[Zardon]

This is a question I am just asking to our USA guys on the site. I lived for a while in the USA and quite a few people I knew said they had never travelled outside the states and many said they had no urge to do so with one guy even saying "why travel outside the states when there is so much I haven't seen here?"

What are your views on seeing the world? waste of time? no interest? wanting to see more?

[Callandor]

loflies

well i'm a Canadian who grew up with alot of Americans along with people from every other nation, it was pretty ill.

[MythicaL]

It's not really a waste of time and money to see what else is out there, because you honestly don't know, and it's impossible to judge other countries until you've actually been there for extended period of time. I believe people not wanting to visit outside the country are most likely afraid of culture shock or simply do not have the funds to do so.

[Cow_160483]

No offense to our American DH members but generally most Americans are content to be in their little corner of the world and remain ignorant as to the rest of the planet and what there is to explore on it sad really as there is a lot to see out here

[Callandor]

lol dawgx is an american or his cousins are or his brothers loflewafflecakes loflies lol

[OldBuzzard]

Originally Posted by Zardon

... "why travel outside the states when there is so much I haven't seen here?" ...

There is a certain validity about that. The US does cover a large area, and we do have a very wide range of geographical areas...mountains, deserts, plains, etc. So in some ways you can understand that attitude.

However there is something to be said about visiting other countries as well. Different cultures and places of historical importance, etc.

I've not traveled a lot. I've been to visit our northern cousins, and was really impressed with the maritimes, and the people.

I spent just a couple of days in the Bahamas on a cruise, and I would like to return some day for a longer stay.

I also spent some time in the Philippines when I was in the USAF. I was pretty young then, and probably didn't take as much advantage of seeing more of the P.I. as I should have, but I did get away from Clark AB, and out into the countryside to see the REAL Filipino's, as opposed to the pimps, prostitutes, and scam artists that congregated in Angeles City, just outside the gates. There was a world of difference between the two.

[Tyrsonswood]

Never have traveled out of the US and probably never will. The reason for that statement is I've never even had the money or time for a vacation let alone world travel. Now that my body is giving out the time is there, but there's even less money.............


Add to this no birth certificate and getting a passport becomes impossible.


Maybe next life......

[dawgXdenta]

Originally Posted by Callandor

lol dawgx is an american or his cousins are or his brothers loflewafflecakes loflies lol

Love drove my uncle thousands of kilometres out of the US to the wild of the world ,gotta respect the man.

[dawgXdenta]

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

Never have traveled out of the US and probably never will. The reason for that statement is I've never even had the money or time for a vacation let alone world travel. Now that my body is giving out the time is there, but there's even less money.............


Add to this no birth certificate and getting a passport becomes impossible.


Maybe next life......

I feel you Tyrson i just traveled to the middle east, and it set me back quite a bit especially since I dont have a 9-5 career Job, and I dont think I ever will, every buck i earn will be From my own sweat For my own sweat.

But you should really think about it, I consider travelling, spending at least more than a month with the people of another country to soak in the culture.
I dont think pretty buildings constitute enough of a cultural experience.

[Dark Lord]

does going to canada for a few hours count? never had the money to do it, nor do i have much of an urge for vacationing or site seeing.

[Vikingod]

I've not traveled much lately (it's very expensive to bring 3 kids anywhere outside the US), but in my younger-youth, I spent some time in Brazil. There was a fair amount of culture shock, but I didn't just spend time in the cities, so that's expected. I saw things ranging from wholly beautiful to downright terrifying (really terrifying), and I am glad I did. It was amazing and I wouldn't give my experiences away for anything.

I miss having the ability to travel, but definetly want to do so when my children are older and money isn't such an issue. I have close friends in many parts of the world (China, Europe, Australia, Brazil), and plan to visit all these places some day.

