Community > General Discussion

Topic: Who has a passport?
tngxl65 Joined Sat 01/12/08 Posts: 6189	Thu 02/05/09 09:15 PM
But to the point of your question.... many Americans never travel farther than the next state over. Here in Kansas I know people that haven't even left the state and have no desire to see new places or meet new people. It almost scares me because I just don't get it. But even in my corporate office environment, less than half the people have ever left the country and of those that have, it's mostly been Canada, Mexico, or U.S. territories in the Caribbean. Wahey! someone actually responded to my post rather than just the title! I can understand, to a degree, why Americans don't need to travel abroad. You live in a large country with varying climates, cultures, custons etc. I have seen 5 or 6 different states and they have mostly been very different to each other(except for maybe MD and VA, i couldnt tell the difference!). I cannot understand never leaving the same state. But then i am sure many Brits have never been abroad either. I think it is worse in the US though. That's true. If I want to go skiing I can go to Colorado. If I want beach and sun I can go to Florida or Southern California. If I want to cool off in the summer I can go to Maine. If I want to join an anti-government militia and/or cult, I can go to Idaho or Montana. There's a little something for everyone without ever crossing the border. But if you want to know how other peoples live and think, it's nice to go there.

Dan99 Joined Sat 08/23/08 Posts: 14941	Thu 02/05/09 09:33 PM
But if you want to know how other peoples live and think, it's nice to go there. I agree. I guess some people don't give a damn about knowing though. Some people are very ignorant. Someone said to me once(cant remember who though) "Scotland..Is that in London" Whoever it was that said it, could do with going travelling for a while.

polson Joined Sun 12/31/06 Posts: 28173	Thu 02/05/09 10:26 PM
Canada has not always needed a passport to visit. I took my father up there to ocean fish a few years back. Only needed photo ID and Birth Certificate. To visit up there. Back in the eaarly 80's, I went to Jamacia and didn't need a passport. I know things have changed. But, I need to get my passport for a visit to Canada this year. I have also known people who have never been out of a two hundred mile radius of thier hometown. Most are folks who can't afford the big trips. Or, are farmers. They don't get sick days or vacation time. So, a passport is a waste of time and money.

RareEntity Joined Mon 09/01/08 Posts: 23676	Thu 02/05/09 10:31 PM
dont have one, dont intend on getting one

74Drew Joined Thu 01/22/09 Posts: 4901	Thu 02/05/09 11:44 PM
if i was going some where I'd go to russia i hope you speak russian. i went to poland and belarus thinking that in the big cities it would be easy to find people who speak english. hah! talk about naive. i had a really rough time. i finally got to germany where i have family and it all smoothed out. but for a couple of days it was hell.

Gypsy41 Joined Tue 05/15/07 Posts: 123359	Thu 02/05/09 11:46 PM
I have had 3 passports......totalling 15 years. All people should have one, in fact pretty soon it will be mandatory on your drivers licence. I havent read all the posts so this may have already been mentioned.

michiganman3 Joined Mon 10/29/07 Posts: 14521	Thu 02/05/09 11:47 PM
I have had 3 passports......totalling 15 years. All people should have one, in fact pretty soon it will be mandatory on your drivers licence. I havent read all the posts so this may have already been mentioned. See, See, I told you all on page one!!!

Gypsy41 Joined Tue 05/15/07 Posts: 123359	Thu 02/05/09 11:52 PM
I have had 3 passports......totalling 15 years. All people should have one, in fact pretty soon it will be mandatory on your drivers licence. I havent read all the posts so this may have already been mentioned. See, See, I told you all on page one!!! Yes....ok now Im reading the posts. Here it will be within the next 2 years and I think its a fantastic idea!!! I travel alot and love to be able to go wherever I want and not have to p*ss around with having to wait for a passport.

Pink_lady Joined Sun 08/24/08 Posts: 2507	Thu 02/05/09 11:52 PM
I have! or was this Q aimed at Americans?! I have had the pleasure of being a few places in the last 2 yrs...Amsterdam, Spain, Canada and America. Travelling is WONDERFUL!

Gypsy41 Joined Tue 05/15/07 Posts: 123359	Thu 02/05/09 11:56 PM
The last trip in october, when I went to mexico was filled with people from England, Hungary, Germany, Ireland. I was the token Canadian. Didnt meet any americans there!!! Now......say 8 years when I went there last, it was filled with americans. Not alot travelling now maybe due to the economy?

