In my own case, specifically when I happen to be traveling alone, I find that it’s an opportunity to liberate myself from my typical social anxieties and more readily initiate interactions with strangers because I can tell myself that I’m unlikely to ever see these people again so there’s no point in being embarrassed. So that’s how I ended up making friends with some Russian circus performers while working in Korea, getting myself onto a crew for a local sailboat race on a trip to Michigan, and discussing the merits of the American revolution with a couple of brits while in a pub in Ireland (it happened to be July 4th.)
When traveling with family or friends it’s harder for me to get into that mindset, in part because there’s much less of a necessity to interact with strangers when I’ve already got companions to talk to, and in part because of reluctance to potentially embarrass myself in front of people who know me.
No disagreement here since I’m someone who encourages most of those things, but I keep this in mind:
I think it’s important to want to embrace it first. You’re not going to get the results you want be pushing it or forcing it on them. In other words, if you want it, great; but if you don’t, that’s fine as well.
And I hate to note this, but many of the things on the list that make us “well-rounded people” also come with prices attached. Learning instruments, acquiring paint, attending the theater, and a number of other things don’t often have free options. From my perspective, it’s more important to encourage people to explore within their own limitations without the burden of suggesting that they’re worse off for what they can’t have or for not doing things they honestly have no interest in or derive no joy from.
Apologies if I’m failing to hit the nuance I’m aiming for here. Not saying that people should never step beyond the worlds they’ve established for themselves. Just saying some may be placing too much importance on it. And then there are economic concerns, too, which shame people for things out of their control.
I hear what you’re saying, but in my opinion it is perfectly acceptable to encourage all the experiences/hobbies/interests that make people well-rounded humans without having to “well, actually…” them to paralysis. Yes, people who have the time/money/resources to enrich themselves with meaningful experiences are privileged and lucky, but again, that goes for literally every aspect of human existence.
“Too much importance” is of course subjective, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to recognize (and encourage, and celebrate) experiences that can and often do contribute to making us better people (the definition of “better” being subjective as hell, too).
That’s a terrific way to handle that. I wish I’d thought of it back in the day!
This may not be a popular point here, but I think it’s worth making so I’m glad you’re in the thread. The way I would phrase this is that our culture values adventurousness over reservedness, in the same way it values extroversion over introversion. The many benefits of the latter are generally disregarded in favour of a belief that the outgoing explorers of the world are all better people and the best role models for everyone.
Here’s another little thing I think I ought to add:
You don’t always have to actually move to travel.
Reading a book, watching something new on television, that too is a way of traveling. Opening your mind, seeing something else than what you saw day after day. The whole point of traveling is to experience. Some people go far and wide, without leaving the confines of their home. Some people go all over the globe, but they never travel, never leave the confines of their mind.
Yeah, it’s easier to experience if you’re there. But if you can’t actually be there, travel there in spirit, let the words and images and sounds take you to a place in your mind like it. And if you can, get off your ass and walk, take a look at this wonderful, magical corner of this world we live in, in how much variety this ball of nickel and iron has clinging to its surface.
So I modify my opinion of Mr. Bourdain’s words, as not everyone can travel, and not every trip is worthwhile. And I don’t think he would disagree with this little added clause.
As long as you go see something. Even if it’s just around the corner, or some movie you go into without knowing what it’s about.
Hmm. Not to disagree, but it does occur to me it’s probably no coincidence that Bourdain’s field was one that outside all those things. I have been reading some about tropical fruit and knowing that something tastes strong or a little like a piña colada really doesn’t say all that much.
I miss him. My girlfriend misses him. He was always worth watching. Truly he educated, informed and entertained. We both still miss (Brit chef) Keith Floyd too.
“A nice big fat closeup on that, thank you, Clive, while I have a little slurp!”
Counterpoint… centuries of imperialism, where experience of a local culture only contributed to violent conquest… the context of travel actually matters…
