Interesting article on backpackers and the culture - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**marc873** · 02-07-2007, 05:01 PM

So this is a very long article, but quite interesting. I agree with a lot, and humor at other parts. Overall, I thought it was good. Check it out

**marc873** · 02-07-2007, 05:04 PM

Oh yeah, here it is, stoner moment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backpacking_%28travel%29

**SuDz** · 02-07-2007, 05:49 PM

Cool writeup. I think they hit most points.

SuDZ

**florencia9699** · 02-08-2007, 04:31 AM

I had never thought of us as having our own culture.... I loved that!

**BigE** · 02-08-2007, 05:39 AM

I love this:

"The factual accuracy of this article is disputed.
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page."

Very interesting article about backpackers.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 02-08-2007, 05:56 AM

Interesting article, but I found all of the back and forth in the 'Talk' section even more interesting. There was a huge back and forth over whether a discussion on anti-americanism should be included in the article.

**joe7f** · 02-08-2007, 03:24 PM

I checked that out Jaime, that is a lot more interesting than the article

I ran across anti-American attitudes in a few places but even people that didn't like the states, never really held it against me.

I think it is odd that the article suggests people do not identify as being a citizen of a particular country when in every hostel, that was the first thing you learned about someone. Especially the Canadians

--Joey

**aliz** · 02-08-2007, 06:28 PM

i was wondering what you americans thought about this article... cause based on my travel experiences, I would agree with it as i met mostly canadians and other australians while backpacking, and hardly any americans. yet so many tpunks are americans so i know there must be some american backpackers out there...

**marc873** · 02-08-2007, 06:32 PM

sadly

The only american backpackers I know are on Tpunk. I have met them traveling, but the people I meet on average in my city, don't travel more than 4-5 hours away. I try to tell them to expand there horizons, then they start talking about taking a cruise then. Thats where I loose interest in the conversation.

**joe7f** · 02-08-2007, 07:19 PM

I met Americans traveling but it was definitely not proportionate. Ironically, I think we are probably disproportionately represented on Tpunk.

I think the biggest contributing factor to deciding to backpack is knowing someone who did it also (or will do it with you). In my case, my father did this back when he was 23. When I tell people what I get the feeling they are more perplexed as to how I can do that rather than why I would. When I say, that it costs about 1000 Euros a month to travel (excluding the flight) people are surprised and then think about doing it themselves.

Traveling is both addictive and contagious.

--Joey

**LiveFreeorDie** · 02-09-2007, 06:02 AM

I don't know, I have run into Americans every where I go. Not a ton, but they have not been non-existent either. I also haven't run into extreme anti-American attitudes. People will generally share their views on GW or the war, and that's fine. Most people I meet generally seem to accept me as an individual and on my personal merits, regardless of whether I am American or not (which I am). One problem is that many Americans are so sensitive about what they perceive as criticism that a harmless comment can send them over the edge and suddenly, 'everyone' is anti-American. Some people need to lighten up.

I also disagree with that passage about people not identifying strongly with a country. I think backpackers are notorious for maintaining national identies and tending to stick with others of their own country, Canadians in particular (as noted above:D ). This is a generalization, but one which you will see played out again and again. I also think, however, that these types tend to be newbies. I think the more hardcore 'packers and travelers, ones who do it over and over again, leave that behind and do become much less nationalistic, more independent and will socialize/hang out with anyone and everyone. I think it's the travel that does that to them. As discussed in other threads, continued exposure to travel changes you and makes you feel a little more communal with people and places far from your own country and less tied to your own country/way of life.

**Delaney** · 02-09-2007, 09:22 AM

I am American and lots of my friends are travelers as well. I don't know if its the company I keep or if it is just becoming more popular. Most people I know from college either studied abroad or went on backpacking trips when we graduated. Some have gone back for more, 2 or 3 more trips!

I haven't traveled in Europe since before GW took office, but in Australia, I had no anti-American sentiments thrown my way at all. I did have a few people ask me about the war and GW and I was honest. I said that I am sad he represents our country and I definitely did not vote for him, but that doesn't mean I am not proud of my fellow citizens. It is easy to complain here because I really do hate W but abroad I didn't want to bash my own country. So I had a hard time expressing my opinion while still supporting the States. Wow, I am rambing. Sorry!