Marina- <BR> We spent 9 days in IRL at Eastertime and spent just over $3000 (including airfare for 4). My co-workers routinely spend over $5000 on a week at Disneyworld, but give me the reverse elitist routine to me- like going over-seas is only for the independently wealthy.

We travel a lot, particularly for our ages (26 and 30), and we live in Shanghai. So we deal with the if-you-mention-it-you're-bragging every time we're back in our hometown. It's gotten to the point where I just don't metion it at all or tell people when it's necessary that I live "out of town". <BR> <BR>The saddest example I have is from a few years ago, when I returned home after living in Paris for a year. My cousin first said: "That's so COOL - I've told all my friends that I have a cousin that lives in PARIS!" Then, she got quiet and said, wistfully, "I've always wanted to go to Paris . . . " <BR> <BR>Now, this was a girl who was maybe 20 years old, and she was saying that in the same tone of voice she would use to say: "Gee, I really wish I could have met Marie Antionette." To her, it's just SO far out of the range of the possible for her that I am sure she will NEVER go. Granted, she did NOT have a lot of money, but she was not living in poverty, either. Even $5 a week will get you to Paris in a couple of years.

Didn't you know that for most Americans there are no other continents or countries outside their own ? Add this to the fact that 80% of Americans do not have a passport and that will explain the blank stares.

How about..."so where are you going this year????? in a negative tone...as if traveling is a bad thing. I say to those that say that America has enough things to see ...that i've seem most of it(17 states) and NOW it's time to learn how the other people in the world live...

Took a weekend trip to Paris from the US last year. The comments before I left: "the jet lag will kill you", "it's not worth it, you'll be too tired to do anything", "a weekend isn't enough time", etc. <BR><BR>They were washing their cars on Sunday, I was in Notre Dame. Who was laughing? That would be ME!!

leaving soon for uk for a month with my three kids 9 and under and one teen i borrowed to help -- people do occasionally that i am brave to travel with that many alone or it sounds like work -- my eighty year old mother says it scares her one days she's not wishing she had enough energy to keep up with the kids for a month -- but even my ex-wife hasn't made a negative comment about the concept .. <BR> <BR>spend more time talking with positive people!! i think i get positive responses because i find negative conversations about anything of little interest and don,t usually participate. <BR> <BR>travel on and enjoy? <BR>if one has to ask why you travel , you cannot explain it to there satisfaction. just say thanks for m,sharing asnd send them a postcard from someplace nice

A colleague of mine's (British)husband won't go "abroad" as he's seen it on TV and doesn't like the look of it! He lives on the south coast and can SEE france. <BR> <BR>A lot of us brits are quite like this in that we will go "abroad" only if it is guarenteed to be like england with sun (eg the spanish Costas with Lineker's bar, fish and chips, english pubs, sunday roasts etc. Just like blackpool with sun.)

<BR> <BR>I'm a midwesterner who has lived in England for nearly 20 years. Brits often ask me, "Why do you want to live HERE?!" <BR> <BR>One guy even asked me if I had a criminal record in the States or something! <BR> <BR>Sheesh!

At a dinner recently i mentioned I was going to Paris. The woman across the table asked me if I spoke French! As it happens, I don't, short of rusty high school stuff. But I don't feel it necessary to become fluent in a language before travelling. I can always sneak into the bathroom to check out my phrase book so no one sees me. ;) A joke.

When I come across people like these I ask them if they ever plan on leaving their little bubble? :0)

People saying " Why would you go to Europe when you haven't seen all of the Us yet" is a little like saying "why would you get pregnant when there are so many children who need a loving family". <BR>Can anyone say personal choice, and hey, it may be an interesting one.

Has anyone else ran into this scenario: you are with a group of people, perhaps at dinner, and one person starts bragging about where they are going on vacation (or their expensive car, or how much thy make). First of all, they seem to think you should really care what they are doing (what they drive, or how much they make). Second, they get really disappointed when no one ooohs and aahhhhs about their life.

My husband's boss has routinely teased him about being a "man of the world"-- his way of saying all that travel is okay for you, but I like what we have here. However, he recently took his first European trip-- it came up because of business, but he added on some other locations. He came back awestruck at what a great place it was. I'm sure he won't stop visiting national parks and US historical sites, but he now knows that there are great reasons to see the rest of the world as well.

