Why more Americans don't travel abroad

[Valerie]

So I was reading this article on CNN, seems there's only 30% of Americans that have passports!!??...That is insane to me...Was just wondering how many of you all have passports and have traveled abroad, and for those of you who haven't, I'm interested to know why....

I know there are the obvious reasons why some don't travel abroad ( airfare, lodging too expensive)...But there was one bit of this article where someone said, "America has it all: "From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam,".....To me, this statement just seems ignorant. This country is very young, there are so many things abroad that America doesn't have, I know I am a bit biased because of my love for history and travel in general, and I know not everyone enjoys that sort of thing, I just have a difficult time understanding why some people have absolutely no interest in ever leaving their country to explore other cultures? Learn more languages? There is so much beauty to be seen in the world, so I was just curious to know everyone's sentiments on this topic....

Btw-if you want to read the article here's the link http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/04....html?hpt=Sbin

[Naomi4u]

Originally Posted by Valerie

there's only 30% of Americans that have passports....

I'm not surprised.

But there was one bit of this article where someone said, "America has it all: "From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam,".....To me, this statement just seems ignorant.

Indeed. Very ignorant. The thing is.. Americans THINK they have it all LOL!

Most of the black americans I have spoken with have no plans of leaving this country anytime soon.
They are completely ignorant when it comes to other countries. Being a young nigerian "girl" living in the states I am open to traveling to and learning about other countries and different cultures. I know one thing america doesn't have...

No comment!

[atlcomedy]

1. This board isn't representative of the population at large. Even if all of us aren't jet-setting around on our own private aircraft, I suspect we are much more worldly group than many.

2. For the vast majority of Americans, there is no need. It is for many something they might want to do & may even grow in their worldview and thinking, but they don't need to. Many Europeans need to cross borders as a practical reality.

3. The U.S. is pretty damn big & it is tough to exhaust everything there is here. A family member of mine, who has a passport and has travelled abroad, said she really has no desire to go back to Europe until she sees the equilivant of a "bucket list" in the States.

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by atlcomedy

1. This board isn't representative of the population at large. Even if all of us aren't jet-setting around on our own private aircraft, I suspect we are much more worldly group than many.
Agreed.


2. For the vast majority of Americans, there is no need. It is for many something they might want to do & may even grow in their worldview and thinking, but they don't need to. Many Europeans need to cross borders as a practical reality.
I know most Americans don't NEED to leave, I just wonder why there seems to be little interest in some wanting to explore more?

3. The U.S. is pretty damn big & it is tough to exhaust everything there is here. A family member of mine, who has a passport and has travelled abroad, said she really has no desire to go back to Europe until she sees the equilivant of a "bucket list" in the States.

Yes, America is huge, and I've traveled many many states/sites, but if I was American and lived here all my life I would still want to travel, but that's just me..

[mufflover]

its all good!

While the observation is correct on never leaving your own back yard, or gain appreciation firsthand of differing cultures--the US does have great differences regionally and much to enjoy as well.

Too many never leave their own city/region and see what is out there.

ML

[Iaintliein]

Originally Posted by Valerie

Yes, America is huge, and I've traveled many many states/sites, but if I was American and lived here all my life I would still want to travel, but that's just me..

Exactly. So people who "aren't you" are automatically "ignorant".

International borders are very tightly packed in Europe, so it should be no surprise that a higher percentage of people there have passports and travel internationally. Texas is 200 sq. mi. bigger than France. And international travel is well beyond the financial capabilities and certainly the financial priorities of most Americans.

I dare say more Americans have visited Europe than vice versa which explains why most of the Europeans I've met expected all of the US to be like NYC and LA because that's what they see in movies and TV.

At least Americans have always had the option to travel internationally, that's a fairly new development for many, many countries in Europe.

I guess in this case international travel is somewhat like a sign I once saw about tatoos. Those who have them (or in this case those who don't travel), don't care if you don't (in this case don't care if you travel).

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Iaintliein

Exactly. So people who "aren't you" are automatically "ignorant".

