Comments on: Meeting People: The Real World vs Travel World

By: sonika

sonika — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 13:53:18 +0000

That is so true!! Travel makes you feel comfortable about the world and I think its more about the people than the places! Our ideas about the world is often influenced by media, but when we travel we understand how similar we all are.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 08:00:13 +0000

This is interesting culture! I don’t know that American has such cultures of building up the wall for strangers. I love talking to strangers, striking up a conversation, sharing my stories and listening to theirs as well. Even I love having deep conversation to strangers because I know that anyone life experiences could be a lesson for anyone.

I will go for my first solo one-month this May. How do I deal with such cultures and make friends with them? In my previous trip, I met an American and he was friendly. So, I barely notice about such cultures. 🙂

By: Jinru

Jinru — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 07:06:33 +0000

I can understand why, as someone who doesn’t have a 9-5 job but spends at least 6 months of the year in one city, the people I interact with in this city don’t change often. Small talks are fine, but the overall excitement of talking to a stranger doesn’t come close to talking to people I share a life with (work, experience living in the city etc). I guess long-term travellers’ perspectives are different.

By: Chava

Chava — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:27:00 +0000

Wow, so phenomenal to read this. My trips are not as long as I wish them to be, and I return to America often, and still it’s painful. I never really thought of it as you say, but it’s so true–people here are all about hidden agendas, while people on the road are all about openness and exploring. AHHHH I MISS TRAVELING!!!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:06:44 +0000

In reply to Ian. Now that is one of the reasons Perth is my favorite place in Australia. The level of friendliness is second to none.

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:05:07 +0000

Im from Perth, West Australia. And before I set out on my solo adventure, I spent a month in hostels in Melbourne, just to see if I could cope on my own, meeting people. So, I was in this hostel bar, and I walked up and started talking to a girl. She said “you must either be from Perth or Tasmania”. I replied “why’s that?” and she said “because no one else just walks up and starts talking for the sake of conversation”. How right she was.

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:07:45 +0000

In reply to Rick Powell. I'm leaving very soon! Don't worry!

By: Rick Powell

Rick Powell — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:54:29 +0000

After living in a hostel for two months, I ended up working in one. For a shorter time. Ahem.

But still, it became addictive the ease to strike up conversations and meet new people. Of the places I’ve traveled, normal Argentine life is the closest I’ve experienced that resembles the traveling life. It’s in the onda.

Conversely, 7 weeks is far too long to stay in the States, Matt. The normal life in the States is the least like traveling of any country I’ve ever lived.

I hope you get to leave soon.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:38:19 +0000

For me, one of the best places to meet people is at religious services. I am always made to feel welcome and I meet locals instead of tourists.

By: Angie Main

Angie Main — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:56:07 +0000

In reply to LB.

Matt,
Have already commented on your top article but after a few weeks in Colombia I had some more thoughts. Back at home we have a phrase “you don’t get anything for nothing”. At base a lot of people (myself included in the past) have a tendency to think that if someone helps you or gives you something they will certainly want something in return. However, during my travels I have turned this totally on its head. Am currently travelling alone through Colombia and the people here are incredible. They actually WANT to help others. They want that I go back to my country with a good impression of their beautiful country. And what is more..they want nothing in return. This can be anything from advice on how to get to a site, to sharing local food with me in buses, to giving me a lift when the bus is cancelled, to inviting me to their houses just to chat…I actually was so impressed by the difference in attitude in the buses etc that I wrote an article about this comparing it to what would happen in Scotland if you spoke to people in the buses!!!! Obviously people are different and there are totally awesome kind people back home as well but somehow when travelling those peoplecometo the fore instead of those who look at you strangely if you say “hi how are you” to a stranger. It is certainly something I will take back to Scotland with me and at the very least if I learn this through my travel it will be a good travel!
Thanks for your thought provoking article Matt.
Angie