The shallow pointlessness of backpacker culture

Its not, just first thread worth posting in.

I must be the only one who clicked on this thread thinking it was about actual backpacking, not about people vacationing with backpacks instead of suitcases.

I didn't realize backpacking had such a douchey culture. I've even stayed at hostels in a bunch of places and never noticed. I usually don't hang out with people from my hostel though, other than occasionally grabbing a beer at night if I'm traveling alone. I've met cool people from all countries, doing everything from vacationing to gap year. Based on my experience, you have to seek this culture out rather than being automatically inundated with it. I'm also up early and back late when I travel - maybe thats why I miss out on these things.

The only thing I do that might be linked to this article is encourage other people to travel.

Originally Posted by privateer

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The only thing I do that might be linked to this article is encourage other people to travel.

You smug, elitist, douchetard!

Originally Posted by johnapril

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I have seen good and bad examples of every nationality I've encountered. One of the ridiculous games travelers play, other than "gaining experience points," is, of course, amassing stereotypes of other nationalities so as to sound worldly.

of course... that goes w/o saying. I agree 100%. I was not saying that in hopes of "sounding" worldly. I have been to 26 countries worldwide and lived in North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. IMO I am reasonably well traveled. Please, I'm not bragging here... just pointing out that I've left the block a few times. However stereotypes exist from generalities that have some basis in reality in very broad contexts. There are countless examples of "X American", "Y French", "Z Japanese"..... etc.... I was being half sarcastic & half serious... but in short I think Americans in general are much less attuned to other cultures, customs, etc. and much less aware of happenings outside the US. If you're from LA, etc... or NYC etc... that's one thing. But all that real estate in b/t is pretty far removed. People in Europe & Asia, for example, are (in my experience) more aware? experienced? knowledgable of? (don't know if that's the exact word I'm feeling here) of differing cultures. Certainly, it is a result of proximity... neighbors being neighbors and all. You need only look at the percentage of populations/nationalities holding passports in various countries to get an idea for this. General estimates for the US are about 20%. England is over 70%. Canada around 40%. Yes there are many factors influencing this... population size, economics, logistics, etc. But for the US position of significant influence on the entire planet (politically, culturally, economically, militarily)... we could be a bit better neighbors (IMO). That's all. No harm, no foul.

Originally Posted by Stazy

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Well, I'm exaggerating slightly. When I travelled in Europe with my friends we stayed at hostels because not everyone could afford hotels. They're good for meeting new people and buying cheap booze but beyond that I'm really not a fan.

They're dirty, if they serve food it sucks, sleeping in a room with a million other people isn't that fun, the beds aren't comfortable, the culture is annoying, you will get stuff stolen from you.

I only stayed in one hostel that sounds like this...I think it was run by HI and was a last minute booking for a cheap room for 1 night in milan (flight came in super late and I was leaving the next day).

Everything else I read reviews and planned a little bit in advance (hostels all take reservations now...none of that old-school standing in line when the door opens business).

The free breakfast in the crappy hostel was bad (but it was free)...the free breakfast in the hostel in Lisbon was better than the breakfasts I usually eat every morning at home and elsewhere I got things like free milk/cereal and toast which is all I really need in the morning. A bunch of places I stayed had clean kitchens where I could make food for other meals.

I didn't get any **** stolen although I certainly see how it could happen (my friends who did a similar trip right before me didn't stay in any hostels and still got **** stolen).

The best is when they boast about their time volunteering for Peace Corps and brag about getting Obama elected.