Comments on: Are you a travel bore? Why there’s no excuse in the internet age

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:53:45 +0000

Thanks to all for the good debate. I’m glad I’m not alone As many above have pointed out, our online travel community allows us to share our stories without burdening those who don’t want to know! As you say Natalia, we are all so different, and that’s a good thing.

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:08:47 +0000

It’s true, I used to hate when, as a kid, my uncle brought out the slides from their last vacation. So boring. The downside of the today’s convenience is that we don’t get to experience the excitement that others might have at seeing the photos. Admittedly, this is a small group.

By: Alex Melo

Alex Melo — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:05:04 +0000

Excelent post. When I started travelling (2004) I used to talk to everybody about it, and it was frustrating the feeling that no one would care, or some even acted as if I was just been snob. But that´s ok – today I only talk about travel to those that ask or that I know love it.
And since love reading travel stores, I need to create my own blog to talk about it.

By: Lilliane / wanderlass

Lilliane / wanderlass — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:25:06 +0000

that’s so true about having a willing audience! i love hearing travel stories because i dream of going there someday and/or compare places that we have been to. but there are friends who couldn’t care less much like me caring very little about motherhood, so i understand, haha! and because of the internet and online communities, i found new scuba diving and travel buddies!

By: Natalia

Natalia — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:11:58 +0000

Great post Andy.
What annoys me the most is not the retelling of the stories, but the snobbish attitude by some that if people are not interested in their travel stories, they must be ‘closed minded’ or ‘jealous’ or some such. Well, no, maybe they are just not interested, as they potentially would be if I talked to them about other things that interest me or that I have done, like Opera, or letterpress, or hiking. One of the great joys of a society is that everyone is different, so why should everyone be interested in the same thing. You may feel that travel enriches you, and I believe it does, but some people seem to take it one step further and think it makes them superior, and look down on those who don’t share their view. My advice – lighten up!
(BTW – ‘people’ is not referencing you Andy! I love your attitude).

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:39:26 +0000

Thanks Jackie. I guess it’s a question of relevance – for many people they are more likely to fall off a roof than go to Antarctica. So that story strikes a resonance with them. If you want to share your Antarctica stories you’re welcome to share them here
I had a look at your blog by the way, and enjoyed reading your posts. Sounds like a tough time with the accident. Stay well!

By: Jackie Rose (@letssitoutside)

Jackie Rose (@letssitoutside) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:47:15 +0000

Haha For the most part I have learned to keep my travel adventures to myself, but recently its been hard for me not to talk about last year’s trip to Antarctica. Getting to Antarctica was hard work (saving $$$) and being there was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

It’s true though, most people just aren’t interested. I fell off a roof about three weeks after Antarctica, while traveling in Argentina, and after fifteen months I’m still recovering from a shattered arm and a head injury. At a bar or over dinner when those two experiences come up, Antarctica or the fall, people always want to talk about the fall and I find myself thinking Forget The Fall, I Went To Antarctica, ANTARCTICA!

Most of the time when I travel I do volunteer work with different public health initiatives. I’ve found that socially conscious people who are interested in public affairs, health or development, who haven’t traveled much, are usually most interested to hear me talk about the orphanages in Asia and Africa or the difference in culture between Eastern and Western Europe. In the travel community we seem to enjoy one-upping each other, or I am just one of 1,000,000 who has traveled to Argentina.

Thanks for a great post, I love the last sentence!