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Original poster

Have any of you never been abroad?

33 replies

goodnightgrumble · 16/02/2022 16:45

Just wondering if anyone has never been abroad and if it was though choice or sue to financial restraints.

I have a friend who has never been out of England at the age of 40. Not sue to do financial circumstances but she has never seen the attraction. She always goes on lovely luxury holidays and does stuff all year round.
I find that hard to understand but each to their own.
My mum had never been abroad either and had no desire but was in her seventies and it was more of a generation thing for her! My mum died 2 years ago but she had not been on holiday since 1978 and had no desire.
I personally look forward to holidays abroad and although I have a settled happy life I feel like I need one abroad. My sane part of my brain tells me I don't need one I just want one. It has to be abroad too! We had planned a big trip abroad this year but sadly I am not going ahead with it as concerned about the rising prices.
Just got me wondering about the people who had never been out of the country. I can understand it in places like North America due to the vastness though!

OP posts:
Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 16/02/2022 16:46

Apologies for typos. Sat next to my son in hospital and the beeps keep making me jump!

OP posts:
Kezzie200 · 16/02/2022 19:42

My grandad had never, or perhaps hardly ever, been out of his county. He was the happiest person I've ever known. He lived by the sea and had a little fishing boat. They made money from taking in holiday guests, tripping, fishing and winter work with the council.

Jjacobb · 16/02/2022 19:48

Hope your son is ok.
I have several friends who have never been abroad. I think in their cases it's for financial reasons.
I love to travel and am incredibly lucky that we can afford to do so.

Bubblesandsqueak1 · 16/02/2022 20:02

Me i have never left UK dont really want to either

ApolloandDaphne · 16/02/2022 20:10

My grandparents never went abroad. They didn't drive and I don't think they ever went out of Scotland. I don't know anyone else though.

JellybabyGina87 · 16/02/2022 20:15

I've only been on 2 foreign school trips as a teenager. My parents didn't have a lot of money so we went to places like Cornwall, Devon and Wales. I've got no desire really to go abroad. I've got anxiety and being in a foreign country is something I'd struggle with. But before I developed anxiety it was never something I was interested in.

Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 16/02/2022 21:14

@Bubblesandsqueak1

Me i have never left UK dont really want to either
What are your reasons?
OP posts:
flatpack1 · 16/02/2022 21:35

I havent. Culturally not something we did in the 1940s, 50s, 60s. Then had my family and it just wasn't ever considered. My eldest has had holidays abroad but other DCs have not. They are in their 30s/40s

Imissmoominmama · 16/02/2022 21:41

I wonder whether I’d want to if I hadn’t as a teenager. I got the bug for seeing different cultures and architecture then. If I hadn’t, I’d probably be satisfied with travelling the UK, which can also be pretty fabulous.

kitcat15 · 16/02/2022 21:44

I don't think I know anyone who's never been abroad

TheChosenTwo · 16/02/2022 21:44

Hope your son is alright Flowers
I don’t think I know many (any?) adults who have never been abroad. Mine and dhs families all go abroad, Covid restrictions being the exception these last few years…
I know a few people who have decided to stop travelling abroad for environmental factors in recent years though.
I enjoy going abroad and experiencing a different way of living, I feel I’ve really broadened my mindset by seeing how other people live. It’s quite enlightening.

Lovemusic33 · 16/02/2022 21:45

My dc haven’t been abroad, mainly because ex had never been abroad, I would like to take them at some point but obviously covid has got in the way. I went abroad as a child and as a older teen.

Perfectlystill · 16/02/2022 21:53

I hope your son is ok OP

Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 16/02/2022 22:08

Aw thanks. He is fine- had his appendix out and lots of sitting around. It was one of the nurses who said she had never been abroad.

