“We’re having less enjoyable travel experiences, even as our photos show us having this amazing time, because we’re performing a version of travel for people who aren’t even there.”

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and David talk about the time-honored practice of Americans pretending to be Canadian on the road, and why Americans at times have had a bad reputation abroad (2:30 ); strategies for avoiding becoming an “Ugly American” on the road (11:00 ); how a fixation with comfort can get in the way of life-enriching experiences on the road (18:30 ); how rituals like tipping, interacting with children, or choosing what to wear in public from culture to culture (22:00 ); how “voluntourism” and charity on the part of travelers is often not as selfless or effective as it pretends to be (30:00 ); how social media has a way of turning us into superficial, image-obsessed travelers (34:00 ); and how technology has transformed (and constrained) the way we all travel (39:00 ).

David Martinez is an Associate Professor of Spanish and the director of the Center for Study Abroad at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon.

Notable Links:

• How to study abroad, even if you aren’t a student (Deviate episode 221)


• The Vagabond’s Way, by Rolf Potts (book)


• Flag-jacking (the practice of travelers to be from someplace they’re not)


• Paris Writing Workshop (Rolf’s travel-memoir writing classes)


• The Comfort Crisis, by Michael Easter (book)


• Misogi (Japanese Shinto ritual)


• Voluntourism (short-term charity work for travelers)


• Picturesque (aesthetic ideal)


• The Shallows, by Nicholas G. Carr (book)


• The Scent of Time, by Byung-Chul Han (book)


• George Fox Talks (podcast)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.