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Americans are least adventurous travelers
Americans love stories about great adventurers. I grew up wanting to be Indiana Jones (as evidence by the destruction I caused when I repurposed a jump rope into a whip). Bear Grylls has become a celebrity simply by surviving. Andrew Zimmern went from drug addict to chef to celebrity because of his iron constitution. Why, then, are Americans not as adventurous as the people they celebrate? In a recent survey commissioned by Intrepid Travel, Americans lagged behind Brits, Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians when it came to pushing their limits.1,000 people were surveyed from each of the countries listed above and the United States. Respondents were asked how likely they were to eat fried tarantula, stay with a local family, haggle at a local market and other activities. Americans were the least adventurous while Kiwis seemed game for almost anything.
The survey offers insight into the adventurousness of people in various regions within the United States. Californians were the most adventurous US respondents. Texans were a mixed bag with Dallas residents being the most likely of any Americans to stay with a local family while folks from Austin were the least likely to eschew hotels for some home cooking.
While by no means a definitive study, the survey does seem to quantify something that many travelers have already noticed: Americans lag behind others when it comes to living on the edge. Maybe it's our litigious society. Could it be our puritan history? Perhaps it's just simply our lack of vacation time as compared to Western Europeans.
What do you think? Are Americans more adventurous than people think? Would you eat a fried tarantula? Is the whole idea of being adventurous overrated? Sound off in the comments.
Filed under: Learning
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Pupstermum Nov 3rd 2010 1:25PM
Well, being an avid traveler (when cash allows) AND being from Dallas, I've got to add my two cents ~ most Americans have a very stingy vacation policy. Possibly Puritanical attitude towards the work ethic, but regardless, it stinks. I've put in almost 10 years at the same firm, and only in 2012 will I be able to take 4 full weeks. And not consecutively. A week here, a week there. I'm game for anything, however, with the exception of tarantula.
Elad Nov 5th 2010 4:35PM
...Fried spider may be good. It was hard to get me to try fried whole baby squid n onions. Not as big as a golf ball, guts n all. But you know it's very good. So fried spider would be easy to swallow provided It tastes good.
James Nov 3rd 2010 2:51PM
I'm afraid I'm no exception to these findings. I've never even traveled outside my timezone let alone another country. However, I'm currently taking steps to rectify this situation with a month-long trip overseas in the near future. While I don't know how I'd react to fried tarantula or haggling in a marketplace, I do intend to step outside my comfort zone and try some new things for once in my life.
kathe Nov 4th 2010 12:22AM
we deal with stress every day -- why do we need to have more when we are traveling (vacation)....stress free time anyone.
Lisa E @chickybus Nov 3rd 2010 3:28PM
I think there this may be true to a certain extent. Most of the people I know here in the US stick to the typical places (eg, Cancun and maybe Costa Rica). Having said this, I have met some amazing/adventures Americans while traveling--just not that many of them.
The reason for this might be the lack of sufficient time and the size of the US. I'm not sure, though, since I'm one of the less common adventurous ones... I've slept in the desert, taken hallucinogenics (for spiritual purposes) and eaten dog meat (oh wait, that was a mistake...). :)
Andrew Nov 3rd 2010 6:01PM
Hmmm, odd choice of countries in that survey, and certainly too limited to be valid in any way.
NZ, Canada, US, Australia and the UK? In my humble opinion, those must be the least adventurous groups of travellers out there. Obviously this is a massive generalisation, but I’ve been travelling for the last year and in my mind it’s usually true.
Generally, if you’re on the well-established gringo/farang trail (Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, Samui, etc), the party towns (Vang Vieng), or doing the "get-the-tshirt activities" (Road of Death, Bolivia) you’ll come across groups of NZ, Canada, US, Aussie and Brit travellers, as well as a few South Africans. Travellers from the english speaking countries of the world seem to prefer sticking in groups, taking package tours rather than travelling truly independently and of course drinking a lot more than anyone else.
However, when you really head into the less explored parts of a country, untravelled by the masses, you’re more likely to come across French (yes, French!), German and Dutch travellers, travelling independently and not using packaged tours. I’ve also met more Eastern Europeans (Czechs, Poles, Slovakians, etc) doing crazy things (like walking through a jungle on their own for 3 weeks) than one would expect considering how few you meet.
Angela Nov 4th 2010 12:27AM
Actually, Brits tend to travel outside the country far more frequently than US travellers. Consequently, they are far better informed about other people than US residents are. It's really quite shocking how ignorant the majority of Americans are about people other than Americans (and some of them haven't a clue about their own country). Many Americans are not curious about other places and people, and are very provincial and isolationist. How many people have you heard say that the US is the greatest country in the world to live in, having never left their own shores? How do they know?
Pupstermum Nov 5th 2010 4:39PM
Angela, can't say as I agree with you and that was a bit of a snarky response. Gadling is a happy place.
annie Nov 3rd 2010 8:15PM
My husband and I are from Texas and we, as well as our 6 children LOVE to travel!
We have cruised the Caribbean, youngest was 18 months, toured Europe on trains (he was then 4 yrs), cruised Asia/Australia (7 yrs) and this Christmas,(9 yrs) we will all be in Haiti with their dad who's building a school for 600 children that lost theirs in the earthquake...we look forward to "giving" back instead of receiving this year... We have rented cars and driven on the "wrong" side of the road, flown in small prop planes, traveled by trishaw...we will try anything once! Our children have the same adventursome spirits!
