People who don’t (or won’t) travel

JupiterKid

What is the story with people who have travelled very little or who are not fond of leaving their own country, sometimes not even leaving their city or county?

I understand if it’s a case of ill health or limited finances - but these days, with air travel so affordable, the world - or at least most of Europe - is literally there for the taking in. I know the term “travel broadens the mind” is a bit of a cliche, but from personal experience, I think it is very true.

I travelled quite a bit in my 20s in addition to living in the States for a year, and as a person with wanderlust I plan to visit every continent (including Antarctica) by the time I am 65. Japan, New Zealand and South America are very high up on my places to visit wish list in the near future.

It seems these days most Irish people under the age of 40 are very well travelled, and nearly everyone has travelled abroad, often for holidays in the Mediterranean and/or to another European country.

So, do you know anyone who has never been out of the country, or only just to the UK (including Norn Iron). Or are you yourself a person that has hardly ever - or never - travelled abroad?

And if so, why?

Padre_Pio

Some people are home birds and like familiarity. The idea of visiting a foreign country and having to speak to non-native English speakers puts the fear into them. I think it's similar to a fear of public speaking or heights.

There's a fella from back home who planned to move to Oz, back when it seemed the whole country was leaving. He had a big leaving do, collected about a grand in cards from family and friends. Flew over and lasted just under a week before he booked a flight home.
Some boys just miss their mammys.

Tellyium

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Some people are home birds and like familiarity. The idea of visiting a foreign country and having to speak to non-native English speakers puts the fear into them. I think it's similar to a fear of public speaking or heights.

There's a fella from back home who planned to move to Oz, back when it seemed the whole country was leaving. He had a big leaving do, collected about a grand in cards from family and friends. Flew over and lasted just under a week before he booked a flight home.
Some boys just miss their mammys.

Was his nickname boomerang?

branie2

Maybe a fear of flying puts some people off travelling

Strumms

I’m a fellow wanderlust sufferer so I get your inability to understand those who just want to stay put... they are just wired differently I guess...

I think I get it from my mother, she’s always loved traveling as have I and both my parents always made a concerted effort to get away once a year.. an aunt of mine though is always baulking at the idea of ‘going away’... “no, it’s foreign, sure you’d never understand them, and the food be all wrong”.... she’d drag the Uncle Dave off to Tramore, Galway... wherever, that while is alright is not a holiday it’s a break, change of scenery..

Edgware

JupiterKid wrote: »

What is the story with people who have travelled very little or who are not fond of leaving their own country, sometimes even leaving their city or county?

I understand if it’s a case of ill health or limited finances - but these days, with air travel so affordable, the world - or at least most of Europe - is literally there for the taking in. I know the term “travel broadens the mind” is a bit of a cliche, but from personal experience, I think it is very true.

I travelled quite a bit in my 20s in addition to living in the States for a year, and as a person with wanderlust I plan to visit every continent (including Antarctica) by the time I am 65. Japan, New Zealand and South America are very high up on my places to visit wish list in the near future.

It seems these days most Irish people under the age of 40 are very well travelled, and nearly everyone has travelled abroad, often for holidays in the Mediterranean and/or to another European country.

So, do you know anyone who has never been out of the country, or only just to the UK (including Norn Iron). Or are you yourself a person that has hardly ever - or never - travelled abroad?

And if so, why?

You ask a lot of questions

freshpopcorn

I think there a various factors.

1. As you said financial.
2. Sometimes people have money but would prefer to put it into something they'd enjoy more.
3. Then there's just general fear of doing something new or different.
4. I'm from a farming background and I know lots of people who are always working and there Summer Holiday would be an afternoon at the sea side.
5. They tried going some where and they just didn't like it.

I don't think there is much too it at all. My mam and dad have only been as far as the UK. That was fine for them. They had no desire to go further. Daddy is 76 now and is content to be at home. As for me I haven't travelled much at all. There is much of the world I would like to see but finances prohibits me and hostelling it around SE Asia with a ruck sack doesn't appeal.

I view travel as a different strokes for different folks sort of thing.

saabsaab

I guess some like where we are from and don't take holidays. Just hang about locally go to the match have a few pints with people you know eat what you like when you like. Speak the same way. Things you can't do on holidays.

looksee

I lived abroad for about 5 years in my early 20s, then came to Ireland. I have been to the USA a couple of times. Other than that I have barely stirred. I like travelling within Ireland, but don't feel any urge to go much further afield. A dislike of airports and travelling on buses and planes (I don't mind cars and trains) has a lot to do with it, but I don't feel in any way deprived.

Isn't it wonderful that we are all different

Ten of Swords

Strumms wrote: »

I’m a fellow wanderlust sufferer so I get your inability to understand those who just want to stay put... they are just wired differently I guess...

100% this

It's never been quicker, easier and more affordable to travel to different countries to visit or even to live and work. Cannot understand why some people just don't like traveling, so many places to experience and broaden your horizons.

Sardonicat

I'm nowhere near as well travelled as I'd like but that's down to personal circumstances. I know that when I'm not a carer anymore I'm out of here. At the moment I'm only really interested in exploring Europe, but that could change once I find my feet.

My SIL goes nowhere. Doesn't want to. Wouldn't even be able to get on public transport alone and go visit the next town (towns on either side are world famous tourist destinations). No interest in anything except local gossip and soaps. My niece and nephew have never been outside the county for a holiday, because of her ( and my brother, onviously) . They went to a hotel 40 miles away, once, for five days to a place my parents regularly brought us to visit on day trips as children.

