Funny things you hear as an American traveler

“American? Obama, Obama, Obama!” If you've ever been to Indonesia and you are from the United States, you've definitely heard this chant before. As well as seeing how much Indonesians love Obama, you’ll also be told a few times daily how Obama went to school in Java (true fact). While the love and conversation can be quite nice, hearing positive things about your country of origin isn't often abundant. The good ol’ USA doesn't always stir positive emotions in others while traveling.

As an American, or more so, someone from the states, you are going to take a lot of crap. People from South and Central American will ream you over, calling yourself American (which is understandable), as well as your politics. Europeans will talk to you about your politics, and will almost certainly ask you about guns. “Do you have own a gun?” “Were you given a gun at birth?” “Do you travel with your gun?” On top of that, as awesome as Aussies are, they are not shy about their distaste for Americans, and will blatantly shun you or kindly say to your face, “Oh, the charge is the same for all nationalities, but I wish I could charge Americans more…” when visiting tourist attractions.

While you can expect certain things abroad, friends at home will start to question your patriotic pride. After paying lip service to your travel stories for a whole two minutes, they may ask you some variation of the question, “Do you just, you know, hate America?” It will come after telling you how cool it is that you travel, and how it’s great you are doing it now before you get too old…and it will blindside you. But, when it comes, along with all the other outlandish comments, all you can do is laugh.

You have the opportunity to see the world, to experience, and to face fears those who haven’t left home will never know. You will be able to represent your country, and you will see it as a responsibility, not a burden. You will be doing it in a manor our politicians and media have never shown, and those who initially asked the questions will look at Americans in a different light. You will learn to have tough skin, but will also realize the importance, value and blessing that comes with the backpack and open-ended ticket.

Image courtesy of Brandy Melville