Virgina Postrel has a post about travel today, a subject which has been on my mind of late. Virginia is commenting on an article by a jaded reporter in The Guardian about travel having lost its allure in era when you can toodle over to Bruges from London for a quick over night.
I don’t think I’m anywhere near as jaded at The Guardian writer–hard to do that–but I have to admit travel has lost a tad of its glamor for me. And for most of my life travel was my drug of choice. I was always running off somewhere, having journeyed as far as Siberia and Manchuria. Now I’m not so quick to go, although work has taken me back and forth between the two US coasts with some frequency. Part of this, of course, is the general unpleasantness of airports. But there’s more. Europe, where I once spent so much time, seems hostile territory to me. I don’t want to spend my time explaining to Euros that I think US foreign policy is not quite as crazy as they do. Like most people, I don’t particularly enjoy being regarded as a villain – or as being allied with one. Back in the Vietnam era it was more fun. We were all brothers in protest.
Going to Asia is easier and it is no accident we chose Japan for vacation a year and a half ago. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Okay, two heartbeats. I’d want to make sure I got a prescription for Ambien. My other travel negative is the most important of all – jetlag.
“I don’t want to spend my time explaining to Euros that I think US foreign policy is not quite as crazy as they do. Like most people, I don’t particularly enjoy being regarded as a villain – or as being allied with one.”
Wait a minute… Roger, do people you meet on travels to Europe really reach that level of inconsideration? I thought many Europeans were too busy patting themselves on the back for such moral contortions as “We don’t hate you, just your government”, or “We like Americans, its just Washington’s policies we’re against”.
The reason I’m asking is because just a bit ago, I heard from some I know who traveled to Barcelona that they met some fairly nasty treatment when it was discovered they were Americans. Blatantly ignored in a restaurant, people refusing to talk to them, that sort of thing. And the funny thing is that at least three-quarters of this group would’ve agreed with any nasty assessment of the government anyone would’ve proffered (I don’t talk much politics with those friends, even though they are friends. We just agree to not argue over that stuff). When I heard that, I just wrote it off to simply one bad experience by one group… but now I read your post, and I’m beginning to wonder about what the experience is like over there.
If some Europeans are really being that up front with their prejudices, then maybe I should reconsider my own thought about trying to save up for France and Italy this fall. Doesn’t matter that I’m Asian and probably could get away with not being mistaken for being raised in the US, I simply will not stand for that sort of treatment. And I will not indulge the benightedness of others by pretending I’m Canadian or something. Hong Kong/Kowloon, Singapore, or some other destination would be equally fun, and more desireable if I didn’t have to put up with crap like that.
Then again, maybe I’m reading too much into your post. So anyway, is the treatment really that up front? Or am I making too much of this? I didn’t believe that the treatment would be that blatant until 1. I heard from my friends over Christmas, and 2. I read this post, so now those two things have got me thinking…
I think you are reading a bit much into it, EM. First of all, I’m not the kind of person who keeps his mouth shut when I travel (thought I’m trying to learn how). I’m frequently engaging with people and have lived in Europe on a few occasions and therefore have contacts there. So I’m into things whether I like it or not.
Also, no matter what I say, I’m the first person to jump on a plane to Venice or Florence just to eat a good meal. So consider what I wrote above more of an observation.
Never had a passport, never been outside of the country. Was too poor before I got too busy. Plus, I live in one of those “blue state” costals cities where the chicks of the world come to me. Just sayin….
Last nights episode of Boston Legal had Alan suing Home Land Security in Federal court to get Denny (Capt. Kirk) off the now infamous “no fly” list.
Alan reasoned that if we could fit thousands of songs and movies into an Ipod why can’t HLS get the best and the brightest, “the Steves” to solve these technology kinks?
I’ve often wondered the same thing.
“Plus, I live in one of those “blue state” costals cities where the chicks of the world come to me.”
And so when they arrive, what? They slap you and yell “QUIT STALKING ME!!”
hehe…
Anyway, Roger, I was worried only because of the odd coincidence of friends running into problems, then reading your post. That’s all. It just hit me and made me think “Wait a minute… less than 2 weeks, and a second bad story emerges”. You know… it’s anecdotal evidence, sure, but the human mind picks up on patterns, whether they’re true or false ones. I’ll trust your judgement. Besides, I too would luuuuuuuuuv a good meal in Venice myself. Or, some good country comfort food in France. I’ve heard nothing but dreamily good reviews of the non-haute stuff you get outside the big cities in that country.
And as an aside, I have the review of a friend who lived in London for a year. Who, upon hearing that I wanted to take a gastronomic tour of Europe implored me to not eat anything remotely bovine in England. I think he’s exaggerating, but there’s something about the shudder he presented that gives me pause. Next time I see the only other friend who’s lived in England – in a week or so – I’ll buttonhole him for advice on English “boeuf”. I mean… how bad can it be, really?
Guardianistas believe travel has lost its charm because now the masses can visit these places too. It’s no longer an elitist thing so there’s not much to brag about anymore. Though for many of my ex-colleagues in Ireland those who went to Asia were considered above those who merely went to the continent or North America. This may explain the recent European enthusiasm for taxing budget airlines more than the ever present global warming excuse.
Based on my experiences in Europe (specifically France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Northern Ireland) since 9/11 you are far more likely to hear your own citizens, particularly expats, expressing anti-American sentiment than the locals – often in the loudest voice possible. I’ve even been mistaken for an American but was greeted with nothing but politeness. It helps if you are seen to be respecting local customs such as greeting people in service positions before asking them for something.
This is not something I say very often, but I think Coisty is right here.
I am treated with infinitely more politeness in the Arab world than in Europe even though the Arab world is more hostile in general. It isn’t on a personal level, though, and I like that. Only the goons of Hezbollah have (so far) violated this rule in my experience.
My friend Sean spent six months out of the last year in Europe and he was lectured CONSTANTLY wherever he went. He often agreed with the lecturer, but couldn’t take it anymore after a while.
Europe is just a rude place.
Roger offhandedly mentioned “the general unpleasantness of airports”.Amen! Why are airports such sterile,hateful places,and do they have to be that way? Has anyone ever been in an airport that was halfway pleasent,or is it just natural for them to be an anteroom to Hell?
Alright El Mondo–guess I had that one coming…but you KNOW what I meant!
Scott: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here…
“Alright El Mondo–guess I had that one coming…but you KNOW what I meant!
”
Heeee!hehehehehehe…. >:^} <-(evil grin)