zeppole

I am struck by how often I see on this message posts that begin:

"Three ladies traveling to..."

"Four grandmothers but young at heart headed for ...."

"We are five women in their early 60s looking to explore..."

etc etc, but NEVER have I seen a post that began:

"We are 3 guys in the early 60s planning a trip to..."

"We are four grandfathers, interested in beer, some museum going and willing to rent a car..."

"We'll be three men spending 3 nights in London before ..."

What accounts for this? Anyone know?

I know gay couples who travel, and some may travel in small groups. Do they post on different message boards?

Does anyone personally know any men over 50 who have decided to go off for a European adventure without women in tow?

WillTravel

This may sound bizarre, but I have heard feedback from men (I am a woman) that indicates they are afraid that going to an event with another guy (say a festival or opera), let alone a trip, might cause them to be perceived as gay. That, of course, is too scary a thought.

cheryllj

I know men over 50 who have gone golfing in Scotland without any women in tow. But they aren't the kind to come here and do their own planning and research. They have people to make plans for them, like secretaries and travel agents.

macanimals

Our women won't let us go without them! (At least my wife won't!)

bobthenavigator

I beg to differ ! Here is my trip report from 2000

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=104

zeppole

WillTravel

No, I don't think it sounds bizarre, given what American culture is. It reminds me of a hilarious sequence in Planes, Trains and Automobiles where Steve Martin and John Candy are forced by circumstances to travel together for several days and go into full panic mode when they wake up in a motel room and discover they've mistakenly snuggled up in their sleep to each other in their sleep. Actually, the entire movie is about the comedy and poignancy of men being kept from developing friendships with other men after a certain point in life.

zeppole

cherylj,

That's interesting. I do know women executives who go to travel planners.

zeppole

Bob, are you differing with me or macanimals? Can't tell. From looking at your trip report, it looks like you were able to succeed in being allowed to go where macanimals has thus far failed!

Bob, do you know any men who go traveling where it doesn't involve sports? Just curious.

zeppole

macanimals,

I wouldn't mind if my husband traveled without me. And he does go to visit longtime friends in other countries without me, even though I like his friends and their wives. I'm invited, but don't always feel like making the trip.

zeppole

But doesn't anybody else notice the disproportionate number of posts of women travelers who identify themselves first and foremost as women travelers?

bobthenavigator

Yes, see above. And, why are you up so late?

zeppole

Also -- why so many mother-daughter trips but not father-son or father-daughter or mother-son?

Is it a difference in who travels or a difference in who posts on Fodor's?

zeppole

bob, what's it to you?

zeppole

PS, bob: Do you think it was unusual that you took a European trip with a male friend? Do you have male clients who do the same?

logos999

The answer to this is sooo simple - Men don't ask those questions, because being practical, down to earth folks, they already know the answer to all those questions beforehand. No need to ask, for advice on a message board, when the answer is already crystal clear

Women otoh...

zeppole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCqcMOB6STc

zeppole

logos, right. That's why I asked!

november_moon

I think it might be the type of travel as well - most of the men I know who go on trips without their immediate families go on camping, fishing, and/or golfing trips.

macanimals

Zep--

I guess I deserved your "allowed" comment as my comment was done "tongue in cheek". I have traveled extensively alone when necessary and never consulted this forum as it was mostly on legal business and I had adequate resources. My wife has traveled at least as much w/o me and we are comfortable with that but when it comes to pleasure, we like to do it together. I wouldn't consider a trip with male friends as a "success".

As to your original query--perhaps the women inquiring feel vulnerable or need assurance as to their plan or itinerary--just a guess. Perhaps women outlive men and are more likely to have opportunities to travel with others in similar situations. But it is all conjecture, isn't it.

zeppole

Most of the men I know don't do any of those things (I'm probably unusual in the kind of men I know.)

It's interesting to me that I know more than one woman who has announced to her family she was going abroad for a vacation, with friends, and would not have allowed family objections to stop her, but I do think men have a harder time saying that unless it involves something women are certain they don't want to do.

I was interested that Bob's fishing trip involved going to the Amalfi coast and Taormina. Some women might have complained about being left behind on such famously romantic destinations.

But you'd think with all the freedom to mix it up these days, and obviously so many men enjoying Europe when they go with their wives, that at least some would get into their 50, 60s and 70s and be unattached and want to go to Europe.

Perhaps they always find women willing to go with them if they pay? I do know some men who've done that.