The Travelling Myth

scdublin · 29-06-2012 03:13PM

I wouldn't say the OP or others of the same opinion are bitter as such....they just don't have the same view as people who have travelled because they haven't done it. Like I can't say Australia is bloody amazing because I haven't been...

cloptrop wrote: »

how you went to see some band you can see here in a different country and that makes your story better than the time I seen them in Dublin , or any boring holiday story .

In reference to this remark I can say though, that I've experienced living here and abroad...and have to admit even the things you can do here like go to see a band etc are totally different experiences in other countries, and in my opinion are more fun. And unless you've experienced both, you can't really give an unbiased opinion. You can't compare the two and slam other peoples opinions, when you personally haven't witnessed the two.

SMASH THE UNIONS · 29-06-2012 03:18PM

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

You can do that at home in your twenties. I ask again, what can you do in your twenties that you can't do in your sixties when travelling. You can still see new cultures etc in your sixties.

1. Many hostels will not accept travellers over 35 years of age. They are generally for young people.

2. You may not be in the greatest physical health for trekking through the desert or up mountains.

3. It's highly unlikely that you will strike up a romance with a fellow female traveller, since they will all be youngsters and you will probably have your own wife back home/tagging along with you.

4. You may have other obligations back home that will prevent you from travelling - mortgage, kids/grankids, hospital appointments.

Unless of course by "seeing new cultures" you mean through binocular lenses from a coffin cruise ship.

tok9 · 29-06-2012 03:24PM

cloptrop wrote: »

Yes if you want to go do it, but be wary that not everyone cares so if you are going to travel just so you can bore everyone about it when you get home dont.

Well fortunately that is not my reason for travelling.

As I said if you're not interesting in hearing about travelling then don't. The idea that people go travelling so they can tell people they went travelling is ridiculous.

Antisocialiser · 29-06-2012 03:30PM

Can't be bothered wading through the last 10 pages of ****e but in general the OP has a point.

The practice of young irish wans heading off to Australia just seems so thoughtless.

Also on the escaping reality bit; I don't see many people in committed relationships with good well paying jobs running off to Oz to work on a building site and get wrecked every night. Seems to be a way to do something nice and different if you've been stuck in a rut for a while. I suppose there's not much wrong with that but it seems a little sheep following the herd in most cases.

BillyMitchel · 29-06-2012 03:35PM

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

CiaranC wrote: »

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

What can't you do that's so great at 65 that you can do in your 20's?

Ride other 20 year olds

You can do that at home in your twenties. I ask again, what can you do in your twenties that you can't do in your sixties when travelling. You can still see new cultures etc in your sixties.

You're just not in the same physical shape. You really think think you could trek miles a day across a south American jungle at 60+ in 40 degree heat? Trek across Africa? Simple fact you also aren't as healthy you might not be dying but if we're bitten or caught some tropical disease your survival chances are pretty slim especially if you're in some remote place in the arsehole of nowhere.

Could you hike Kilimanjaro when your 65? No you wouldn't be allowed. Could an average person jump in a cage and swim with great whites in south Africa at 65? I highly doubt they wouldn't be allowed.

A 24 hour flight to Australia would be hard enough for someone at retirement age without going backpacking across new Zealand or where ever.

Going on holiday a couple of times a year is not in the same catogory as what most folk do now a days.

Obviously there is always exceptions but the majority just wouldn't be able.

SMASH THE UNIONS · 29-06-2012 03:37PM

Antisocialiser wrote: »

Can't be bothered wading through the last 10 pages of ****e but in general the OP has a point.

The practice of young irish wans heading off to Australia just seems so thoughtless.

Also on the escaping relating bit; I don't see many people in committed relationships with good well paying jobs running off to Oz to work on a building site and get wrecked every night. Seems to be a way to do something nice and different if you've been stuck in a rut for a while. I suppose there's not much wrong with that but it seems a little sheep following the herd in most cases.

Answer these two questions:

1. Have you ever been travelling?

2. If you won a free 6 month back-packing trip across South America, would you refuse it? Of course not. So is it a money thing? You obviously would like to go travelling. Methinks you are just poor.

