Calling Out Travelers

“LOOK round you,” said the citizen. “This is the largest market in the world.”
“Oh, surely not,” said the traveler.
“Well, perhaps not the largest,” said the citizen, “but much the best.”
“You are certainly wrong there,” said the traveler. “I can tell you . . .”
They buried the stranger at the dusk.

I've dealt with travelers who think they are better than the rest also known as the superiority complex. They will point out everything that is different from their countries and try to be as insensitive as possible. I admit that I had been a whiny traveler once but I tried my best to be respectful wherever I went. I tried to listen more instead of bragging about my travels so much. But lately, as I meet travelers and see their misbehavior, I look back and think if I had been the same too.

Before, backpacking was still not mainstream, but thanks to cheap flights and lonely planet, traveling becomes affordable - to some people. The only thing I don't like about this lifestyle is how some of these cheapskate travelers feel like they are entitled to the friendliness of people. What about if the locals travel to their countries, will the people there be friendly to them too? Sure, people like nice people. But nice people tend to be abused and exploited these days in order for others to advance in life. That is just the diabolic nature of things. You're welcome by the way.

The people around me are used to sharing, caring and helping others. It also means that they are more sensitive and empathetic. They have this informal support system also known as families and communities. They are usually content with what they have and are happy with their lives. Unfortunately, the 'introduced system' is slowly taking away their cultural values.

Back in the day, I could still put up with these so-called budget travelers, but lately, I realized that their behavior and attitude might not have something to do with them, it's just the whole cultural conditioning of their individualist societies and the environment that shaped the way they think about themselves and others. And most of them are still unaware.

There was this Russian girl at a meetup who openly complained about nature and the friendliness of people. It was still illegal to beat people up so I just tried to question her 'nicely' to make her aware of her entitled attitude. But no animals were harmed during the conversation. Since then, whenever my friend tries to introduce to me a traveler she's hosting, she only has one simple request - "Please be nice to my guest @diabolika...." Ok, but I can't promise.

If it's not for my friend, I would not be nice all the time. Mind you, I'm done with all that pretense. I'm now torn between controlling myself and calling out these travelers. I am not afraid to speak my mind. I'm still trying to learn the art of fighting without bloodshed though. I'm not a flag-worshipper but I'm just not patient with the downright bs attitude. If I don't call them out, this entitled behavior will go on and on. Perhaps I cannot control this but at least I am doing my part. My goal is to make this world less diabolic by being diabolic, but I do it with a smile. I'm honest with my real friends so why should travelers be any different? I might never see them again so that's even a great opportunity for brutal honesty, ha!

But of course, I've met really nice people. Sure there are good people everywhere...whatever. The trouble is that I have too much faith on that. Honestly, I'm a - treat me nice and I will treat you even better or I will love you unconditionally after my conditions have been met kind of person. But these days, meeting travelers is like hit or miss. I don't know if it's still worth my time and energy to go out there. I know for sure that my patience is diminishing as the society breeds more of them. Maybe I should just keep things for myself...but I will implode for sure. I guess that's what you get when are gradually becoming aware of the shit of others. It's kind of a new-found wisdom...which might make a person lonelier too. As you see through people's bs, the scope of likable ones becomes smaller. Be thankful if you still find few people you can like. But hey, that's life!