In the tiny little cubicle, where I sit beneath a horrible flourescent light and daydream about the trips I will take and somehow justify that this torture will eventually afford me with great rewards, I am CONSTANTLY berated with advice I never wanted.
Mostly, it comes from a particularly obnoxious co-worker, who seems to know everything about life, love and travel and feels insistent on jumping into any conversation to sprinkle it with ridiculous statements that usually are untrue.
A Note to Potential Admirers: NOTHING annoys me more than talking out of your ass with conviction.
If you’re somehow an expert on something, then by all means, throw in your two cents. If you have no idea what you’re talking about.. don’t!
But that leads me to this post. I started realizing that all day, everyday, I am accosted by Advice I Never Wanted.
It comes from co-workers, from family members, from friends… advice like “You Should Wear Black , it’s More Slimming” (umm, thx) and “You Should Really Quit Smoking,” and even travel-related advice like, “Oooh you should be careful in Buenos Aires, I’ve heard it’s dangerous there.”
We get it on the internet, all day. We get it at work. Although often delivered with good intent, sometimes, you just don’t want someone adding their input on what you’re doing or what you should be doing.
When I lived in New Zealand, I had a very good friend who would drive me nuts by telling me I was destroying my career because I wanted to travel and couldn’t stop asking me when I was going to come back to “reality.”
Um.. exsqueeze me? Is not my reality up to me?
So, just for fun, I decided to make a list of things you should NEVER believe:
1. Traveling is meant for the retired
2. You need a lot of money to travel
3. Kelly is cool. (okay, maybe believe that one)
4. You’ll never find a “real” relationship while traveling
5. Traveling post school (or pre-school, even) ruins your risk of having a “real” career
6. If you bring something nice while backpacking it’ll probably get stolen
7. If you travel with a friend, it’s harder to meet people
8. “Real” travel experiences can never be found in guidebooks
9. Why travel? Everything you ever wanted to know about the world is on TV
We’re all here on own path, people. I totally understand that some things I particularly enjoy (like tattoos, traveling, faux leopard print and cigarettes) are not everyone’s cup of tea. But when it comes to life choices– travel, marriage, etc. I really wish we could spend more time celebrating, and less time advising.
On this note, I will leave you with one piece of particularly good advice: NEVER, EVER, EVER, leave home without a roll of toilet paper.
Just a little tip, from me to you!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Maybe it’s a better idea to keep the prejudices people have about backpacking and solo traveling alive… This will leave more “less traveled” destinations for us. Because before you know it someone builds a huge resort in the centre of Buenos Aires, because you’ve said on your blog that it’s safe. Do you want that responsibility? 🙂
I also don’t agree with point 7. When I travel solo, I meet people all the time, but when I travel with friends I rarely make new friends. I guess being surrounded by people I know makes me less social to others. Or maybe my friends aren’t that likeable, who knows…
Agree Agree Agree Agree Agree!
Especially the toilet paper one!
I’ll one-up on ‘never leave the house without imodium’ I know you’re thinking this applies only when traveling but I’ve had many friends in Canada who were so thankful because I had it in my purse.
Ahhh, the world is full of advisors! We have people who come to Fethiye for their holidays for a fortnight advising us HOW we should be living in Fethiye! ‘Thanks but we’ve managed on our own for 7 years – and you live in London!’ I usually want to finish that off with a, ‘Now f**k off and go and live your own life without concerning yourself with ours,’ but I’m a polite kinda girl. 🙂
Julia
I love number 4 😉 .
Lots of love!
Ha! People always ask me why I have a roll of tp in my car. I’m like… “You never know when you will need it.” lol. Mostly it’s because I’m used to carrying this while traveling or camping, but it’s funny to mess with my friends who don’t understand. 🙂 I’m super excited to hear more about your new business. So you quit your job today??
YES! Sooo glad to be done with this job! So excited to start a new venture! I plan on doing a huge post tomorrow with lots of details on what I’m doing! Woo hoo!
Thanks for all the love and support! You’re the bestest!