Scanlas The 2nd · 29-06-2012 03:42PM

SMASH THE UNIONS wrote: »

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

You can do that at home in your twenties. I ask again, what can you do in your twenties that you can't do in your sixties when travelling. You can still see new cultures etc in your sixties.

1. Many hostels will not accept travellers over 35 years of age. They are generally for young people.

2. You may not be in the greatest physical health for trekking through the desert or up mountains.

3. It's highly unlikely that you will strike up a romance with a fellow female traveller, since they will all be youngsters and you will probably have your own wife back home/tagging along with you.

4. You may have other obligations back home that will prevent you from travelling - mortgage, kids/grankids, hospital appointments.

Unless of course by "seeing new cultures" you mean through binocular lenses from a coffin cruise ship.

1. If you've saved throughout your life you can afford better accommodation easily.

2. This is one reason I agree its possibly better to travel younger, but only if you like physical activities in the first place.

3. You can strike up all the romances you want in your own country when young, travelling just for romance is a bit desperate.

4. If you are retired you will probably be able to spare a few months here and there to travel. No work after all. More money too to enjoy your travelling.

cloptrop · 29-06-2012 03:48PM

scdublin wrote: »

I wouldn't say the OP or others of the same opinion are bitter as such....they just don't have the same view as people who have travelled because they haven't done it. Like I can't say Australia is bloody amazing because I haven't been...

In reference to this remark I can say though, that I've experienced living here and abroad...and have to admit even the things you can do here like go to see a band etc are totally different experiences in other countries, and in my opinion are more fun. And unless you've experienced both, you can't really give an unbiased opinion. You can't compare the two and slam other peoples opinions, when you personally haven't witnessed the two.

But the people that stayed at home have experienced staying at home so the fact you say you have experienced more is silly really . I made a start on my life , family etc , the traveller just dodged that for a few years , now most of them are 30 , boring and are annoyed that everyone else has grown up , with little all else to do except go back on the road .
Telling me I missed out because I didnt go to austrailia which is pretty much as broadening as going to santa ponsa at this stage is pure ignorant.

fishy fishy · 29-06-2012 03:52PM

lots of people are missing the point here - its not about who is better - the travelers or the ones at home.

if you read the op's post again, you will see that it is HIM that has a problem with the travelers having fun while abroad.

He cannot seem to accept or respect other peoples right to do things their way. His opinion is that it it his way or the highway.

LLU · 29-06-2012 03:55PM

SMASH THE UNIONS wrote: »

Answer these two questions:

1. Have you ever been travelling?

2. If you won a free 6 month back-packing trip across South America, would you refuse it? Of course not. So is it a money thing? You obviously would like to go travelling. Methinks you are just poor.

Hmmm, nice to see such an open minded contribution. How did you become so open minded? Did you travel a lot? :rolleyes:

tok9 · 29-06-2012 03:55PM

Just a point - I wouldn't consider going to Australia as travelling. Most people who go there go to work and waste whatever money they get.

Australia wouldn't be top of my list of places to go to...

Antisocialiser · 29-06-2012 03:56PM

SMASH THE UNIONS wrote: »

Answer these two questions:

1. Have you ever been travelling?

2. If you won a free 6 month back-packing trip across South America, would you refuse it? Of course not. So is it a money thing? You obviously would like to go travelling. Methinks you are just poor.

1. Yes

2. Yes I would. I am in a good job and a long term relationship. If i could get a 6month career break and take my missus with me I'd consider it but I wouldn't leave now to go labouring and drinking in Oz for 6 months. I might if all i was doing in Ireland was labouring and drinking i.e. was stuck in a rut.

Sorry what's your point?

You're come across awfully bitter. Did going to Oz "change your life"?

http://theultimateplaylist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/willy-wonka-wilder-300x300.jpg

bhovaspack · 29-06-2012 04:10PM

An emotive subject, clearly.

Might not be the most popular thing to add, but I think that once you reach a certain age (say 27-30ish), you're pretty much the person you'll be for the long haul. Traveling at any age is very rewarding, but when you're still young it can be a real game-changer. Every culture is blinkered in some way, and a year in another country can put a very new perspective on things.

Having said that, some of the most interesting and intelligent people I know stuck around, didn't bother with travel.

