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Number of older Brits misbehaving abroad increasing

The drink-fueled antics of young Britons causing havoc on holiday are well-known -- but Britain's over-55s are now joining them in getting into trouble while abroad, the British Foreign Office said on Thursday.

It said it had witnessed the rise of an OAP - -- "overseas and plastered" -- phenomenon among the over-55s.

British embassies abroad are having to cope with a growing number of incidents involving the older generation, as well as the traditional lager louts who get themselves arrested or hospitalized following drunken pranks.

A survey of 1,020 British adults for the Foreign Office showed that 20 percent of over-55s try activities abroad that they would not do at home.

Bungee-jumping, parasailing, water-skiing and moped-riding are just some of the activities on the holiday itineraries of today's older generation.

Despite making three times as many travel insurance claims than younger travelers, 65 percent of those surveyed admitted to taking their last trip overseas without insurance and more than 80 percent do not have a health check before traveling.

Almost a fifth of couples say they or their partner have been injured abroad, 14 percent are less worried about their personal safety abroad than at home and more than a tenth do not follow the safety advice they would give to their children.

"The Foreign Office is all for over-55s having fun on holiday, but it is crucial that they make some simple preparations to help avoid encountering difficulties whilst abroad," Foreign Office Minister Meg Munn said.

"Acquiring adequate travel insurance is a must and health scares abroad can be avoided by visiting a GP [doctor] and having a health check before embarking on a holiday," she said.

More than half drink more alcohol while on holiday than at home.

"Most problems that we see with the older generation of Brits arise from over-consumption of alcohol and food," said Rania Kossiori, British vice-consul on the Greek island of Rhodes.

"Drinking and staying too long in the sun can make you ill and undertaking strenuous activity like going swimming or snorkeling after a large meal can put you in unnecessary danger. People have drowned this way," she said.

"After one too many drinks people can become abusive, for example shouting at resort staff," she said.

"We've also had instances where a few too many drinks has led older guests to overestimate their strength, for example going swimming in bad weather conditions, which has ended in tragedy," she said.
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