An example: Tourists at the leaning tower of Pisa all doing the same (clichéd) pose.

enter image description here

Is there a single word for such behavior? It's not a flash mob, obviously, because it happens all year 'round. It's not mirroring because it's not subconscious behavior, but something very intentional. It's not synchronicity because it's not a spontaneous thing. It's not aping or copycatting either, since people aren't (necessarily) mimicking anyone in particular.

I suppose it's ritualistic, but that seems too serious for something so silly.

I suppose this behavior constitutes a meme, but I'm wondering if there's a better word for it. Or for the act itself; the act of participating in and propagating the meme.

  • It's not just tourists that can't resist the "same old tired/lame joke". There's something about some of us humans that makes us incapable of resisting making the obvious joke even though we know it's been done a thousand times before. On the other hand, why take the same stand-in-front-of-it-and-smile picture when you can do something more interesting. duckduckgo.com/?q=posing+with+statues&iax=1&ia=images – ColleenV Apr 28 '16 at 16:43
  • I think "cliched", which you mention in your question text, is actually the best word for this. You could also say "predictable". – Max Williams Apr 28 '16 at 16:44
  • This is madness. Or fad, craze, fashion, trend? – NVZ Apr 28 '16 at 16:59
  • They're doing the same thing, you say? They are "enjoying themselves", I believe – NVZ Apr 28 '16 at 17:03
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    Not any better than “meme,” but you could say “It’s a thing! “Tourists taking the same silly photos? It’s been a thing since Kodak made the first Brownie!” – Papa Poule Apr 28 '16 at 17:21

The tourists behave like lemmings or like the sheep of Panurge (Rabelais - France - 16th Century)

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You may also say that they are "blind followers".

  • Yes a co-worker also mentioned both sheep and lemmings (and of course sheeple, in jest). But those imply flocking or herd behavior, and here it's small groups or couples that each choose to act out a more complex thing on their own. One poses, another photographs it. It's carefully and individually staged, not just follow-the-leader. – Flambino Apr 28 '16 at 16:40

Herd mentality?


Also - Clichéd Photo Poses


This doesn't quite capture the silly or superficial aspect of what you're getting at, but you could just use tradition (or silly tradition):


If you want to be a little different you could go with instituition (or silly/cultural institution):


Source: dictionary.com

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