Travel Snobs - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**lilwings** · 07-30-2007, 07:03 AM

Travel Snob. That's what my dear husband called me the other day.

I was going on and on about some chick I heard raving about the one whole day she spent in Belize City because that's where her Carnival Cruise ship docked. She was ranting about the zip line tours through the jungle, the crazed rushed tours through the ruins, and the glorious shopping. She said that Belize was the greatest part of the trip. It had started innocently enough. I was telling a group of military spouses (a unique bunch in their own right) about my coming dive trip to the Belizian cayes and how I had heard from an online source about the ruins inland (thank you WWM), and she launched into the 'cruise ship' stories.

This started a mad hour of cruise ship talk between all these ladies that made me want to wretch (which would have been unique, considering I'd eaten Thai for lunch). In my defense, I was greatly out numbered, so I did what anyone would do... I went on the backpacker offensive.

I guess calling them "floating air conditioned necropolises" might have been harsh.

In my haste, I have been known to call Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel a 'freak.' I have also been known to roll my eyes at the mention of MWR (Military Moral Welfare and Recreation) Tours who's soul purpose is to take drooling military wives stationed in Germany to Poland ONLY for the pottery and Czech ONLY for the crystal. Don't even get me started on the couple I met in Venice who were huffing over the horrible Italian food in Italy, and how much better Americans make it.

When did I become such a cynical bitch? I think it was right about the time I heard about the Starbucks in the Forbidden City.

I attempted to assure my darling husband that I was not a travel snob. Then he brought up the 'website.'

'Oh, you know. That website. The one that you always check out for travel ideas and stuff. Travel Snobs.com,' he joked.

Are we Snobs about travel or are we just conniseurs? And what makes us so different from the rest of the world?

**florencia9699** · 07-30-2007, 07:42 AM

Funny... I was thinking that that woman who breezed though Belize on her 2hs-on-dock-tour and bragged all about it was a snob.

But that's just me!

**IDDQD** · 07-30-2007, 08:14 AM

I think we just need to remember that not everyone wants what we want. Most of us on here seek adventure. Some people get their fill in their day-to-day lives and want to be taken care of when they travel.

My mom and step-dad can fly anywhere in the world whenever they want for taxes only because my sister works for Air Canada. Know where their first stop is? Prince Edward Island.
Not Egypt, South America, Asia, or even outside the country. I can guarantee a dive trip would be very very low on their list. Its just not appealing to either of them. They want somewhere quiet, close and predictable.
They go on vacation to get a break from the every day adventure of life. Some people want to be on a big boat with drinks on hand and someone else to guide and make the plans. And i dont think theres anything wrong with that.

**joe7f** · 07-30-2007, 08:19 AM

As with most hobbies there tend to be snobs at both ends of the spectrum.

Some people, such as the cruising crowd you mentioned, only want a complete pampering. The sole mark of how much they like the trip is the accomodations. If it isn't 5 stars it isn't worth going. They don't want to blend into the local culture, understand the local language, or eat the local food. I suggested that a local group of recent graduates book a hostel in New York and you would have thought I had three heads by their response. "Umm..yeah...YOU.. can book a hostel, we'll book a hotel" Spoken by someone who has never experienced that instant commraderie that a common room inspires.

Then there are other people that only backpack to odd places and look down on people who consider Western Europe exotic. If they aren't hitchhiking in Bulgaria they aren't happy. Paris? Please! If your foreign language is a little rusty it is as if shouldn't even try. Ask them about the greatest cities in the world and it reads like a deliberate guide to obscuresville. They think you should start your international travel in Kiev, not London, dismissing that great city as the backpacking equivalent of training wheels.

I like to think I am somewhere between those. I would love to take a cruise (but I would like to get out and see the locality and the bars catering to foreigners) and I also enjoy getting out in the middle of nowhere, or at least, trying to go somewhere where tourists aren't teeming.

To me the real snobs are people who look down on someone's travel plans just because it isn't their cup of tea. There are lots of ways to see this world and there is room for all of us

--Joey

Btw, I agree with the American couple in Venice, the food I ate there was horrible (and I tried to get off the beaten path as much as I could). Now Naples and Rome on the other hand

**mbo108** · 07-30-2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

And what makes us so different from the rest of the world?

We're better than them.

Just kidding. All the smart people who already commented did a great job so I was left to leave a wise-ass remark. Sorry about that.

**Canadian Bacon** · 07-30-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe7f

To me the real snobs are people who look down on someone's travel plans just because it isn't their cup of tea. There are lots of ways to see this world and there is room for all of us

WOW, Joe... I agree with you 100%. This thought has always been rolling around the back of my mind...

