I don’t know why it seems to be human nature to think that the way that YOU do things is the one and only true way to do things. While I have a certain way that I like things, I do try to understand that not everyone feels the same way about things.
With travel, it’s no different. And while I do understand that dealing with people that disagree with you is part of posting about your life and preferences on the Internet…. it’s still frustrating.
Really? You do…. that?
Recently this came up in 2 different ways. First off, I got a lot of flack when I posted that (I’m embarrassed to admit) that I eat McDonalds on vacation.
Then, I posted about our first class trip around the world. And while I’m used to judgey passive-aggressive comments about whether you should dress up in first class, I also got the following comment:
So you did a RTW trip and only spent maybe 4 days actually exploring cities / the rest on a plane?
And… that is (sort of) true.
From gcmap.com
We had a day in Hong Kong, 3 days in Singapore, a day in Malaysia, and then a day and a half in Dubai. So a little more than the 4 days mentioned in the comments but yes, we did choose to spend a decent amount of our vacation time experiencing first class flights on a plane.
- 12.5 hours from Chicago to Tokyo – Japan Airlines First Class
- 4 hours from Japan to Hong Kong and 3 hours from Hong Kong to Singapore – JAL and Cathay Business Class
- 7 hours from Singapore to Dubai – Emirates First Class
- 13.5 hours from Dubai to New York – Emirates First Class
I have said that upgrading to first class was the best 80 cents I ever spent! Is that how I’ll always travel? No, but I also do not regret it in any way.
So, boiling it down – you travel how you want to travel, and I’ll travel how I want to travel!
Sometimes it amazes me that people go out of their way to spend time and energy commenting on minutiae of other people’s lives….
If you’d like to leave your angry comments about how I’m traveling “wrong”, feel free below 🙂
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I fly all the time and connect to get first class and get strange looks from ‘amateurs’ all the time. Do what you want to do! You’re itinerary sounds great to me!
Relax, Dan. There are the “doers,” and there are the “snipers.” You’re an adventurer/doer — and bound to attract snipers.
I happen to like flying. I can really understand getting pleasure out of just flying those long, first class legs. I also like exploring new places. I’ve spent a week getting to know just one neighborhood in Paris. My RTW might need 4 or 5 months or more! I’m a doer; and I’m fascinated by your observations about your RTW — even if you’re just explaining the advantages of Big Macs on the road.
But, ya know, I’ve no interest in Singapore, so I’m wondering why you “wasted” three days there. Never been. Don’t want to go. Why leave the airport? Great first class lounges there. See how it works? I’ve become a sniper. Ick!!
Keep on reporting. I keep learning. I love seeing travel through your eyes.
Hey there – you leave Singapore alone!!!! 🙂
Actually we had a lot of fun there. I still have a post half written about our time in Singapore; maybe your comment will get me to finally finish it!
And maybe I’ll sign on to blog for Boarding Area and write the Paris reviews that are so tempting you won’t be able to resist making that your next destination. 🙂
There is no right or wrong way to travel, Dan. That is part of the beauty of travel.
I am finishing up an article which I will post within the hour pertaining to consuming alcoholic beverages while traveling. For example: to some people, wine tasting is an important part of travel — but not to me. Different strokes for different folks, as they say…
…and as to eating at McDonald’s: I do not eat fast food often; but I consistently find the quality of food served at McDonald’s restaurants elsewhere in the world to be superior of similar fare offered in the United States — its home country.
Go figure…
If we all did the same thing the world would be incredibly boring. I used to be critical of people who spent a vacation getting drunk, but now I just don’t care. That is their preference and I have mine 🙂 I’m sure people think my travel preferences are awful. Oh well.
Your life story is just that, yours. Write it for you and not for anyone else.
No matter what you say or write Dan, there will always be one to snip at you. I wish only strangers were like this but I have ‘parents’ like this, can you imagine how it is like to have lived your life (51 Yrs old now) and still have your folks (that lives very far away) still try to run your life. I gave them the boot last year when they crossed the line, best thing I ever done, only wish I had woke up and done it sooner You need to do the same even tho it’s aggravating, just brush the comments off, you will never be able to stop them unless you stop posting.
Thanks Dee. Internet comments don’t really bother me but it does get a little annoying….
I n Bangkok with my diabetic friend and he needs to eat something at regular intervals . ” Hey there’s a McDonalds ” Got something uncomplicated to eat and we knew what to expect .
Actually in Thailand I love eating at KFC . Spicier dishes than in USA .
Remember the previous comment : “There are doers … ”
Anyone who keeps it working for a family of eight is not a slacker .
I don’t fly but I don’t mind those who do–in other words the rest of the world. Camping at a National Park is much more inviting to me than going some of the places you have been but I realize we are all a bit different. I do enjoy going to some of the places you have been that don’t require me flying so we aren’t completely different. I enjoyed reading about your Amtrak trip too as I have been on a couple of those.
Ok two points here
You did entitle the post “I’m embarrassed….” in my opinion implying you knew it was something not that great (to eat there)
Secondly you are essentially advertising (Golden Arches and all) for that crappy establishment that is taking great strides in ruining the planet and our health. Yes Dan… Literally. You perhaps don’t care and I get that. Most don’t of course.
So I’m sorry I think you deserved to hear people’s disagreement which you semi encouraged. Maybe even did it cos you knew there would be a contingent that would strongly disagree hence drive clicks etc? And now you’re upset, I don’t feel sorry for you.
I was impressed however after you told people that you would take off a bag in an emergency evacuation that you did a 180 and totally said “my bad” Not often you read that kind of apologetic admittance of wrong. That shows character in my humble opinion.
Heh – I”m not really that UPSET about it. I actually wrote that McDonalds post more as being embarrassed that I ate there on vacation (instead of eating “authentic” / local foods), but got a lot more judgment about the idea of eating McDonalds in general.