Living in an international hub of Europe like Barcelona, it's common to meet people from 10 different countries in one night. It's even more common to feel comfortable discussing a country's political affairs or status quo within minutes of meeting one another. When respect is the common core, everything's fair play. We're a curious breed, travelers especially, because we rather go out and seek the answers than sit in a classroom and have someone feed us their version of it.

So last weekend I was at a pub during a cultural night, and there were easily 10+ countries represented, so we all scribbled questions down without names and put it in a hat, to keep the good conversations/exchanges going. So I anonymously wrote down with the help of my homegirl Tequila and 3 of her close friends what the most annoying thing about American travelers was.

Now, before you take away my ‘Merica Card, I asked this question not to bash my own people, but rather out of genuine curiosity so I could work on my own habits and share with others to try and better the perception people have of our new generation of globetrotters.

Finally, I see the reader skim the question briefly in her head, make an expression like "sh*ts about to get real" and I knew it had to be mine. She proceeds to ask the room full of slightly inebriated, but could still pass a walking test crowd, "What's the most annoying thing about American travelers?" There was one other American in the room and we both kinda sunk in our seats waiting for the inevitable jabs. At that moment, I wanted to answer the question so as to take the pressure off people answering and also maybe trick them into thinking I wasn’t the one who asked it in the first place. But then again, because of the person that I am, my awkwardness, and everything in between, my mouth glued shut and I forgot how to ‘human being’.

There was an awkward silence (because, duh) as people looked around the room scanning the mental balls of audacity to ask such a forward question. And then as if the Queen summoned him herself, a British man cleared his throat, in sync with my bowel movements imploding within and said, "You know what, I don't have a problem with American travelers, because they're at least making an effort to get out and see the world and experience other cultures. It's the ones who DON'T travel that annoy me. They stay in the same city, state, and country all their lives, being comfortable never trying to learn or experience other cultures. I've visited America and met people who have never even ventured outside of their home state and it's mind-blowing.

In my head: WHOA. Can I start a slow clap now? Or is that obvious that I’m the one who asked the question? Maybe I’ll shut up and blend in with the wall. Dang it, are the walls black & blue white & gold? They’ll still see me. Wait, people are nodding. Ermegersh. This is cool. Can I smile? Is that too obvious that I approve. Wait, but I do. This is confusing. Okay, I’ll just take another sip of this Tequila.

And others started to chime in with mutual agreement, about the idea that people can be satisfied living a life on this beautiful planet, perfectly content without ever experiencing other parts of it. And this applies to citizens of every country.

I definitely wasn’t expecting such an enlightening and refreshing perspective. I was humbled. And it inspired this post.

If more people redirected their $200 shoes and $400 designer purses towards an experience that won't get dirty, old, or eventually thrown away like material things, how much greater would this millennial generation be? To experience another culture’s happiness that doesn’t come in the form of an XBOX or Wii is something I want my children to see firsthand. How grateful we'd be for our unspoken privileges. How soon we'd realize half of our "necessities" are actually just luxuries.

And before the most common excuse comes up -- traveling is no longer a matter of money because it’s become more affordable than ever before, and more people are taking advantage of that.

As Americans, we have one of THE strongest passports in the world, just behind The United Kingdom, Finland, and Sweden. Why are we not taking advantage of that? 172 countries around the world we’re privileged (as Americans) to visit with the simple possession of an American passport. We’ve hit gold, just by being born on U.S. soil having the opportunity to explore this beautiful and dynamic world around us.

So while I’m sure there are plenty habits or things that foreigners get annoyed with by American travelers, man was it nice to get a stamp of approval that no matter how we might come across, the fact that we’re at least trying is enough. And to that I raise my glass again. Your passport can be one of your most valued possessions if you learn to start investing more in global experiences than material junk.

Trying to convince mom and dad that studying abroad will be worth it? Don’t know how to explain your sudden need to venture outside your home country? Want to fulfill your dreams to travel but no one will support you? Share this article with them and send my thank you card in the mail. They will change their mind, and the rest will be history. Or HERstory. Or YOURstory. The choice is yours.

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