And yeah, I have friends who do not want to do the hostels thing - but they do NOT understand how fun it can be? I mean.... why the hell WOULD you want to stay in a hotel? (unless you're on business or with a girl)

**lauren313** · 07-30-2007, 09:32 AM

I agree with a lot of what's already been said I guess, especially about there being snobs at both ends of the spectrum.

Pretty much my whole life, I grew up having holidays with my parents to the typical places you would expect for a British family - Spain, Greek Islands, the Canary Islands, etc. That's what I was used to growing up, and I still really enjoy having holidays like that. I like staying in hotels, being close to the beach, not doing much all day, and just having a week or two away from it all.

On the flip side, I also like staying in hostels, lugging a backpack around, and trying to cram in seeing as much of a city as I can in the time I have.

My travels would never be considered particularly "exotic". This year, I'm going on a weeks holiday to Italy, and for the first time ever, I'm staying at a hotel on a half-board basis. I'm sure travel snobs would probably weep at the very thought.

I just think that people should let everyone else get on with what they want to do. I'd LOVE to go on a cruise, and if that were to be the only opportunity I'd have to go to some far flung places, I'd take it, as I'd rather go somewhere for a couple of hours than never go there at all.

It's important to remember that not everyone feels comfortable going to a new city without some sort of guide with them, so perhaps a cruise or an escorted trip is the only option for seeing new places.

Blah, I rambled.

**millmuff** · 07-30-2007, 09:32 AM

The funny thing about traveling is that two people can go to the same spot and have a completely different point of view. It depends on the person, what year they went, the season....so many things can change your perspective.

I aslo have a tough time listening to people sum up a city or a culture after a few hours. On the other hand if you've been to a place for a few weeks (which is a regular amount of time for most travelers) you may know more than someone who has been there for a few hours but you really don't know the whole picture.

Its always good to get info about a place before you go, but by no means should you take someone elses experience and let it be your only frame of reference. Obviously like most people in these forums I think you just need to have an open mind when you travel. Just laugh it off when you hear people talking out of there ass.

**MolsonGirl** · 07-30-2007, 09:37 AM

I don't think I've ever read a thread that made me question my opinion more than this one just did... I think I'm a backpacking snob, and then I read Joe's post and realize that I shouldn't be.

Despite the fact that I've never fallen prey to a Contiki "booze, sex, and every city in two days" tour. And also despite the fact that when I do go to cities I try to get off the beaten path as much as possible... I still hit all the major points. I do seem to be stuck on the typical backpacking circle of cities. I've never done any crazy places where there are really no hostels you just have to politly ask a villager if you can stay in their home for a nominal fee... I've never been REALLY off the beaten track... and to be honest.. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to even attempt it...

I am a snob in the fact that I HATE all inclusives, and cruises (unless I'm working on one of them) I also don't get the private rooms at hostels if I can help it...

But in the end I think I'm pretty tame and should re-consider my snob status

**Diorama** · 07-30-2007, 10:44 AM

haha great post!

I am a total travel snob. I've actually been called that on occasion. I think it has to do with working in the Vancouver tourism industry for so long.

Year after year I have to help these tourists that are going on their Alaskan Cruise. They are just so typical. The definiton of a Alaska Cruise tourist is: Lots of Hair spray, Track suit wearing, A tad (or a lot) overweight, travelling with a huge family, only want american style restaurant for dinner (nothing exotic god forbid), loud...oh so freakin loud, did I mention crazy poofy hair...I basically just shutter thinking about being stuck on a boat with them. It's the easy man way to travel. Transfers etc... are all laid out. Bother the hotel concierge (me!) about what to see/do...So easy for them!

I also really really don't understand the all inclusive holiday..I can't think of anything worse then gorging yourself on food buffets for seven days. And laying in the sun while melanoma is eating away at you..

So yes I am a travel snob! But I do understand what Joe is saying..I understand that people are content having a 1 week all inclusive vacation..And who knows maybe it will happen to me in 10 years..Maybe I will be tired of hostels and want to treat myself to a nice beach resort where I can get all the pina coladas I want! Although WWM has inspired me so hopefully not!

Interesting post!

**maracle** · 07-30-2007, 11:03 AM

Joe summed it up really well I think....

But I do think there is a certain small amount of snobbery that is ok. Its one thing to just prefer one style of travel over another. If someone really wants nice accommodations and whatnot thats fine, if its their way of doing things then who I am I to judge?

But there are also plenty of people that aren't even aware of the possbilities out there. They don't even know there is more to Belize than the 2 hour tour from the cruise ship port. I kind of pity those people because even if they wouldn't have chosen to do something exotic in Belize they don't even know if there is something they would like to do.

