TRAVEL SNOBS – HOW YOU CAN AVOID BEING ONE

General Travel, Thoughts 8 Comments

A girl walking away from the camera along the beach, leaving footprints behind her

Travelling the world allows you to encounter a huge variety of people – those in particular that I’m sure you’ve all experienced are the many types of travel snobs…

The people that think they are better than everyone else because of the number of countries they’ve ticked off their list, the people that think that travelling in tours is for losers and that going to the Eiffel Tower is too “touristy”. We’ve all encountered one… Let’s be honest.

So today, I want to give you a few valuable tips that will help you avoid being one of those pretentious travellers; to reduce your traveller ego and simply get down from the traveller’s high horse.

Warning: This topic really gets on my nerve, so please excuse my subtle aggression ?

Don’t discourage others travel choices

My biggest pet peeve in the travel scene is when people wither others for exploring the world in a way that they believe is not “the right way to travel”.

Some people want to travel around SE Asia with nothing but a tiny backpack and bare feet, but that doesn’t mean that every other way of travel is any less important.

Don’t tell people that tours and cruises are only for ‘tourists’

As much as I will continue to argue that Contiki’s are a huge waste of time, I really do think tours are an incredible way to travel!

Having everything planned out for you, and being able to see the major sites for a cheap price is nothing short of amazing – and the same goes for cruises! I do believe that picking the right company is very important to ensure that you spend enough time to truly see a country or destination, but otherwise… If it’s something that interests you, I couldn’t recommend them enough!

Out of the almost 30 countries I’ve visited so far, 3 of those were experienced via organised travel. I don’t want to do them all the time, but would I do it again… Hell yes! Those that discourage this kind of travel simply have an ego too big for their own good.

Don’t argue that travel is only “authentic” when done solo

Solo travel is incredibly fulfilling no doubt, but what’s wrong with experiencing the world with people that you love? Nothing!

I’ve had numerous people ask me if I travel solo, and I frequently feel like I have to explain myself when the answer is often no. It’s ridiculous when I think about it… I’m no less of a ‘traveller’ because I go overseas with other people right?

Exploring the world with a companion is no less life-changing than when done solo… In my eyes anyway!

Don’t have a competition about the number of places you’ve visited

This has happened more times than I can explain; when you start telling a story from your travels and someone tries to top it with something more impressive. Everyone’s experiences around the world are incredibly special; there’s really no need to try and top one another!

Don’t be a hater when people eat western food

We’ve all been in a situation where getting a quick meal from McDonald’s is the easiest option. After a long day of exploring, the thought of having to tackle the language barrier and sit at a restaurant for an hour is not always desirable.

Travel snobs will roll their eyes at you for not eating street food, but in no way does that mean you’ve been a travel fail! It simply means that you want something quick and easy…

Also, eating the same cuisine for an extended period of time gets a little dreary after a while!

Don’t roll your eyes at tourist attractions

“That’s too touristy for me”…

I totally agree that tourism can often damage a countries history and culture, but in places where the landmarks are so iconic (aka. the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Buckingham Palace etc) it would be crazy not to visit. I will admit that I have skipped out on places around the world because they have been totally irrelevant to what the country is really about, or because they could be something that’s anywhere else in the world.

But for the most part, tourist attractions are popular for a very good reason. Wanting to see them is totally understandable!

Don’t indulge in the ridiculous ‘traveller vs tourist’ debate

Let’s be real… They’re both the same thing.

Sure, there are some things that are more “touristy” than others; like walking around in tour group with 30 people and a flag (I’ve been there don’t worry) or wearing an earpiece to hear a local guide (cough-cough, I’ve also done this too)… But hey, a tourist is technically someone that is travelling for pleasure, isn’t that all of us?

If you like to argue this point, I’m sorry to say that you’re officially one of the travel snobs!!

Don’t disrespect people’s choices NOT to travel

Travel is something that I will always encourage, no matter the person or the destination. It’s something that I strongly believe can only ever benefit one’s life and the lives of those around them.

