Can you be friends with people who don't travel?

[Anonymous]

Tell me more about your global view, then I will tell you if I think you are a snob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I had this argument last night. He thinks that I am being snobby, but I really don't want to be friends with people who do not/will not travel outside the US. I understand that for financial reasons, some people can't afford it. However, we have a friend who takes all their vacations to Florida - which I just don't understand. How can you not want to see other cultures and try and expand your view of this world. Most likely, it is because I was not born in this country (although raised here).

Does this make me a snob? I don't think so - I just choose my friends based on people who care about a global view.

I would say at least 90% of the US population can't afford it.

Where are you going and where are you staying during your world travels? Sitting in a cafe in Paris, IMO, doesn't automatically qualify as "expanding your global view".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say I "rule them out" - but I find that most people who don't leave this country are pretty ignorant about things that go on in this world. They will spend thousands of dollars on "organic" (yes, that is meaning to mock") mac N cheese powdered process cheese a year, while there are children who go without clean water. There are arguments every day on DCUM about how there are the "harms" of battery powered flashing toys - when some children play with sticks and rocks.

It's hard to be friends with people who have so much and take so much for granted every day and choose to be ignorant to the world around them. I have a lot and am greatful for it, but I think it is my job to teach my daughter that she has a greater duty to this world. That there are people with less - and I don't mean people with food stamps who get to eat - I mean people who walk 10 miles a day to fill a bucket of clean water for their children to drink.

THAT is what I can't be friends with people who don't invest in the world around them. Because they don't invest in me.

You didn't say that you wouldn't be friends with people who don't care about the poor, you said you wouldn't be friends with people who didn't travel. Wouldn't you be doing more good to take the money you are spending on your international travel and send it to a charity to provide that clean water? of course, that wouldn't allow you to feel quite as self righteous.

So easy to judge. How do you know I don't work doing just that? I guess maybe my husband is right and I am a snob. Or maybe it's just easy to judge me...

OP don't be hard on yourself, or others. I kinda see what you mean, that you enjoy people who care about others. But, to rule out folks on that alone makes you a hardliner. You'll be happier by not seeing things in black and white AND getting your passport out often.

[Anonymous]

Is this for real?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I had this argument last night. He thinks that I am being snobby, but I really don't want to be friends with people who do not/will not travel outside the US. I understand that for financial reasons, some people can't afford it. However, we have a friend who takes all their vacations to Florida - which I just don't understand. How can you not want to see other cultures and try and expand your view of this world. Most likely, it is because I was not born in this country (although raised here).

Does this make me a snob? I don't think so - I just choose my friends based on people who care about a global view.

I travel because I have to (for work). I enjoy living overseas and immersing myself in other cultures -- but I HATE the physical aspect of traveling. I hate flying, I hate jet lag, I find it stressful to fly with kids... so if I had my choice, I might want to vacation in Florida every year as well.

[Anonymous]

pretty ridiculous imo ... rigid ... judgmental ... controlling... & then some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say I "rule them out" - but I find that most people who don't leave this country are pretty ignorant about things that go on in this world. They will spend thousands of dollars on "organic" (yes, that is meaning to mock") mac N cheese powdered process cheese a year, while there are children who go without clean water. There are arguments every day on DCUM about how there are the "harms" of battery powered flashing toys - when some children play with sticks and rocks.

It's hard to be friends with people who have so much and take so much for granted every day and choose to be ignorant to the world around them. I have a lot and am greatful for it, but I think it is my job to teach my daughter that she has a greater duty to this world. That there are people with less - and I don't mean people with food stamps who get to eat - I mean people who walk 10 miles a day to fill a bucket of clean water for their children to drink.

THAT is what I can't be friends with people who don't invest in the world around them. Because they don't invest in me.

Get over yourself. I've lived in 7 countries over the course of my life, met ignorant people in every single one, not just the U.S. BTW, most people understand there is dire poverty in third world countries. Unless you yourself are actually immersing yourself and living with the poor, shut your mouth. So, you go to a developing country, gawk and pity the poor people, and then go back to your fancy hotel, electricity, and clean water...and somehow, this makes you a better citizen of the world than Joe Blow sitting on the beach in Clearwater.

Well said. Also I might add, what makes you think you cannot experience other cultures while living in the United States? Where do you live? A gated community in Connecticut perhaps?

lol! I agree! I live in the Middle East -- but it's really not so much different than America because you can get all the things you have in the States. Now, the refugee camps are a different story... but who would vacation there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are an idiot. At least once a week someone on this board posts about how they don't have any close friends, they would love to have at least one close friend. There's a lot of folks in this area who feel isolated and lonely and just want to have a friend, and here you are willing to chuck a friendship because the person doesn't choose to travel they way you do? That is ludicrous. You are spoiled and I can only assume you are in your 20's because most people by the time they are 40 realize what an asinine declaration that is.

