Comments on: Conversations

By: Trackback from Create Our World

Trackback from Create Our World — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:05:53 +0000

[...] recent post was about interesting conversations he has in his travels. Cabbies, immigration workers, and people in local markets are just a few [...]

By: Trackback from the Change Blog

Trackback from the Change Blog — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:01:13 +0000

[...] Chris Guillebeau’s recent blog post Conversations is a wonderful account of the many interesting people we may come across in our [...]

By: Trackback from Wise Bread Forums

Trackback from Wise Bread Forums — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:44:50 +0000

[...] for some great storytelling and idea-challenging. For example, I was recently highly entertained by this post about conversations. __________________ Admin / Tech guy Wise Bread, Parenting Squad, Healthcare [...]

By: Isis

Isis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:42:47 +0000

I really enjoyed this post. That story about a taxi driver in Mongolia reminded me of an experience I had when i traveled to Shenzen, China.

I just finished shopping at the night market – haggling with every vendor by passing the calculator back and forth. I was exhausted and hungry. I wanted to sample the local food, so I went to the nearest eatery near my hotel. But since I didn’t know how to speak or read the local language, I had to be creative. I tried mimicking the sound of a cow to indicate that I wanted to order something with beef in it. I put each of my pointer fingers on each side of my head – see I have horns? I tried drawing a cow on paper, Pictionary style. But all of these didn’t work. The servers just looked at me smiling, dumbfounded. It took me 20 minutes to order. I ended up just pointing to 2 out of the only 4 pictures on their long menu. The food arrived shortly after – hot, filling and delicious. And with beef on it. I left a generous tip. And they were all smiles when I left.

I guess that means, they have no beef with me or I with them.

By: Travel-Writers-Exchange.com

Travel-Writers-Exchange.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:08:49 +0000

I really enjoyed this article. Sometimes conversations just happen when you’re not looking for them. I always say that “you never know who you’ll meet while traveling.” It’s best to keep an open mind when you travel. If you don’t, you could miss out on some great conversations.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:06:36 +0000

Hey Chris,

This article touches on so many of the great things about traveling and meeting new people. There’s always a story to be told, and the best ones happen by accident. I recently made my journey into Iraqi Kurdistan and had an amazing time. While there, I met several government ministers by complete fluke, and it was fascinating hearing what they had to say about Kurdistan. Your blog helped convince me to make the trip, and I’m very glad I did!

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:54:49 +0000

Laughed when I saw this post. My mom had just been asking me how I got into such long conversations with strangers. It’s fun (mostly) when you’re out of your element and easy when you’re approachable! Will always remember sharing a table on a crowded Parisian cafe sidewalk with a stranger and talking til the last Metro was due. I learned how to distinguish Parisians from regular French persons from him!

By: Chase

Chase — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:59:41 +0000

Travel Conversations. I love it. I’ve met some fantastic people online. From world-traveling Graffiti Artists (I need to look him up again…) to inspirational 19y.o. solo backpackers. The key, for sure, is an open eye, and a willing attitude.

Thanks for sharing your own conversations (and clarifying that it wasn’t angelina)
-Chase.

By: Tish Stewart-Inglis

Tish Stewart-Inglis — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:55:30 +0000

Chris, I so enjoyed reading this, I travel a lot and sometimes feel like engaging with people next door, but often just need quiet time as I spend most of my days talking (I’m in sales and marketing). On my flight over to the States I too sat next to a famous actress (although I couldn’t place her until I saw a picture of her in a magazine yesterday) and she arrived behind dark glasses. I smiled at her and said hello and she gave a rather fearful smile back. I could see immediately she didn’t want to converse, so left it and we travelled in companionable silence. I do think being famous has massive drawbacks and I am very glad to be just be me. But when a good conversation strikes up, what fun!

By: Ms Constantine

Ms Constantine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:48:40 +0000

Great post. I haven’t travelled yet, but when I do I hope I get to learn a lot about different cultures just by having conversations with the people I come across. I’m quite introverted like you though and tend to open up only when I know someone, or when my computer screen and thousands of miles are acting as a barrier.

I must say it was a bit mean to post about the actress when you can’t tell us her name. I hate not knowing stuff!