International travel "better" than domestic travel?

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

OP, please knock that massive chip off your shoulder. Why do you GAF about what people think and need them to validate your choices? Enjoy your vacation.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you that there many, many wonderful destinations within this country. I enjoy a good amount of domestic travel.

However, international travel is different. In addition to seeing new sites, you get the added experience of a new culture and sometimes a new language. It isn't superior to domestic travel, but it does add a new layer of experience.

I'm not sure why this bothers you so much, but I wouldn't really give a second thought to your colleague's reaction. If you haven't experienced international travel before, don't write it off just because there is plenty to do in this country.

[Anonymous]

I love Seattle! I also love Istanbul. And St. Lucia.

There are lots of wonderful, beautiful, fun things to see/do everywhere. People who only focus on international travel are just as close-minded as people who only focus on domestic travel.

If you are able (time+money) to see neat things, go and explore - doesn't matter where. But your post does come off as a little jealous, OP.

[Anonymous]

I've traveled many countries in the world - also have been to all 50 states. I think both are important. I've been to South Africa and the South, I've been to Mexico and New Mexico. I've been to China and Chinatown in New York and San Fran.

Anyone who thinks they are sophisticated because they do tourist travel overseas is a rube.

[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?

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.

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP. I know what you mean. While generally I DGAF either, the posters saying you have a chip on your shoulder are probably the ones pooh-poohing Seattle. It is definitely a thing that happens. DH and I are big national parks fans. Our favorite vacations together have been, in order, to Montana, Costa Rica, Tennessee. Definitely got some funny looks for MT and TN. We've also done Italy, Peru, and Paris, so we're not anti international travel. I enjoy the culture of a different country, but frankly there's a lot of different cultures here too. We spent a vacation evening discussing hog-hunting with several East Texas missionaries. That's some different culture from the DC area!

[Anonymous]

I have noticed this phenomenon among the people I know too OP. They tend to treat travel like a check list and have really shallow expectations and goals - been there, check it off, take the requisite photos before famous tourist sites, post them on social media. I don't even know how genuinely they like to travel, they just like to brag about it.

And this is coming from someone who travels 4 full weeks a year so it's not like I am against it or anything. Fwiw, we go to a variety of domestic and international destinations. I am with you in that there are a lot of places in the US that I'd like to get to eventually.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's weird to think international traveling is more exciting. It is! Geez, let's be truthful & not defensive. America is beautiful but traveling around the world is a special thing most people don't get the chance to do!

[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?

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!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's weird to think international traveling is more exciting. It is! Geez, let's be truthful & not defensive. America is beautiful but traveling around the world is a special thing most people don't get the chance to do!

This is so weird. Why is going to London from DC inherently "better" than going to Seattle? The Mid Atlantic and the Pacific Northwest have incredibly different terrain. I don't think it's weird or lacking at all that someone living in DC might like to visit the Seattle area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've traveled many countries in the world - also have been to all 50 states. I think both are important. I've been to South Africa and the South, I've been to Mexico and New Mexico. I've been to China and Chinatown in New York and San Fran.

Anyone who thinks they are sophisticated because they do tourist travel overseas is a rube.

+ 1

[Anonymous]

There is prestige associated with international travel, particularly European travel. It's less than it used to be when it was harder to get overseas, but there is a difference to me between going to Seattle and going to Greece. Seattle is awesome, but Greece is an ancient country with a ton of history. It's also beautiful - not that Seattle is, but on my summer vacation, I'd take a Greek island over Seattle any day.

[Anonymous]

Hey at least you're not going to the OBX! Then you really would have gotten a ho hum response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is prestige associated with international travel, particularly European travel. It's less than it used to be when it was harder to get overseas, but there is a difference to me between going to Seattle and going to Greece. Seattle is awesome, but Greece is an ancient country with a ton of history. It's also beautiful - not that Seattle is, but on my summer vacation, I'd take a Greek island over Seattle any day.

9:49 here. Like I said, we like to travel and we take 4 trips a year. So it's not like I am against travel. But what I find peculiar is this "ranking" of destinations. I've never been to Seattle or Greece but I'd like to go to both one day. I have both on my mental list of places I'd like to visit. Why value one over the other? They are different experiences. It's not something you can really say one is better than the other. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Sometimes you're in the mood for an apple and sometimes you'd prefer an orange.

Ranking the unrankable is a distinctly UMC American pastime (see also: anything that US News ranks) and I think it's a waste of time.