Travel to third world countries

[Anonymous]

I've traveled a lot but not to many third world countries. I have been reluctant because I feel as if bearing witness to the grinding poverty would ruin the experience for me. I couldn't sleep at night in India knowing that right outside my window there are people without the most basic means to survive. Yes, I know when I got to sleep here they are still there but somehow the thought of lookign people in the eye and not really being able to help them while touring around the country and treating them as a bit of the 'experience' feels uncomfortable for me. I mean we took a helicopter trip to a tiny island in Hawaii with fancy picnic lunches and I ended up spending the whole time on the island feeding our lunches to the skinny dogs we stumbled upon. I'm not good with proximal suffering. How do others manage this or am I just too empathic?

[Anonymous]

It’s not your job to save the world (though if you have the means, please just give $, don’t go on one of these useless service trips). You can learn a lot from visiting/seeing things you otherwise wouldn’t.

[Anonymous]

How do you manage to sleep now with the poor and homeless in DC? Or the local poor are not poor enough for you? If you feel the way you do, just don’t go to “third world” countries.

[Anonymous]

I do small things that people on here will say are silly, but they help.

I bring suitcases of stuff to give away to people

I bring lots of small denominations of currency everywhere I go and am constantly tipping people

I know that tourism is often the lifeblood of these economies, so just my being there is helpful

I try to spend as much of my money locally as I possibly can

[Anonymous]

To start, you could stop calling them "third world" countries.

People are living in extreme poverty all over the world whether you see it or not or travel to those countries or not.

I think everyone should see how other people live, so you can acknowledge your privilege and learn the reality of the world. Yes, it's hard to see suffering, but it can also give you important perspective.

[Anonymous]

The correct term is “developing countries”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To start, you could stop calling them "third world" countries.

People are living in extreme poverty all over the world whether you see it or not or travel to those countries or not.

I think everyone should see how other people live, so you can acknowledge your privilege and learn the reality of the world. Yes, it's hard to see suffering, but it can also give you important perspective.

This. The fact you still use the term “third world” is gross. Stay home OP until you educate yourself.

[Anonymous]

How are you helping these people now? If you went you would be pumping money into the local economy. Staying here you do nothing for them. So this is all about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've traveled a lot but not to many third world countries. I have been reluctant because I feel as if bearing witness to the grinding poverty would ruin the experience for me. I couldn't sleep at night in India knowing that right outside my window there are people without the most basic means to survive. Yes, I know when I got to sleep here they are still there but somehow the thought of lookign people in the eye and not really being able to help them while touring around the country and treating them as a bit of the 'experience' feels uncomfortable for me. I mean we took a helicopter trip to a tiny island in Hawaii with fancy picnic lunches and I ended up spending the whole time on the island feeding our lunches to the skinny dogs we stumbled upon. I'm not good with proximal suffering. How do others manage this or am I just too empathic?

What experience exactly are you looking for when traveling?

[Anonymous]

It must be limiting to be this empathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To start, you could stop calling them "third world" countries.

People are living in extreme poverty all over the world whether you see it or not or travel to those countries or not.

I think everyone should see how other people live, so you can acknowledge your privilege and learn the reality of the world. Yes, it's hard to see suffering, but it can also give you important perspective.

This. The fact you still use the term “third world” is gross. Stay home OP until you educate yourself.

Citizens of "developing countries" refer to their home countries as "third world". But your virtues will carry the day!

[Anonymous]

OMG please... dont travel if this is your attitude, but you are definitely missing out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do small things that people on here will say are silly, but they help.

I bring suitcases of stuff to give away to people

I bring lots of small denominations of currency everywhere I go and am constantly tipping people

I know that tourism is often the lifeblood of these economies, so just my being there is helpful

I try to spend as much of my money locally as I possibly can

Please consider buying things locally versus bringing them from overseas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It must be limiting to be this empathetic.

I actually don't think OP sounds empathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To start, you could stop calling them "third world" countries.

People are living in extreme poverty all over the world whether you see it or not or travel to those countries or not.

I think everyone should see how other people live, so you can acknowledge your privilege and learn the reality of the world. Yes, it's hard to see suffering, but it can also give you important perspective.

This. The fact you still use the term “third world” is gross. Stay home OP until you educate yourself.

+1 and why are you seeking validation for your elitist superficial guilt and 'empathy'?