If you’ve ever travelled, whether it be around your own country or to the other side of the world, you’ve probably heard a few things from certain people that just make you cringe.
It’s annoying and frustrating when people just don’t get how this travel thing works. It’s not all sunshine and cocktails on the beach, sometimes it’s hard but it’s worth every sacrifice and we make it work. I know you mean well…. but we know what we’re doing.
Here’s a list of what not to say to a traveller, and a few responses for those of us who hear them.
“Oh, you’re going on holiday… again?”
*slap them in the face with your stamped filled passport*
“But how do you afford it?”
I work really bloody hard, ok? I sacrifice unimportant things like drinking and shopping sprees. I have priorities, I know I’m working towards something amazing.
“Your parents must be loaded.”
Yea they are. Compared to me. They’re real adults.
“Are your parents paying for this?”
No, remember how hard I said I worked? (but if your parents are paying for your trip then that’s amazing too!)
“I wish I could do it…”
Unless you have a genuine reason why you cannot physically leave your house then you can. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or even leave the country to travel.
“…but I have a job/boyfriend/kid”
Take a long weekend off, or quit your job if you’re feeling rebellious. Take your other half with you or go solo. Take your kid with you, or leave them at home with grandma for a few days. You can make it work.
“Wow, you’re so lucky!”
No, winning the lottery is lucky. Finding a dollar on the floor is lucky. Travelling is a mix of hard work and privilege, and there’s a huge difference.
“Why are you going alone?”
Because that is, in my opinion, the BEST way to travel. You have the freedom to do what you want when you want and you meet so many people along the way.
“It’s not safe in…”
SHUT UP RIGHT NOW. I get that some places can be dangerous, especially for female travellers, but if I hear one more person tell me that places like India are too dangerous to visit I will punch them in the face.
“But you’re a girl?”
*grabs boobs* WHAT!? Since when? I never, ever noticed that…
“You’re too young/old for this!”
And you’re too young/old to know better but here we are.
“Aren’t you scared?”
Yes, sometimes I am. It can be terrifying, but it’s also exciting, eye-opening, magical and a whole bunch of other positive things.
“Aren’t you lonely?”
Also yes, sometimes. It’s hard to make real connections when you’re drifting from one place to another, but my friends and family are just a phone call away.
“I haven’t been but…/My aunt’s friend’s brother went and….”
No one wants to hear your uneducated opinion on something you have never experienced for yourself.
“When are you going to grow up?”
Sorry, I didn’t realise fun had an age limit.
“When are you going to settle down?”
When are you going to learn that people don’t have to get married, get a mortgage and have two kids by the time they’re 30?
“What are you running away from?”
A monotonous life, and it’s working.
“You shouldn’t be wasting your life like this…”
Whoever says this to you needs to leave immediately. You don’t need this kind of negativity in your life.
“Why do you do it?”
Why the hell not?
“How was your trip?”
Thank you for pretending, but we all know that you don’t really care that I climbed the highest mountain in Australia or swam with sharks in Belize. All you want me to say is “Fine thanks, how have you been?”. Unless you’ve also travelled. Or you’re my mum.
The sad thing is, I have heard all of these at least once. I’m pretty sure most of us have!
Is there anything that you’ve heard that makes you frustrated or sad to hear as a traveller? Leave a comment below and help us educate the uneducated!
Josie Travels 
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