Each to their own.

I don't get bored by people's travel stories, by the way. But when I meet a person who has only travel stories, and nothing to say about books, politics, climate change, children etc, well, I judge that person to be a bit of a bore.

It Ain't What You Do It's What It Does To You

I have not bummed across America
with only a dollar to spare, one pair
of busted Levi's and a bowie knife.
I have lived with thieves in Manchester.

I have not padded through the Taj Mahal,
barefoot, listening to the space between
each footfall picking up and putting down
its print against the marble floor. But I

skimmed flat stones across Black Moss on a day
so still I could hear each set of ripples
as they crossed. I felt each stone's inertia
spend itself against the water; then sink.

I have not toyed with a parachute cord
while perched on the lip of a light-aircraft;
but I held the wobbly head of a boy
at the day centre, and stroked his fat hands.

And I guess that the tightness in the throat
and the tiny cascading sensation
somewhere inside us are both part of that
sense of something else. That feeling, I mean.

- Simon Armitage

scdublin · 29-06-2012 04:11PM

cloptrop wrote: »

But the people that stayed at home have experienced staying at home so the fact you say you have experienced more is silly really . I made a start on my life , family etc , the traveller just dodged that for a few years , now most of them are 30 , boring and are annoyed that everyone else has grown up , with little all else to do except go back on the road .
Telling me I missed out because I didnt go to austrailia which is pretty much as broadening as going to santa ponsa at this stage is pure ignorant.

I'm not saying you missed out...that's not for me to say. Also, I haven't been to Aus so I can't say whether it's incredible or not. I'm just saying it's easier to have a broader view on both things, when you've actually experienced both things.

SMASH THE UNIONS · 29-06-2012 04:18PM

Antisocialiser wrote: »

1. Yes

2. Yes I would. I am in a good job and a long term relationship. If i could get a 6month career break and take my missus with me I'd consider it but I wouldn't leave now to go labouring and drinking in Oz for 6 months. I might if all i was doing in Ireland was labouring and drinking i.e. was stuck in a rut.

Sorry what's your point?

You're come across awfully bitter. Did going to Oz "change your life"?

http://theultimateplaylist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/willy-wonka-wilder-300x300.jpg

So you're saying you would refuse a free back-packing trip across South America? Yeah right you liar. Now I know you're trolling. You're so stubborn that you won't concede any points to the other side.

It's the people who go straight to work right after college and get tied down to the bird they knocked up that are the sheeple. Following everyone else. On the other hand, how many people can say they spent a summer volunteering in the favelas outside Sao Paolo.

Not sure how the Willy Wonka pic is relevant.

Brain Stroking · 29-06-2012 04:23PM

SMASH THE UNIONS wrote: »

The only people coming across as smug here is the "too cool for travelling" brigade. Typical Irish begrudgery. A few people decided they didn't want to spend their entire lives on this little wet rock and so decided to see the world, and they get mocked by the wage slaves left behind in Ireland. Anybody who goes straight to work right after college is wasting their youth. You have the rest of your life to work.

Are you the OP coming from the opposite smug side of the spectrum? Going down your route of analysis the bold bit makes you as guilty as the OP

Eve_Dublin · 29-06-2012 04:29PM

keithclancy wrote: »

The phrase 'find yourself' is a bit deliberately facetious, to illustrate a point (it's calling a spade a spade tbh).

But 90% of people that I know who've gone travelling have done so because of lack of options. They need to figure out what they want after finishing their degree, want one last 'adventure' before they start 'real life', are going because their friends are and it sounds like a bit of craic, or simply need the work, and so on. Nothing wrong with those, don't get me wrong I'm not knocking it in any way, but all are a means of 'finding yourself'. You could also call it 'experience for the sake of it experience', a phrase which has popped up on numerous occasions in this very thread. People filling a hole, a void in their lives.

Again, I am NOT knocking this, but if you're already having crazy experiences every day at home why do you need to go halfway across the world? If you already know what you want to do and need to get working on that ASAP to both get experience and try get a foothold, then you're wasting time by travelling, no? I'll remind you that that phrase was brought up in the context of people insisting to me that I needed to pack my bags now, else I was somehow missing out on life (as if I've never left the country before as is :pac:). And that also ties in with the absolute smugness that I hate that returns home with an awful lot of these people, who gained nothing from travelling but a stick they think they can beat others with.

