One of the most common stereotypes about travelers is that they must be wealthy if they can afford to spend a year globetrotting. With all the expenses like plane tickets, accommodations, gear, and endless excursions, it seems like travelers must have deep pockets.
The Reality: Yes, traveling can be pricey, but not everyone stays in hotels. That’s why CouchSurfing and backpacking are popular options. Travelers often make it work through budget strategies, like eating sandwiches and toast for months just to afford a half-year trip. Budget travel is almost an art form, but it’s something anyone can master. Instead of splurging on luxury hotels, travelers enrich their lives with experiences and friendships worldwide.
Many travelers find jobs while they explore, such as teaching English or giving yoga lessons. Volunteering abroad is another way they extend their travels and immerse themselves in the local culture. Meaningful travel often reveals more opportunities to extend the adventure beyond what a typical tourist might experience.
Another damaging myth is that travelers have a poor work ethic because they prefer exploring the world over climbing the corporate ladder.
The Reality: To debunk this myth, consider that taking a long sabbatical often means someone has worked exceptionally hard to earn that time off. Many travelers work overseas or do odd jobs just to keep traveling. This isn’t glamorous work; it might involve scrubbing toilets or working night shifts, but it helps them continue their journey.
Another classic stereotype portrays travelers as carefree wanderers with no responsibilities or significant relationships to hold them back. People admire their lifestyles and say, “I wish I could just get up and go!”
The Reality: Anyone can decide to travel. Travelers aren’t mythical beings doing the impossible; they’re just people willing to take risks. Like anyone else, they fear the unknown but choose to go because they believe it’s worth it. Most travelers have families, partners, close friends, and lives they put on hold to see the world. It’s a tough decision, but those who truly want to travel make the necessary sacrifices and go for it.
Some view it as bragging when travelers frequently start sentences with, “When I was in Bali…” It might come off as a humblebrag, but travelers enjoy sharing their experiences.
The Reality: It’s not about bragging or being arrogant. Travelers often talk about their adventures because they’re excited about what they’ve seen and experienced. If travel is a big part of someone’s life, it naturally becomes a frequent topic of conversation, much like you’d share stories about your beloved pet. In both cases, sharing pictures makes those stories even more real.
Many people tease travelers for supposedly avoiding responsibilities and running away from the “real world.”
The Reality: The irony is that travelers aren’t running away from the real world; they’re running to see more of it. While traveling can be different from the norm, it doesn’t eliminate responsibilities. It involves a lot of time management, planning, and budgeting—creating work rather than avoiding it. Plus, who decided that the “real world” is restricted to a 9-to-5 job in one place? What you consider the real world might be radically different for someone who believes that living life to the fullest means exploring it.