Why more Americans don't travel abroad

LOL buy me a ring! Originally Posted by London Rayne

You didn't say anything about gold.

Holy hell! That is nothing like the one ANONONE bought me lmao.

The concepts of "broadening your horizon" and "seeing what the world has to offer" isn't being instilled in the majority of youths in the USA (especially the urban areas). So when they get older, the desire to see these exotic places just simply isn't there. I watch the food network shows about exotic foods and a lot of them are turned off by the traditions because they are so set in their comfort zone its ridiclous. I talk to many of my peers and for them getting away some where far is considering driving to New Orleans or Houston. Simple, cheap, familiar areas they can get in and out of it. And when they go there, they eat at the same chain restaurants they would normally eat it here. Just my 2 cents.


Me personally, I HATE long flights. But I'm working my way through it.

Me personally, I HATE long flights. But I'm working my way through it. Originally Posted by bayou_bengal

My cure for long flights...Zanax.

I haven't read the entire thread, but I think you overlook one huge issue -- money. 50% of U.S. households make less than $50k a year, before taxes. Families that make the average income -- $50k -- struggle to make ends meet. They're not going to be gallivanting off to some foreign country.

It is far more of a mystery to me why significant portions of those who can afford to travel do not. But frankly, I'm surprised that the percent that have passports is 30%. I'd have guessed closer to 20%.

I haven't read the entire thread, but I think you overlook one huge issue -- money. 50% of U.S. households make less than $50k a year, before taxes. Families that make the average income -- $50k -- struggle to make ends meet. They're not going to be gallivanting off to some foreign country.

It is far more of a mystery to me why significant portions of those who can afford to travel do not. But frankly, I'm surprised that the percent that have passports is 30%. I'd have guessed closer to 20%. Originally Posted by TexTushHog

I understand the cost issue...What I just have trouble understanding is people who have no interest of ever leaving their local town/state/country?....Passports aren't that expensive, I think it would be a good idea to at least have one....

I haven't read the entire thread, but I think you overlook one huge issue -- money. 50% of U.S. households make less than $50k a year, before taxes. Families that make the average income -- $50k -- struggle to make ends meet. They're not going to be gallivanting off to some foreign country.

It is far more of a mystery to me why significant portions of those who can afford to travel do not. But frankly, I'm surprised that the percent that have passports is 30%. I'd have guessed closer to 20%. Originally Posted by TexTushHog

I understand the cost issue...What I just have trouble understanding is people who have no interest of ever leaving their local town/state/country?....Passports aren't that expensive, I think it would be a good idea to at least have one.... Originally Posted by Valerie

See TTH's comments about money. Passports aren't free so (in the minds of many) why "waste" scarce $$$...

Beyond that people (Americans and others) are lazy. Applying involves getting pictures taken and filing out an app then waiting. Waiting! Another barrier for some. We are an instant gratification society. We don't want to wait.

And...if you find out last minute you need one you can get one expedited if you throw some coin at it...but if you live that kind of lifestyle you are probably part of the 30% that already has one.

Two words old friend...just two words!

You seem extra grumpy today Originally Posted by Chica Chaser

Three wordsold friend...just three words!

That(1) was(2) four(3)

[QUOTE=atlcomedy;1003378]See TTH's comments about money. Passports aren't free so (in the minds of many) why "waste" scarce $$$...

Beyond that people (Americans and others) are lazy. Applying involves getting pictures taken and filing out an app then waiting. Waiting! Another barrier for some. We are an instant gratification society. We don't want to wait.

And...if you find out last minute you need one you can get one expedited if you throw some coin at it...but if you live that kind of lifestyle you are probably part of the 30% that already has one.


One of my American friends just got her passport and she said it cost her around 80 USD...but to get it expedited it was going to be around 150...for me personally, I wouldn't have an issue paying 80-100 USD for something that is good for around 10 years... I suppose one reason why I'd love to see more people getting passports because once they've received it in the post, perhaps it would motivate them to go get a stamp in it!

I think if you have the mean you should travel and see how the outside world really is. I was born overseas myself but i'm an American citizen. I'm glad to have a more worldly outlook of things. Not saying I don't love my country but you can't always look at things from an American perspective. Only way you can do that is by actually going to some of these places you only get to read about. Broading ones horizons is always a good thing if you have the means.

I can tell you I've benefitted from traveling. I've been to 49 of our 50 states. I've been to Dubai, Abu Dabi and Manama, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, France, Israel, Japan, Okinawa, Canada and Puerto Rico. I have a passport and I've gotten my Australian Visa, but I haven't been yet. I plan on Ireland, Scotland and Northern Europe one day.

Egypt was awesome, until I saw the slave, child labor. I am not a fan of our government supporting a dictator who uses foreign aid to enrich himself and his cronies instead of improving the Egyption infrastructure. I'm just glad I had the opportunities I've had to see the parts of the world I have seen.

...getting pictures taken and filing out an app then waiting. Waiting! Another barrier for some. We are an instant gratification society. We don't want to wait.... Originally Posted by atlcomedy

I had my passport in 2 weeks, they do have a fee you can or could pay to get it expedited.

I can tell you I've benefitted from traveling. I've been to 49 of our 50 states. I've been to Dubai, Abu Dabi and Manama, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, France, Israel, Japan, Okinawa, Canada and Puerto Rico. I have a passport and I've gotten my Australian Visa, but I haven't been yet. I plan on Ireland, Scotland and Northern Europe one day.

Egypt was awesome, until I saw the slave, child labor. I am not a fan of our government supporting a dictator who uses foreign aid to enrich himself and his cronies instead of improving the Egyption infrastructure. I'm just glad I had the opportunities I've had to see the parts of the world I have seen. Originally Posted by DFW5Traveler

which of the 50 are you missing? when I hear people that have conciously thought about it and mention it, I find it is usually one of the sparsely populated ones in the Northwest/Upper Midwest....they will usually drive thru the tiny ones in the Northeast so they can check it off the list...

which of the 50 are you missing? when I hear people that have conciously thought about it and mention it, I find it is usually one of the sparsely populated ones in the Northwest/Upper Midwest....they will usually drive thru the tiny ones in the Northeast so they can check it off the list... Originally Posted by atlcomedy

You would never guess, but the only state that a self-proclaimed socialist has been elected to office, Vermont. I drove through New Hampshire on my way to Boston from Portland, Maine to check it off and it's the only one I didn't stay at least one night.

One of the prettiest drives was from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. Although you can't beat the colors of a sunset driving through the SW on the way to Cali. Or sitting at Simon and Seaforts in Anchorage overlooking the sound while eating Alaskan King Crab Legs with a hazlenut butter sauce, mmmmm.

States I'm missing - Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and N/S Dakota.

Like Ww, I've traveled somewhat extensively, but not as much as he has. I'm at about 47 countries & 5 continents. And I have lived in two Latin American countries for extended periods. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Living in a foreign country is another whole level of experience beyond visits, imo...really brings you into contact with parts of the culture that almost no visitor sees. I've lived in Japan but nowhere else abroad. Our lives are too short; there are a bunch of other places I'd like to settle down for a year or a few if there were time and opportunity.

-Ww