Why do wealthy people go to SE Asia ... then low-key brag about how miserable it was?

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain the allure? It's hot, sticky, they seem to boast about how rickety transport is, how sketchy the food and water is, how they got food poisoning, ripped off, etc.

...but it was so "enlightening"? I'm confused. Is it just en vogue because going on posh Euro or Caribbean is blasé, where as slumming it is seen as more interesting? Yoga?

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[Anonymous]

I don't know anyone who does this. All my wealthy friends who go to SE Asia show me amazing photos of exquisitely prepared dinners and fabulous beaches. You may need new friends.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

[Anonymous]

You're asking a two part question. For the first part, no one but your wealthy friends can explain it.

For the second part, the allure may in part be due to that the people are genuinely happy and families and people are more connected, despite the lack of material things. I imagine seeing this would provide wealthy people with a sense of appreciation and opportunity for self-reflection. (This is less so than twenty years ago due to the increase in the middle class, among other things).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

Yeah, there's no history or temples or art or food.

[Anonymous]

Why are you, and other young people, using low-key wrong?

Low-key used to mean something.

Now it means that you just don’t like it. “They “low-key” called me..” “They low-key emailed me the wrong info again.” Or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

Never been, so I'm not sure, but given that there are a few dozen countries with hundreds of millions of people and thousands of cities, seems like there might be a few interesting things to do and see there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you, and other young people, using low-key wrong?

Low-key used to mean something.

Now it means that you just don’t like it. “They “low-key” called me..” “They low-key emailed me the wrong info again.” Or whatever.

She's posting from an aol.com email address and refers to herself as "chick." I think she's age 60+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

Never been, so I'm not sure, but given that there are a few dozen countries with hundreds of millions of people and thousands of cities, seems like there might be a few interesting things to do and see there.

Maybe once upon a time, but as a travel destination, the region largely has been ruined by hoardes and hoardes of backpackers. A shame, and a cautionary tale for destinations around the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

Never been, so I'm not sure, but given that there are a few dozen countries with hundreds of millions of people and thousands of cities, seems like there might be a few interesting things to do and see there.

Maybe once upon a time, but as a travel destination, the region largely has been ruined by hoardes and hoardes of backpackers. A shame, and a cautionary tale for destinations around the world.

Huh? We just spent a month in Vietnam and it was awesome. Not ruined by anybody. Y'all are crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

Never been, so I'm not sure, but given that there are a few dozen countries with hundreds of millions of people and thousands of cities, seems like there might be a few interesting things to do and see there.

Maybe once upon a time, but as a travel destination, the region largely has been ruined by hoardes and hoardes of backpackers. A shame, and a cautionary tale for destinations around the world.

Huh? We just spent a month in Vietnam and it was awesome. Not ruined by anybody. Y'all are crazy.

Agree -- Vietnam was wonderful. I haven't been to other places but Cambodia is on our list..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know anyone who does this. All my wealthy friends who go to SE Asia show me amazing photos of exquisitely prepared dinners and fabulous beaches. You may need new friends.

+1. you don’t even have to be wealthy to really enjoy it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know, but as travel destinations go, SE Asia is one of the most over tourists and least interesting places on earth.

Never been, so I'm not sure, but given that there are a few dozen countries with hundreds of millions of people and thousands of cities, seems like there might be a few interesting things to do and see there.

Maybe once upon a time, but as a travel destination, the region largely has been ruined by hoardes and hoardes of backpackers. A shame, and a cautionary tale for destinations around the world.

Huh? We just spent a month in Vietnam and it was awesome. Not ruined by anybody. Y'all are crazy.

Agree -- Vietnam was wonderful. I haven't been to other places but Cambodia is on our list..

I loved Vietnam! There is a “tourist track” but it’s easy to get off it with a little effort. We tacked on 4 days in Siem Reap to see the temples, which were amazing. That was definitely crowded but worth it. Would love to go back and explore more of both countries and check out Laos/Thailand.

Im not really sure what OP is trying to say....if it doesn’t interest you, don’t go. Plenty of other destinations out there.

[Anonymous]

What?? I loved southeast asia. It is gorgeous and the food is fantastic. People are friendly and there is lots to see from temples to mountains to beaches. Cambodia is my favorite. I went in February and the weather was wonderful. I would maybe think twice about going in July, but it was so amazing I would probably go then anyway if I had the chance. Oh, and I'm not wealthy, whatever that has to do with anything.