Top 5 myths about Backpackers

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So how do you carry you’re entire life in there? Are you a womanizer? So you sick of being alone yet? These are probably the many questions backpackers get at when they travel abroad. Often these myths give everyone a misleading idea to who a backpacker really is and what they might stand for. Some myths are funny, obviously untrue or just down right not so nice. Whether you fall into these categories or not, every backpacker is an individual; with their personal goals and reflections towards an enlightening experience. Here is our top five myths (in no particular order) about Backpackers.

1. Backpackers who stay at hostels will get slaughtered and murdered

@rivos

Thanks to director Eli Roth and his 2005 film called “Hostel”, mass media viewers think hostels are the key to sex, drugs and the ultimate death. A “dream” becomes their worse nightmare and images of grotesque slaughter scenes stay with those who saw this popular film. Believe us, hostels are NOT at all like the movie, not even close. Hostels are a friendly environment catered to the safety of those travelers who pay a small price to focus more on their travel. There are huge websites such as Hostel World with thousands of listings of hostels worldwide with reviews that one can read if they are scared silly from the movie.

2. Male backpackers are womanizers always looking for sex

@Jippolito

I’m sure this myth peeves a lot of males, backpackers and well, male backpackers. Often enough put a man on a self journey for discovery; leave him with the bare necessities and throw him halfway across the world to view countless beauties of other cultures. So what are you doing tonight? I highly doubt male backpackers are saving thousands of dollars to go across the globe to score some chicks. And even if this isn’t their agenda, it’s not like all males are part of a horny frat house looking for some serious action every night. We’ve met plenty of male backpackers that were friendly to other females and not prey driven tigers. Don’t forget the backpackers with girlfriends or wives back home either! Even if you’re back at your home country, you know that not all men are womanizers looking for sex either, so why categorize the backpackers as well?

3. Backpackers are young 18-25 year olds

@maritobonito

A good 80% of backpackers might fall into this age range, but it is hardly true. For students who take a break before or after college or are trying to find themselves, backpacking seems like a great adventure in order to fulfill their young lives. But there is no age restriction to backpackers.

One example of an excellent blog of three backpackers that defy this myth is Soultravelers3. They are a family of three from California, USA of a married couple in their 50’s and their 5 year old daughter. That’s right, they are taking their little one out into the world of vagabonding. Together, this family is brought closer than ever, with the challenge of raising a young daughter while traveling. Travelers can be old, young, in groups or solo. Backpackers just seem to come in all kinds of ways, not just confused college kids.

4. Female Backpackers cannot travel alone

@Avatar2007

As a female myself, this one can absolutely be defied. What makes a woman less capable of packing her life and venturing around the world? The often misconception is that a woman is weak and vulnerable. If she has the risk of getting raped and killed by being outside the streets in her own neighborhood; imagine in a foreign country. With stories about Natalie Holloway in the United States; an unsolved mystery as a result of traveling to a foreign country, its easy to see why people think a woman cannot backpack. That shouldn’t stop any female from backpacking. We are just as equal as our male counterpart; its just all about being cautious and aware of our surroundings.

One of my favorite blogs that got me interested in female backpacking is The Lost Girls blog. I idolize myself to these women, who are three female 20 year olds who quit their media jobs to travel. (I fit this exact description except I’m still at my media job) These girls have painted the world red when it comes to traveling the globe. Anyone who reads this site can easily get addicted to their adventures these girls get themselves into. So ladies, don’t be scared. Get up and go! There are plenty of blogs and books with lots of information and advice for females who are serious about traveling solo.

5. Traveling around the world will leave a gap in your resume and you will NEVER get a job when you return home

@jjwam

Absolutely false false false! Traveling to some is an education in itself. Being able to survive on a backpack, navigate in foreign lands and to communicate with strangers is an admirable quality. Self determination and interpersonal skills are essential to certain jobs. Use your knowledge and experience abroad to fuel your next interview and land that next job! Chances are, you can discuss a common city you’ve been to, or maybe they might be envious and admire your long term journey. Make it work for you; we haven’t heard any sob stories about the backpacker who NEVER got a job again.

Tagged as: Must Read Blogs, tips/planning

John

Terrible assertion on number 4. Women backpackers DO need to be more careful than their male counterparts. It's not about suppression of the female spirit, it's the ugly fact that women are, on average, physically less imposing than men, and therefore more likely to be a target. That's wonderful that you feel good to be a woman, but the criminal element does not care. Common sense is definitely an asset overseas, but in this situation you’re always in an unfamiliar environment. You can easily wander into a bad neighborhood by accident. No, women aren't getting raped left and right, but your odds are worse as a lone female in being subject to some sort of criminal activity (muggings, etc.). Everyone should backpack, but there's no sense in testing fate to make a statement. Pair up.

Morgan Coudray

The 5th point is crucial. That is a reucurring reason I heard (from north americans) for not taking time off to travel.
A travellers maturity level and interpersonal skills are much higher than the average Joe's. Anyone can make it work for themselves if the aspects mentioned above are used during the interview. Nonetheless, it's crucial to reassure your future employer about your willingness to stay with them for a while -- your stability is what can make them tick a little.

Jimmyboy555

lol nobody says that girls shouldn't travel alone because they are "lesser" than men. the reason it's wiser for girls to travel with a buddy is because as hard as it may be to believe, girls WILL get preyed on more by predators, be they sexual predators, thieves or merchants trying to scam you. This has nothing to do with "equalness" it's a simple fact. Yes girl's have the ability to handle themselves, but it doesn't change the fact they might have a tougher time than guys if you're looking at the dangers of backpacking around.. This is especially true if you're partying often on your backpacking journeys. And all feminist views aside, purely scientific, guys tend to be a lot more aggressive, and stronger than girls. No one's saying that pairs is crucial because girls are weak and timid. it's merely because they will have more attention. which can be both negative and or positive.

Vincent

"I highly doubt male backpackers are saving thousands of dollars to go across the globe to score some chicks." Well thats not my only reason, but...... Whats wrong with gettin' lucky while backpacking? Of course I'm not going to flop my cock out on the Hostel's kitchen counter, but in a 3 month trip around Western Europe, things will happen and hopefully I'll get with lots and lots and lots of chicks.

admin

Thank you for the comment! There are so many different types of backpackers and what they do is special; its not wasting their life away. Its an experience on a different level Skylab, the main guy here, our basic founder of AOB just left today for his first adventure! Its going to be so enriching and although we are on other sides of the world, this website connects everything! There will be a lot of great stories from abroad so stay tuned =) Thanks for checking us out!

Dave and Deb

Thanks for posting this one. We are tired of everyone at home
thinking that we are wasting our life away because we travel. I am constantly defending myself. No we don't stay in dumps, no we don't waste all of our money, yes we do have a plan for our future....We always have people say to us, "I wish I could give up everything like you have" or "If only I had a spouse to travel with". We always tell them that we haven't given up anything and that we see people traveling alone all of the time!
Deb and Dave