I have heard the "why go anywhere else" remark and believe it means two things:

1)(I believe this to be the most prominent). People are scared to travel to unfamiliar places, with foriegn language, and strange foods. Given the geographic isolation of the US, we are one step removed from these sorts of things when compared to folks from say, Europe. Not that that's an excuse, but I can see where they are coming from.
2) Some people just aren't interested in other cultures. I don't understand this, but find it probably plays along with the fear aspect stated above. Fact is, and this isn't everyone, there are a lot of people in the US (and elsewhere i imagine) that are only interested in what they know.

It can be difficult to travel. It's stressful and expensive. However, I believe if you don't get to see the rest of the world and meet some different people, you are selling yourself short.

[Falstaff]

you know my story Allan....

[SeraphicSorcerer]

I'm a Veteran, I've been many places. I think the attitude goes both ways, there is apprehension on both sides, I find that the UK and Australia absolutely adore us, while the Middle east, and southeast asian countries are very apprehensive of us. Russia is an entirely different matter.

I think that you can learn a lot culturally, but do not forget that attitudes come from both sides, and I have encountered my share of elitist attitudes towards Americans.

[EcPercy]

I am an American and I have been to the following places:

London
England
Denmark
Sweden
Germany
Poland
Venezuela
Cuba
Aruba
Columbia
Puerto Rico
Ireland
Kuwait

I think that people should be willing to travel so that they can see how things are in other countries. I have met too many people that are closed minded and just believe what they see on TV about certain places.

Quick Edit: I want to add that I would like to see the following places:

Thailand
Japan
Israel
Turkey
Egypt
Jerusalem
Russia
Amsterdam
Scotland
Spain
Rome
France
Mexico
Brazil
Alaska
Hawaii
Philippines
Virgin Islands
Africa

[Zardon]

interesting post ed. I see you put both london and england down yet I don't see any other capitals in your post for other countries. Any specific reason for that?

[mike2h]

american here. lived in aus for 12 years, nz for 6 months, stationed in germany for 2 years.hopefully our plans to spend a couple of months in the britsh isles will come to fruition but with finances the way they are...while i completely agree that everybody should travel overseas if possible, what peeps on both sides of the ocean seems to forget is that, aside from mexico, canada & the caribbean, going to other countries is a major undertaking for us. we cant just jump in a car & visit another country or two over a weekend.
the other thing the rest of the world doesnt seem to realise is that this country is very large has many types of terrain/weather/enviroments. we also have many varied sub cultures within this country. while not quite the same as visiting a totally different culture, it is educational.
my experince in my travels is that overall every country is ethnocentic about their particular culture. nothing wrong with this as we should all have pride in our rerspective countries. i just get tired of peeps scomplaining about americans lack of global awareness when most of them suffer from the same problem- u may have more knowledge of what is going on in your respective region as you have several countries within a cpl of days travel(wich would equte to me knowing national news here) but generally most everybody is gnorant of what is going on outside their 'area'. & putting down othere peeps who are on the same level, just different playing field is fairly ignorant imo.
that being said, i believe 100% that everybody needs to be more globally aware.

[temeteus82]

Originally Posted by EcPercy

I am an American and I have been to the following places:

London
England
Denmark
Sweden
Germany
Poland
Venezuela
Cuba
Aruba
Columbia
Puerto Rico
Ireland
Kuwait

I think that people should be willing to travel so that they can see how things are in other countries. I have met too many people that are closed minded and just believe what they see on TV about certain places.

Quick Edit: I want to add that I would like to see the following places:

Thailand
Japan
Israel
Turkey
Egypt
Jerusalem
Russia
Amsterdam
Scotland
Spain
Rome
France
Mexico
Brazil
Alaska
Hawaii
Philippines
Virgin Islands
Africa

WTF?!?!??!


Why there isnt't Finland on your list?!

[dawgXdenta]

Originally Posted by Vikingod

I've not traveled much lately (it's very expensive to bring 3 kids anywhere outside the US), but in my younger-youth, I spent some time in Brazil. There was a fair amount of culture shock, but I didn't just spend time in the cities, so that's expected. I saw things ranging from wholly beautiful to downright terrifying (really terrifying), and I am glad I did. It was amazing and I wouldn't give my experiences away for anything.