I wouldn't mind a cruise personally. Sounds relaxing! Lie around all day and stuff yourself on the buffets. But I'm an American with an oppressive 3 weeks of vacation so I don't see myself finding time for that anytime soon! I've been drooling over candian bacon's syria pics actually, maybe it'll be the middle east next year...

**Delaney** · 07-30-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe7f

To me the real snobs are people who look down on someone's travel plans just because it isn't their cup of tea. There are lots of ways to see this world and there is room for all of us

As the others have said, I couldn't agree with Joe more. I think our minds close when we start judging other people's choices, especially in how they travel.

Isn't the reason we love the travel community is the open-mindedness most people share?

**MolsonGirl** · 07-30-2007, 11:50 AM

Of course! But only if that open mindedness matches ours!

Just kidding...

**Esterina** · 07-30-2007, 12:21 PM

I think we are more passionate about travel than most people are, and for that reason we sometimes forget how it is to be a "regular tourist". As in "what? doesn't everyone want to do a rtw trip and live like locals on a $10 daily budget"...

**zmsmith5** · 07-30-2007, 01:21 PM

my parents just got back from a mediterranean cruise and yeah, they were shuttled around and stuff but they also made plans of their own once the ship was docked, like gettin a taxi and going to a specific town that my mother and i had been to before years ago during a high school trip. my only complaint against all-inclusives is that you dont have very much freedom to go and do what you want.

but as for the backpacker snobs who scoff at the beaten path, i have this to say: there is a reason its the beaten path, cause it has all the culturally and historically important sites and experiences when youre traveling. i mean, im not going to Paris to find some out of the way shop that sells the best cheese. im going to paris to see the eiffel tower and the art museums and notre dame!

**expatben** · 07-30-2007, 01:25 PM

I dunno travel is travel. I mean yeah in some places I stay longer but when I do a Eurotrip I know that I will only be spending a day max in some places and longer in others.

**TheJake** · 07-30-2007, 02:12 PM

I am a travel snob. I admit it freely.

I can not stand listening to people babble on about their week in Cabo or Cancun or Costa Rica or Belize or Ensenada or Puerto Vallarta or any other of a million tourist destinations. I started a thread on this awhile back and seemed to get nailed a bit by most of the boards. I think there is a major difference between tourists and travelers. Maybe I got this cynical impression from Anthony Bourdain or maybe I formed this idea long ago but either way it's what I believe.

I just realized that I can compare it to politics.
Tourists = Conservative Republicans
Travelers = Liberals

We both want our way of travel to be the way of travel and we can argue till we are blue in the face but the conservatives are always going to win in the end cause they have all the money.

Sad fact of life.

**lilwings** · 07-30-2007, 02:47 PM

I like this thread. I didn't think it would get much notice because the topic had popped up before (nod to Jake).

I like the fact that everyone has a thing that gets them ticking about a vacation. Some people don't get that much time or cash, and just going anywhere can be enlightning. Joe's right: to each their own desire.

I like the fact that there are amazing things to see that are off the beaten path. I like learning from my trips. I wish I could get to half the places that I read about on this board, but I just don't get the vacation time. At least I can live vicariously through guys like WWM, The Jake, CD, TravelPunk, KCL, and all the International Rabble who hang out here. It's great to read everyone's threads and know that there are people out there doing the very thing that they love.

I did wince a little when one of the cruise crew commented about how she just couldn't see getting excited about seeing Angkor Wat or hiking the Inca Trail. Then again, she has also been known to turn up her nose about going to museums, and said that she secretly wished someone 'would ban that horrible children's book series, Harry Potter, because it's bad for children's imaginations.' She loved Royal Caribbean Cruises though...

**marc873** · 07-30-2007, 03:43 PM

I only look down on cruisers, due to the fact that they typically live up the cheesy tourist stigma. I am annoyed by cruisers, but if thats how they want to travel, at least they won't be in my fucking way! heehee
Travel Snobbery? I call it a travel preference and more of an adventure than your typical suitcase carrying tourist. Throw your pack on and go wander, fuck timelines and tours, but thats just me.

**lilwings** · 07-30-2007, 03:50 PM

We stereotype them all the time. They're 'tourists' and we're 'travellers.' I'm pretty sure they stereotype us too with the image of a grubby backpacker, sleeping in a train station in Germany, craddling a EURAIL pass like a golden ticket, scrounging Euros at the bottom of our packs for breakfast.

Like Bill Bryson says, anytime you venture outside your native area, you're a tourist...

... we backpackers just don't wear the matching nylon track suits and NY Yankees ball caps.