100% of people I met travelling went for fun and not lack of options, myself included. It was a very expensive trip (no money given by rich parents btw) In fact, I was accepted for a masters course but went travelling instead because I chose fun over study. Not everyone is career focused Leggo and not everyone is trying to get a foothold in anything. Some people choose to take their time deciding what they want to do ultimately, myself included but I didn't do any of that thinking while travelling...I was too busy having fun! Made me decide to move to another Latin country though...

I know the smug kind you talk about but perhaps you're simply mistaking people wanting to tell their stories as smugness or a desire to rub it in? I came back, wanted to tell friends and family stories because to me they were exciting, got the distinct impression they didn't want to hear them, so I left it there. Just because someone is telling you how much fun they had, doesn't mean they're trying to rub your face in it. Like any news, you want to share it...but I understand why people don't want to hear about it either.

Antisocialiser · 29-06-2012 04:30PM

SMASH THE UNIONS wrote: »

So you're saying you would refuse a free back-packing trip across South America? Yeah right you liar. Now I know you're trolling. You're so stubborn that you won't concede any points to the other side.

I value my job and my relationship and all the other wonderful ties I have in Ireland. I don't want to go to South America for 6 months and set my career back 3 years thanks.

On the other hand, how many people can say they spent a summer volunteering in the favelas outside Sao Paolo.

Sure count how many people you know who have done that, one hand yeah? Now try and think of everyone who went to Oz for boozing. Thought as much.

It's the people who go straight to work right after college and get tied down to the bird they knocked up that are the sheeple. Following everyone else.

Each to his own tbh. I was asked to comment by OP on the travelling myth and I did that. Simply upping sticks and doing exactly what you were doing in Ireland in Oz has become thoughtless and the 'norm' for people who feel stuck in a rut.

I have travelled. I will travel again. I follow my own path and I am happy with the way the things in my life are progressing.

cloptrop · 29-06-2012 04:33PM

scdublin wrote: »

I'm not saying you missed out...that's not for me to say. Also, I haven't been to Aus so I can't say whether it's incredible or not. I'm just saying it's easier to have a broader view on both things, when you've actually experienced both things.

But nobody can experience both.

Eve_Dublin · 29-06-2012 04:34PM

cloptrop wrote: »

I think that people that went travelling are really smug about it and go on and on and on about it. They think it gives them some sort of better world view than everyone else because they hiked an inca trail . I used to get 3 buses to work when I started my apprenticeship, I think that gives me more to offer an employer than the fact you got chased by bulls in spain. .[/B]

I've also worked me arse off and I've travelled. There's time for both. Some people are smug about it, not most. And really, tis a sad day when every decision I make is based on whether my potential employer will be happy.

listermint · 29-06-2012 04:36PM

looks like my sig has always been smug, dam me and my smugness. This conversation is very yawny.

Everybody is different embrace everyone as you would like to be embraced. Lets none of us be smug and lets all hug.

Grab it like you own it ohhhh yeaahhh

Agricola · 29-06-2012 04:40PM

bhovaspack wrote: »

I don't get bored by people's travel stories, by the way. But when I meet a person who has only travel stories, and nothing to say about books, politics, climate change, children etc, well, I judge that person to be a bit of a bore.

This. The best people to spend time with are always the ones who have more than one dimension to them. When I meet someone who talks incessantly about only one topic, I would rather be anywhere else frankly.

There are plenty of people who go abroad and just do what everyone else does and one of the main aims of it is to come back an boast about it on their return. But there are plenty of people also who actually go to see and experience things that are completely alien to this little island. They are like kids talking about christmas when they're remembering things they did, places they saw, people they met and I really like to listen to people like that. Its very easy to separate the travel junkies who have a passion for it, and the people who go to tick boxes with which they can blather about ad nauseum.

listermint · 29-06-2012 04:42PM

cloptrop wrote: »

But nobody can experience both.

Em.. let me see. Just to be clear here.

