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Why do Americans not travel ?

 
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 18145359
United States
12/28/2012 05:40 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
I'm glad most of them don't wander out of the U.S.. For the most part I believe there Is a lot of fear of the unknown with going to another culture they know nothing of. I have been to Mexico, Costa Rica and belize many times and have seen the pompous, self indulged, rude and ugly American way too many times. It's a miracle we are even allowed in those countries anymore.
Americans think their crap doesn't stink and they are so much more sophisticated and advanced than the cultures they visit but hey , you aren't t, you don't get it and you never will so please stay home.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 19396116
United States
12/28/2012 05:43 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
America is a melting pot for a reason. We are in a laboratory. We are the Guinea pigs for the rest of the world. To many people are poor, diseased, and dieing.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 31009093
Germany
12/28/2012 05:44 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Sadly, I think a lack of vacation time plays a big factor. Allot of Americans are lucky to get 2 to 3 weeks vaction in a year. How many vacation days does the average European individual get?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7155455


It's about the same here, in Germany at least. Maybe the southern european people have bit more, but if so not much more.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 30773535
Spain
12/28/2012 06:03 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
I traveled a lot and i love it. Infact, when I'm away from home I'm a lot happier.

Besides the states, I've traveled to Australia, England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. It was part of a Student Ambassador Program to promote peace through understanding of dif cultures.

Money is no excuse, I devoted one year per trip to saving money and fundraising to cover the expenses plus a little extra.

So not all Americans are lazy and don't travel ;)
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23414035


you should try travelling to places with a different language and culture than your own! It's much more interesting. Why do you need to promote peace with the UK and Australia, when they are already allies and are basically in the same category as the Americans? (culturally, I mean)
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 30773535


I agree! I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica, India, and Greece. I'm pretty young so I'd say so far my traveling has been pretty good X) Right now I'm back in college so my studies have been taking up my time/expenses but i really wana continue seeing the world.

also, just because our governments are allies, doesn't mean their people like us. In fact, a lot of the English looked down on us American kids because our money is worth less and because we seceeded from the brits.

In australia, i stayed with this really nice family but they orginally had very poor views of us. when we got off the bus they literally asked me, "where are the americans?" they didn't realize how diverse we are. this is their exact words: "We were expecting blond cheerleading bimbos" I laughed because thats just aussi humor. during the 3 days i stayed with them, we shared so much about each others' culture and country that our previous opinions completely changed. that aussi family now bases their views on americans because of me and the other ambassadors and what i taught them. they taught me a lot too.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23414035


I would agree that you are off to a great start and when you are beginning to travel, countries similar to your own are good places to learn. Your first years of travelling, and the places that you fall in love with, stay with you for a lifetime. Opening your eyes to a world that exists outside of your own and discovering that it is full of interesting things and lessons and generally people are good. Politics suck everywhere. The nature of a place is very important, it has shaped the people. A culture that takes care of and respects it's nature generally has a (usually poor, but) happy society. People that live close to the land in 3rd world countries are holding a treasure that we in the developed world are losing. (unless you live on a farm) It seems that the "developed" first world countries have developed themselves into a mess of ugliness and people everywhere want to seek refuge in a quiet space far from the cities. You mentioned Costa Rica. It is a beutiful country, and not really necessary to speak Spanish because so many Americans are there that English has pretty much become a second language. Nicaragua is a little more undeveloped. These days though even the cowfields of Panlenque are being exploited. Good luck OP!
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 23414035
United States
12/28/2012 06:13 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
I traveled a lot and i love it. Infact, when I'm away from home I'm a lot happier.

Besides the states, I've traveled to Australia, England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. It was part of a Student Ambassador Program to promote peace through understanding of dif cultures.

Money is no excuse, I devoted one year per trip to saving money and fundraising to cover the expenses plus a little extra.

So not all Americans are lazy and don't travel ;)
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23414035


you should try travelling to places with a different language and culture than your own! It's much more interesting. Why do you need to promote peace with the UK and Australia, when they are already allies and are basically in the same category as the Americans? (culturally, I mean)
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 30773535


I agree! I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica, India, and Greece. I'm pretty young so I'd say so far my traveling has been pretty good X) Right now I'm back in college so my studies have been taking up my time/expenses but i really wana continue seeing the world.

also, just because our governments are allies, doesn't mean their people like us. In fact, a lot of the English looked down on us American kids because our money is worth less and because we seceeded from the brits.

