IMO there is nothing more boring than someone droning on and on about their trip and showing you a bunch of photos...even though for the person dpoing the droning it was truly fabulous.

This is the reason why I never talk about our own trips unless someone specifically asks for information or to see the pictures.

I've never been shunned but I know who would be interested in my travels and who would not. I do notice I tend not to talk about my travels unless asked because it feels like bragging. I have few friends that travel as far or as often as I do.
On the receiving end- I like to hear about family, friends and co-workers trips and I like to look at their photos. Some people take nice pictures. I learn from their experiences. Like I do all of yours

Somewhere on one of the Fodor forums, someone quoted a famous person re travel, the gist of which was that:

Someone who's not interested in travel (either their own or others') is akin to someone content to read only the first page of a book, numerous times over.

I can't understand eating tofu, either, but I guess I must be tolerant of those who do. (it's hard)

I won't show my pictures unless specifically asked nor will I even discuss our trips unless some type of interest is shown.

I recently had the experience of saying something about our trip from the Black Sea to the North Sea and had a supposedly educated adult ask where that was.

We had a friend say,"Isn't Slovakia near Turkey?"

Can't say that I've been "shunned", but have definitely come across friends less than interested. I've even had co-workers page through my photo/scrapbooks without looking at one item in them all the while talking about what was happening to them while I was away. I just smile. Life goes on. They are trying to be polite.

When people ask how my vacation was, I answer it was "Great", "Fine", "Terrific", whatever and wait for them. If they wish to ask question or carry it further, I'll provide a few more details. If not, I'll drop it. I'll usually bring my photo/scrapbook into work for a few days after coming back to work, and if anyone is interested in looking at it, hey it's right over there - help yourself. I don't push it.

I'm not always interested in their stuff, I don't expect them to be just as interested in mine.

As far as other's vacations? Love to hear about them. And yeah, I even like detail. Well, perhaps I can skip DisneyWorld. I love looking at photos, but quite frankly? A lot of people do really boring stuff with photos and that's a shame. They take LOTS of landscape pictures (really, exactly how many times did you need to capture that specific tree??? And exactly what is it??) or - EGADS! - architecture photos, especially in Europe. (Okay....my guess is that it's a church. But where, and which one, and why did you take 20 shots of the same door and include them all!?!?!) I find shots of people more interesting - especially of the people who actually went on the vacation. Now, my friend in front of the tree that was somehow so fascinating, or standing in the doorway of that church that is somewhere in the French countryside that must of meant something to some one.

Okay, enough rambling, as I'm sure I've made my own blunders!

If you are really being "shunned" I'm wondering if that "great" vacation is sounding a little too "great" in the re-telling..and yes, i am certain you are not the "bragging kind."

But do they also "shun" you when you get back from a "not so great" vacation or are those the ones you never talk about?

I agree with those who only elaborate on any vacation if, and only if genuine interest is shown..and even then the whole conversation has to be somewhat carefully controlled sometimes.

Possible reasons:
1. Friends are used to having more or less 2-way conversations and so aren't expecting to become passive audience for a report. You've had a significant experience and want to process and share it, proportionately to how big it is in your life. They, on the other hand, aren't really expecting to have the give-and-take of routine chitchat interrupted by a long "and then we...and then we... and then we..." session where they listen and you talk. For them, it's an interruption in your customary 50-50 sharing, and can be off-putting. I usually start my return-home conversations with "tell me what's been going on with you while we were away," and then I see if they get to the "now tell me about your TRIP!" part. If not, it'll be a waste of breath for me to even try to share.

2. They don't have your money or means and resent what feels like having their nose rubbed in what you can afford to do and they can't.

3. They've never traveled, have narrow horizons, and can't imagine the appeal.

4. You didn't bring them a present.

5. While you were gone, they got fired.

6. You talk about the places you've been as if no one else has ever been there before and it's up to you to introduce them to what is missing in their life.

jorr -- don't take the "you" in any of these as personally addressed to you, specifically -- just generic speculation.

The remedy? Save chatter about the trip to those who love travel -- for instance, other Fodorites!

We love to travel, but, frankly, most people's vacation "adventures" are pretty boring after about 5 minutes--"Then we went here and we saw this and it was beautiful or disappointing or expensive or ..., and they eat this or that and it is better than anything in the USA or the most disgusting stuff I ever tasted..., and driving was easy or horrible..., and the weather was rainy, sunny, perfect, horrible..., and and... .

