Here's a question for you
inspired by a bit of discussion on /talk

I don't much like travelling. I haven't been very far, Turkey being the furthest I think.

I'm not down on other cultures, but I find the whole process of travelling (trains, planes etc.) to be quite stressful, particularly in other countries. More than that however, I am very much happy to be among the countryside that we have in the UK. The weather suits me too. I know that there are many wonderful places out there, and there are some things that I would like to see, but there are also very many that don't draw me to see them just so I have seen them.

Does this make me weird? I don't think I'm deficient as a person because of it, but some might disagree.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:25, 69 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

You're not a deficient person,
because of that.
(PsychoChomp, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:26, Reply)

thanks for that

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:28, Reply)

I think it's one of those "to each their own" questions...
Everyone's got ambitions to do something with their lives, and for some people that includes a large dollop of wanderlust.

I'm very much like you - I wouldn't mind going to see, I don't know, Japan or China or something, but the time, money and inclination necessary to do it just don't come together, and I'm not desperate enough to go there that I'm going to make any effort. I'd probably enjoy another weekend in the Lake District or a trip to France at some point next year, but queuing for hours to get a visa, then fannying around with long-haul flights? Can't be arsed.

Ms Crow, on the other hand, seems to have the travelling bug - spent 3 months wandering round China and America last year and loved it. Desperate to go back to China. But most importantly, unlike some people I've encountered, she doesn't look down on me for having not "travelled" in the middle-class sense of the word or for not being interested.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:31, Reply)

I'm going to the outer hebrides for a couple of weeks next year
and can't wait.

it's the first holiday I've been properly excited about I think.

Wanderlust is something I have never experienced.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:35, Reply)

She's fucking brilliant
one of the nicest people I've met, and certainly in the top ten b3tans. Sadly she's in Canada, but she's coming back next year.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:39, Reply)

hahaha

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:39, Reply)

No...HAPPILY she's in Canada.
*books flights*
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:42, Reply)

This makes you American

*generalises*
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:31, Reply)

Or...
...just a big scaredy-cat.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:36, Reply)

I'm not scared of it
I just don't particularly want to do it. I don't think I will learn anything about myself, or find myself. I don't feel I need the experience of having done it, and the place I would like to see I will get round to at some point
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:39, Reply)

When I lived overseas,
I learned so much about myself and my own country.
I didn't find myself though, because I was lost and drunk most of the time.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:41, Reply)

I know myself pretty well already
I suspect that living overseas would be different as the actual travelling part would be minimal and restricted to before and after with long stretches of not doing it in the middle. Still don't think I'd like it though. I know myself well enough for that.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:43, Reply)

I loved living in Sydney
and I met my future wife too, which worked out well.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:45, Reply)

Sydney is lovely.
Almost as lovely as Mrs Al.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:49, Reply)

almost as lovely?
*quickly* Yes! yes, definitely. Mrs al is definitely more lovely than Sydney *looks away wistfully* yeah *said in a sad tone*
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:51, Reply)

I'm so glad she doesn't read b3ta.
she would punch me so hard for that.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:53, Reply)

*copies* *pastes* *sends*
*comes round to Chez Geordie to watch the punching*
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:54, Reply)

Yeh, that's how I felt before I moved.
And I travelled more when I lived abroad than at any other time. Being so close to Korea, Vietnam, Australia, NZ and Hong Kong was too good an opportunity to pass up.
But not everyone likes to travel and that's fine.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:45, Reply)

why did you move abroad out of interest?

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:51, Reply)

Well,
I had no ties and I wanted to experience living in another country and I figured if I was going to do it, I may as well do it properly so I moved to Japan to teach English. Best decision ever. I can't even describe how amazing it was. I had no idea it would affect me as much as it did.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:53, Reply)

Well, that's what she says now
but see below for the real answer
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:54, Reply)

that's awesome

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:55, Reply)

I don't judge people beause they haven't/don't like to travel though.
I judge them for all sorts of other reasons, but not that.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:58, Reply)

I judge Vipros
for being smug and for not coming to London to see us and take him out for a Tayyabs. The fact that he is boring and doesn't want to go anywhere fun doesn't change my opinion of him at all.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:59, Reply)

He's from Devonshire :(
When are WE going out for a Tayyabs?
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:01, Reply)

Let me check my diary

(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:05, Reply)

are you coming to the easter bash?

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:15, Reply)

Possibly
but more likely not, I'm saving for a wedding and travelling on a bank holiday fills me with a kind of terror normally only experienced by toddlers in Harringay.

Also, London is really nice on bank holidays as everyone else fucks off.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:21, Reply)

fair enough
as I said below though, I do intend to come to london, possibly not for a particular bash, but to meet a select group of worthies
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:25, Reply)

Yeah!
Secret bash organised by Gaz. Or facebook as you can send messages to multiple recipients. Are you a facebooker?
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:30, Reply)

I am indeed
see if you can stalk me
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:32, Reply)

right you cunts
as soon as I am able* I am going to come to London and do these things. I talk to you bastards more than most of my mates these days, so it's only fair that you get to bask in the glow of my awesomeness


*read, not skint
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:01, Reply)

I insist on it
Tayyabs is so fucking great you will do a small wee
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:23, Reply)

+ out of your bottom the next day as teh chillis take their revenge

(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:27, Reply)

sounds good

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:30, Reply)

good attitude

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:00, Reply)

