VonVan

Most solo traveler posts are from women - why is that?

Is the Fodors population predominantly female?
Do men not travel solo as frequently?
Do men simply not ask for directions?
Are women more concerned about personal safety?

My guess is that men make solo trips, they just don't post their questions.
(Years ago, a friend and I encountered a charming man on a flight to LHR;
he was just going for a few days to see some plays.
We thought he was quite sophisticated.)

adrienne

I've met and seen far more women traveling solo than men. The ratio is probably 50:1.

My guess is that women are more self sufficient than men and far more adventurous.

StCirq

I agree with adrienne. Men, if they travel solo, don't ask many questions (they hardly ever ask for directions, for one thing).

greg

Although I have not seen hard statistics, I felt that single travelers are predominantly females. Within the circle of acquaintances I managed to ask why men don't travel, they cited no curiosity in things outside their own community. Their view is that one can see France, Germany, etc, on TV screens. Women seem to want to experience first hand.

Even if I look at typical group tours, women are usually the majority, not necessarily because of the age, but if asked why husbands did not come, the answer was invariably they were not interested in foreign trips.

My suspicion is that the no curiosity argument is just a cover excuse. I suspect that the real reason men don't want to travel abroad is that they are afraid to be seen as helpless and inept in foreign countries.

genio67

I think there might also be a generational difference as well. Many younger men (my definition of "younger" seems to be changing but for this purpose I will say under 50) seem more comfortable traveling alone. This is especially true of men in their 20's and 30's who are single. They seem to have no issue traveling solo and do it regularly. As far as men who don't have any desire to travel as they can see it all on TV, well luckily I can say I don't know many (if any) men who say that sort of thing. My friends, co-workers etc travel regularly and enjoy it. I might be wrong about this but I feel like most men in NYC enjoy foreign travel (many do it for work as well) and do it regularly (as finances allow) or at least the people I associate with do.

Bamaman

It's simple. The traveling women are widows. Men have a shorter life span.

If there were more traveling gentlemen, maybe the traveling single ladies wouldn't be single much longer.

When one is a world traveler, it's very difficult to stay at home very long if you're mentally and physically capable of travel. You've got to have something to look forward in life.

Seamus

IMHO we guys who enjoy solo travel just do it without making a big deal, don't fret about the thread count of the linens in our accommodations or how to dress, where to shop, and are content to eat rather than dine.

joannyc

Seamus says it all.

justineparis

When I was 23 back in early 80s.. my friend and I travelled around Europe for three months.

We met far far many more women our ages travelling, either with a friend or solo.

On forums ( this and others) I have on occasion seen postings by mothers and adult daughters.. I don't think I have seen a father and adult son,, I have seen two sisters.. and groups of girls.. and once in a while I will see posts by two young men travelling together but there are far more women travellers from what I have observed.

PatrickLondon

Maybe more men trust to looking things up for themselves rather than ask for other peoples' opinions and advice?

"I'll understand this damn manual if it's the last thing I do......." (which may explain all those travelling widows).

Dukey1

Obviously a woman posting here is not going to have met more men traveling solo than women. If she had she would never admit to it for obvious reasons.

And yes, the Fodors population is very much predominantly female and in more ways than one, too. One of them got married and still refers to the married partner as "my SO."

sparkchaser

Men don't need to feel reassured that traveling alone is OK?

Maybe men don't think they need help planning a trip (or asking for directions)?

sparkchaser

For the record, I travel solo sometimes on a mancation.

sparkchaser

It just occurred to me that men like to leap before they look. I can't tell you how many times I waltzed right into a situation that if I had been more "alert" that I would have avoided. It's amazing I am still alive.

kovsie

...One of them got married and still refers to the married partner as "my SO." ...

Dukey, just to show that I am not a man - please explain to me what SO is. I am still learning the language. Have worked out OP and ttt and DD/DS and even HOHO. Recently I have also discovered PITA

But SO?

sparkchaser

Significant Other

colduphere

Men want to ask a specific question and get a specific answer. Around here the answers are too often long winded criticisms of the question.

No thanks.

adrienne

<< Obviously a woman posting here is not going to have met more men traveling solo than women. If she had she would never admit to it for obvious reasons. >>

I've been interested in this demographic for years, that's why I qualified my response with "met and seen." During my few group trips there have been a more equal number of men and women on their own but I don't consider escorted trips as traveling solo. Nor are people traveling with family or friends solo travelers.

This forum is not indicative of the number of men and women who travel on their own as I believe it's more likely that a woman will write a trip report on her solo travels or post a question about what to wear, where to eat, where to stay, and about safety.

BKP

I agree with Patrick.

<<Maybe more men trust to looking things up for themselves rather than ask for other peoples' opinions and advice?>>

When I plan our travel I check here, trip advisor, travel blogs, friends, movies, (fictional) books etc.
When my husband plans he might check trip advisor to get the names of hotels or restaurants but then he usually just goes to their websites to make a decision. I don't understand why he would trust a business's own website to be truthful but he doesn't understand why I would trust strangers on the internet to be clever or unbiased.

sparkchaser

He's being naive.

I tend to research the h-e-double hockey sticks out of an upcoming trip if I have never been to that local before. I don't want any unpleasant surprises.