What's wrong with backpackers?

[dagobert]

Backpacker and backpacking "two different things" Being a backpacker is a lifestyle "not" as in the young feral, disrespectfull, unwashed drunken trash of Koasan road.

But as liveing long stints fromn a backpack. When i do my 6 months a year in Thailand 3 + 3. People that i meet laugh when i tell them "Oh i do nothing" after asked "What do you do",

reason being in the way i present my self as if that of a long term resident, nice shirts, and good

presentation. What i have noticed is the kids that travel the world is once they hit Asia, they

tend to hippy it a little more, and go with the flow of the group in Asia. At that time " this age bracket of people tends to be the easy going 20-30 yo age but once they leave Asia do tend to

straiten up once again and snap back in to reality, "Thankfully"

[ableguy]

Nothing - and you're right, it is just jealousy that they are acting out what we would have loved to have done if given the same time again.

Nothing, I used to be one.

Me too hitched around the world, could write a book, I will pick up any decent looking couple of Europeans. Feed them and help them on their way.

[CharlieH]

Squabbling posts removed.

[dagobert]

Sorry Charlie just tryed to clear it up !

[bendejo]

Backpacker now defines a specific type of travel, defined by staying in guesthouses/hostels and traveling economically. Do a little searching on the web and you’ll find lots of trip reports about “backpack vacations” by middle-class (or upper) young people from Malaysia and Singapore. Makes it sound like a camping trip. I’ve seen mid-price hotels in both Thailand and Malaysia with signs at the front desk about “Lonely Planet special price rooms” (in English); these are un-air conditioned rooms, bars on the windows and maybe a ventilator window onto the hallway, bathroom down the hall and cost about 100 baht less. When comparing to the regular rooms you realize how much more that 100b is buying you.

We weren’t called backpackers in the 1970s, we were an assorted bunch. There were those of us who wandered looking for answers, some who were looking to get away from their own culture (for a while at least), kids from Oz/NZ doing the overland route to UK where they were going to get jobs, and so on. But at least at that time it wasn’t a sport. Info was word of mouth, usually somewhat accurate, and as someone mentioned above you tended to run into the same people further down the road, like it or not. The touchstone in Bangkok was the Thai Song Greet, long gone. On the other hand that word-of-mouth could give an idea of where to avoid; eg I spent a few years in India but never went to Goa.

I agree dagobert, the backpacker crowd in Asia (including the subcontinent area) bends toward the hippy thing, and can be pretty fashion conscious (if you can call it fashion). Check out the Lonely Planet forums and you’ll see. There is a lot of “if you are in [location] you must stay at [name of some dumpy gh].” Be there or be square. Get off the plane, check in at KSR, then follow the crowd.

As for the body odor thing: not long ago I was in a bookstore in the KSR area. Two young guys dressed in Indian hippy/pajama outfits come in and are looking at the titles. A few minutes later two other guys, also dressed like actors in a high school Nativity play come in and they’re old buddies, all four conversing in German. At least one of them stinks to high heaven, and the four Thai girls who work the shop run out the door holding their noses (giggling, of course). While I didn’t see it happen (I wasn’t really paying attention but the stink was distracting) I had the impression there was ample opportunity to stuff a few books under those loose-fitting outfits.

[Pattszero]

To me, Burma and Laos are the places to be now - Thailand is too well worn. I'd recommend any backpacker to spend most of their time in those countries, and the backpackers I know that volunteered in Burma, have all said it was a wonderful, life-enriching experience.

[beechguy]

Yes, they certainly don't mind inconveniencing their fellow passengers on the MRT and BTS because their too freaking cheap to get a taxi.

Your post makes no sense, Thai taxis are are cheap but there are many reasons to get the BTS

What they could do however is drop the pack to the floor when on board

Yes it does make sense, I got tired of the packs in the way and people being bumped into with them. Never mind, that at some stations there are signs asking people not to carry large items, guess that doesn't apply to them. As I said, even Thais will spring for a taxi or tuktuk when they've been shopping, yet after spending their money on plane fair, these guys can't scrape up 200 or 300 Baht.

[smotherb]

I have nothing against backpackers, but do not envy them either. I've traveled the world with only a carry-on since I was 20. However, I always had a job; so I always had money, hotel, airfare, and perdiem.

