Feb
Positive Lifestyle, Travel Inspiration, Travel Tips
How Travel Transforms You into a Hot Date
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Valentine’s Day lurks on the horizon, wayfarers! Chocolate, flowers, gift lists, and overpriced dinners everywhere! At least my favorite color is pink (if you couldn’t tell from my blog’s layout) so I don’t mind that part so much.
Haha, in school, I hated this holiday so so so much. I thought it was too sappy, gooey, and ridiculous. And totally a way for lame companies to rake in a profit off smitten lovers. Besides I never had a significant other in middle school or high school, so Valentine’s Day did a great job making me feel like an ogre. Depressing, right?
Now, however, I’m secure enough in myself that I don’t mind Valentine’s Day. Sure, I may not love it, but I don’t scowl and wear my black eyeliner either. I’m cool.
I’ll be honest: I wanted to write a nifty themed gift list for travelers. Why not, right? But since Valentine’s Day was never my “thing,” I would have NO idea what awesome items to suggest to couples. So, instead, I’m gonna stick to something fun and lighthearted and dreadful: dating.
Dating as a traveler is interesting. You encounter a lot of different reactions ranging from “that’s so cool!” to “I’m not sure that’s safe” to “there’s no way work would let me take time off” to “pfft, my travels are even CRAZIER.”
Over all, I think travel transforms you into a hot date for many reasons. I’d rather date a traveler than anyone else. Let me convince you.
You have plenty of incredible stories to share.
As a traveler, you never run out of magnificent tales to weave and share. You will stun your date with all your amazing international encounters, and s/he will beg for a second chance to go out with you!
What kind stories? Maybe you’ll talk about that time you went paragliding in Slovenia. Or snorkeled in Iceland’s coldest waters in the dead of winter. And yeah, maybe that time you fell off your bike in the Aran Islands – which was not at all embarrassing or painful.
Lucky you, you won’t run out of cool adventures to discuss. Just give your date a chance to talk, too. No one likes a snob.
Your independence is addictive and reassuring.
As a solo traveler, you don’t need your hand held every five minutes nor will you text ten times after the date is over. No way. Desperation has never been your style. Instead you can hold your head high and board an international flight – even if the thought makes your legs weak with fear. So why would you act needy?
For a lot of people, such free-spirited behavior is super attractive and inspiring, and even addictive. In the United States, which seems to push the idea that romantic relationships are more important than friendships or family, your independence is a breath of fresh air. Go you!
You’re more daring than dinner and a movie.
Okay, I don’t object to a fine dinner. Lord knows there are enough mouth-watering restaurants around me to make my wallet weep in a corner. I’m not knocking dinner.
Still, as a traveler, you won’t say “no” to a more adventurous first date. Wanna go snowboarding? You’re there! Wanna check out a super cool festival in New York City or Asbury Park? You’re down for that too! Wanna take a sudden trip to California? Sure, just call work and off you go!
You break away from the norm – which is totally hot.
You don’t sweat the small stuff.
Your date is five minutes late? No big deal. You once had to wait three hours for your bus to arrive at hot and crowded station on the outskirts of an unfamiliar city. You can chill in this lovely whiskey bar for a little bit longer.
And if your date or you accidentally spills a drink? It’s more funny than dreadful. You can laugh at yourself easily.
Of course if you’re date is twenty minutes late, you’ll peace out and have your own fun someplace else. You won’t tolerate any disrespect either.
You will inspire him/her to achieve greatness.
Honestly, as a traveler, I want to encourage other people to break through their comfort zones and explore the world on their own terms. When I took my first trip to Scotland, I wasn’t a confident person, no way. I almost canceled my trip three separate times, and even debated turning around at the Newark Airport.
Travel is scary for a lot of people especially avid news readers. The news has a monopoly on frightening people to death – even me.
Maybe your date is super anxious and wants to travel abroad (maybe even solo!), and your inspiration causes him or her to finally book that ticket. Even if you two don’t work out, perhaps you’ll be the person to change his/her life. Or you could end up married. You never know!
If the date flops? Pssh, you still have you!
Crappy first, second, third, fourth, fifth dates happen to us all. We run out of things to say and the spark vanishes. Or maybe the other person was just a jerk. Not speaking from experience, of course.
Anyway. Let’s say your date falls flat on its face. Maybe your crush thinks you’re a huge show off with all your jetsetting ways. Or maybe your independence is far too intimidating for “normal people” (note the sarcasm quotes) to handle.
Whateeeever. Travel not only makes you a great catch, but you’re confident enough in yourself that if a prospect doesn’t work out, you won’t lose sleep over it. Instead you’ll plan your next getaway.
But you never know. Maybe you’ll get married and run into the sunset, reading a honey moon Paris guide, and winning at life.
Do you think travel transforms you into a hot date? What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Do even like Valentine’s Day or do you think it’s lame? Share in the comments.
I love the idea of this. I certainly find a man who loves to travel more attractive. To be fair, my husband did not get much choice in the matter as I was already addicted when I met him. Thankfully he loves it too
Anne —
Haha, that’s awesome! I feel the same way! Any person I go out with has NO choice except to love travel!
ROFL, this was a great post. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the title. But you nailed it. Best of luck to you in finding your match. I solo it 99.99% of the time while the hubby stays home (someone has to be home with the kiddos) LOL. They’re adults now but I still love my solo trips. 🙂
Debra —
Haha, thanks so much! I’m glad the post gave you a chuckle! And I adore my solo trips too! I hope I can continue them even if I do get married. Your husband sounds great!
Such a fun idea for a Valentine’s Day post 🙂 I totally agree with your points – especially about having so many great stories to share. To us, travel is all about gathering stories 🙂
The Adventure Ahead —
Absolutely! Travel is all about the stories and experiences! Thanks for reading!
Rachel, this is hilarious and I totally agree 🙂 Loved reading your post and I had to smile a few times! Thank you and keep it up!!
Claudi —
Hahaha, I’m glad I could make you laugh! Thanks for reading!
I think any relationship that has similar interests is off to a great start. Luckily, both my hubby and I are travel addicts. We can talk travel together without sounding snobby and pretentious and love planning our next adventure together
LeAnna —
Similar interests are key! And it sounds like you have a wonderful relationship!
This is such a fun post! Travel helps you grow in so many ways least of all being a good date.
Brianna —
True that!!
You make some excellent points. As think as well as a hot date, travel just helps you so much in meeting people and making friends, and also having to something interesting to say when you meet new people – maybe for work or something like that! Thanks for sharing.
Samantha —
I absolutely agree!! I’ve made so many friends from traveling! It’s great.
Truth… If you want to find your significant other, travel is a good place to start. Traveling together will push you closer together or send you apart. And if you are struggling to find someone, as you know, you may find that person in your travels. Fun post!
One of the best Valentine’s Days I ever had was being solo in Paris. I made a point of getting out and talking to people, and it was so much fun. (I even got given an 19th-century book by a man, which I still have – too bad he turned out to be married!) Nonetheless, I met a ton of people and to this day, I think solo holidays are a blast. This Valentine’s Day, I’m celebrating my happy marriage by jetting solo to Vietnam. But no worries, my husband will join me in a couple of days. Glad you’ve ‘found’ your true Valentine happiness.
I have no plans. I will be working all day. I think traveling with your significant other is great and teaches both people about the other.
A very different approach to a St Valentine’s article. I find travellers more open minded individuals, more adventurous and more fun. I don’t think I would ever date anyone who doesn’t travel.