<BR>"Yeah but have you seen the Grand Canyon?" <BR> <BR>"I went once but I dont ever want to see another Cathedral or museum" <BR> <BR>"Arent the French rude?" <BR> <BR>"Do you have friends there?" <BR> <BR>"Do you speak the language?" <BR> <BR>"How do you know what to order in a restaurant?" <BR> <BR>"Yeah but I bet it feels good to get back to the good ole USA" <BR> <BR>"Do you realize what wonders this country has to offer?" <BR> <BR>"Werent you there before?" <BR>(All Europe) <BR> <BR>When pressed I never tell people where I am really going--I tell them England and that seems to be all right with them. <BR> <BR>AH

Oddly enough, the very people who do the "why visit overseas; isn't there enough to see in the good ole U.S. of A.?" haven't actually traveled in the U.S. of A. <BR> <BR>Overseas travelers, on the other hand, think nothing of flying to Seattle or Minneapolis or Cape Cod for a long weekend.

I think it is a problem with geography taught in schools. <BR>We were newly arrived in Florida from Australia when a 25 year old asked where we were from. "Australia". After explaining where Australia was, she said "You sure learned to speak English well". <BR>For the 40 year old who traveled now because she would not be able to later; we are 70, trekked the Annapurna ranges in Nepal last Christmas with our three adult children; backpacked in S.E.Asia two years ago for three months. You are never too old for adventure.

Rachel, I had the exact same comment from the postal clerk when I tried to mail a Christmas card to a friend in Northern Ireland. How funny. <BR> <BR>Well, I agree with Al; some people are very content (afraid?) in their own little world. It's crowded enough outhere without more travelers, so I look at it as a blessing.(just keep your comments to yourself, please). I've gotten to the point where I mention an upcoming trip to my friends who travel and stay mum with the others. You should've heard the reactions when we we went to Syria with a stopover in Beirut! ( although, that is understandable) By the way, my parents, in their late eighties now, still travel, and have NEVER been anything but enthusiastic about my travels abroad. It's people my age that are critical of it. <BR> <BR>Michele

Either "Slovania" nor "Sylvania" do not exist in Europe! <BR> <BR>Maybe you were talking about Slovenia or Slovakia? <BR> <BR>I'm sure you think it's about 1 hour driving from Paris or Madrid or wherever suburbs... (as seen on TV) <BR> <BR>Why would I get to USofA again? <BR>I did twice, and what I can say is that they've got much bigger hamburgers than we do have in Europe, but the most disappoing experience (on an european point of view) is having to drive thousands of miles just to see the same houses, cars, malls, ways of life, (un)culture, McDos, outdoors, indoors , same bbqs and crappy tv-channels everywhere... <BR> <BR>I'm sure it's a good way of life to defend, by chance they saved our asses in "le normandie" and "le france" and la croissant whatever... <BR>when Hawaii was attacked by the Japanese... <BR>One thing worrying me is that I now wonder wether NYC is a part of America or a kind of hybrid Paris-London exported there... <BR>Just because I really felt home in NYC, and just noticed beefs in any other part of the country, uh sorry the "land" <BR>Before going down on my bastard head, just remember this: <BR>you never choosed the place you were born in... <BR> <BR>Special thanks to GWB who will help Europe to become the biggest power without even knowing what he's doing... <BR> <BR>We don't need lessons from the Texas Butcher <BR> <BR>I was proud of America a few 32 years ago, when someone stepped on the moon... <BR>Sorry, I never felt that since then, just because flying 150 miles above earth is much more cheaper... <BR>How useful is that??? <BR>What about doing the real stuff mates? Flying to Mars, etc. <BR>What about spending less money in the Echelon program, and more money to the Nasa??? <BR>Unless you do that, you'll very soon see the first man on Mars or Jupiter will be an Inuit or a Kazakh, or even worse: an European! <BR> <BR>It will cost us a lot, but for the same price you're still spinning around the earth at about 150 miles above, what a great progress since the Moon is an old part of Mankind history!!! <BR>(even progress is the name of a russian spacecraft) <BR>

The ignorance is displalyed even on National Public Radio: a woman called from Germany to tell a Republican on National Public Radio that Europe simplly does not have the wretched poverty that exists in the US. Juan Williams asked the woman if she were German. She replied that she wasn't, she was married and living in Germany. William's reply: "Oh, just for the moment..." as though one could not stay away from the US for longer than necessary!

Tried to tell my sister today that I would not be able to make her party because my vacation was at the same time. She said (full of disdain)that she didn't know why I wasted all that money going "over there" when I haven't seen all of the U.S. yet. I don't understand why some people think that is the correct order for traveling...first see all the U.S., then go overseas. That's like eating all the steak, then you eat the potatoes, then the corn, etc. Still shaking my head, just can't figure that line of reasoning out.

