Are you travelling as a couple?
Do you find it easy to meet people & strike up friendships?
Do you stay in dorms or private rooms and does this have an impact on the people you meet?
Are there certain countries where you met more people travelling as a couple than others?
What are your top tips for travelling as a couple who want to meet new people?
Go! :-) (-:
Reply to this Hello Mike and Sarah 😊
I travelled with my boyfriend a couple of times and travelled with an ex for a few months.
Yes, with both guys it was easy to meet people and strike up friendships. For a start, people will start a conversation with you in some countries because they are delighted to be able to have a conversation in English.
We stayed in dorms, private rooms, tents. It depended on the cost of accomodation in any particular country.
In some countries you will attract lots and lots of curious people, just because you are a foreigner. They will be very friendly but that is not always such a good thing. Personal space issues apply.
Also you will meet lots of people in places where a lot of tourists and backpackers go. They will be in the bars, clubs, hostels.....and are generally friendly and sociable.
One tip for meeting people is to put a thread in the following forum saying you want to meet people. State exactly what you want. ie if you want to travel with them, or meet for drinks and/or dinner........
Looking for Travelling Companians
Mel
Reply to this I've experienced both types of travel but the vast majority has been solo.
There are many advantages to travelling as a couple - a few being;
• only one copy of the guidebook
• someone to accompany you on long bus journeys
• splitting the cost of private rooms
The main disadvantages are;
• being with one person sometimes 24/7
• not being forced to socialise
I think something just as simple as staying hostels when possible, and when one person is showering the other goes down and has breakfast solo can help to break down the barriers that sometimes couples inadvertently put up...
Reply to this When I traveled with my boyfriend a few times, I was always was disappointed with the lack of people we met along the way. It wasn't absolutely necessary to meet other people, especially when we were in a country that didn't speak English and we were each other's safety nets. But I think you just have to make the effort and not get too isolated or comfortable. Just being friendly and striking up conversations with others is probably the easiest way. Sleeping in dorms instead of private rooms, or eating/hanging in common areas instead of out/in your room all the time probably would help too. 😊
Reply to this I always travel with my wife, we get more out of it.
Its always nice to share the full experience with someone, to have the same memories, to have “in” jokes with. Like one lady we met in Prague continuously said “aalllriightt”, so whenever we see something that reminds us of that trip we go “aalllriightt”
We bump into people, strike up friendships/companionships, that might last the hour, the day, the week - however long we are there - and then we move on. Its great to meet different people, to chat, but we aren’t looking for anything lasting.
Reply to this My wife Kel and I got back, pretty recently, from a little more than a year abroad and had an amazing time. We met people when we wanted to but when we didn't want to make the effort, there was already someone there to play with. It was amazing for our relationship and has solidified what was already an amazing marriage. Meeting people was as simple as always, as long as you want to do it.
I will say that, if there is any discord in your relationship, it could be tough. There have been a few instances on Travelblog that people have started a long trip together and, sadly, broken up along the way. Just be careful and prepared to deal with the possible ups and downs.
From my wife, "You'll meet people, they may just be different people from the ones you would have met on your own."
Feel free to drop us a note if you have any questions we can help with...
Reply to this Hello fellow wanderers!
Yeah I think all the posts are spot on! Thought this would be an interesting forum for discussion as I have met other couples who unlike us haven´t met alot of people on their travels. Why is this? What advice would we give them?
Mike and I have met loads of different types of people & also liked the fact we have been able to share experiences just between us when we want to. However we travel with the intention of meeting other people aswell as seeing new places.
I think the most important thing is to be likeminded when it comes to whether you want to meet people on your travels. Surely there would be nothing worse than your partner continually sitting at a dinner table with a group of people and not talking or getting involved in the conversation!!
Our top tips include not limiting who you strike up conversations with...i.e, only English speakers! Getting to know people separately, as Ali suggests, going to talk in a kitchen while the other person is in the shower etc etc.
In relation to finance, we also think a kitty works really well, cutting out all the hassle of splitting costs. Adding the same amount of money into a kitty purse each day means not having to even think about hotel room, restaurant & transport bills & no one will get the raw end of the deal by shelling out more money for your experiences!
Sarah
PS. Wise man say......."Go to bed with itchy bum, wake up with smelly finger!!" (try saying it with an accent and you may laugh!) Happy travels. x
Reply to this a kitty purse! what a great idea, i will try that next time i travel with someone 😊
Reply to this I have met other couples who unlike us haven´t met a lot of people on their travels. Why is this? What advice would we give them?
I think people travelling in groups or couples can easily give an unwelcomming impression. One would have to be extremely confident to butt into a couple or a group without a clear invitation. I would suggest that couples invite others to go for drinks with them, to play card games with them, show friendliness and openess by saying hello to everybody, ask if you can sit with others at a table in a hostel or cafe rather than having a table of your own, ask questions or for advise from strangers to include them in your conversation, offer to share anything you are having together such as cookies, wine.....
Mel
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