Are we "bores" with our travel stories? (page 2 of 16)

Good evening, freepouilles,

After reading your message and then your interests in your profile, I think if you wrote something about your travels, it could be really interesting. Seriously. You’re well aware that a conversation like the one you describe so well is one thing, but a written account is another—both for the storyteller and the readers/listeners. If only for the freedom to keep reading or to walk away. It seems to me it’s the same kind of difference as between a casual bar chat about some random topic and reading an article on that same subject. nota bene: I thought it was northern Italy that wanted to secede from the south—is there a movement for a free Puglia now?

Good evening,

One might also wonder if 'travelers' (well, some or a good number of them) don't have a more developed 'ego' than others, which swells as they travel or 'do' countries (doing a country—what a strange expression, and a reflection of consumerist society in the end...) Unless it's their greed that grows from always going elsewhere, and their dissatisfaction with staying where they are, at every moment, and being content there. Of course, there's the saying: travel improves the wise and worsens fools, but not everyone who wants to be can be 'wise'... And when a traveler has the pretension to call themselves a "great traveler," I think they haven't yet become a true traveler—simply put, someone who travels as they breathe and doesn't need to recount their "accomplished travels," but who does so naturally 😉

I couldn’t have said it better! Completely agree. "Boring like Ulysses..." works for me, and like freepouille and kristen, I’ve ended up keeping it all to myself, unless someone asks, of course—but I try to keep it short in general.

Reading you (jeddhai and yourself), a question is nagging at me? 🤪

But what the heck are you really doing on this forum? Why keep coming back? What’s the point for you?

If everyone thought like you, travel journals (which are still meant to be read, right?) wouldn’t exist, or even in the absolute sense: VoyageForum wouldn’t have a reason to exist, since three-quarters of its discussions would never see the light of day!!! 😕

There must be an explanation for this mystery—I can’t wait to hear it!!! 😉

I find travel stories on the forum really useful for people planning to visit the same destination or looking for travel ideas... to me, it’s a way to gather information.

But I definitely don’t read multi-page stories all the way through. 😕

What I love is reading about someone’s impressions after a trip to the Americas in my neck of the woods, especially if I gave them a few suggestions. 🙂

As for telling travel stories in person... some people have a knack for captivating their audience with even the smallest adventure, while others are painfully boring. But between someone who constantly talks about their travels or someone who endlessly brags about their kids’ achievements... hmm...

And then there are destinations that interest some people but not others... and types of travel that appeal to some but not all.

hi, I could try to share my travels, but I need a starting point. I have a bunch of emails I sent to friends, and I’ve been thinking for a while about compiling them. You’ve given me an idea—I might just give it a shot. These stories fascinated my friends, so why not the folks on VoyageForum? See you on the forum soon, Guillaume

Hi there, I just posted my first travel story—super concise, as usual. Here’s the link:

http://voyageforum.com/forum/F19/v.f?post=4443065;live=1;#4443065

Let me know what you think—I’ve got more tales to share!

Guillaume

Hi jemaflor,

Here’s a link to the travel journal Bwindi, a true Africa lover among the greats, is sharing with us. He’s both down-to-earth and modest despite his incredible talent—much like yours in the "Texts & Images" series ;)...

http://voyageforum.com/...8;page=unread#unread

Best wishes,

But what the "heck" are you actually doing on this forum? Why keep coming back? What’s in it for you?

It’s precisely to talk about it with people who are interested—or supposed to be.

If everyone thought like you, travel journals (which are made to be read, right?) wouldn’t exist—heck, even VoyageForum wouldn’t have a reason to exist, since three-quarters of its discussions would never happen! 😕

Travel journals get read when the internet user has time, but the person you *could* tell your stories to isn’t always available.

Travel stories on the forum are really useful, in my opinion, for people planning to visit the same destination or to get ideas for new places... I see it as a way to gather information.

That’s exactly the value of travel stories, at least what I read on Voyage Forum.

I’m sorry to be so down-to-earth and not philosophize or mock like the author of that pamphlet, but I find traveler accounts have several benefits for those unfamiliar with a destination. Let me use the United States as an example to illustrate my point: Get a first sense of the locals’ mentality through real-life situations—restaurants, hotel check-ins, renting a car. You quickly realize you should never raise your voice at someone, or you might face legal trouble.A discussion about the helpfulness of Park Rangers let people compare different views—some see Americans as very welcoming, while others have more mixed experiences. Learn handy tips to make life easier, like knowing when stores are open or not leaving your car key in the ignition because the vehicle locks automatically after a few seconds. Become aware of desert dangers (like flash floods) and that trailhead registers are a safety measure if you get lost. Adjust your itinerary to include hikes you thought were uninteresting or too challenging.The examples could go on and on.

I think the book’s author wanted to write the new *Dictionary of Received Ideas* by Flaubert, but for travelers.

But travel stories are like TV channels or the sports newspaper *L'Équipe*—no one’s forced to read them, and as PelicanBrun aptly put it, you can just move on.

Judging by the number of replies these stories get, they *do* interest quite a few people, and those who aren’t into them can always head to the library and borrow the classics.

Bruno

totally agree A blog is meant to exchange points of view, give an opinion, offer advice—not to use it as a dumping ground for hatred, grudges, or personal problems....................if you don’t like it......you don’t read it......nobody’s forcing you......... pepe mike

****"Are we bores with our travel stories?" In my opinion, the answer is YES in 95% of cases! ****

+1!!!! A huge portion of what’s posted on VF—and on some insipid blogs—is totally unreadable and wouldn’t even pass muster with close family. It’s as boring as those slide nights from the 60s or video evenings from the 80s. Too bad for the few gems you can sometimes find, buried under the output of oversized egos.

