Americans fear solo travel
#136
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 661
A lot of places in Europe that have the outdoor seating do not have seats at the bar... I have been seated in these places solo but actually have been made fun of by some [jerks] believe it or not. One time in Salzburg, Austria I wanted to try the Salzburger Nockerl which is usually a portion for 2-3 people. Two people swung by my table when I was minding my own business to tell me that I shouldn't eat such a magnificent dish by myself... another told me that it's a shame that I couldn't invite anyone else. I should've told them to .... off and mind their own business but I just ignored them.
Last edited by StartinSanDiego; Oct 11, 2017 at 7:56 am Reason: masked vulgarity
#137
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
My question was more about the inevitable rise of independent tourism by mainland Chinese. Seems to me that travel resources written in Mandarin are a necessary but not sufficient condition for that to begin.
I doubt that the existing English-language travel publishers are getting into that (maybe LP, hard to imagine RS has the resources). I was wondering if there are publishers going after that market today.
I doubt that the existing English-language travel publishers are getting into that (maybe LP, hard to imagine RS has the resources). I was wondering if there are publishers going after that market today.
Last edited by invisible; Oct 14, 2017 at 12:41 pm
#139
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,193
I love bad generalizations. I've been to all 7 continents solo and would rather travel solo than have to contend with my family. When I'm solo, I'm up at dawn and exploring the environs but when I travel with others, I have to wait for them to wake up, have breakfast, get ready, ... zzzzzz
My grandmother used to travel solo into her 80s. She loved meeting new people and seeing new things while my grandfather was happier just staying home and getting his daily rounds of golf in.
The big thing I see is that other people -- Americans, Canadians, etc. -- like to travel with others because they find shared experiences to be more enjoyable, not because of any fear. The only common denominator I've seen on various travel fora or in the groups I've joined were young women are the demographic most likely to be apprehensive about traveling solo.
My grandmother used to travel solo into her 80s. She loved meeting new people and seeing new things while my grandfather was happier just staying home and getting his daily rounds of golf in.
The big thing I see is that other people -- Americans, Canadians, etc. -- like to travel with others because they find shared experiences to be more enjoyable, not because of any fear. The only common denominator I've seen on various travel fora or in the groups I've joined were young women are the demographic most likely to be apprehensive about traveling solo.
#140
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Programs: SA Air, Air Canada, KLM, BA,Lufthansa, United, AA, Hawaiian, Air New Zealnd, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic
Posts: 777
Not afraid here...........
I don't think a statement like this can mean anything. I enjoy the peace and quiet and only needing to do what I want to do.
DH and I also travel together, or he is perfectly capable of finding his way around the states or the world.
So each alone, or going together, we have it down for about 30 years now.
DH and I also travel together, or he is perfectly capable of finding his way around the states or the world.
So each alone, or going together, we have it down for about 30 years now.
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,436
This. A thousand times this. (I'm no hermit. I like shared experiences, but wish I could just meet up with people to share them.)
#145
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#146
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
I just got back from another solo trip. This time to Spain (Costa del Sol). What a wonderful place. Even with my limited Spanish, I had great conversations with people. I never really felt alone. A couple of mornings, I didn't even wake up alone.
#147
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#148
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Not this American. I travel solo quite often both domestically and internationally. I typically spend the week between Christmas and New Years in Europe by myself and I've also traveled to Canada, Central America and Asia solo.
#150
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 206
I'm glad people here mentioned the restaurant thing. I'm okay doing nearly everything alone. but going out to eat at normal, nice sit down restaurants is uncomfortable for me. I feel like whenever I have done that, I get awful service. I wouldn't even go during busy times. I agree if a restaurant has a bar to eat there though.
Generally though I eat like this. Take advantage of the free breakfast at the hotel (if they have it), or grab something on the go (I'm not a big breakfast eater....just something light like coffee and toast or something). Eat lunch out. Usually I find something super casual. Not fast food, but sort of like an outdoor market. For dinner, same idea as lunch or I like to go to a supermarket and get food from there (hot or cold). The joke is some of the best food I've had in the US and out of the US were at normal supermarkets lol.
I also find eating alone at a restaurant a little sad
Generally though I eat like this. Take advantage of the free breakfast at the hotel (if they have it), or grab something on the go (I'm not a big breakfast eater....just something light like coffee and toast or something). Eat lunch out. Usually I find something super casual. Not fast food, but sort of like an outdoor market. For dinner, same idea as lunch or I like to go to a supermarket and get food from there (hot or cold). The joke is some of the best food I've had in the US and out of the US were at normal supermarkets lol.
I also find eating alone at a restaurant a little sad