But of course, some people have no interest in travel. It’s completely understandable, and something that travellers must never disrespect. Home is a very special place for a lot of people, not to mention that travel is simply not an option for so many of the world’s population; making people feel bad about not being able to travel is faaaaaaaar from okay.

As much as I believe that exploring the world is the most incredible gift, it’s important to remember that it’s not about how far you go, rather the experiences you create. Getting out of your comfort zone is what changes you the most.

No matter how it’s done, DO encourage people to travel the world

Sure, there are some things that I personally prefer to do when I’m overseas… I encourage everyone to be as sustainable as possible and to be respectful towards other cultures whilst on the road, but that doesn’t make my version any better than the others.

I have a personal style and a way that I strive to see the world, but if you want to go on Contiki, stay in a resort for 2 weeks or spend your whole trip shopping, that’s okay! Instead of making others feel as though they aren’t good enough, we should be praising each other for simply getting out of the house.

As long as all travellers are compassionate, respectful and considerate towards the people and the countries they visit, “the right way to travel” simply doesn’t exist.

love kate X

I’d love to know if you’ve encountered any travel snobs on your adventures? Or maybe you classify yourself as one too? Let me know in the comments below!

[ READ NEXT: Travel is a Privilege that We Mustn’t Ignore ]

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8 Comments

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  • David
    · Reply

    So, so right on all accounts. Travel is a personal experience and totally subjective. I found it quite interesting that you get asked why you don’t travel solo when I’m always asked why I do? Seems we can’t win either way haha. Oh and tours are awesome, to me especially as a break from independent travel, as you get different things out of them.

    • Kate Newman
      · Reply

      Author

      I’m so glad you agree David! I know it really is strange, it’s often the first thing people ask when I tell them I’m a blogger. It’s almost as if they think I’m not a “real traveller” or my knowledge isn’t good enough because I don’t do it solo! I guess we really can’t win!!

  • Sujenne
    · Reply

    I totally agree with you. I have come across with so many of these people that i just built a barrier in my head and don’t hear them anymore. I travel for myself. How I do it is nobodies business. So I dont stick my nose in theirs either. Great post!

    • Kate Newman
      · Reply

      Author

      You’re so right Sujenne! Travel is about an individuals journey to experience something new, get out of their comfort zone or completely relax. It doesn’t matter the reason, the method, or the destination… Our travel choices are no one else’s business but our own! XX

  • Kirsty
    · Reply

    What an honest article! You’re so right there’s really no difference between a tourist and traveller. Like you I’ve been in so many situations where backpackers try to out do each other with their stories. It always seems such a shame that something so personal becomes yet another form of competition. I also really like your comment about respecting people’s choices not to travel. So many of my friends and family either chose not to travel or travel in a different way from me (i.e. holidaying in the same spot every year) and I really try hard to sounds like I’m bragging or belittling their choices when I tell them tales about our travel. Travel is a truly unique experience with no right or wrong way.

    Thanks for such a thought provoking article.

    • Kate Newman
      · Reply

      Author

      Thanks so much Kirsty! It really is ridiculous that “travellers vs tourist” is even a debate – People need to learn that every travel experience is a valuable one, no matter how it’s achieved! I also find it difficult to not make people feel pressured to travel; especially when I know first hand that the impact it can have really can change your outlook on life. But not everyone has the same desires… Life changing experiences can happen in the comfort of your own home if you let them! It’s difficult, but if we all make a conscious effort to make people feel like their opinions are valued, the travel scene will be a much happier place XXX

  • Leanne
    · Reply

    And don’t tell people it was better X years ago! Great, I’ll tell my 11-year-old self that she should have gone to XYZ when it was “authentic.”

    • Kate Newman
      · Reply

      Author

      Haha! That’s so true Leanne. Wouldn’t it be great if we could travel back in time… Of course places change – some more than others – but that doesn’t mean we can’t experience them for what they are now! People can be so daft!! XX

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