"Have you ever traveled with someone and thought to yourself if I had only known?"
Have you ever traveled with someone and thought to yourself
if I had only known?
You probably paid little attention to the different
categories of personality traits that describe most
travelers such as: enthusiast, adventurer, sportsman,
relaxer, beach bum, comfort seeker, culturist, shopper and
discoverer. Author Nadine Nardi Davidson has authored a very unique
book entitled Travel With Others Without Wishing They'd
Stayed Home that will help you identify the different types
of travelers. According to the author, once you become aware of these
different traits, you will be better equipped to minimize
anxieties and maximize the enjoyment of each travel
experience when traveling with others.
However, not only must we identify the diversity of
personality traits, we must also consider the various
individuals and different situations we may encounter. Traveling alone with your spouse is far different than
traveling together with your kids.
How about traveling with your boss? When do you say no or
what about sexual harassment?
Your boyfriend or lover has invited you to come along on a
weekend excursion. Who pays what, and will there be
reservations for one or two bedrooms?
What are the advantages and disadvantages about traveling
with friends? Have you discussed your different budgets,
the length of stay, accommodations, dinning, shared
activities and who drives? Although many of these questions may seem obvious, you will
be surprised at the number of people who completely ignore
to ask them and blindly accept to travel with their
friends.
As Davidson indicates in her book, "good friends don't
always make good travel companions." Davidson succeeds in writing ten very well structured
chapters in a language that is uniformly clear and reader
friendly.
Many of the issues that emerge may be pure common sense,
however, unfortunately, many of us need someone or
something to remind us of them. As the author concludes, "blending together ideas and
activities to satisfy your needs and someone else's needs
can be the greatest boon of all. The you'll have the power
to create a memorable travel experience not only for
yourself but for your companions."
Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Posted November 12, 2002
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