The real distinction between the "tourist" and the "traveller" lies between those who leave their assumptions at home, and those who don't.

Travelling entails an exchange of cultures between the locals and the foreigners. The tourist will see it as an erosion of cultures while the traveller may see it as a blend of cultures to create diversity. Travelling entials learning how to lead others' way of lives. The tourist will see it as the loss of creature comforts (especially tourists from more well-off countries visiting less well-off ones) while the traveller will perhaps appreciate the simplicity of the peoples' lives. Travelling entails visiting various places within a limited scope of time. The tourist may see it as a hassle though they can break free from the stress back at home, while the traveller will feel that it is inevitable, and that what matters most is gaining as much as possible at every place.

It would be a lot easier, and probably bearable, if we see things in a more positive light. Personally, I would be more inclined to think of travelling as an opportunity of personal growth and development than a source of unhappiness.

Take for example, travelling to India. Most tourists will probably be appalled by how the Indians climbing on top of trains and trying their best to squeeze into compartments or hang on to railings even if it means risking their lives. Yet, if we view this from a different perspective, we begin to appreciate the advanced and efficient transportation system at home. It is true that we might not like the prospect of squeezing into train carriages that much, but we do not need to act like a tourist and moan about it. Instead, we can feel how blessed we truly are. In any case, travel guides us toward a better balance of wisdom and compassion. This means that we understand that not all parts of the world has the same standard of living as ours, and we show our compassion for these people living in less well-off places.

Besides, we do carry values and beliefs and news to the places we go. In many parts of the world, we become the only channels that can take people out of their censored limits of their homelands. This especially applies to third-world regions, when they are constantly involved in warfare. The sight of people different from them will make them curious. For one, particularly for rural tribes, we do not speak the same language as them. A simple act of picking up a necklace and putting it on for Kenyan woman signifies a marriage proposal that the woman must accept. The tourist might discriminate such a custom, while the traveller will appreciate the simplicity of it. At the same time, the traveller will attempt to interact with the people through whatever means he can, perhaps indirectly influencing the way the people communicate. Even if it is the littlest change of the people learning how to say "hello", we are still bringing our culture to them.

As can be seen there are many things we can learn from our travel experiences, and many things we can impact people on. We need not feel discontented with vacations not meeting our expectations. We have to acknowledge that our imagination of trips are greatly based on the advertising we see all around us, which try to portray the best of places so as to lure us there. Moreover, we do not travel to be immersed in more creature comforts.

We travel to experience how great other country's are, and to feel how home is always the best place to be.

Learn more about this author, Stacy Wong.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The tourist versus the traveler?
We want to hear your view. Write now!