Making blanket statement about groups of people whose age falls within a certain decade is as idiotic and closed minded as the OP!

[Anonymous]

I don't think international travel makes you more socially conscious, and I totally understand people who have other priorities.

But -- and I'm hearing it in this thread -- I find it extremely annoying when you U.S.-bound beachgoers actively disdain international travel.

I've had friends who vacation every year in the same exact place year after year after year say to me "Why would you want to go THERE?"

Why would you want to go the same place year after year after year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I had this argument last night. He thinks that I am being snobby, but I really don't want to be friends with people who do not/will not travel outside the US. I understand that for financial reasons, some people can't afford it. However, we have a friend who takes all their vacations to Florida - which I just don't understand. How can you not want to see other cultures and try and expand your view of this world. Most likely, it is because I was not born in this country (although raised here).

Does this make me a snob? I don't think so - I just choose my friends based on people who care about a global view.

It makes you a horse's ass and a stupid one, at that. Until you start paying for their vacation, then you don't have any right to say where they go. This is the most asinine post ever on DCUM and that's saying plenty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I had this argument last night. He thinks that I am being snobby, but I really don't want to be friends with people who do not/will not travel outside the US. I understand that for financial reasons, some people can't afford it. However, we have a friend who takes all their vacations to Florida - which I just don't understand. How can you not want to see other cultures and try and expand your view of this world. Most likely, it is because I was not born in this country (although raised here).

Does this make me a snob? I don't think so - I just choose my friends based on people who care about a global view.

It makes you a horse's ass and a stupid one, at that. Until you start paying for their vacation, then you don't have any right to say where they go. This is the most asinine post ever on DCUM and that's saying plenty.

I forgot. Children aren't "raised," they are "reared." Not only are you all of the above but you are also ignorant. You should STFU before you make an even bigger fool of yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say I "rule them out" - but I find that most people who don't leave this country are pretty ignorant about things that go on in this world. They will spend thousands of dollars on "organic" (yes, that is meaning to mock") mac N cheese powdered process cheese a year, while there are children who go without clean water. There are arguments every day on DCUM about how there are the "harms" of battery powered flashing toys - when some children play with sticks and rocks.

It's hard to be friends with people who have so much and take so much for granted every day and choose to be ignorant to the world around them. I have a lot and am greatful for it, but I think it is my job to teach my daughter that she has a greater duty to this world. That there are people with less - and I don't mean people with food stamps who get to eat - I mean people who walk 10 miles a day to fill a bucket of clean water for their children to drink.

THAT is what I can't be friends with people who don't invest in the world around them. Because they don't invest in me.

Get over yourself. I've lived in 7 countries over the course of my life, met ignorant people in every single one, not just the U.S. BTW, most people understand there is dire poverty in third world countries. Unless you yourself are actually immersing yourself and living with the poor, shut your mouth. So, you go to a developing country, gawk and pity the poor people, and then go back to your fancy hotel, electricity, and clean water...and somehow, this makes you a better citizen of the world than Joe Blow sitting on the beach in Clearwater.

Well said. Also I might add, what makes you think you cannot experience other cultures while living in the United States? Where do you live? A gated community in Connecticut perhaps?

lol! I agree! I live in the Middle East -- but it's really not so much different than America because you can get all the things you have in the States. Now, the refugee camps are a different story... but who would vacation there?

That made me laugh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think international travel makes you more socially conscious, and I totally understand people who have other priorities.

But -- and I'm hearing it in this thread -- I find it extremely annoying when you U.S.-bound beachgoers actively disdain international travel.

I've had friends who vacation every year in the same exact place year after year after year say to me "Why would you want to go THERE?"

Why would you want to go the same place year after year after year?

Who's disdaining international travel? I've been abroad 2 of my last 4 vacations, and love it. Everyone is merely saying that OP is an ass for determining friendships based on travel, and kinda stupid for using international travel as a proxy for a global view/social conscience.

BTW, in addition to other vacations, some abroad, some domestic, I also go to the same place year after year after year because I have family there, it's an awesome vacation spot, and it's unbelievably relaxing.

[Anonymous]

How many friends do you have OP?

[Anonymous]

This is so stupid. I would love totravel BUT choose to spend 30k plus a year onprivate school and saving for college. We dont take extravagant vacations bc our priorities are elsewhere now. OPs comments are as stupid as me not wanting To be friends with some who wont spend 30k on private school? WTF??