People have lost their minds during this crisis. Scratch that, many people never had much of a mind to begin with, but they have lost what is left. Sleeping next to my iPAD I get a news alert, and since Apple has successfully programmed me, I open the post immediately (instead of waiting until morning like a normal person). It reads something along the lines of How the Rich Caused Covid-19. Of course, I wanted to be irritated at 3am, so I read what I could of the article. Apparently, international travel (done solely by the wealthy?) is 100% to blame for this Covid-19…what the fu@$!
I will touch on the utter absurdity of this train of thought later, but I have been noticing a reoccurring trend, in which people are being chastised for wanting to see the world. Those who are too cowardly to travel, come up with new and exciting ways to “travel shame” the rest of us.
The desire to have others live by the standards of the average has been happening for years…(it’s why we have Applebee’s…). People being made to feel guilty for taking international excursions is nothing new, it has just been highlighted by the Covid-19 outbreak. Between environmentalists, social justice warriors, and even jealous coworkers, it is now suggested that travelers are somehow evil….
The “Rich” Caused the Spread of the Corona Virus
Stating that rich international travelers are responsible for the spread of this disease is not only wrong but is also meant to divide us. There is a constant game of class warfare that colleges and the media love to push, blaming the world’s problems on the well-off.
First, the entire premise of the article is irresponsible…and dishonest. The assumption that only the wealthy travel internationally is wrong. I personally know unemployed people who used nothing but credit card points and stayed in hostiles for years. Many people who live in the US (a melting pot of immigrants..) often just want to go home and visit their families…I am hardly ultra-wealthy myself, yet I have been to about 25 countries. International travel isn’t just a rich man’s game…but this article wants to shame you into staying at home because your “privilege” is causing a pandemic. Well, they can go #@# themselves.
Some of the poorest people in the world travel internationally. Look no further than the refugees in Europe or the immigrants in the United States that traveled through multiple countries in search of a better life. International travel is a class free endeavor, as is the writer of that article .
Contrary to what these justice warriors like to say, you are NOT perpetuating some kind of “inequality” by traveling. You are NOT spreading diseases and destroying the world either. International travel can’t and shouldn’t be stopped long term, especially because of a virus. Whenever something happens the blame game is all around us, and “rich” international travelers happen to make a convenient target.
You are Exploiting the People of the Country You Are Visiting
I touched on this in my article about tourists, many people say that over tourism is ruining local economies for the locals. Is there some truth to this? I would be the first to say, yes. Does this mean we should not travel to these locations? Of course not. You are not exploiting anyone simply by wanting to see the world. That isn’t to say there aren’t things you can do to help to kill the tourist traps and support more local establishments, but that isn’t really your job.
Let us not forget, it takes two to tango and many places rely heavily on the tourists that they serve. For every cart with cheap mugs and selfie-sticks, there is most likely a local behind it trying to make a living. It could be argued (because it is true) that you are doing more good than harm by traveling internationally.
I find it funny that the same people who love to talk about how closed-minded Americans are the same ones that travel shame us. How are people supposed to learn about other cultures if they don’t leave their front porch? Of course, if most Americans did this then these people wouldn’t be able to judge them for being closed minded, for the keyboard heroes stopping travel is a win-win.
Once again these “shamers” not only show their hypocrisy, but also their ignorance of the people they are supposedly helping. Destroying the lively hood of people in the name of “protecting them” has the opposite effect.
Flight Shaming
Since we now take our orders from a foreign teenager, people are now being” shamed” for flying. Apparently, the environmental impact of flying is going to cause the seas to boil and the ground to burn. In fact, we should be sitting under our beds with our solar powered nightlight, dimly lit, eating kale; do not go outside, you might step on a bug!
Does flying contribute to Co2 emissions? Of course, it does, but so do a lot of things. The people who “flight shame” will still drive to concerts, watch TV, go to Starbucks, and buy patchouli oil. Even the trucks that drive their kale to Whole Foods has an effect of the environment. Where do we draw the line as to what activities are acceptable and what are not? I am sure Greta will let us know.
As a side, I wonder what the end game is of these flight shamers? Do they want to put all the airlines out of business? I guess the thousands of workers in the aviation industry can open up vegan smoothie shops
Your “Friends” and Coworkers
This is the “must be nice crew…the ones who are too cowardly to actually go anywhere. They will then turn around and guilt you like an Italian grandma who you forgot to call at Christmas for actually living your life. Some people may not be in a position to travel because of a temporary hardship. Others just set their lives up to fail and they can’t conceive of how you are able to see the world. Most can travel but have convinced themselves they can’t, because that is what is easier. Regardless of their situation, the motivation to shame you by some is the same: jealousy, contempt, and outright disrespect… but F’ck em.
No one has a right to guilt your life choices. You shouldn’t have to lower yourself, because co-workers can’t (or won’t) live the life they want. Travel isn’t for everyone because travel can be uncomfortable. When you see the world, you show them what they are too cowardly to be. Don’t live your life by another standards, live life by your own.
Conclusion
If you want to travel, travel…do not let anyone let you feel as if you are doing something wrong. This world is full of people who want you to live by the rules they set. Travel seems to be the target of the month for some of these wanna be crusaders. Live your life the way you want to and see the world…OK rant over!
