Are we "bores" with our travel stories? (page 12 of 16)

It's still the case on some forums with no moderation... But VF is still filled with civilized people who know how to have a discussion, I think.

because let’s face it, some people—once they get started—just go in circles. Even if we can see their point, the person (or people) in question just keeps hammering the same thing over and over for no clear reason, making everyone repeat themselves endlessly... (and I’m sure they think the same about the other side).

At least some people repeat the same thing under the same username, while you’ve been saying the same stuff under different ones...

Why’d you ditch your old identity?

And above all, above all, as much as possible, avoid the clash!

Why?

It’s not about the clash—it’s about enjoying the discussion and exchanging ideas.

I don’t get why people get so worked up just because we disagree with them or point out their contradictions.🤪

VF still has civilized people who know how to discuss, I find.

Yes. It’s pretty rare for insults to fly.

hey rhume, I’m stepping out of the discussion (which is endless and ultimately pointless)

Here’s a thread opened seven years ago by a contributor who shares excellent travel journals here, both in photos and writing. A thread where around sixty participants have expressed themselves properly. Among them, writers of beautiful travel stories, renowned bloggers, and early readers. A lively, rich, and respectful discussion—one I’ve been part of since the beginning (for those who think the world began with you).

Then some random person shows up, seemingly not even understanding what they’re writing, goes off-topic, spins in circles, gets tired, and finally decides the whole discussion is pointless. They’re absolutely right—about their own contributions, that is.

P.S. I’ll say it here as briefly as I have elsewhere: no need to bombard me with private messages. To put it in terms you’ll understand—leave me alone. I handle my public business publicly.

Thanks voyajou, you’re totally proving my point again... yeah, we’re going in circles. Seems like quite a few of us keep saying the same thing, but oh well... Careful voyajou, don’t bark too loud or you’ll lose your dentures!!😉 Take care of your health, otherwise soon you won’t be able to flood us with your travel journals anymore, and your groupies will feel lonely!!

Is this supposed to be an argument?😇

I get why you’d choose images over writing for your informative trip reports now.

Hello, I just came across this debate. I agree that there can be a bit of narcissism in sharing our travels. But digging deeper, aren’t there other reasons why some travelers spend hours recounting their adventures on a forum or in an article? Isn’t it also because they’ve been disappointed—or even frustrated—by not finding interested listeners that they finally decide to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard? Isn’t it natural, when you return from a trip full of anecdotes, to want to share all of it with your loved ones? Is it really less interesting for our friends to learn a little more about the world through a loved one’s experience than to hear yet another discussion about the umpteenth way to cook dish X, the imagined flavors of wine Y, or the features of the latest car Z? Is it shocking to spend 30 minutes sharing the highlights of a three-week trip or showing your best photos during a four-hour evening? If the topic of a lived experience should be censored (I’ve personally known this for 30 years!), where do we draw the line? Every year, we receive a little document recounting the highlights of the year—especially their travels—from an American couple we met in Peru. We find it interesting and it doesn’t shock us, but it seems unthinkable in France... Every year, I try to understand such attitudes, and every year, one word comes back: jealousy!!!

For me, nothing shocking—it’s just about finding the right person to talk to! It’s like anything else: parents who go on and on about their kids, the workaholic who won’t shut up about their job, the best friend who drones on about their dramatic love life, the fitness buff with their sport, etc...

These are just conversations like any others—you’ve gotta find the people who are actually interested!

Hi Miranda! I agree with what you said.

Otherwise, we’re definitely all bores at one point or another.

The great thing about writing and also about exchanges on sites like VF is that only those who want to read a story do… with the option to skip it anytime!

That’s why I stick to travel forums to talk about travel. Unless someone asks me about it in real life.

What if we have a life of travel?

Hi! Being a "bore" would be the right word if we wanted to recount a trip in minute detail for hours. Claiming 30 minutes to share a few anecdotes from a 3-week trip seems legitimate. Facing total boycott is shocking. Admitting that we can only express ourselves in a forum is surprising... I see we don’t agree. But I’m probably wrong...

Hi! Being a "bore" might be the right word if someone wanted to recount a trip in minute detail for hours. Claiming 30 minutes to share a few anecdotes from a 3-week trip seems reasonable. Facing total boycott is shocking. Admitting that we can only express ourselves in a forum is surprising... We don’t see eye to eye, I guess. But maybe I’m wrong...

Hello! Nope, you’re not wrong. We just have different points of view ;) What I meant is that I don’t spontaneously talk about my trips. If someone asks me what I did last summer, I’ll say I went to Oregon. But I won’t expand on the topic on my own. If the person is interested, they’ll ask. In that case, I’m obviously not a "bore." But you know, people ask questions but don’t actually expect an answer most of the time. It’s like when someone asks how you’re doing! They don’t really want to know if you’re not okay

For example, after a trip, I don’t organize a slideshow of my photos with my friends. If the destination interests them, they won’t hesitate to ask.

And how do I know most people aren’t interested in our travels? I have a blog, and when I post an article, I share the link on FB. A lot of my friends "like" my post but don’t actually read the article ;) (I know because of the stats) But you see, the boycott isn’t total since I still share my articles on social media.

we’re all bores. Back home, people don’t care where we’ve been or what we’ve done… gotta accept it. We don’t travel for them, we travel for us. Hugs

We’re all bores. Back home, people don’t care where we went or what we did… gotta accept that. We don’t travel for others, we travel for ourselves. Cheers

Couldn’t agree more! !

we're all bores. People "back home" don't care about us, where we went, what we did... gotta accept it. We don’t travel for others, we travel for ourselves. Cheers

Hey Frank,

Thanks for chiming in—at least the message is clear and often true... Okay, let’s admit that sometimes our stories *can* interest certain people and/or internet users. But it’s true that the one telling the story gets the most pleasure out of reliving the trip. So as far as I’m concerned, I’ll keep "reliving" my travels... by writing up travel stories and reports. Like this one, with this little nod to a visit in the world capital of ostriches—it’s in South Africa... and it’s a wink!

https://voyageforum.com/discussion/afrique-du-sud-oudtshoorn-capitale-mondiale-autruches-d9673563/

We’re no more boring than the people who tell us about their day at the office and their problems with their boss.

Generally, all discussions where people share their opinions go in circles. Because everyone has their own opinion, the neighbor won’t agree, another will argue in favor of their own view, and in the end, everyone leaves with the same ideas. It’s like most debates: sterile.

There are also people who are educated not to only see their own navel—people you can have constructive debates with, reflect on others' arguments, and even be convinced to reconsider your viewpoint. Yes, they exist! I’ve even been on forums where everyone was like that—kind when reading others’ posts, and it was a real pleasure to debate. I must say, it was—already, since the internet is recent—a different era.

It has nothing to do with travel, but there are language forums where people respond politely, like WordReference: no ego problems.

Hello, I completely agree—if we can’t talk about travel, what *can* we talk about? Where do we draw the line? We become "boring" if we go on too long... just like any conversation. Of course, we travel primarily for ourselves. Thankfully, otherwise I would’ve stopped long ago! But it’s only natural to want to share the moments we’ve experienced. I stand by the diagnosis I made in a previous post....

On this site, no one can claim they were forced to log in and then had to read a travel journal.

Even if I’m often disappointed by the poor quality of the photos and/or texts, every now and then a gem pops up.

I know my travel journals interest a certain number of people—my only regret is that these shares don’t inspire more participants. Uh, I mean, non-participants.