There was a legal reason that she can't actually go into
for legal reasons.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:54, Reply)

I can.
I didn't realise that stealing a lipstick from Boots when I was 14 would have such tremendous consequences.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:56, Reply)

I agree with this statement word for word, Vipros.
Have some validation from me.
I fancy New York at some point. I fancy Florence/Venice/Rome at some point. I'm not in a desperate hurry though.
I like Cumbria and Wales very much.
I'll go anywhere so see people I want to see and it might be fun.
I am not lacking as a person just because I've not left Europe and I've not come back from Thailand with a wooden frog and hair-wraps.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:45, Reply)

I love parts of this country
I've been to a lot of it, and my two favourite, most beautiful places are close to where I live. I recall telling someone about them and they were like "well, your favourite places in this country right?"

I had to stop myself stamping on their face.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:54, Reply)

Well, they are your favourite places that you've been to.
My favourite place used to be going to the Dordonge(sp?) on holiday, but now, having been there, it's Sydney, walking over the Harbour Bridge after you've just eaten waffles and bacon at Garfish in Kirribilli.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:55, Reply)

yeah
but the implication was that they were inferior to other places because they were in this country
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:56, Reply)

The Dordonge?
That sounds like a great place to go.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:59, Reply)

Sounds rude

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:01, Reply)

Precisely.
Come on Roots, let's go.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:02, Reply)

I hope they sell rock with Dordonge written through it
I'll be buying their whole stock

NINJA EDIT
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:04, Reply)

I hope it's that really big rock.

( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:06, Reply)

I hope they don't just do pink mint rock
I hope they also do humbug rock.
EDIT: PS, you're a dirty cow.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:09, Reply)

;D

( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:16, Reply)

I have only seen a fraction of Britain
So I should crack on before I start gallavanting elsewhere.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:58, Reply)

I hate travelling
This year I have been to the french alps, australia and new zealand. If I never enter an airport again it will be too soon.

I hate waiting around for hours, being treated like shit/like cattle/like a terrorist.

For me the end no longer justifies the means. I have seen a bit of the world in my 32 years, but i'm not sure I can face it again.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 11:43, Reply)

I hate travelling too
but I like being other places so it's a sacrifice that has to be made.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:03, Reply)

I love travelling
and always have.

I've no ambition to live in another country, but I really enjoy travelling around to visit other bits of the world. Yes, long haul plane journeys are a bit tedious, but it's all part of the thrill of going away. And despite the fact I've been on more aeroplanes than I can shake a stick at, I've never grown out of that.

But each to his own. I don't drink coffee, tea or Coke. Most of the rest of the world does.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:04, Reply)

when I fly I do enjoy it
despite being quite badly scared of heights, flying doesn't scare me, it fascinates me
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:06, Reply)

*pictures K2k6 shaking a stick at an aeroplane*
Oh you Scots and your fear of modern technology.
( thealternativefact, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:07, Reply)

I find
that stick-shaking makes them fly better.

Unless the pilot's doing it.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:10, Reply)

Couldn't agree more,
travelling is overrated, we have loads on our doorstep to explore.
(Cancer Joy was short lived, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:07, Reply)

Long Haul
Usually when travelling the journey is something to be got over with. In a few weeks I am going to Malaysia and as it is such a long flight I have decided to embrace the journeys and make them part of the holiday.

May not work out that way, of course.
(misspiggy In danger of having to get a job, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 12:17, Reply)

I'm with you in hating planes and airports
but I love travelling. And I am so glad I got to see the amazing beauty that is Mongolia. And then if people say "oh, yeah, I've been there, it's great" I can say, "yeah, but Western Mongolia, that's where it's at" and then they'll say, "yeah, Olgii, right?" and I'll say "duh, no, northern western Mongla, much more remote, nothing but mountains and lakes and plains and the odd ger" and they'll say "you're being a pretentious twat now" and I'll say "yeah, I am, but MY GOD it was so beautiful".
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 13:05, Reply)

Mongols.
I love those goofy little bastards.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 13:50, Reply)

I love Britain and am not one of those
'I can't wait to get out of this shithole and go to xyz' types. And there are few types of humanity that I loathe more than those Goa/Thailand backpacking types. A smugger, more boring branch of cuntdom is hard to find - and they always come back with Australian quizzical intonation which makes me get all stabby.

I've seen a great deal more of my own country than anyone I know (in part due to having a 'foreign' father) and it's a crying shame that so few of our citizens have bothered to explore the rich natural and historical beauty of these fabulous islands.

THAT SAID, I absolutely adore visiting foreign countries and I have been to lots of them; I have some of my happiest memories from these trips. The majesty of Canada, for example, or the historical wonders of Pompeii and Rome are hard to beat, and I think forcing myself to endure things like embarrassing language difficulties and airport nightmares has been good for my naturally shy demeanour.

My brother hates overseas travel because he 'hates foreigners', he says. This is a lie and much more to do with shyness and a lack of self-confidence in overseas situations. I sympathise, but forcing myself to do it has been beneficial to me.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 13:49, Reply)

Foreigners
are usually the worst thing about foreign parts, alright. That and bloody tourists. So pretty much the whole of humanity. People ruin everything. Just look at Paris.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 14:27, Reply)

Ugh, do I have to?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 19 Nov 2009, 14:49, Reply)