Most vacation photo collections are dreadful static shots of buildings and mountains not half so good as what you can see on the Travel Channel, Public Television, the National Geographic Channel, or a nice coffee table book.

What really was exciting and interesting for the traveler is usually boring and tedious for those who get it second-hand.

Going thru it right now after our Chicago trip.

I thought my friends would be tickled pink for me when I got to meet and get my picture with one of my late Father's football heroes in Chicago.
Oh well.....time to win the $300mil+ Powerball and buy and island.

I'd make an excellent hermit.

..oh....and when I did work in a large office, when I got back I'd post a sign outside my office:

1: It was very nice.
2: It was too short.
3: The Weather was nice
4: Oh really?
5: Thanks....it's great to be back.

Kal -- I'm tickled pink about your trip to Chicago -- whom did you run into? Did you perhaps eat at Ditka's and see him? Tell me more. (I'm totally serious -- I love to hear stuff like that)

I forgot about this post. I actually have a friend who is in a bit of a snit with me apparently. She asked about any forthcoming vacation plans and I casually mentioned a very possible trip I would have next year, probably in May. Immediately I heard the coldness in her voice along with some irritation, jealousy or whatever.

Kal, isn't is "fun", NOT, to have something wonderful to share and then to find out that no one is interested? Win the lottery, buy an island and become a hermit. Sounds good to me

I hope when you have time you will give us a trip report. I too would love to hear about your trip to Chicago! Take care.

My husband and I just booked our first trip to Africa for a safari and we are beyond thrilled. So, when our friends asked us that night at dinner "what's new?", I told them. Their response was "yuck, dirty animals and tents-- not our thing.", and proceeded to order a CALIFORNIA ROLL at Nobu 57. So, i guess it depends on who you are trying to share your trip with. If I had said we were going to the Ocean Club in the Bahamas or Bellagio in Vegas, then they would have been all ears because that is the type of trip that they enjoy. Different strokes.

Hi bugswife, I believe you are correct. This particular friend has only been to Europe once and they spent the entire three weeks at Costa del Sol (think that is the correct name) in Spain. They didn't see anywhere else in Spain, they just stayed at the condo, beach and visited with all of the other tourist. Yes, different strokes indeed. Take care!

people who believe other people should be fascinated by their travels have huge egos and have get over theirselves. I couldn't imagine anyone liking me to talk about where I've gone. The only time I comment on where I've gone (usually 5 minutes tops) is if it is local and people don't think there is anywhere to go in the area and it is something they could actually enjoy one weekend.

To people who love travel, the whole experience can be so special and amazing that we want to share it with others so they can experience it too, but it really is hard to recreate the emotional experience, so most discussions about travel become factual recitations - that can get pretty tiresome.

When I go on a great trip, and people ask me about it, I try to keep it short and high level - something about a location that I didn't expect or that was exceptionally wonderful. But I won't get into details unless people really ask detailed questions. I love to travel, but I have to confess that some people's stories can get boring quickly.

> 1: It was very nice.
> 2: It was too short.
> 3: The Weather was nice
> 4: Oh really?
> 5: Thanks....it's great to be back.

Kal, what a great idea. Just think of the billions of saved hours every year, if everyone who went on vacation posted this sign on their offices and cubicles.

I think I'd make the following changes:

1: Thanks, it was great.
2: Yes it was too short.
3: The weather was nice.
4: Oh really?
5: No.

If everyone who came back from a vacation posted this sign outside their offices and cubicles we'd save billions of man-hours every year.

stephanie - that is a pretty blanket statement. i love to hear about other people's vacations and give them my undivided attention. you never know what you will learn from other folk's experiences--good and bad. i would think that if a friend asked what was new with me & i replied that i had booked a trip, that they just might show a little interest. not because i have an ego, but because that is what friends do. but then on the other hand i have friends that don't give a hoot about what i have done on my trips until THEY take the same trip and want all my notes, books and maps.

Steph,
Huge egos on Fodor's!!!!
I'll alert the media!!!
What next? There's gambling at Rick's?

This from the gal who defends The Pitt to the death?

fdeccarlo,
Maybe a sign designed by Fodor's??
Maybe we can get a Fodor's pin that says "Ask me about my vacation"?

Worse than people who could care less about your travels are people who ask me or Mrs Kal "How can you afford all of these trips"?

We still haven't figger'd out exactly how to take that one?