Comments on: Stupid Travel Arguments (And Why We Should Stop Having Them)

By: makrotantalo

makrotantalo — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:27:35 +0000

Great article, Jessica. As a former sniffy backpacker-turned-tourist, er… as a former sniffy tourist turned tourist… er.. as a rollerpack convert, er…as someone who has braved at least one package holiday.. er as someone who is just as sick of all the non-argument arguments about what consitutes a ‘true’ traveller this comes as a timely reminder for us to move on and explore the real issues of travel.

By: Jeanie99

Jeanie99 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:33:10 +0000

There is always going to be differences in peoples views of travel, if something is getting into a heated argument just let it go life is too short.

By: Mikeachim

Mikeachim — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:21:12 +0000

Lovely stuff. And your conclusion nails it: it’s not so much the “arguments” (ie. differences of opinion that should be shared, not used as sticks to hit each other with)…it’s the bores that bang on about Right and Wrong. They are words that turn discussions into arguments, by introducing some ludicrous standard of objectivity that everyone should conform to.

Also – the day that everyone agrees on how to travel is the day I do the exact opposite of what they suggest. The bores polarize me: like when your parents tell you not to do something, and that Something becomes 80,000% more attractive as a prospect for mischief. So not only do stupid arguments unconvince me, they make me feel super-contrary. Fail piled upon fail.

By: alistaircw

alistaircw — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:20:19 +0000

Nice post, Jessica. The online travel space reminds me of the travel brinksmanship you sometimes get on the road. ie, My experiences are bigger than yours. There’s no set way to travel and everyone should be free to explore at their own pace according to their own interests!

By: Pelke

Pelke — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:13:38 +0000

I like your point about package travel being the “gateway drug” to independent travel. That was the case for me. I would have never taken my first overseas trip if it hadn’t been for the comfort of doing someone else was taking care of the details. Once I experienced that, I realized it was something I absolutely could do on my own and now I do. But, without that first package tour, I’d probably still be sitting at home.

By: Italofile

Italofile — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:02:14 +0000

Hey Jessica,

Great post. Hope your mood improves in time to enjoy the rest of the week…just kidding!

On a smaller scale, this discussion reminds me of the “cappuccino” argument in Italy. More about that here: http://www.italofile.com/2007/07/27/eat-the-cannoli-drink-the-cappuccino/

See you in the twitterverse/blogosphere!

Melanie
http://www.italofile.com

By: Frank Goddard

Frank Goddard — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:21:20 +0000

Well, I was going to take a trip, but now I am so stressed out that I might “do it wrong” I guess I will just stay home and turn on the Travel Channel.

By: Authentic Seacoast Resorts

Authentic Seacoast Resorts — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:43:17 +0000

Great article. We think the issue here is all about having respect for one another. Travel is about hospitality. And hospitality starts with respect for another person. Thank you for encouraging others to have respect for one another as they explore our planet.

By: Jessica Spiegel

Jessica Spiegel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:30:01 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Scritch, and I agree. Someone pointed out on Twitter this morning (with regard to this article) that debates on these topics are fun – it’s when they turn into arguments that I find them unnecessary.

I’m sure there was a time when any of these topics could have been discussed at length without someone getting bent out of shape about it… But somehow the mere mention of some of them nowadays brings out the worst in people at the very start.

By: Scritch

Scritch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:22:39 +0000

Definitely well-balanced, and a fair point, but I’d like to point out (or at least reiterate) that there’s a distinction between arguing and evangelizing about a subject, and discussing it.

Inevitably, we will hold different opinions on a topic, and if the discussion is even-handed and non-judgmental, you can even learn something from a point-of-view you disagree with. An insight that never crossed your mind before. You might even change your mind (although this is easier to swallow if the other person isn’t pushing the exchange with exactly that as their goal.)

Personally, I enjoy the hell out of talking about luggage, or why I had a great time on the Fat Tire bike tour but decided to prowl Monmarte on my own, or whether or not you should bring a laptop, and when.

In recent discussions on the boards, I feel like these “arguments” begin with someone taking a comment too personally, or when an opinion hits too close to home, and they lash out defensively, causing the original author to retaliate… and then you have an argument.

So much as this article points out, it’s in “arguments that pit one traveler against another, and are designed solely to make one person feel better at the expense of someone else.” Which isn’t the same as holding an opinion, or disagreeing with your peers, but involves the respect you treat the “other” with.

Just adding my own thoughts on the subject because I often see this impatience with common topics turn into a backlash against those who simply voice an unpopular opinion, instead of just against those interested in breaking others down to make themselves feel better. And if we throw bile back at those individuals, we’re as much as part of the problem, too.