OP posts:
AsanteSana · 16/02/2022 22:12

Me - never been abroad, although I did live and work on a little island, in the Channel Islands, for a number of years - does that count?
A number of reasons really - autistic and struggle with change of routine and become anxious about embracing new things and experiences and haven't a 'travel buddy' to go with. Part financial, as I have never been on a salary which even matches the average, other things have taken priority over travel. And never been in a job offering decent annual leave entitlement so, again, other things had to be prioritised.
However, with the prospect of early semi retirement on the horizon, and more free time, I would like to, before it is too late. My bucket list:
A ranching/cowboy holiday in the American mid west, riding a mule, western style
An interest in the American Civil War means I would love to visit some of the significant sites connected with that conflict
And I would love to visit some Eastern and Southern African countries as I have many friends who are originally from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Lesotho and Eswatini and love to hear about their home countries, cultures, languages and how beautiful their countries are.

Long post OP, sorryBlush

kavalkada · 17/02/2022 05:38

I have a dear friend who is wealthy but hates travelling, so she never goes anywhere.
Her idea of hell is going away on a trip.

I, on the other hand, would sell my left kidney for a vacation (just joking),

I guess we're all different.

SmorgasBorb · 17/02/2022 05:51

I didn't leave the UK until my late twenties (20 years ago). Parents couldn't afford foreign holidays and after that I was at University or with a low paid job and massive debts.

I'm probably one of the most well travelled people of my friendship group now though. I've lived and worked in 4 countries across three continents since then!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 17/02/2022 06:09

I travelled a lot when I was younger but the first time DH went abroad he was 35 (with me).

His parents have never been (couldn't afford it at first, now they're in poor health) and out of his siblings only one has ever travelled overseas.

I think it's fairly normal for many people to never leave the UK. Even getting passports for a family of four is expensive!

weaseley · 17/02/2022 06:17

I knew a woman who had never left her village except once to give birth. She had her second child at home. This village has a total population of about 3000. She used to aggressively brag about it. Over the years as her kids got older she would send them to the shop, and she just left the house less and less. It was like her borders got as small as she could make them. Presumably it was a form of agoraphobia or anxiety but I don’t really know. She wasn’t just uninterested in travel, she was actively trying to travel as little as she could.

TabbyM · 17/02/2022 11:20

Went on UK holidays as a child (very much enjoyed), travelled in Europe as a student but have only been abroad lately (well pre Covid) to visit relatives living overseas.

newbiename · 17/02/2022 11:25

Each to their own. I love to travel abroad and will do as much as I can, even just a city break.
Physical and mental health reasons aside, I can't understand people who don't want to see different places.

billyt · 17/02/2022 11:25

My parents kept saying they would take us away on holidays but never did, not even within the UK. My first trip 'abroad' was a week to the Isle of Wight when I was 21 Shock

More than made up for this since (apart from the last couple of years obviously).I love holidaying abroad.

My NC siblings have never left the UK. One because her ex had been in the Navy and had been everywhere so no point Confused

forlornlorna · 17/02/2022 11:29

I am 50 and never been abroad. I always wanted to but life/finances/situations got in the way. Now that I could I can't because I'm now disabled and deteriorating. I wish I'd put myself first when I was younger and able to. Big regret x hope your sons ok x

Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 17/02/2022 11:42

@weaseley

I knew a woman who had never left her village except once to give birth. She had her second child at home. This village has a total population of about 3000. She used to aggressively brag about it. Over the years as her kids got older she would send them to the shop, and she just left the house less and less. It was like her borders got as small as she could make them. Presumably it was a form of agoraphobia or anxiety but I don’t really know. She wasn’t just uninterested in travel, she was actively trying to travel as little as she could.
Aw that's so sad!
OP posts:
PrisonerofZeroCovid · 17/02/2022 12:15

Tbh if I was American I'd have travelled a whole lot less than I have because I could go skiing and see more varied landscapes / more major cities without going abroad. I'm not sure if this is still true but Americans used to be able to go to Canada and Mexico with a DL so you can kind of understand why a lot of them don't have passports.

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