I miss having the ability to travel, but definetly want to do so when my children are older and money isn't such an issue. I have close friends in many parts of the world (China, Europe, Australia, Brazil), and plan to visit all these places some day.

I have heard the "why go anywhere else" remark and believe it means two things:

1)(I believe this to be the most prominent). People are scared to travel to unfamiliar places, with foriegn language, and strange foods. Given the geographic isolation of the US, we are one step removed from these sorts of things when compared to folks from say, Europe. Not that that's an excuse, but I can see where they are coming from.
2) Some people just aren't interested in other cultures. I don't understand this, but find it probably plays along with the fear aspect stated above. Fact is, and this isn't everyone, there are a lot of people in the US (and elsewhere i imagine) that are only interested in what they know.

It can be difficult to travel. It's stressful and expensive. However, I believe if you don't get to see the rest of the world and meet some different people, you are selling yourself short.

[dawgXdenta]

Originally Posted by SeraphicSorcerer

I'm a Veteran, I've been many places. I think the attitude goes both ways, there is apprehension on both sides, I find that the UK and Australia absolutely adore us, while the Middle east, and southeast asian countries are very apprehensive of us. Russia is an entirely different matter.

I think that you can learn a lot culturally, but do not forget that attitudes come from both sides, and I have encountered my share of elitist attitudes towards Americans.

Trust me a lot of it is politically charged(media driven overemphasis), people around the world love americans its just A.M.E.R.I.C.A and its politics that are a problem, the way all my siblings jump around when they hear the latest american song, and the way they would flock to see an american actor or musician , where in the world would they not do that?

Very few places in the world would you find a corner where people dont like somthing which is american. Many of those places are where people dont have a voice of their own and have to repeat what goverments say for fear of reprisal i.e China ,North korea.

Undeniably cultural erosion is on a large part due to the AMERICANISATION of the world.
That says a lot about how people love the US but not particularly its politics.
Obama seems to be changing that view however.

[dawgXdenta]

America has a special place in the world and learning a bit more about the world around them by traveling would do all of us some good.

[Wrathbin]

Being the youngest sibling of a military family I never got the chance to travel, I have a brother who was born in holland and my sister who is the oldest traveled all over, my dad retired in 1976 and I have been on my own since I was 18 and am now 42, would I have liked to travel, yes when I was younger, did I have the money, NO! Now I am content on just staying here in the states and hunting, fishing, and riding my Motorcycle.

[EcPercy]

Originally Posted by Zardon

interesting post ed. I see you put both london and england down yet I don't see any other capitals in your post for other countries. Any specific reason for that?

naw. no real reason for that. lol

[Callandor]

This whole earth, in its entirety, is beautiful, everything on this globe is greatly and immensly beautiful.

[dawgXdenta]

Originally Posted by Callandor

This whole earth, in its entirety, is beautiful, everything on this globe is greatly and immensly beautiful.

Callandor's Zen moment

[Callandor]

haha man yea its crazy , hi, my name is callandor, and i like to play -games- lolololvfliesloflecakelofle

[OmegaRED]

I'm Canadian and barely have traveled outside the country, only been across the border a couple of times. Everyone should travel abroad eventually though I find the trendiness of young people going overseas and blowing through every country like it's a shopping spree just so they can act "worldly" even though they never learned about the culture and have nothing to show except a million pics of themselves posing in front of landmarks.

[Judas]

i've been in the general same 50 km radias all my life.... if it's even that wide....

i've barely spent any time over the borders of provinces.....

would be interested in seeing some of the aztec and egyptian places....

[mike2h]

next time u r abducted by aliens have em do a drive buy

and travel of planet & kicking it with various aliens does count judas, dont be so modest

[Judas]

i think your confusing me with another dh member....

[Zelig]

I'm Canadian, never been outside of North America, quite well travelled across Canada and the US though. I'm still pretty young, after I finish university and actually have some money, I'd love to see the world.

Originally Posted by Judas

i've been in the general same 50 km radias all my life.... if it's even that wide....

Geez, Driverheaven needs to send you some plane tickets instead of more computer hardware.