A huge chunk of what’s posted on VF—and on some insipid blogs—is totally unreadable and wouldn’t even pass muster with close family. It’s as dull as those slide nights from the 60s or the home-video evenings of the 80s.

Still, it’s easy enough to skip over "insipid" or "unreadable" stuff online, unlike those mandatory slide shows from Uncle Raymond back from his package tour of the Benelux… 😉

Hello,

Travel stories are a lot like literary works. Have you ever been surprised by the countless number of books (excluding technical ones) published each year, most of which likely end up being pulped?

Well, I think you’ve got to have the mindset of a gold prospector—always searching for those unique nuggets that vary for each of us since we don’t share the same interests.

I believe respecting others starts with a well-aired, well-written, and concise text—it’s the beginning of a gripping travel story.

Bruno

Hi,

Yes, I completely agree with you, and I’m actually the first to check out travel blogs and journals. To find the gems and/or great tips, or just to have a good time.

What I mean is that blogs and travel journals are only read by those who want to—usually other enthusiasts. There’s no intention from the authors to force us to read them. It was nothing like when a parent or friend would subject us to their endless slide-show evenings. 😉

Hi,

Since you’re bringing it up, and I’m not sure what to think myself—is Dolasadolasa a travel journal? A blog? A collaborative site about a region and travel?

Michel

I kinda agree with raoulx on the "oversized egos" 😄, though everyone has their "share of ego". I find that most travel blogs or personal sites—except those whose goal is actually to give useful and interesting info to people who want to go to a certain place without always forcing the focus on "themselves"—are really egocentric, even "exhibitionist." It’s like a kind of "self-promotion": "Hey friends stuck in sedentary jobs! Yeah, we’ve got the "good life," we’re a couple, or a lone "adventurer" (so cool), or a family of "Travelers"! Come read about our "adventures" on routes that have been done a thousand times before—just to make you a little sick of your boring life!" Basically, if the goal is just to help people do the same or "share" messages about peace, global brotherhood, or protecting nature, then sure, why not make a blog? But if it’s just to post your latest vacation like a photo album, I’ve got the same ones at home sometimes ;)

Jeddhai, I think you're being a bit harsh on people who make the effort to put a blog online. It's true that what we find on the internet can vary greatly in quality—meaning the authors of these blogs have more or less talent. But we shouldn’t automatically assume these authors have the bad intentions you listed (egocentrism, exhibitionism, self-promotion).

Besides, "messages for peace, global brotherhood, or defending nature" don’t necessarily make the best blogs... When you’re planning a trip (which is what I’m doing right now), you mostly want to know how those who came before you structured their trip, what they saw, how they went about it, etc.

I’d find it a shame if travelers kept their notes and photos tucked away in a drawer just to avoid being accused of egocentrism, exhibitionism, or self-promotion. 😉

P.S.: Why do so many posts appear and disappear on this page? 😮

Hi fellow traveler,

Jeddhai, I think you’re being a bit harsh on people who take the time to put a blog online. It’s true that what we find on the internet varies wildly in quality—meaning some bloggers are more talented than others. But we shouldn’t automatically assume these writers have the negative intentions you listed (egocentrism, exhibitionism, self-promotion).

I completely agree with you! And I say that with total objectivity, since I don’t have a blog or any published travel journals!

There are no professionals on this forum (or at least, I hope there aren’t!), so why be so critical of the amateurs who make up VF? They just want to share their passion for travel—sometimes with such touching enthusiasm—through stories and travel journals made by "amateurs" for "amateurs"?

If anything, egocentrism and exhibitionism are more likely to come from professionals—it’s practically their trademark! A writer is an artist, and what artist isn’t a little egocentric?

And even if some forum members occasionally imagine (rightly or wrongly) that they have a bit of writing talent? So what! Is it really that big of a deal?

Why do so many posts appear and disappear on this page? 😮

I’d love to know too, honestly!!! 😠

See you around,

Hi PélicanBrun,

Yes, I think there’s one dimension that Jeddhai completely overlooked: the enthusiasm behind travel blogs and journals. That enthusiasm that sparks travel plans, stays with the traveler on the road, and keeps the dream alive afterward.

Without that enthusiasm, there’d be no passion for travel—or forums like this one.

I’ve "committed" a blog myself; it’s nothing special, and I’m not claiming it’s a model. But one thing I’m sure of is that I did it out of enthusiasm, to extend my trip and share it with others who share the same passion.

It’s not egocentrism or exhibitionism that drives people to travel and create travel journals—it’s passion and enthusiasm!

Later! 😉

Hi Jean,

For me, it's like with a book. I have my favorite authors, a writing style, and a story that will either hook me right away or bore me very quickly. I'm more sensitive to the way it's told. Actually, I prefer form over substance! I've come across some rare gems, illustrated with a few photos, which I also appreciate.

This space open to those who want to write is a great thing. I think for some, it's a little therapy 😉

Hi Kate,

This open space for those who want to write is a good thing. I really think for some it’s a little therapy.

Not only do I agree, but it’s an obvious truth for all those who, without the anonymity of the web, would never have dared to show and share what they’ve seen...

Contrary to what I read earlier, it’s not just oversized egos craving popularity—there are also genuinely simple people who must be thinking, "why not me?" 😛