A much better way to see the world.

You miss the whole point of backpacking. I had a friend who inherited 30 million Aus$ and travelled round asia for 6 months on $3000.

I am afraid you have lost me. I see absolutely no point in traveling on a shoe string when you have money--in fact, I'd wager anyone traveling on the cheap would relish more money.

[AYJAYDEE]

I have nothing against backpackers, but do not envy them either. I've traveled the world with only a carry-on since I was 20. However, I always had a job; so I always had money, hotel, airfare, and perdiem.

A much better way to see the world.

You miss the whole point of backpacking. I had a friend who inherited 30 million Aus$ and travelled round asia for 6 months on $3000.

I am afraid you have lost me. I see absolutely no point in traveling on a shoe string when you have money--in fact, I'd wager anyone traveling on the cheap would relish more money.

youre right, he's lost you and by the looks of it you will never understand no matter how many times youre told

[zydeco]

Nothing, I used to be one.

Still am....use a backpack whenever I travel.....

Keeps your hands free and you don't look like an idiot pulling a leash with a tiny suitcase on wheels. I toured Thailand with a backpack and laptop for one year straight. Easily done.....and had 90,000 baht per month to spend as I wished.

Who wants to tour Thailand, walk through the towns and villages, pulling a suitcase? Backpackers are in good shape. Free to walk anywhere while keeping all your things together. Rather smart.

Wheeled luggage versus backpacks? I have back pack with wheels:

When I was the younger type backpacker's age, I never had the choice in what type of backpack I got. It was an olive drab buttpack given to me for free by my government to explore exotic SE Asia.

[catweazle08]

in my opinion there´s one big difference these days:

there are still backpackers and there are party tourists coming in for three weeks doing (for example) full moon and vang vieng.

my first time in thailand (15 years ago), i saw many travellers being alone and interested in a conversation/meeting new people. today i see many groups of 4 or 5 people staying in their cliques and getting wasted almost everynight. i call them the "dancing monkeys".

what i would like to see with the backpackers is: less use of the lonely planet and more use of common sense!

some seem to clinch to their lonley planet far too much.

last thing: i met the most interesting people in my life on the road!

[Kudel]

I would rather talk to backpackers most are flashpackers on a gap year and loads a money to spend than those old school sexpests and the many white collar criminals who have re invented them selves in Thailand who have no idea about personal hygiene married to noi the thai chinese how from the sexy man bar in pattaya and are all thailand experts because they read stickmanweekly and old school trincky.

Or TEFL engrit teachers who think they are gods gift to the thai education system.

[sipi]

Thats what happens when a Traveler, "either way" becomes a "Expat" the know everything

bunch.

Dare i say,a lot of people on this forum,have never "travelled"in their lives,just home airport to Bangkok.I know people that go straight to Pattaya and stay for 6 weeks,then straight home.Even Bangers is a trip for them,they think i am so brave living in the far NE.If only they knew how easy it is,especially these days with tech.

You don't see barefoot, smelly and dirty backpackers in Singapore, Melbourne or London. In Thailand they wear their filth as a badge of honor. No wonder the Thai Government is making the tourist visa harder to get for everyone, but of course the backpackers are the first to complain. Show some dignity; Have a shower, wash your clothes and put some footwear on. If you show some respect it just might be returned.

[MJP]

Thats what happens when a Traveler, "either way" becomes a "Expat" the know everything

bunch.

Dare i say,a lot of people on this forum,have never "travelled"in their lives,just home airport to Bangkok.I know people that go straight to Pattaya and stay for 6 weeks,then straight home.Even Bangers is a trip for them,they think i am so brave living in the far NE.If only they knew how easy it is,especially these days with tech.

You don't see barefoot, smelly and dirty backpackers in Singapore, Melbourne or London. In Thailand they wear their filth as a badge of honor. No wonder the Thai Government is making the tourist visa harder to get for everyone, but of course the backpackers are the first to complain. Show some dignity; Have a shower, wash your clothes and put some footwear on. If you show some respect it just might be returned.

In hot and humid climes too. I could never understand the attraction to backpacking in anything other than a cool temperate climate. Rather uncomfortable and liable to rashes and sores.

[Issangeorge]

If you don't like backpackers move to Isaan, they don't come here.

