International travel "better" than domestic travel?

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is exclusively a US thing - though as the US is such a huge country you really could travel for months through it and still not see it all. But I'm from the UK, which is obviously tiny, and although "local" international travel (e.g. to France, Spain, etc) is very common and easy, there is a snobbery about international travel vs going to beautiful places in the UK, like Cornwall or the Highlands, etc. I'm very well-travelled across the world but there are still lots of places in the UK I haven't been to, and I think it's a shame - ideally, if you can afford to, it's nice to do both: explore the world and explore your own country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

No, not really. International travel is more exotic and you do gain exposure to more cultures. So, yeah, it's more sophisticated and more expensive. And, yeah, I guess better.

I think you might be oversensitive and internalizing things out of insecurity, tbh.

LOLOL

You are proving the OP's point. Found one!

No, not really. OP's got a bizarre self-esteem problem. She asked a question, and objectively, yes, international travel is better than domestic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is exclusively a US thing - though as the US is such a huge country you really could travel for months through it and still not see it all. But I'm from the UK, which is obviously tiny, and although "local" international travel (e.g. to France, Spain, etc) is very common and easy, there is a snobbery about international travel vs going to beautiful places in the UK, like Cornwall or the Highlands, etc. I'm very well-travelled across the world but there are still lots of places in the UK I haven't been to, and I think it's a shame - ideally, if you can afford to, it's nice to do both: explore the world and explore your own country.

+1

[Anonymous]

This is like asking whether the Acura is better than the Honda. Yes, it is.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you are being way too sensitive. If Seattle is your bag, they you should be happy to go there. But, make sure to go over to Canada because Vancouver and Victoria are even more beautiful.

The issue is many Americans just think America is great (thus, the jingoistic "make America great again". I know a lot of Americans who never want to go outside of the country. It's one thing if someone can't afford it. Then, they are likely to just do driving vacations, if any.

The fact you are flying to Seattle may imply you can afford to travel. So, maybe your co-worker was just thinking "Seattle is ok", but I've been there or whatever.

The reason international travel is considered more exotic is less people have done it (either they can't afford it, they don't want to or whatever).

I have to say I've been almost everywhere and Seattle is nice. (I'm reading the book "Boys in the Boat" right now about the 1936 Olympic rowers from Washington).

I happened to go to Norway this year and everyone seemed really interested in that. Why? Because fewer people go there vs. Paris, London, etc.

Bon voyage and don't read so much into stuff maybe. Or don't care (as others have written).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

No, not really. International travel is more exotic and you do gain exposure to more cultures. So, yeah, it's more sophisticated and more expensive. And, yeah, I guess better.

I think you might be oversensitive and internalizing things out of insecurity, tbh.

LOLOL

You are proving the OP's point. Found one!

No, not really. OP's got a bizarre self-esteem problem. She asked a question, and objectively, yes, international travel is better than domestic.

No it's really not. How many millions of foreign tourists come to the US every year? There is a TON of variety in this country. You could travel for months and still not see and do it all. And anyway most people (who can afford to travel) do a combination of both so why bother ranking them?

[Anonymous]

What's funny to me is the people who think they are hot shit because they travel a lot but then you come to find out they are going to All Inclusives and on cruises. Bzzzz. Try again loser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's funny to me is the people who think they are hot shit because they travel a lot but then you come to find out they are going to All Inclusives and on cruises. Bzzzz. Try again loser.

I don't know anyone like this. The people I know who travel internationally are adventurers. Maybe the fact that you do says something about the company you keep and you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

No, not really. International travel is more exotic and you do gain exposure to more cultures. So, yeah, it's more sophisticated and more expensive. And, yeah, I guess better.

I think you might be oversensitive and internalizing things out of insecurity, tbh.

LOLOL

You are proving the OP's point. Found one!

No, not really. OP's got a bizarre self-esteem problem. She asked a question, and objectively, yes, international travel is better than domestic.

No it's really not. How many millions of foreign tourists come to the US every year? There is a TON of variety in this country. You could travel for months and still not see and do it all. And anyway most people (who can afford to travel) do a combination of both so why bother ranking them?

for them the US is different and exotic. it's somewhat prestigious to have visited. not sure that has anything to do with variety within the US. few tourists visiting the US experience all of its variety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

i prefer international to domestic travel for two reasons:

1) i don't like american beaches/oceans, much prefer croatia and greece for summer fun
2) the US has a lot of stunning nature, national parks etc, but i don't care much for that. i am more of a city person and american cities are in general small and not that interesting (plus i have already seen so many of them).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's funny to me is the people who think they are hot shit because they travel a lot but then you come to find out they are going to All Inclusives and on cruises. Bzzzz. Try again loser.

I don't know anyone like this. The people I know who travel internationally are adventurers. Maybe the fact that you do says something about the company you keep and you.

[Anonymous]

My family from Holland loves to travel to the US. They would think Seattle VERY exciting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

i prefer international to domestic travel for two reasons:

1) i don't like american beaches/oceans, much prefer croatia and greece for summer fun
2) the US has a lot of stunning nature, national parks etc, but i don't care much for that. i am more of a city person and american cities are in general small and not that interesting (plus i have already seen so many of them).

Nothing says small like New York, Chicago and LA.

[Anonymous]

Well, I for one think it's odd to prioritize international travel over domestic travel. Both are important for expanding horizons and learning about cultures. The US is not monolithic and has an amazing offering of natural wonders. Our family is taking mostly domestic vacations while the kids are young and international when the kids hit middle school, when we feel that they can better appreciate foreign foods, histories, and cultures. Also, for various reasons, traveling domestically for us when the kids are young is easier. We've taken trips to the major national parks (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Volcanoes, etc.) and will go to Greece next year. Fwiw, domestic travel can be as expensive as international travel. And, it is odd as an adult to have traveled to the major European capitols, but never the other coast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

i prefer international to domestic travel for two reasons:

1) i don't like american beaches/oceans, much prefer croatia and greece for summer fun
2) the US has a lot of stunning nature, national parks etc, but i don't care much for that. i am more of a city person and american cities are in general small and not that interesting (plus i have already seen so many of them).

I hope you don't go around saying this irl because this is such a ridiculously pretentious thing to say. I wouldn't know what to say if someone said this to me but laugh in their face. Are we supposed to believe you go to Greece or Croatia every summer? In addition to other extensive foreign travel? Are you a socialite who doesn't work? It sounds like something someone like Olivia Palermo might say. "Oh Darling, if your'e not at St. Bath's over Christmas you're no one."