The UK it seems breeds the 4th most annoying holidaymakers a recent travel poll reveals.

It should come as no surprise to find that the Americans top the list with (18%), followed by those from France (12%) and Germany (10%) with the UK coming in 4th with 6% of the vote. Although why UK holidaymakers are the 4th most annoying is not explained…

UK and Chinese travellers (equally six per cent) complete the roll call of the five most annoying nationalities, according to the survey of 8,931 people – including almost 500 from the UK - by Trip-Advisor.

The most annoying are children who kick the back of airline seats and are the ultimate no-no for almost one third of travellers (31%).

Rude seat recliners drive one in five travellers mad (21%), whilst passengers who bellow down their mobile phones (16%), block the aisles whilst stowing their bags (12%) and hog the armrests (4%) are rated as being the most annoying traveller traits.

“The notion of ‘travelling for pleasure’ can be a total farce when you’re surrounded by passengers who seem intent on making their presence felt – be it with a boot in the back, or an elbow in the ribs.”

The most annoying

1. Children kicking your seat back 31%

2. Rude seat recliners 21%

3. Loud mobile phone conversations 16%

4. Passengers taking too long to stow overhead baggage 12%

5. People getting up before the seat-belt sign is off 5%

6. Armrest hogs 4%

7. Passengers consuming smelly food 4%

8. Travellers blocking moving walkways 3%

9. “Shoulder surfers” reading over your shoulder 1%

10. People wandering in front of airport service carts 1%