Death of the Sociable Traveller

'support'? Whatever do you mean? After all I'd said above the last posting, too? I'd hate anyone to think I supported this point of view.

"Techno heads and aging pedophiles -yep! thailand to a T" Well I read this as support for his statement. If I have misinterpreted it you may care to explain what you meant.

I feel sorry for the young stone-faced technophiles, they labour under the terrible burden of trying to maintain their image as the most amazing child who ever walked the planet. Yet the subconcious doubts are creeping in - would the most amazing child only be getting mediocre grades in Film Studies and be working part-time as a store clerk? To assuage doubts they go travelling, but then they find out the world is jam-packed with people who don't recognize how amazing they are, but just treat them as some kind of - shudder - ordinary person. It is only by constantly updating their Facebook page for the benefit of their Facebook friends that they can feel reassured of their amazing status.

Hmmmm....interesting insight here. Autobiographical?

I'd be honoured! :>))

technoheads and aging pedophiles - yep! Thailand to a t.

Thanks so much for making my life easier with your generalization. Maybe we can come up with an award for you.

I just discovered this thread -- very interesting subject. When I stay in hostels, I always find lots of friendly people to talk to or go places with, and I haven't seen very many glued to their electronic gizmos. I had a problem when I stayed at hotels or guesthouses, though. The friendliest in my experience are the Ozzies and from some of the northern European countries.

Thailand can be frustrating especially the middle aged guys who think because they can buy a young Thai girl that makes them attractive to very young women. Worse, are the out right pedophiles.
Its disgusting.
But I think most people do not fall into that mode, its just they're the ones that stand out.
As far as young people hooked on the machines and electronics, have you seen the movie Zeitgiest?
At the end he points out how people are so distracted it keep them from thinking.

This thread has really infuriated me, especially as I continue to receive new messages. I am particularly referring to the comment by Billythefish saying “techno-heads or aging pedophiles make up the bulk of travellers these days”

First let me say that I am the father of three girls and the grandfather of one girl, so I am incensed at the thought of anyone harming a child. In fact, I think that anyone who would deliberately harm a child is less than human (i.e. does not meet the definition of a higher form of animal life). However, as my wife is not much of a traveller, I do travel alone on many occasions. And I guess, with all the stigma this web site has to offer!!

First of all, I don't know how so many people can read this thread and not be offended by Billythefish's comment! He is referring to YOU AND ME. Despite the support of that position by Tomkat (13) and his admonishment of me, only one other person (napper #19) called out Billythefish. The last positing by ono stating “ most people do not fall into that mode, its just they're the ones that stand out” really got me. Prey tel, how can you look at someone and know they are a pedophile? If you can, I do hope you report them to the police.

Finally, let me illustrate a story that happened to me. I was walking along some street in Bangkok (being a pedophile according to this web site) when I noticed two middle age men walking along holding hands with two young girls. I just could not ignore that as I thought the worst. I decided to follow them so I could find out where they were going and notify the police. Much to my shock, a few blocks along the two men met up with their respective wives and mothers of the little girls they were walking with!! HOW WRONG I WAS!! HOW I COULD HAVE WRECKED SOMEON'S LIFE!!

I never forgot that incident, so when I see posts from people like Billytheblowfish and others I realize there are a lot of stupid, sacrosanct people out there. Hopefully Billy will apologize and hopefully a few others will respond to this thread with some sanity. Finally, if you do know a pedophile, REPORT HIM TO THE POLICE. Don't tarnish the vast majority of us travellers who would never dream of hurting a child.

Well,well....this topic was about anti social behaviour among travellers, mate, not specifically about paedophiles - try to remember that..
Secondly,"I am the father of three girls and the grandfather of one girl, so I am incensed at the thought of anyone harming a child." implies that harm to children only applies to girls .And that one needs to be a parent to be angered at the harm to children - also untrue. Why can't non parents be outraged at child harm too?
Suggest a bigger world view ,mac, a reason why many people travel in the first place and usually a benefit that comes with experiencing other cultures....