Dan99 Joined Sat 08/23/08 Posts: 14941	Fri 02/06/09 12:07 AM Edited by Dan99 on Fri 02/06/09 12:07 AM
I have! or was this Q aimed at Americans?! I have had the pleasure of being a few places in the last 2 yrs...Amsterdam, Spain, Canada and America. Travelling is WONDERFUL! You have a passport?! Wow, i never knew that!

sillystring291980 Joined Thu 02/05/09 Posts: 1	Fri 02/06/09 12:31 AM
i have one, go to new zealand alot.

Mr_Music Joined Wed 10/22/08 Posts: 10677	Fri 02/06/09 01:58 AM
Nope. Never needed one. Anywhere I've ever been, a passport was not required, including Canada.

izzie Joined Wed 02/21/07 Posts: 31834	Fri 02/06/09 05:09 AM
But to the point of your question.... many Americans never travel farther than the next state over. Here in Kansas I know people that haven't even left the state and have no desire to see new places or meet new people. It almost scares me because I just don't get it. But even in my corporate office environment, less than half the people have ever left the country and of those that have, it's mostly been Canada, Mexico, or U.S. territories in the Caribbean. Wahey! someone actually responded to my post rather than just the title! I can understand, to a degree, why Americans don't need to travel abroad. You live in a large country with varying climates, cultures, custons etc. I have seen 5 or 6 different states and they have mostly been very different to each other(except for maybe MD and VA, i couldnt tell the difference!). I cannot understand never leaving the same state. But then i am sure many Brits have never been abroad either. I think it is worse in the US though. we also have what 70 times the population of england!! so trying to compare the 2 is like compairing apples and pinecones! or am i wrong?

izzie Joined Wed 02/21/07 Posts: 31834	Fri 02/06/09 05:11 AM
If I want to join an anti-government militia and/or cult, I can go to Idaho or Montana. There's a little something for everyone without ever crossing the border. . HEY!!!!!! im from montana.. its not as bad as the rep given to us by the stupid freeman.. stupid freeman..

singmesweet Joined Mon 07/28/08 Posts: 26661	Fri 02/06/09 05:30 AM
But to the point of your question.... many Americans never travel farther than the next state over. Here in Kansas I know people that haven't even left the state and have no desire to see new places or meet new people. It almost scares me because I just don't get it. But even in my corporate office environment, less than half the people have ever left the country and of those that have, it's mostly been Canada, Mexico, or U.S. territories in the Caribbean. I can't understand never leaving a state, or at least traveling within the US. But, I haven't traveled more than I have yet because it's expensive. Not for lack of wanting to.

Krimsa Joined Fri 04/25/08 Posts: 9960	Fri 02/06/09 05:31 AM
I heard a while back that something like 80% of Americans don't have one. Which i found quite surprising. Even if i had no intention of going abroad i would have a passport anyway, just in case. Do 80% of Americans have no desire to go abroad ever? Why is that? I have a passport though I think it’s expired now. Many Americans can not afford to travel abroad even if they so desired. Especially now the way the economy is.

singmesweet Joined Mon 07/28/08 Posts: 26661	Fri 02/06/09 05:34 AM
I heard a while back that something like 80% of Americans don't have one. Which i found quite surprising. Even if i had no intention of going abroad i would have a passport anyway, just in case. Do 80% of Americans have no desire to go abroad ever? Why is that? I have a passport though I think it’s expired now. Many Americans can not afford to travel abroad even if they so desired. Especially now the way the economy is. That's my problem. There are many places I'd love to go, just can't afford it at the moment. Eventually, though.. .

beachbum069 Joined Mon 04/07/08 Posts: 14325	Fri 02/06/09 05:37 AM
My passport is expired and I'm reapplying for a new one. It's always nice to be able to go anywhere at anytime. I've been to almost all the states,Italy,Canada,Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Krimsa Joined Fri 04/25/08 Posts: 9960	Fri 02/06/09 05:37 AM Edited by Krimsa on Fri 02/06/09 05:38 AM
That's my problem. There are many places I'd love to go, just can't afford it at the moment. Eventually, though Same here. I would LOVE to see Europe but alas, that’s an expensive trip and I don’t want to go into debt over it. Aside from that I have been down to Mexico which was very nice. I traveled to Zihuatanejo which was wonderful because there were no Americans. When I travel, I want to avoid Americans as much as possible and experience the actual culture of the people I am visiting.