When I wasn't constrained due to being a carer I travelled round Ireland a fair bit on my own. Love being on the road. Can't wait to get moving again, but obviously my freedom will come at a sad price so feel a bit guilty sometimes for daydreaming about Paris/Amsterdam /Copenhagen/Bergen...

Spanish Eyes

I've been East and I've been West I'm just like a rolling stone.

But now I stay closer to home in Europe within a max three hour flight. Everyone is different and whatever makes you comfortable and happy is fine by me.

Lyan

Why doesn't everyone feel the exact same way about everything?

PmMeUrDogs

I haven't travelled nearly as much as I'd like to, but I love it.

My closest friend is the opposite. The furthest she'll go to is the UK. I don't see anything wrong with her choice, either. She adores Ireland, and prefers to travel within it.


We just have different interests.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I've been East and I've been West I'm just like a rolling stone.

But now I stay closer to home in Europe within a max three hour flight. Everyone is different and whatever makes you comfortable and happy is fine by me.

There is not always much room for difference in this world. Unfortunately.

road_high

Ten of Swords wrote: »

100% this

It's never been quicker, easier and more affordable to travel to different countries to visit or even to live and work. Cannot understand why some people just don't like traveling, so many places to experience and broaden your horizons.

They just don’t. They prefer familiarity. I like a bit of travel but tbh I like living in Ireland, I think we have a great sensibility as a people. Despite being more affordable and accessible, travel is also a massive pain in the hole especially air travel. I envy Continental Europeans in that cab hop on a great train network to any number of neighboring countries and places. We are a lot more restricted in Ireland in that sense and it takes more planning and money to do

Quantum Erasure

"YOU’RE DEPRESSED BECAUSE YOU STAY IN YOUR BEDROOM ALL DAY INSTEAD OF TRAVELING THE WORLD."


cool, now i'm depressed in Egypt

aoh

Went to loads of off the wall.places when I was younger - China, Venezuela, Maldives (twice), Red Sea (used to scuba a lot) and most of Europe. Now have three types of arthritis, two fake knees and a dodgy hip. The knees send off airport alarms and I just couldn't be bothered any more. Way too much hassle!

freshpopcorn

Ten of Swords wrote: »

100% this

It's never been quicker, easier and more affordable to travel to different countries to visit or even to live and work. Cannot understand why some people just don't like traveling, so many places to experience and broaden your horizons.

I can't understand why some people can't accept or understand that some people simply don't like travelling!

saabsaab

Lyan wrote: »

Why doesn't everyone feel the exact same way about everything?

So true, would make things easier. Nowadays a tyranny of choice in everything wasting our time on trivia.

Once everyone had to pick the same colour model T, films were silent and could be shown with the same level of understanding all over the world.

endacl

Lyan wrote: »

Why doesn't everyone feel the exact same way about everything?

Then this would be a ‘pointless statement’ site.

Airyfairy12

Its very expensive to travel, for allot of people all they can afford is a trip to the UK or Spain for a few days. Some cant even afford that.
For others they may just have responsibilities that don't allow them to travel. Some just have other things that need to paid for. Its quite a middle class thing to do to be fair, to travel the world, often people with lots of money and no responsibilities, unless the sole purpose is heading off somewhere to find work but even at that the cost is fairly huge to up and leave everything, get a visa and start a life somewhere else.
I dont think anything different of people who haven't traveled as its all down to luck/opportunity/privilege.

I also dont find people who have traveled any more or less interesting than people who haven't, that said ive been on dates with well travelled men and they all have one thing in common, they talk about themselves like theyre Columbus or something, listing off all the destinations theyve been too, it can be boring to listen to.

Arghus

I have enjoyed every holiday I have ever been on and I've seen a good few foreign destinations and I wouldn't say no to ever going on a trip again, but I have no immediate plans to or genuine desire to travel really. I don't really know why that is, the world seems to insist that if I have time off I should be mad to go somewhere, but I'm pretty happy sitting at home reading a book.

I don't know if being well travelled makes a person more interesting, it depends on the person. Some can be, but I know a few absolute dopes who have been everywhere and - as far as I can see - it hasn't done them much good.

SusieBlue

I would never live abroad but every spare cent I have goes towards ticking off places on my bucket list.

My main focus the last few years has been to try to visit as many countries & cities as possible and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do a lot of travelling despite being on quite a low wage.

Some people just don’t like it, but I don’t get it. I’m barely off the plane when I’m planning the next trip :pac:
I go without a lot of materialistic things to afford it but it’s worth it imo.

RobertKK

I would just like to win the lottery so I could travel more. I love it and I think it helps appreciate other countries and the people.
I would put travel and seeing new places, countries, their culture and people as the thing I love the most to do, but I need more money :pac:
Have a nice holiday planned for later this year, a native of a certain eastern European country who is a friend is going to give me a guided tour of his country and I can't wait.

People can like different things at different stages of their lives. Most of the time, I love an adventure somewhere new. Sometimes I just want familiarity.

Rikand

My friends father is afraid to fly
His mother is afraid to go on a boat.

Quite the pair they are.

Thankfully it hasn't stopped the kids travelling far and wide but as a result, the parents dont travel outside of ireland together

Better Than Christ

Another "people who don't do the things I do" thread.

Beyond the odd holiday in the UK and Spain, I've never really 'travelled'. When I had the time, I didn't have the money. And now that I can sort of afford it, I don't really have the time. Some day, that might change, but I hope I don't ever become one of those people who can't understand why others don't do the things I do.

jaxxx

Because they simply don't want to or have no interest?


What's the story about people who question what others do with their lives??