I said I thought that statement seemed a bit ignorant....I never said people who aren't myself are automatically ignorant, so stop putting words in my mouth... I didn't start this thread for drama, if anything trying to help take some of the attention away from the threads that have gotten out of hand...

I am simply curious about this topic, no need to get hostile

[Naomi4u]

Originally Posted by Valerie

...But there was one bit of this article where someone said, "America has it all: "From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam,".....To me, this statement just seems ignorant.

Originally Posted by Iaintliein

Exactly. So people who "aren't you" are automatically "ignorant".

Originally Posted by Valerie

I said I thought that statement seemed a bit ignorant....I never said people who aren't myself are automatically ignorant, so stop putting words in my mouth..

Lmfao.. she didn't call anyone ignorant. Geesh!

[Iaintliein]

Originally Posted by Valerie

I said I thought that statement seemed a bit ignorant....I never said people who aren't myself are automatically ignorant, so stop putting words in my mouth... I didn't start this thread for drama, if anything trying to help take some of the attention away from the threads that have gotten out of hand...

I am simply curious about this topic, no need to get hostile

My apologies, wouldn't dream of putting words in your mouth. Have a great day.

[texasgoldengirl]

What amazes me is the high percentage of stereotypical dumb Americans who do travel abroad. Holding a passport does not mean you know how to travel or have any better manners than those left at home.

Though the recent flood of nouveau riche Chinese takes the heat off Americans. The Chinese get consistently poor reviews from the travel and service industries, despite their wealth. Which illustrates, again, that just because you have a passport doesn't make you a great traveler.

XX
Amanda

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by texasgoldengirl

What amazes me is the high percentage of stereotypical dumb Americans who do travel abroad. Holding a passport does not mean you know how to travel or have any better manners than those left at home.

Though the recent flood of nouveau riche Chinese takes the heat off Americans. The Chinese get consistently poor reviews from the travel and service industries, despite their wealth. Which illustrates, again, that just because you have a passport doesn't make you a great traveler.

XX
Amanda

Agreed..

[amusemeant]

Before we start talking about why Americans don't travel abroad, we should talk about why they don't travel at all. In my own travels throughout the US I have met enough people who tell me that they have never left their home state, or never been 100 miles from their home town, that it amazes me.

As has been said in this thread, the US is a widely varied place with great differences in culture, language, food, etc - from state to state and region to region.

When I have traveled abroad, I know that I have certainly felt ignorant, or like 'the ugly American' at times. People certainly don't always make Americans feel welcome when traveling, whether you seem high class or not, when in certain areas. I have hidden my identity as an American at times, and so have many of my friends, all of whom are well traveled, to get better treatment. It always helps to know how to speak many languages, something a lot of Americans are not capable of.

I guess not everyone cares enough about becoming more cultured to go through it all for a vacation - when there are so many nice spots to relax where people will treat you really nice close to home. I personally can think of about 10 places I would rather go than to Europe with my passport anyway - been there, done that, got the tshirt....

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by amusemeant

Before we start talking about why Americans don't travel abroad, we should talk about why they don't travel at all. In my own travels throughout the US I have met enough people who tell me that they have never left their home state, or never been 100 miles from their home town, that it amazes me.
.

Yes!...Good point, I have had people here tell me that as well and I find it absolutely amazing...Some people have no desire to leave their state!

[I B Hankering]

I love to travel. My travels have given me enormous insights into other cultures. I was in Paris where I enjoyed being despised by a French bus driver. I was touring Italy where I was mistaken as being German. I enjoyed the fact that I was not immediately identified as “the ugly American.” It was years later that I heard that Italians tolerate Germans even less than they tolerate Americans. My bubble was burst! LOL

[amusemeant]

And it does seem that the more you travel, the more your views are widened to be more understanding of a great number of people (hopefully). I think a lot of people who don't consider themselves wealthy enough or educated enough or "whatever" enough are just scared to go too far away from home. Imagine if you only used the most widely viewed sources of news here in the US for all your information about humanity, how scared you might be.