Nowadays, every modern device is designed so smartly or stylishly that it makes us users feel stupid.

So, travelling is the best way to find out what you aren’t keeping up with.

My re-education started at Dorval airport security where, as always, I pulled my liquids and “electronic devices” out of my suitcase for the X-ray machines.

This is always mandatory or you get lectured by security agents barking, “Sir: laptops and fluids always OUT of your bag.”

But instead, this time I got lectured for taking them out.

“Sir: NO laptops or liquids allowed out of the bag!” the agent barked.

“Put them back in your bag now, then put the bag in the luggage bin.”

You never know what the latest technology or rules will be that day: Shoes off, or shoes on? Belt on, shoes off, or vice versa? Or:

“Sir, put that belt back on NOW!”

Equally confusing was my hotel room when I arrived in France. For starters, where was the Wi-Fi code? It’s usually marked on a card with your room key, but not this time.

So I searched the room like a burglar. Not on the desk, the night table or in the eight different clothing drawers. Hmm, maybe in the mini-fridge? Nope.

Sometimes it’s in the lobby on a QR code, so I trotted downstairs where it wasn’t.........

© Montreal Gazette