I left a great job where i was head of an engineering team. Went off mid 20's to see what i wanted to see. Had a great time and some bad times. Wouldnt change a thing and have some stories that were personal to me but struck me in the moment.

I then came home and got another great job and i have a very successful career ahead of me.

Ive had both sides of the coin and i wouldnt judge anyone for choosing what to do with their lives.

What i will say is dont regret anything EVER. because you cant dial it back.

And dont be smug or annoyed with people its petty and will do nothing for you in the long run. as was i assume the original premise to this thread.

scdublin · 29-06-2012 04:49PM

cloptrop wrote: »

But nobody can experience both.

To me anyone who has stayed here for a good amount of time but also travelled/lived somewhere else for a while has experienced both sides of the argument.

Brain Stroking · 29-06-2012 04:50PM

listermint wrote: »

Em.. let me see. Just to be clear here.

I left a great job where i was head of an engineering team. Went off mid 20's to see what i wanted to see. Had a great time and some bad times. Wouldnt change a thing and have some stories that were personal to me but struck me in the moment.

I then came home and got another great job and i have a very successful career ahead of me.

Ive had both sides of the coin and i wouldnt judge anyone for choosing what to do with their lives.

What i will say is dont regret anything EVER. because you cant dial it back.

And dont be smug or annoyed with people its petty and will do nothing for you in the long run. as was i assume the original premise to this thread.

Smuggest post ever

Chairman Meow · 29-06-2012 04:51PM

It wouldnt annoy me so much if Irish young wans and youngfellaz went somewhere other than ****ing Australia. Every second douchebag you meet has done the 'omg i went backpacking in oz' ****, Im sorry but i just dont give a toss. Wonderful, you got pissed and worked on a building site, have a gold star, so original.

listermint · 29-06-2012 04:51PM

Brain Stroking wrote: »

Smuggest post ever

its only smug if you add an s to the mug

listermint · 29-06-2012 04:53PM

Chairman Meow wrote: »

It wouldnt annoy me so much if Irish young wans and youngfellaz went somewhere other than ****ing Australia. Every second douchebag you meet has done the 'omg i went backpacking in oz' ****, Im sorry but i just dont give a toss. Wonderful, you got pissed and worked on a building site, have a gold star, so original.

'You dont give a toss' 'but it annoys you'

This is silly man, let people do what they want to do. why should someone elses choices in life annoy you? Annoyance is just another unnecessary stress on life.

Eve_Dublin · 29-06-2012 04:56PM

Chairman Meow wrote: »

It wouldnt annoy me so much if Irish young wans and youngfellaz went somewhere other than ****ing Australia. Every second douchebag you meet has done the 'omg i went backpacking in oz' ****, Im sorry but i just dont give a toss. Wonderful, you got pissed and worked on a building site, have a gold star, so original.

They had fun though. I doubt they're trying to be original...just wanting to have some fun. I don't get this bitterness directed at young people wanting to go to Oz. Not my bag cos I'm in my early 30s but would've really appealed to me back then. Did the J1 when I was 21 purely for fun. No pretense about finding myself or experiencing a different culture...I wanted to work to get money to party in the sun. What I want from holidays and trips now is different but I'd never expect young people to want the same things as me. They won't have time like that again and they should enjoy it as much as they damn well can! That's what being young should be about! We'll be dead long enough.

bhovaspack · 29-06-2012 05:06PM

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

They had fun though. I doubt they're trying to be original...just wanting to have some fun. I don't get this bitterness directed at young people wanting to go to Oz. Not my bag cos I'm in my early 30s but would've really appealed to me back then. Did the J1 when I was 21 purely for fun. No pretense about finding myself or experiencing a different culture...I wanted to work to get money to party in the sun. What I want from holidays and trips now is different but I'd never expect young people to want the same things as me. They won't have time like that again and they should enjoy it as much as they damn well can! That's what being young should be about! We'll be dead long enough.

Agree with this. It's not actually that difficult to be original. If I put my underpants on my head and recite a decade of the rosary, I'm probably being original, but not having much fun, and nor am I expanding my horizons particularly either. And being in Australia is no doubt original for each person, since it will be the first time they have done it, regardless of whether lots of other people have done it.

The Travelling Myth

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