Comments on: What Can Travel Teach You About The American Dream?

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:14:13 +0000

Thanks Tom. When I saw the posting on this topic, I was very intrigued to write about it. It is definitely a topic that generates a discussion, and it is interesting to see what everyone’s different idea is of their own American Dream. The American Dream is a difficult thing to define since everyone has their own idea of what makes a comfortable and successful life.

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By: Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:45:47 +0000

Very well thought out and well written philosophical statement on travel and it’s meaning! I think you struck a chord with most and a nerve with a few over defining the American Dream. Our neighbors to the north have been much more open to allowing people from other lands to pursue their “dream” these days so how appropriate that you are writing this. Great job!

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By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:29:24 +0000

Thanks Keith!

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By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:52:27 +0000

Truly awesome post. Deb, you’ve done it again!

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By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:38:38 +0000

Hi Greenygrey,
Thanks for your reply.
Too bad you think that it didn’t count so much when you returned to society.
Maybe that is the key, Most people have to return to their homes and jobs but do we really have to return to society? We can continue thinking outside of the box and change the way that we live even.
After our first big trip, we sold almost everything. I can’t even remember half of the things that I owned, so really I am not missing them at all. Just a thought.

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By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:32:15 +0000

Pete, well put! It is amazing that even children in China have heard of the phrase “The American Dream”

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By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:29:38 +0000

It is very true. It is hard to live differently than what is perceived as normal. But I do love the simplicity of life, living with less. I don’t know how I survived when we owned our house and 2 cars and commuted to work 1 hour each way every day. We look back and wonder how we paid our bills.
It is not for everyone, but for us, we love living a more simple life with less things. And that is exactly the point of the article, The American (or any dream for that matter) is having the freedom to choose how you want to live.

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By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:23:51 +0000

Hi Michael,
Thanks for being so passionate about the article, but I have a couple of questions for you.
Where does it say that I think Americans are arrogant and are not compassionate towards other cultures? I actually say that millions of Americans travel. I say that people are thinking outside of the box and that America is a country made up of many different cultures. re: “When children learn about geography and places in history, chances are someone has been there before.”
Also, if you read the article you will see that it is how the world perceives the American Dream. America has always been the land of opportunity to people outside of the U.S. I would take that as a compliment.
There is a reason that people have always used the quote “The American Dream” It is not an insult, it is the dream of success. Go to America and live the dream. I don’t understand why you take it as an insult.
Maybe you should read the article more closely to see what it actually says.
I also end the article stating that the American Dream is having the freedom to choose. That is a wonderful thing that many citizens in this world do not have.
And like the American Dream, you have the freedom to share your opinion and I appreciate that.
Cheers.

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By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:44:32 +0000

I don’t know why, but this article hits a nerve with me. I don’t think you have a clue about the American Dream or our culture. The American Dream has nothing to do with fame. Fortune yes, but fame, not really! (That may be what Hollywood is telling you!)

You make it sound like American’s are a bunch of arrogants who couldn’t possibly be compassionate toward other cultures over our own. You make is sound shocking that American’s would even conceive to travel beyond their own borders, meanwhile American’s travel extensively and constantly.

I think you have a lot to learn about American’s and your so called version of our Dream.

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By: Rebel

Rebel — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:59:13 +0000

“For decades, the rest of the world has fantasized about going to America and living the good life. They thought that the only way to be truly successful was to be in the United States living with the stars in Hollywood and schmoozing with celebrities.”

Sorry, I’m a flag-waving, red-blooded American and this quote even bothers me.

In my experience meeting people from other countries, the overwhelming majority have no desire to live in America or to schmooz with Hollywood celebrities. Sure, some may want to visit some day, but most of them are pretty happy with their own lives in their own countries.

I can appreciate the discussion of the way the American Dream has changed, but please lets leave the sweeping generalizations about ‘the rest of the world’ out of it. =)

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