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Im the first person in my family to leave the continent and I have absolutely zero shame about being a mass tourist in a place my great grandparents could only

Im the first person in my family to leave the continent and I have absolutely zero shame about being a mass tourist in a place my great grandparents could only dream of visiting and being merely "adjacent" to rich people. Middle class americans' toxic nihilism and self loathing is exhausting to read sometimes. I went to the Eiffel tower because it's the eiffel tower. I know I'm not unique, I didnt need it to be a unique experience because I wasn't trying to prove anything by going. Most Instagrammers and such need to accept that unless they are personally trekking through uninhabited land nothing they do will be unique and it's ok.

twelve40 4y ago
I agree, that read like pointless bitching with the author being above the plebs they run into when traveling. Maybe they simply need to get off Instagram and take a breath once in a while. I don't use it, and I go to Florence not because someone made some dumbass selfies there, but because I love history. Three months ago, they have a system where you get a time slot in the museums, you book online and I ran into absolutely 0 lines there. Yes, a lot of tourists, but so what?? It is a beautiful place and it will always be popular.
scrollaway 4y ago
It’s not uniquely American nor is it uniquely Instagram either. I’m French. My father is French. Decades ago as a kid we were in Paris on a short trip, and we were close to the Eiffel Tower. I asked my dad if we could go there, and he went on this weird rant about it being too touristy and not worth it. So I didn’t get to visit the Eiffel Tower and I was sad. He wasn’t a great dad. I still haven’t, to this day. Haven’t had the opportunity. I’m going to Paris in a month for my girlfriend’s birthday and I’m planning to go there. This notion that just because something is touristy you SHOULDNT do it is absurd. Pick what sounds pleasant, and don’t expect to be alone.
- blt 4y ago
  Going up the Eiffel tower elevator is great. The iron work is beautiful. The view is too. Anyone who appreciates the history of engineering will like it.
jeegsy 4y ago
> Middle class americans' toxic nihilism and self loathing is exhausting to read sometimes. One of the reasons I enjoy this site in addition to all the tech stuff is the way a random comment can so perfectly capture my thoughts on an issue. Indeed, I like to like things, even if everyone else likes the same thing!

twelve40 4y ago

I agree, that read like pointless bitching with the author being above the plebs they run into when traveling. Maybe they simply need to get off Instagram and take a breath once in a while. I don't use it, and I go to Florence not because someone made some dumbass selfies there, but because I love history. Three months ago, they have a system where you get a time slot in the museums, you book online and I ran into absolutely 0 lines there. Yes, a lot of tourists, but so what?? It is a beautiful place and it will always be popular.

scrollaway 4y ago

It’s not uniquely American nor is it uniquely Instagram either. I’m French. My father is French. Decades ago as a kid we were in Paris on a short trip, and we were close to the Eiffel Tower. I asked my dad if we could go there, and he went on this weird rant about it being too touristy and not worth it. So I didn’t get to visit the Eiffel Tower and I was sad. He wasn’t a great dad. I still haven’t, to this day. Haven’t had the opportunity. I’m going to Paris in a month for my girlfriend’s birthday and I’m planning to go there. This notion that just because something is touristy you SHOULDNT do it is absurd. Pick what sounds pleasant, and don’t expect to be alone.

blt 4y ago
Going up the Eiffel tower elevator is great. The iron work is beautiful. The view is too. Anyone who appreciates the history of engineering will like it.

jeegsy 4y ago

> Middle class americans' toxic nihilism and self loathing is exhausting to read sometimes. One of the reasons I enjoy this site in addition to all the tech stuff is the way a random comment can so perfectly capture my thoughts on an issue. Indeed, I like to like things, even if everyone else likes the same thing!