In australia, i stayed with this really nice family but they orginally had very poor views of us. when we got off the bus they literally asked me, "where are the americans?" they didn't realize how diverse we are. this is their exact words: "We were expecting blond cheerleading bimbos" I laughed because thats just aussi humor. during the 3 days i stayed with them, we shared so much about each others' culture and country that our previous opinions completely changed. that aussi family now bases their views on americans because of me and the other ambassadors and what i taught them. they taught me a lot too.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23414035


I would agree that you are off to a great start and when you are beginning to travel, countries similar to your own are good places to learn. Your first years of travelling, and the places that you fall in love with, stay with you for a lifetime. Opening your eyes to a world that exists outside of your own and discovering that it is full of interesting things and lessons and generally people are good. Politics suck everywhere. The nature of a place is very important, it has shaped the people. A culture that takes care of and respects it's nature generally has a (usually poor, but) happy society. People that live close to the land in 3rd world countries are holding a treasure that we in the developed world are losing. (unless you live on a farm) It seems that the "developed" first world countries have developed themselves into a mess of ugliness and people everywhere want to seek refuge in a quiet space far from the cities. You mentioned Costa Rica. It is a beutiful country, and not really necessary to speak Spanish because so many Americans are there that English has pretty much become a second language. Nicaragua is a little more undeveloped. These days though even the cowfields of Panlenque are being exploited. Good luck OP!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 30773535


I completely agree with you. I'm an Inuit and was accepted and grew up with the Nisqually tribe in WA. I wholly believe in respecting and preserving nature, and it saddens me when I see so many people abusing and disregarding it because it stands in the way of profits. I've always said, "The world will always provide for man's needs, but never enough for his greed." I felt a personal connection to the Aboriginees as they taught me which plants are edible, how to throw a boomerang and spear, and how to play the didgereedoo. City life bores me because the people are so disconnected with themselves and their surroundings. The wild offers so much more and living in an undeveloped (or if its a mix) country intrigues me. Pass on your wisdom to others especially in your travels. I know i will :)

twirl
Perseus7

User ID: 29317919
United States
12/28/2012 06:14 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
%they do%
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 7s 5f 6d 7p
3bbb

User ID: 505305
United States
12/28/2012 06:20 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Better question: why are there 4 pins about guns right now, and two of them are by the person that owns this website???
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10294512


They want you to know about it Obviously. Next.

Most other places tawlk funny or bath in piss so we opt
to stay in the US.
Sharty Mc Bean

User ID: 31008011
Netherlands
12/28/2012 06:23 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Sadly, I think a lack of vacation time plays a big factor. Allot of Americans are lucky to get 2 to 3 weeks vaction in a year. How many vacation days does the average European individual get?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7155455


It's about the same here, in Germany at least. Maybe the southern european people have bit more, but if so not much more.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 31009093


i have 30 days a year...
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 31009942
Mongolia
12/28/2012 06:24 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because they are too busy twerking and taking the dick
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 31003866
United Kingdom
12/28/2012 06:59 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because food stamps don't cover travel costs
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 31006683
United States
12/28/2012 07:02 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Can't stand the traditional wooden shoes of Europe and most other non-American nations.

The constant clak-clak-clak, it drives you batty!
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 25888883
Belgium
12/28/2012 10:49 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
In Belgium we have a legal minimum of 20 days, excluding official Hollidays for fulltime jobs.

If your contract has more then a normal fulltime schedule (I think the default is 36h/week) you have to receive recuperation days.
For example, I have 10 days extra since I have a 40h/week contract. My mom only 3 since she works 37h/week.

People also receive extra days for their long history at the same employer, but that's company dependant. At my company it's 1 day extra per 5 years, which is nice. Most people do not have this (e.g. factory workers, craftsman, ...) I work 6 years at my company, so for me it's 1 day extra. I know it's a lot more at banks, government,...

My situation:
<30 years old, bachelor degree, 6 years at my first employer.
20 minimum + 10 recuperation + 1 history = 31 days, excluding Official Hollidays.

My mom:
>50 years old, just highschool, +30 years at a big bank.
20 minimum + 3 recuperation + 30 history = 53 days, excluding Official Hollidays.

Note: my mom has a LOT of hollidays. This is very rare for a person employed in the private sector. Banks are still very good for giving extra hollidays. But my mom's contract is still from the good old days. You won't have this today.

To my knowlegde: compared to Belgium, US and Canada have very little hollidays. UK, Germany and The Netherlands a bit fewer then Belgium. But going more to southern Europe, they tend to have more hollidays. France and Spain have more then Belgium.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 17152779
United States
12/28/2012 10:52 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
I go to Europe every other year. Travel is one of the best things this life has to offer.
Libra II
User ID: 1001450
Denmark
12/28/2012 10:59 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Cos they can't take their guns with them.
Prostetnik

User ID: 1321722
Canada
12/28/2012 11:16 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because they cant afford it dim fuck
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10294512


^--this
CowboyEE

User ID: 28141590
United States
12/28/2012 11:27 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
First, did you read the table data from the article that you posted. US Residents spent 165 Billion vs Germans spending 49 Billion on International Travel last year.