Bringing it up again

When I hear the "why do you want to go over there when there is so much to see over here" question, I still find myself speechless. <BR> <BR>But I do know this, since having traveled abroad every year for over twenty-five years, when I do travel here in the States, I see through very different eyes. One example is art. If I only saw the art in the United States' musuems, look what I would have missed in the Louvre! In the d'Orsay! In the Hermitage! How could one deliberately limit themselves to the treasures of only one country? Patriotism? Give me a break. <BR> <BR> Not only that, but people listen a lot longer to someone telling about their trip within the U.S. than they do to someone telling about their trip to another country. (I never talk about my trips to anyone..they notice I'm back & say how was your trip, and I say fine. Learned long ago that any more than that and they get an attitude or very obviously show boredom within one minute) And I can only surmise that this is jealousy. And if it is jealousy, then it's because people would really like to go to another country. <BR> <BR> So why don't they? Especially when it has been proven to them that it is no more expensive than traveling here in the States? The only answer that makes sense to me is that people are AFRAID to go to another country. And if it IS just disinterest, how can people live all the years it takes to grow up and not be curious enough about the rest of the world to want to experience it themselves? (By the way, I have noticed this same reaction in people living in the countries that I visit...they, too, seem to be afraid to leave their nests.) <BR> <BR>Is there any other explanation? Had you ever said that before you went overseas for the first time? If you did, what were you thinking?

Among others, how does that sound: "I am not going to give my hard-earned money to those europeans. I would rather keep it in America". <BR>At least these ones travel somewhere. In America. Or rather not. Because the nearest McDonald is around the corner. <BR>There is no reason to vomit over the French food, as one poster put it, be it a troll or not. <BR>The main problem is that even those who travel abroad have better knowledge of how you should plan your budget ("how about saving for retirement"), where you are supposed to go, and how many times a year. To tell the truth, the only people who share my excitement are my 75-years old parents, avid travelers themselves. My son not a curious person by nature already belongs to that other category that understands that vacations are not for travel, and travel is not for satisfying the interest. <BR>I am not eager to share my joy even with him when I book something new, because he will take it with such sceptical expression "oh, well...". And holding it back at work, god forbid, they would think that I am independently wealthy (I am - in spirit), I have no one to share my post-vacation impressions - once I started describing Paris with such enthusiasm until I noticed the hatred in the person's eyes. I stopped doing it whatsoever. <BR>And one more line: "are you just walking the street? Can't you take a taxi? Or subway?". OK we have our own way of enjoying the other places, and we respect other people choices and tastes, why can't they respect ours?

I used to get the "you haven't seen all the USA yet so why go to Europe" from family and friends. They can't say that anymore because I have been in all 50 states and seen quite a lot of each one. <BR> <BR>Last September, I took my Mom and Dad to England and Scotland (our family is primarily from Scotland) - their very first trip to Europe and my Mom's first trip out of the USA. They don't ask anymore why I go to Europe - they just want to come with me! I guess for some things you just have to go to understand.

any more insight here?

I live in Florida and was having a conversation with a business associate in Delaware. This associate knows that we take a European vacation annually. Anyhow, we were making small talk about the weather, the heat wave and how Florida is generally hot. He asked whether we had a swimming pool, I replied no. He then said "Just think, if you used the money you spend on your vacations, you could have a really nice pool". I had to disguise my laughter with fake coughing.

I guess everything truly is relative. My guess is that no one here is going to admit to fitting this profile, but I'll give it a shot: <BR> <BR>I too have traveled through/lived in Europe and gotten "quizzical" responses from those who have never traveled outside the U.S. By the same token, I have gotten the very same types of responses about my trips to OTHER parts of the world - Central America, Asia, Africa etc - from "world travelers" who hit the most popular European spots time and time again - London, Paris, Rome etc - which, compared to other parts of the world, are pretty easy to navigate and user friendly. Many of these people consider themselves ultra-wordly and adventurous but are close minded when it comes to going off the beaten path of the U.S. tourist in Europe. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely love some of those places - I lived in Rome for 2 years. I also love traveling in the U.S. and wonder why so many people are quick to criticize it as a travel destination. Has anyone else noticed this hypocrisy? Anyone willing to admit to exhibiting it?

