4 ms·

Sure I do, and it’s usually based on a friend of a friend, a shared interest or from me being there a longer time. It comes through me engaging with them like a

• zerkten 5y ago
  I didn't read the post from person you responded to in the way that you did. I can agree that Instagram and the availability of cheaper travel has had the impact you describe. I think my initial language and description might have gravitated towards use of the word "local" but that's effectively used as shorthand. The assumption of most reasonable people is that you need to make connections with people.
• s1artibartfast 5y ago
  This is such a cynical take. Some people travel to meet fun, interesting, and different people, while some locals are also interested in meeting fun, interesting, and different people. Sure, you wont understand what it is really like to be a local resident from a single conversation, or spending a day together, but you can connect and learn more than you knew before. You don't have to fetishize locals, to seek out their company and perspective over other tourists. Some of my fondest travel memories are from being invited into peoples homes for meals with their family, talking with them, and getting a tiny peak at their experience.