Also, Travel a few hundred miles from your home in Germany and you are in another country. When I travel that far I usually don't even leave my state.

I have been in over 30 different countries, and 45 different States. Not all Americans are home bodies.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 29307060
United States
12/28/2012 11:30 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because they are subconsciously afraid to see how other countries and people really are, and thus how their country really is.
They are afraid of giving up the idea that the US is the best and the only developed place on earth, and like to maintain all the clichés and funny opinions they have on other countries/people.
Thinking they're the superior humans only works as long as they haven't seen the truth.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 31005803


Actually i have traveled quite a lot and America at it's worst, is better than any place else.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 30485951
United States
12/28/2012 11:50 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
I've always wanted to. In the past it has been about lack of money and vacation, but that is not really an issue for me now. However, there is still a lot in the US I haven't seen. I will travel abroad sooner or later. I want to see the countries my ancestors came from.
Theteck

User ID: 30992001
Canada
12/28/2012 11:52 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
because they are not welcome anywhere
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 8397139
United States
12/28/2012 11:54 AM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Myth. Look it up. americans are second in travel after the germans.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 30983109


This ^

What's funny to me is all the talk of mankind's "great step forward into the Age of Aquarius."

1rof1

The truth is, most people are so goddamned stupid I'm surprised they can step out of bed in the morning.

Example? The dumbass that created this thread.
Epic Beard Guy

User ID: 26240425
United States
12/28/2012 12:00 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because we like where we are. We do not need to see the rest of the world, because we live in the best part of it. It's the same reason that everyone else wants to come to America. I can drive to Yellowstone National Park in a few hours, why would I want to go any farther?
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 17152779
United States
12/28/2012 12:02 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because we like where we are. We do not need to see the rest of the world, because we live in the best part of it. It's the same reason that everyone else wants to come to America. I can drive to Yellowstone National Park in a few hours, why would I want to go any farther?
 Quoting: Epic Beard Guy


bsflag
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 31006720
Germany
12/28/2012 12:27 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Myth. Look it up. americans are second in travel after the germans.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 30983109


This ^

What's funny to me is all the talk of mankind's "great step forward into the Age of Aquarius."

1rof1

The truth is, most people are so goddamned stupid I'm surprised they can step out of bed in the morning.

Example? The dumbass that created this thread.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 8397139


your insult makes me sad :(

cry
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 15751650
Canada
12/28/2012 12:32 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
I went to visit Germany in September. It was a pleasant trip until we visited a castle that was filled with really annoying American tourists. While having a really nice dinner they were loud and obnoxious.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 18681750
United States
12/28/2012 12:58 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Honestly, just can't or won't afford it.
I live in California, my mortgage, gasoline, insurance, cell phone, utilities, and child's college bill eat up every penny we make.

We save enough to take a couple of short vacations a year.

I would love to travel, but am waiting for the kids to be independent, so that we have the money to.

I think you might be wrong about Americans not traveling though, I think plenty do, just not all. Many are too poor, quite honestly.
davvi

User ID: 3677166
United States
12/28/2012 01:04 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
Because they cant afford it dim fuck
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10294512


its about priorities.

if you dont buy that new tv this year, you too may afford a little trip to Florida or whatever.
 Quoting: martian777


you don't know much about americans do you? because we all don't flock to europe doesn't mean we don't travel.

a trip to florida? been there, did that, it is hot.
davvi

User ID: 3677166
United States
12/28/2012 01:07 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
because they are not welcome anywhere
 Quoting: Theteck


i know your intent was to insult us, which is all you canadians have, but really your comment is partly true. for instance i will not go to canada and give my hard earned money to a nation who hates me. i don't go to europe any longer for the same reason.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
User ID: 31006720
Germany
12/28/2012 01:09 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
because they are not welcome anywhere
 Quoting: Theteck


i know your intent was to insult us, which is all you canadians have, but really your comment is partly true. for instance i will not go to canada and give my hard earned money to a nation who hates me. i don't go to europe any longer for the same reason.
 Quoting: davvi


makes sense imho
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 27667491
United Kingdom
12/28/2012 01:19 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
imagine, living your entire life, having never left your home territory
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 18681750
United States
12/28/2012 01:27 PM
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Re: Why do Americans not travel ?
imagine, living your entire life, having never left your home territory
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 27667491


As strange as that might seem to you, the U.S. is big and varied in landscape. We travel regularly by car farther than the length of your entire country.

We can go from the high sierras to the sonoran desert in a day, and there's a lot to do and see in between.

If you have traveled here, you should understand this.





GLP