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Holly, you were reading my mind. That's exactly what was going through my mind as I read thread! <BR>

Well reading through this thread has mainly made me appreciate living in an area (Berkeley, Calif.) where international travel is just considered a totally normal (and actually pretty unremarkable) thing to do: I can honestly say that among my American friends I hardly know anyone my age (I am middle-aged) who didn't spend part of their teens/twenties backpacking around the world (or large parts of it). And in a fairly large circle of friends, neighbors, work colleagues, etc., most of them continue to travel all over the place, as time, family obligations, and finances permit. (BTW, none of these people would be considered wealthy by American standards, although they have the advantages of being middle-class financially.) <BR> <BR>We have a very ethnically diverse population here, so I guess that's the explanation for the fact that I have never encountered any of the more hilarious (horrifying?) responses to travel discussions detailed by others above. I work for a high-tech company of fewer than 200 people and we have people from the following places working here: Croatia, China, Guatemala, India, Russia, South Africa, Germany, UK, Japan, France, Vietnam (and I probably missed a few). So I can travel around the world (metaphorically speaking) when I hang around the coffee machine! <BR> <BR>I often get totally fed-up with San Francisco Bay Area real estate prices - then I read threads like this and realize that those prices buy me, not just real estate, but a diverse community of interesting people, most of whom would never consider saying "if only you didn't waste money traveling, you could have a really nice pool". <BR>

Any more experiences?

ok how about this remark?!?!?! <BR>my mother-in-law thinks my hubby and i are being hoggish going somewhere twice a year. hoggish?

Holly raises an excellent point toward the end of this thread - any other comments?

My grandmother never fails to beg me not to go, just as I'm leaving. She thinks that Europe is full of evil strangers who are going to rape and kill me. <BR> <BR>Noone in my family can understand my love of Europe, nor the pull I feel to the continent. <BR> <BR>I also get comments (with that kind of snide tone of voice) from people who say "You really love *that* Europe, don't you". <BR> <BR>Ah yes, and the famous "You're so brave. I could never travel alone like that" (I'm a woman in her mid 30's) <BR> <BR>Then again, I also receive a lot of "oooh, wow, I'd love to go and just backpack over Europe" and "Oh, I want to go back to......."

Has anyone else noticed that some of the people who post here talking about how worldly, sophisticated and adventurous they are for going to Europe also posted in the thread about places they would never go because, the places are too exotic, "foreign" - or just plain different? Isn't this a bit hypocritical? I posted about this awhile back - but no one seems to want to address this issue. I wonder why? :)

Hi, <BR> I work with a lot of other women (I'm a nurse), and the response I hear most often is "oh, I hate you" when I mention my travel plans. I drive a 12-year -old economy car, don't own a computer, and shop for clothes (infrequently) at Wal-Mart - all so that I can travel someplace abroad once a year with my boyfreind. Don't hate me, you guys- look at what I'm doing without to travel!

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Holly, <BR>I share your feelings about people who think they are adventurous and sophisticated because they go to the same European places over and over again. I agree it is hypocritical. I think they are really not that adventurous because Europe is closed to the US. Europe is not exotic enough for me. Do not get me wrong, I love traveling to Europe, but sometimes I want to be in a place that is completely different from what I am used to. I live in NYC, and for me Paris, Rome, Berlin, or London are just like being home. Besides the architecture and the art, I do not see that much of a difference. It is much easier to travel to Europe than to go some exotic, truly foreign place. <BR>The weather, the seasons, the music, and the food are very familiar to middle class Americans. I think it is a sense of security for some people to go to a place where they do not feel they are completely different yet it is still different enough for them to feel adventurous. <BR> <BR>I like being in a place where people do not look like me, almost nobody speaks English, the weather and geography are completely different from what I am used, and the food is something I have never experience before. Sometimes, I also like to experience something other than western or eastern European culture and art. I prefer traveling to the jungle in South America (Brazil and Peru), or Thailand, (I want to go to Vietnam) I have been to several places in the Fiji Islands, Madagascar, and now I will be trekking through the Andean Mountains this New Year’s. I have been in Colombia and some parts of Africa people would consider dangerous. <BR>So just to let you know, I agree with you, and yes I think people in this forum do not want to address the issue. <BR>

Hi: <BR> <BR>In my experience there are three types of people when it comes to travel. More a mentality really (and mentalities CAN change with some gentle nudging): <BR> <BR>1. Let's stay home (or stay in the familiar) <BR>2. Travel means uncertainty so go in a group organized by others who will lead us around. <BR>3. Travel is education as well as pleasure - broaden my horizons and I will be better for it. <BR> <BR>Fodorites, IMHO, are #3, thank God for Fodorites. <BR> <BR>Kaufman