social media for health advice.’

‘I’m a board-certified cardiologist here to tell you that that is garbage,’ he said.

‘Nobody should be listening to this person for any sort of cardiac or health advice whatsoever.’

He pointed to studies that have shown oatmeal can have lasting heart health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and controlling blood sugar.

A review in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found antioxidants in oats could lower blood pressure by producing more nitric oxide gas. This helps widen blood vessels, leading to better blood flow. 

Abbey Sharp, a dietitian and content creator, responded on TikTok to a video Dr Wolfson made last year with the same statements regarding oatmeal’s health benefits. 

‘No, just no,’ she said.

‘Oats are actually rich in a unique antioxidant (avenanthramide) that may actually reduce blood pressure and is a prime source of the fiber beta glucan, which has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol levels, slow the insulin response, and support feelings of fullness.

‘So not only are oats clearly not bad for heart health, they’ve actually been proven…to be quite good.

‘Here’s a crazy idea: why not have eggs, coffee, and oats for breakfast? That right there would be a balanced heart-healthy meal,’ Ms Sharp said. 

Fiber counters the effects of sugar spikes and helps regulate the digestive system. One cup of prepared oatmeal has about 4 grams of fiber, about 20 percent of the recommended daily fiber intake for women and 10 percent of the intake for men. 

This fiber is also filling, which promotes weight loss because it doesn’t take as many calories to feel full.  

Additionally, a half cup of dry oats has nearly two-thirds the daily recommended intake of manganese, a trace mineral that the body needs to regulate blood sugar and maintain normal brain function.

‘There are plenty of health benefits of eating oats,’ Dr Panhwar said. 

He also pointed out Dr Wolfson’s statement about ancestors not eating oatmeal ‘is just plain wrong.’

A study from researchers at Washington University in St Louis found oats have been traced back approximately 32,000 years ago, to the Paleolithic Era.