“Go and get Google Maps out on your phone, we’re obviously on the wrong street.”

” Oh! Right. OK hold on, go onto Instagram and search...surely a few funky places will come up there!?”

Just some of the WTF moments we experienced over summer, walking around a place I’d wanted to visit for years because of the hype. Travel magazines, TV programmes, movies, Instagram posts, the lot. But in reality, we found the place to be massively underwhelming. Was I just disappointed it didn’t live up to a perfect image in my mind? No, the place was dirty and to be completely honest, it felt unsafe (and that’s something coming from a girl who is pretty confident that she can handle herself). The experience was very different from the typical narrative, and it served as a powerful reminder of how easily we can be misled by hype and marketing.

What am I talking about? I’m talking about our recent summer holiday to France, and how it got me thinking about the whole ‘marketing vs reality’ thing as we were travelling home. I see it all the time in my work too, but evidently I still have the ability to be surprised!

In the lead-up to my trip I encountered a lot of scepticism. I was told that France, particularly Paris where we were starting our trip for the Olympics, would be disappointing. People warned me about lack of cleanliness, and the overrated tourist spots, how crowded it would be, how expensive everything is, and of course some less than flattering words were thrown about along with “well I hope you’re fluent in French because….”! And every single conversation ended with “Oh well…at least you’re off to the South of France for the last week, that’ll be wonderful”.

It was therefore a huge surprise to find that our experience was completely the opposite.

Our arrival in Paris was brilliant so I found myself pleasantly surprised. The Parisian culture, famously distant and cold, was instead warm, rich, and inviting. The streets were much cleaner than I had been led to believe, and the locals were anything but rude. The reality of my experience was a world away from the negative preconceptions that had been built up in my mind.

Now, I don’t know if everyone was told to be on their best behaviour because of the Olympics and the world would be watching, but honestly, I have never (and I mean never) been anywhere and felt more welcome. One evening when we were standing on the Grands Boulevards explaining the metro map to William (and probably looking a little like confused tourists I’m sure), a French woman clocked us, came walking back up the stairs she’d previously descended to catch her train, and asked if there was anything she could do to help us. I mean…come on?! When does that ever happen? And at the Stade de France, a Parisian man sitting behind tapped me on the shoulder to ask where we were from, and if William was enjoying the Olympics. This turned into a 10 minute conversation with him asking “I’m intrigued, as someone from the UK, what your experience has been like in Paris compared to perhaps what you thought? I do hope you’ve enjoyed it and we’ve made your stay welcome?”, we were genuinely gobsmacked.

By this point I was buzzing and couldn’t wait to get to the South to see just how incredible it would be. We event talked about how this could become our new ‘go-to’ holiday destination because everything had been so perfect. Up until that point of course…

Now, here’s where it got interesting for us.

It's a region that is often romanticised, depicted as the epitome of luxury and relaxation. However, when we arrived, we were hit with the opposite. The streets were filthy, there was poverty and homelessness everywhere, and the overall vibe felt more run-down than cultural. People had told us about the beautiful large park in the centre where children play together and eat ice cream in the evening, playing in the splash pad together and how wonderful it was. I tell you, I saw it and started walking in the opposite direction. I add, this was all specifically in Nice and some of the other areas we visited, Antibes for example (once you got down into the old town), were actually idyllic. It just made me very sad...this kind of poverty was something you'd expect to see in another country. In fact, it made me angry, but that's another chat for another day.

Don’t get me wrong, we had an incredible break overall, but would I rush back…? Not so sure.

On the plane home I got to thinking about how often we allow other people's perceptions and the power of marketing to dictate, not only our expectations, but our desires. It's not just in travel; this happens in every aspect of life, including our professional lives.

Marketing is a very powerful tool; in the business world, especially in recruitment, we are reminded of this all the time. A job might be presented as the pinnacle of career success, or a company might be lauded as the ultimate place to work. But the reality often falls short of the glossy images and enticing promises. Granted, we predominantly hear the negatives as people approach us looking to leave an employer for a reason, however with the vast majority of our work being active headhunting, we really do see the good, the bad, and the ugly.

But marketing is everywhere and sometimes we all become little mini-influencers by being swept up in the hype of certain things and then unwittingly promoting them. We’ve all been there with that must-have product at some point or another. I mean if I see another pale pink XL Stanley cup adorned with charms at the school pick up I’ll scream. But I still kinda want one, and I guess that’s the issue!

It’s basic psychology, and people know how to use that to their advantage.

So, how do we cut through the noise? It starts with focusing on what truly matters to us on a personal level. It means you need to stop listening to all of the opinions of others and being pulled into the comparison cycle. It means listening to your own wants and needs. In your career, this means looking beyond the surface and considering what you value most. Is it a supportive work environment? Opportunities for professional growth? A role that aligns with your long-term goals? Or is it the biggest salary and benefits package you can command (there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s what you want by the way)?

In both life and work, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing after what’s popular or trendy, or what other people often want or expect of you. But the most rewarding experiences will always come from forging your own path.

This contrast between expectation and reality is something we just need to get used to in this world where we are being constantly (and consistently) marketed to, whether we realise it or not. Influencers, other people’s opinions, social media subconsciously infiltrating our thought patterns and perceptions. For me, I’ve always been someone who believes in the ‘take them as you find them’ mentality, whether it’s people or places. But obviously, I’m susceptible to a little bit of marketing too.

But, just as with travel, where the hidden gems often provide the most memorable experiences, in your career, it's often the less-hyped opportunities that offer the most genuine fulfilment. The key is to trust your instincts, do your research, and prioritise what truly matters to you.

Becca