Rick Nov 3rd 2010 9:44PM
As has been mentioned Americans as a whole dont get much vacation so if something goes wrong with the accomodations (living with locals you dont know),
or getting sick for a couple of days from eating exotic food your vacation quickly becomes shot. As far a haggling Americans are so used to chain stores where the price is the price that haggling is not in the culture for "small" items.
Having gone to school in Louisiana I am used to eating "unusual" cajun things. I learned there that pretty much if it moved once you can eat it.
I thaink as far as activities Americans are so ingrained with "safety device attachment", it doesnt have a railing, non-skid flooring and a safety harness that it cant be safe, that many do do "exotic" activities.
Tim Nov 3rd 2010 8:38PM
I will admit up to few years ago I would say I was one of those non adventurous person. since then I have taken up scuba diving and now I am game for any part of the world. Been around the Caribeen and now plan a trip to Truck in the middle of the Pacific.Send me out there as long as I can dive I am ready.
John S. Mournian Nov 3rd 2010 10:26PM
When you are young, single, and have the opportunity__travel to those distant places are like fish to a stray cat_"Got to have it". I am 72 and still in business, traveling to many distant places, but there is no sense in tempting the end of life by going to a place that does not want you (the person). Can you envision a Japanese wanting to go to China right now?
I wanted to go to IRAN for business, but this madman they have is just too much to have to
worry about, plus our Government has little or no clout with them. Pick a place that suits your desires in a friendly, stress free manner and enjoy your life!
John Mournian
Pupstermum Nov 5th 2010 4:48PM
Actually, John, my husband is Iranian. If you know or can become acquainted with Iranians here in the States, they are WHOLEHEARTEDLY welcoming and would love to "host" you when you visit. Granted, there are precaution which must be taken, but I've found in my travels to Iran the people, 99%, LOVE Americans and think we're the best thing since chocolate. I've had many tell me it's simply a disagreement between governments, not people. Find a good travel excursion group, and go at least ONCE! You'll be glad you did. The markets are FANTASTIC!
RSL Nov 3rd 2010 8:52PM
Travel outside the U.S.A. is expensive and dangerous at times, and highly overrated. You learn little about a place in 10 days or two weeks. There is much to see here and in Canada. More extended travel does not seem worth it on many levels.
Ron Nov 4th 2010 1:37AM
I agree.....I was in Europe in the late 60's and early 70's and it was much more "Pro- American" compared to now. And the conversion rates for currency were much better then, too! Considering how a good portion of the World seems to not have the same respect for the US as in the past, plus the dangers of international travel (besides the security hassles, etc....) certainly keep me within the borders of the USA! This is a big country, and I have yet to see it all! With the current fiscal crisis in our Nation, wouldn't it be smarter to give our vacation dollars to fellow Americans, rather than some foreigners who could give a damn about the USA--except they want our Dollars??? I hope people will realize that there is a lot to see right here in America--so, help to stimulate the economy and enjoy learning more about your native land!! It's good for your whole family and it will help some other families that need some cash flow to put food on their table! Look how much money has been sent to rebuild Iraq and other places....and has it really helped America? I do believe in the saying that "charity begins at home." So, let's not give our fellow Americans a hand out....let's give them a hand up by spending money on things made here and located here in the United States! I get upset even going to the store and seeing virtually everything with a 'made in China' label on it!?!? If we don't pay attention to what is happening here....then, just surviving here in the USA will be an 'adventure' that no American will want to endure. God help the future of America.....
RSL Nov 4th 2010 9:27AM
We are certainly in sync on the foreign travel issue. Coincidentally, one of the AOL stories today lists the top 10 overrated tourist destinations; 9 are foreign.
The "made in China" problem is a difficult one. It used to be that "made in Japan" was the problem. Rote work; tedious assembly line labor will, by human nature, gravitate toward under-developed and developing nations. Not sure how to tackle that, But it needs tackling just the same.
Kat Nov 3rd 2010 9:00PM
Tarantulas are pets where I'm from. I'd have to be REALLY starved for protein to eat one. Now, guinea pigs...
Kelly Harmon @hiptraveler Nov 3rd 2010 10:06PM
Would have loved to contribute to your survey and help out the American rankings! I've studied abroad twice, lived in two villages in the Andes Mts in South America & with local families on multiple continents, climbed one of the Seven Summits as a solo female, have gone fishing with a local villager in the Indian Ocean and on safari in Africa (again solo!), eaten a fried bug in Thailand, water buffalo in Laos and bull in Spain, scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, trekked mountains, rainforests & rice paddies, ridden camels in Egypt & Morocco and elephants in the Mekong Jungle, tutored a Buddhist monk in English, bungee jumped out of a hot air balloon and twice off cranes over a freeway, white water rafted in New Zealand & Costa Rica, hitchhiked in Central & South America, took culinary classes in Asia, explored Ancient and Natural Wonders of the World, countless temples & ruins, and haggled in more local markets than I can remember. But then again, I live in California and according to the survey results "Californians tend to be game for the most adventure."
Beverly Nov 3rd 2010 9:36PM
Maybe its because people from other countries don't see any beauty in where they live. Lots of beautiful different types of places right her in the good ole U.S.A. Why go anywhere else when there is so much right here to see.
oceangirl1031 Nov 4th 2010 5:44AM
you are right, there is alot of beauty right here and we have everything here. all different types of wildlife..deserts,mountains,wetlands,lakes,rivers..oceans.. cold climates and tropical climates... and we have the best food! go USA! :-)
there there so much to do in the US. and alot of interesting history.. the cities are fun and interesting also.. we have all the goodies and top of the line stuff. when I travel i never do tours.. always independent. its more fun that way whether here or international. lol