Why do Americans not travel ?

Not an excuse, just a fact. And honestly I meet a lot more asian travelers than aussies around here.

But whatever, if you want to just get on the "knock americans any way you can" bus, well, I guess you already did.

We don't get 20 days off a year plus holidays. We get maybe a week or three, and usually including holidays and sick-time.

It's not a great system but we work within it.

You just save the money you could have spent on guns, and you'll soon realize it's not that expensive after all.

Just remembered a true story from Denmark from the 1970s ... or 80s. There's these two sweet old ladies sitting on a bench, and then this crazy guy approaches them. Anyway, the guy tells the two old ladies he's a psychologist, but neither of them will believe him. But he goes on and on and on about he's a psychologist, and yet they still wouldn't believe him. Anyway in the end he got so pissed off at them, cos they wouldn't believe him, that he beat the fuckin crap out of them. Hahahahahah.

god what a european idiot you are.

i have never understood this need you fucking europeans have for americans to travel. why the obsession? if we are happy here what business is it of yours? i have the feeling that the obsession is more knee-jerk anti-americanism from our "dear" "dear" "friends, than anything else?

we don't obsess about you, shit if you are not in our faces with your crap we don't even think about you...sorry, neither you nor countries are all that interesting. i would find china far more interesting.

What kinda drugs ya sellin, luv?

Enter the pope:
I fucking kill you, American schweinhund.

Sorry, luv. Just for a sec I thought we were all on fuckin Broadway.

time:

Americans get 2 weeks vacation a year, on average, compared to Europeans and South Americans who can get 4 -8 weeks depending on their job and seniority

money:

Americans are paid far less than many other cultures now (in Canada, minimum wage is $11-$12 an hour, and most adults make more than $15-$20. Where I lived, people earning less than $25,000/year got a rebate from the government on their taxes as that is considered poverty

Meanwhile, in the USA, minimum wage is still below $10 and many well educated people are barely making $15

expense of trips:

In Europe, you can catch an EZ Jet out of Heathrow or Orly for $50 and go explore Spain, Scotland or Hungary

If you have a little time, you can drive there

In Europe, in a day's drive you will drive through several countries with different cultures....in the US, it can take almost an entire day to drive through Tennessee or Texas

Any trip to a truly different country involves crossing the ocean and a plane ticket of close to $1000 even on sale, and that's for one person. Once you add a few kids and an exchange rate which still has the Euro at almost 30% more than the USD, it could cost $15,000 for a 2 week trip

That's much more of a chunk than the cost of a $500 new TV set

When I was a kid, even into the 1980 and 9i0s when the exchange ratre was favorable (pre Euro) and the price of fuel was closer to $20/barrel more Americans used to go to Europe.

Not so much now...double whammy of falling wages, rising commodity prices and higher ticket prices w/a much more expensive european exchange rate

and yes, finally we come to the TSA and the other indignities and humiliations of modern travel which, on top of the other issues, makes many throw up their hands and say: on 2nd thought, let's stay home....

that's how I see it, anyway

Last Edited by IssueX on 12/28/2012 07:04 PM

I agree. Why, just today my daughter and I took a drive up to North Carolina to bum around for the heck of it. Everyone I know travels a great deal. I think, however, that the trips of the US citizens are mostly within this country since it is such a large and impressive place. We have mountains, oceans with great beaches, prairies, forests, cultural centers, etc. I mean, it's nice to go to Europe and all, but when my daughter and I went over there a couple of years back for 10 days, it cost us $8,000. Been there, done that. Here, I can rent a quaint cabin on a beautiful lake and relax for an entire week for $1,000. I can drive down to the Keys and spend a week at a friend's condo free-of-charge and my only cost is gas and food. Plus, when we stay here in this country we don't have to deal with not being able to communicate with the locals.

because so many are bainwashed that they need a motel every night and all the other luxuries.

throw on a backpack, stick out the thumb and see where you end up maybee that isnt safe but it is very exciting and
enlightening.

I can speak for one American, myself.
I am paranoid of getting killed in a travel accident. I like to read, knit, and work my own land. Also, even though I've taken a second job, food and gas costs make any extras out of my reach.

It was quite enjoyable pre 911
now too much effin BS
I feel for the younger generations
that will Never
experience what freedom truly meant

Uhhhhh thats not true. I have only seen like 1 other white person here. I don't care, but Mexico is not full of Americans.

Because Europeans don't shower.

And there is cigarette smoke every fucking place.