Has anyone else ran into this scenario- When you mention an upcoming or recent trip to Ireland, Germany, Italy or where ever, the person you are conversing with gives you the ol' blank stare and asks "Why? Do you have relatives there?"

Never faced THAT! <BR>A friend just called to my office telling me he will be off for one month driving from Switzerland through Italy down to Sicilie and stopping wherever they feel it would be nice! <BR>My answer: Wow, I'd love to join you! <BR>He said: No problem. <BR>I wished him a very nice trip and asked him to think of me when drinking a nice glass of red wine and eating a plate of pasta. He said: We'll do that, sure. <BR> <BR>But, unfortunately, I am still at my office!

When I would tell people I was going to Paris the first thing they would say is, <BR> <BR>Well, do you speak French?

We went to Costa Rica a few months ago. People asked us, aren't you afraid the natives will kidnap you and take you into the jungle? Seriously. More than one person asked this, and at least one was serious. My in-laws were also shocked that we bought food in grocery stores there. They asked, "how did you know what to buy?" Like we wouldn't recognize a loaf of bread because it was labeled in Spanish. <BR> <BR>I've found that every destination I've ever picked to travel to (Arizona, Paris, Mexico, etc) evokes the "why are you going there" response from someone.

I would guess that the reason people made those comments about Costa Rica is that that exact thing happened recently to several young women and they were murdered. Perhaps those people were concerned for you...

Anon: <BR> <BR>I got EXACTLY the same question when I said to friends, we were going to France!! As if the only reason for going out of the US of A is because of family connections!!! <BR> <BR>Kate

I usually get the blank stare followed by an "oh" when I say we are going to Europe. Interestingly enough, mostly from good (?) friends and relatives. And to make it even worse, since this upcoming trip is our 5th to France (different regions each time) I get the "France, were'nt you just there?" Jealous much?

My favorite is "It must be nice." Implying that I'm privileged and doing something extravagant.

Yes, anon, but mainly my co-workers, who tend not to travel much (though they are just as able to as I am), and generally only to USA or cruise destinations when they do. They have considered some of my trip destinations odd, especially Crete (I'm not Greek) and Sicily (I'm half Sicilian) BEFORE I went, and the latter inspired my least favorite question of all: "Are you sure it's safe?". But after I returned from Sicily last year and described my post-tour visit to the little town where half my roots are, even THEY got caught up in the enthusiasm. Now that I'm going to a genuinely unusual destination (Basilicata, where 1/4 of my roots are), which might actually merit a "Why there of all places?!" reaction, they seem to be accepting it all in stride with friendly curiosity. Progess.

Face it: many people have the intellectual curiosity of an oyster. They go to the same place every vacation. They have a tight circle of friends. They stick with the familiar, afraid to come out of their shell. We once shared a table on a cruise with a couple from Milwaukee. He ate the same thing every night: roast beef, mashed potatoes, bread, Jell-O. Day after day, night after night. His wife said that was all he would eat. In port, what did they do? Stayed aboard. You are cut from different cloth. Don't let the nerds throw you. They have their tiny world and you have your great, big one.

This not a question but a statement I hear from my Mother-in-law when we talk about travel, or my traveling...... she states: "Nothing in Europe interests me". Top that! HA! <BR>I am always struck speechless when she says that..... no witty retort, nada, nothing! <BR>Help! "Speechless in Atlanta" <BR>Judy ;-/

Anita - Oh, I love that one - people say that to me all the time. Oh, it must be nice. That one drives me insane. OR... ALONE? Why would you want to do that???

Anon: Talking about travel to Europe can be akin to bragging, even if unintentional. There probably is some envy involved, but tact would suggest keeping your exploits to yourself, if possible. Frankly, the fact that you are disappointed in the person's reaction suggests you were expecting a reaction. They may be intentionally disinterested, particularly if you appear eager to impress them with your exploits.

Well, I see there must be some differences between US citizen and Europeans. <BR> <BR>But it's probably just some jealousy that makes people react like this. <BR>One of my working colleagues left today for the States and I wished her a terrific trip. <BR>Never I would have thought about asking "why?" <BR>

Judy: got you beat! <BR>We live in NH. Whenever we go somewhere, my very own mother says, "why would you want to go anywhere else when NH is so beautiful?" <BR>

Funny you should ask. Whenever I told anyone I was going to Turkey, they would get bug eyed and gasp: "Oh my God, didn't you see Midnight Express?" I would answer yes, but I have no intention of trying to smuggle heroin out of the country. My friends, family and co-workers all want to know where I'm going on my annual treks but when I tell them, they just don't quite seem to understand the allure of Budapest, Prague, Krakow, Transylvania and other less popular destinations. They always tell me I'm so brave to go there. Wow, I had no idea!! That's why I like this forum. Fodorites get it.

<BR>From my family every time:"Going alone again? Why not go with a nice tour company?". Never fail! <BR>

Wow.. after reading all these, I must be lucky!! <BR> <BR>I'm from Australia and whenever I tell someone that I'm going to europe the response is usually that they know this other person who's been or going AND/OR wish I could go too. <BR> <BR>Occassionaly I get the "why?" question and my response is usually "you have to go to find out - and you won't regret it!".

Good topic, Anon. <BR> <BR>Everyone at work thinks I'm "crazy" for vacationing in Europe. I get all kinds of questions, ranging from "don't you get tired of going every year" (only my 6th trip this year) to "you're going to Europe? do you speak the language?" <BR> <BR>Last week, I had to bite my tongue when a co-worker asked me where I was going and I told him. His response, "You mean the country that makes the light bulbs?" ... he confused Slovania with Sylvania.

Sorry, but I hate typos ... I meant, of course, Slovenia.