[weegee]

If you don't like backpackers move to Isaan, they don't come here.

Here too....too many bombs to dodge ...lol

[nicolas18]

To be honest, body odor-wise, I've more often been subjected to rank BO emanating from old, wifebeater-wearing alcoholics than from backpackers.

[Havrum]

I personally have never had any problems with or ever disliked the backpacker types. There are a few things...however...hygiene, yeah I know you're traveling cheap and all...but really taking a shower every now and then really isn't that hard to do. And they seem to have the same dress code...dressing like 60's hippies (seriously, the 60's are long over) or trying to go local with the Thai fisherman pants. Other than that...

I also do feel kind of sad for them. The thing is that the Thailand that they hoped to find...I know is long since gone.

I first came here in 1968 USAF Stationed at Udorn thani, spent some time in Chiang Mai also. No backpackers then, but they are all looking for an adventure and if they want it go to Burma, Laos, Cambodia This would not be my place to settle down in now been here since 1977 straight through. Today I find the female backpackers worse than the guys. It's all that spiritual crap they picked up in Goa before they came here.

Instead of dropping bombs on innocent Loatian people, there were many hippies who had some integrity and stuck with their spiritual principles.

Goa is a Portuguese colony and predominantly Christian.

Goa ceased being a Portuguese colony a long time ago. Goa may be christian but the "spiritual" practitioners that he was referring to are not the locals but the backpackers.

[bendejo]

To me, Burma and Laos are the places to be now - Thailand is too well worn. I'd recommend any backpacker to spend most of their time in those countries, and the backpackers I know that volunteered in Burma, have all said it was a wonderful, life-enriching experience.

Backpackers say that about everywhere, otherwise it would be considered negative, and they can't have that!

Hear no bad, see no bad, speak no bad.

[Harold G]

More longhaired layabouts. They need a jolly good haircut, a bath and a real job. Back in my day we worked on the farm 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 pence and a horse shi# sandwich!

Edited August 11, 2014 by Harold G

[smotherb]

I have nothing against backpackers, but do not envy them either. I've traveled the world with only a carry-on since I was 20. However, I always had a job; so I always had money, hotel, airfare, and perdiem.

A much better way to see the world.

You miss the whole point of backpacking. I had a friend who inherited 30 million Aus$ and travelled round asia for 6 months on $3000.

I am afraid you have lost me. I see absolutely no point in traveling on a shoe string when you have money--in fact, I'd wager anyone traveling on the cheap would relish more money.

youre right, he's lost you and by the looks of it you will never understand no matter how many times youre told

Well, since no one has yet told me the merits of traveling without money; I'll just stay ignorant, thank you.

[ATF]

To me, Burma and Laos are the places to be now - Thailand is too well worn. I'd recommend any backpacker to spend most of their time in those countries, and the backpackers I know that volunteered in Burma, have all said it was a wonderful, life-enriching experience.

How can they go there? Their smartphones won't work and not enough bandwidth to be a Digital Nomad.

[samran]

I have nothing against backpackers, but do not envy them either. I've traveled the world with only a carry-on since I was 20. However, I always had a job; so I always had money, hotel, airfare, and perdiem.

A much better way to see the world.

I went backpacking for a year and the employer (large international consulting firm) held the job over for me for 12 months.

Looks can be descriptive.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[parmo2]

I was in Laos yesterday and the bandwidth was always very fast there. Thailand was one of the last countries in Asia to get 3G, Laos had it years before Thailand.

I agree Laos and Burma are the travellers' countries now, they are 2 of the rare countries that are not living in America. Laos has only recently allowed cocacola to be sold, during the Vietnam war the CIA was using the old cocacola plant for spying.

To me, Burma and Laos are the places to be now - Thailand is too well worn. I'd recommend any backpacker to spend most of their time in those countries, and the backpackers I know that volunteered in Burma, have all said it was a wonderful, life-enriching experience.

How can they go there? Their smartphones won't work and not enough bandwidth to be a Digital Nomad.

[sipi]

So many contributors to these forums have "a friend that inherited $30million", "a number of friends that holiday in Pattaya for 6 weeks", "a friend that met the Dalai Lama on top of Mt Everest"...

Really? I'd like to meet some of your "friends"..