Comments on: How to Reinvent Yourself While Traveling Abroad

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:05:05 +0000

This article describes my life on the road! I tend to take on these new personas for three main reasons. The first is that as an American abroad, we can catch a lot of gruff for, well, being American. I make sure to combat some of the stereotypes as best I can.
I also enjoy this because it makes it soooo easy to find new friends. I was an Arsenal fan until I met a guy with a Chelsea shirt on and started singing the praises of Frank Lampard. Or when I met the German rock climber, I told him about the trip I was planning to Krabi, Thailand for some serious crankin’! Creating common interests is a great way to break the ice–then you can take that any direction you wish.
Some people would discourage this and label it as insincere, but how sincere can a two-day friendship really be anyway? No one gets hurt and you can meet some amazing people (at least, I THINK that guy was London’s 2003 billiard champion…)

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By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:57:10 +0000

We once tried calling ourselves by different names and pretending that we were big film producers for a night. However after a little too much Thai Whiskey, we started calling each other our real names and got everyone confused. We weren’t very good at it I am afraid, but we had a laugh.

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By: Shreya

Shreya — Sun, 10 May 2009 16:45:25 +0000

Haha, really funny post.

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By: Emilie

Emilie — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:04:34 +0000

Nahhhh. It’s “je ne sais quoi”
I don’t know what.
“Je ne sais crois” would mean I don’t know believe. Which doesn’t make any sense.

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By: Greenygrey

Greenygrey — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:45:59 +0000

What about an air of mystery, leading others to consider you a spy, international criminal or terrorist?

But try not to be too convincing, or there could be trouble!

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By: Colin Wright

Colin Wright — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:39:19 +0000

I agree that traveling along is the perfect time for reinvention. It’s important to scrap all the baggage you’ve acquired every so often, so why not while on the road/air/sea?

Great post

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By: AussieGoneWalkabout

AussieGoneWalkabout — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:59:04 +0000

I have a terrible time doing impersonations – I just cannot ‘put on’ other accents. However, since I’ve been in the UK for two years as well as travelling all over the place and speaking the language (basics) of whatever country I’m in, I’ve lost my identity!

No really, it’s a crisis – the English know I’m Australian, the Aussie think I’m English, while the Germans think I’m American (my Canadian experience) and the Turkish think I’m Kiwi (how many times do I have to repeat the difference between ‘chips’ and ‘cheps’ and ‘pen’ and ‘pin’. One language and so many dialects. It really is amazing.

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By: Tumbrella

Tumbrella — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:06:04 +0000

Hey Matthew

Only just discovered your blog, but I’ll be back for sure. Cracking work.

Tumbrella

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By: Tanya

Tanya — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:40:44 +0000

Being able to reinvent yourself is one of the best perks of moving overseas. I’ve been a different person each time I moved to France and I can’t wait to see who the next “me” will be. But you’re right: we’re always our true selves in the end.

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By: DHarbecke

DHarbecke — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:05:35 +0000

Whoo… this article is a beautiful thing on so many levels. I’m sorry I didn’t read it sooner. Thank you for this moment of zen.

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