Does Traveling Full-Time Make You A Bum?

As the U.S. economy enters its 18th month of the Good Economic downturn and the unemployment rate climbs to 9.4% (and 9.2% in the E.U.), extra and extra people seem to be offering up and hitting the proverbial road, taking advantage of a forced trip that will likely be longer than anything at all they’ll expertise once again in daily life.

Some men and women are eventually realizing their intention of volunteering abroad, many others are heading out on a dream getaway and taking that 3-month trek as a result of Mongolia they’ve had their eyes on in excess of the final number of years though toiling away in a cubicle.

What offers? Some industry experts say it’s “a reflection of the country’s cultural narcissism — and attitudes of entitlement and self-centeredness — and a backlash towards corporate America and its ‘Dilbert’-like operate atmosphere.”

This week, the Frugal Traveler profiled a Cape Codder who is made use of to squirreling away his difficult-earned funds through the fantastic occasions (summertime) and trekking the planet for the remainder of the yr.

Some, like John and Cara, have taken this to heart, documenting their travels on YouTube. As John writes on his YouTube web page, “I often get asked how it is feasible to travel for so lengthy and the solution is very simple. Perform tricky and conserve as significantly as doable. Chose a destination that will allow you to travel for extended periods of time (like Asia and South America), and then carefully spending budget your money (i.e., don’t drink away your travel fund).”

But what should one make of a complete-time traveler: Pioneer or bum? You could likely guess which label I would agree with, but it’s surprising the level of animosity some men and women have for individuals fortunate ample to go on epic vacations. A seem at the feedback (165 in all!) underneath the Frugal Traveler’s post ranges from derision (“Oh. I typically just named these people bums. But excellent for them.” — Michael) to outright finger wagging (“Grow up fellas.” — Bill D).

Very harsh in my opinion. I have a tendency to agree with Sara’s comment: “The American mindset is so really diverse than that of other Westernized cultures (Europe in particular) and I locate it funny to read the above posts that consider traveling the globe for an extended time period of time a waste or evidence of laziness. Travel enlightens you, and real travel are not able to be completed from the side of cruise ship, a two week stint in Paris, or a spring break in Cancun.”

Cheers Sara. I’d write more on this topic, but I have to go to bed. I have work in the morning.