People don't know how to vacation anymore!

So I was on spring break in a spring break town. I has been about six or seven years since I had visited. Nobody knows how to relax anymore! In just that short time a lot has changed.
There was one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and all these people were just taking selfies and browsing nonstop. Isn't vacation to get away from it all and enjoy the scenery? I could not believe the amount of people walking while taking selfies. It seemed surreal as if I was in the twilight zone. I sat there on beautiful white powdery sand and watched. Many people only went into the water to take posed selfies and jumped right back out. I made dinner reservation. I received a confirmation on my cell phone, now here is the disturbing part, I then received another cell phone message basically asking if I was really coming. This was a common scenario not just with the restaurant, text after text after text. So I get to the restaurant and there are so many people not talking to each other but instead looking at their cell phones or taking photos of their food. I know this is the popular thing to do right now, but I think people are truly missing out on real experiences. Maybe this is why everyone is unhappy and stressed out all the time. They are too connected never letting go. It is very easy for me to do because I grew up without technology. I think I should open a vacation spot and not allow devices of any kind, only a rotary phone in the lobby and that's it! No computers and of course no cell phones!

a reply to: JAGStorm


Why are you concerned with what other people do when it doesn't impact your personal enjoyment?

a reply to: JAGStorm

Your vacation spot would fail miserably. People are addicted to technology. I am one of the few people I know that doesnt constantly check my phone.

Try going on vacation where there's tons of Chinese nationals... it's far worse. They are vain as hell and take tons of selfies and photos in front of every damn thing with taking a moment to appreciate it. I love my iPhone as much as anyone but I generally don't use my phone when eating a meal.

Not a surprise that people are tuning out at the dinner table.

There was an article about taking 5 days off FB reduces people stress by something like 50%.

a reply to: JAGStorm

I, personally, like to stay busy on my vacations. I can relax at home.

I do agree about the cell phone nonsense though. People are addicted to their machines.

Sadly, many on this site are that way. Hell, we even have members that admit their inform themselves through Facebook and Twitter.

a reply to: JAGStorm

I agree, same as people filming the DJ's at dance parties but not just enjoying the dance.
I've travelled lots of the world and didn't have a phone back in the day. There were times I didn't actually know where the # I was, and only white face in the village. It felt liberating, like true free, risky adventure.
My son's mate was in Asia for half a year recently and posted on facebook every day.
I think technology has killed much of that raw travelling experience, but I'm old so what do I know.

Growing up, we were very poor. The closest to "vacation" i ever got was going on youth group mission trips and living/working homeless shelters in Dallas and El Paso. One time my parents took me and my sisters to a water park in the next town over, and then to eat burgers afterwards.

But vacation? Never had one until i married and my wife thought i was crazy. So she dragged me around when the kids were younger.

I still don't see the point, to be honest. And you can tell...i lose about half of my annual award of PTO because I don't use it.

originally posted by: JAGStorm
So I was on spring break in a spring break town. I has been about six or seven years since I had visited. Nobody knows how to relax anymore! In just that short time a lot has changed.
There was one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and all these people were just taking selfies and browsing nonstop. Isn't vacation to get away from it all and enjoy the scenery? I could not believe the amount of people walking while taking selfies. It seemed surreal as if I was in the twilight zone. I sat there on beautiful white powdery sand and watched. Many people only went into the water to take posed selfies and jumped right back out. I made dinner reservation. I received a confirmation on my cell phone, now here is the disturbing part, I then received another cell phone message basically asking if I was really coming. This was a common scenario not just with the restaurant, text after text after text. So I get to the restaurant and there are so many people not talking to each other but instead looking at their cell phones or taking photos of their food. I know this is the popular thing to do right now, but I think people are truly missing out on real experiences. Maybe this is why everyone is unhappy and stressed out all the time. They are too connected never letting go. It is very easy for me to do because I grew up without technology. I think I should open a vacation spot and not allow devices of any kind, only a rotary phone in the lobby and that's it! No computers and of course no cell phones!

So how was your stay on the Florida Gulf Coast? What town did you visit? PCB person or Destin/Pcola crowd?



On another note I only vacation outdoors and usually places modern technology doesn't work. Some of my best vacations have been in third world countries with no access to technology and email at all...That's why they call it a get away..

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

You wouldn't think it would impact your vacation but it totally does here's why.
I am walking down to the beach. I have to stop 20 times so I don't run into the person that stops in front of me taking a selfie.

I am enjoying the waves hitting the sand, then two women block my view and start taking selfies in an almost X rated style in front of all the kids.

If there is anything historic or interesting to look at you'll have to fight with hordes of people taking photos with their phones and unlike back in the camera days people are just plain rude with their phones.

When you drive in these small vacation towns people take selfies while driving, this is perhaps the most disturbing of all and the frequency in which it happens is shocking!

I've just hit the tip of the iceberg, but it is bad!

a reply to: JAGStorm

People being on technology is disconnecting them from reality.

a reply to: GuidedKill

Close but further down! Clearwater

We actually used to live in Florida and I guess that is why I am shocked, because a lot has changed in just a few years!

originally posted by: JAGStorm
You wouldn't think it would impact your vacation but it totally does here's why.
I am walking down to the beach. I have to stop 20 times so I don't run into the person that stops in front of me taking a selfie.

Really? You walking that close behind people that if they stop you'll run into them? Maybe not walk and be up their asses.

I am enjoying the waves hitting the sand, then two women block my view and start taking selfies in an almost X rated style in front of all the kids.

You take your kids to a 'spring break' beach and complain about the behavior? That's like when people take their kids to Vegas and get all horrified that there's escort billboards rolling down the Strip.

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: GuidedKill

Close but further down! Clearwater

We actually used to live in Florida and I guess that is why I am shocked, because a lot has changed in just a few years!

I just saw you mentioned powder sugar beaches and that is mostly in the Gulf Coast area. Just my opinion but the Emerald Coast has some of the best beaches in the world sand wise. East Coast FL beaches are Rocky and more yellow colored sand.

It's sad that folks feel the need to document their lives without actually experiencing them. I've taken one selfie...EVER(I wanted to show the members my hat). I'll experience my life. Documenting it takes away from feeling it. You're missing the smells, texture of the air, sights, etc. Kinda reminds me of Good Will Hunting:



He read about things but didn't know what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. Actually see that ceiling. THAT'S what people are missing.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: JAGStorm
You wouldn't think it would impact your vacation but it totally does here's why.
I am walking down to the beach. I have to stop 20 times so I don't run into the person that stops in front of me taking a selfie.

Really? You walking that close behind people that if they stop you'll run into them? Maybe not walk and be up their asses.

I am enjoying the waves hitting the sand, then two women block my view and start taking selfies in an almost X rated style in front of all the kids.

You take your kids to a 'spring break' beach and complain about the behavior? That's like when people take their kids to Vegas and get all horrified that there's escort billboards rolling down the Strip.

Spring break is a time of year not a mind set. Families take vacations during that time to not just drunk naked college students. Besides the are where he was is actually not a huge College Spring Break location like say PCB or Daytona used to be. Just because Spring Break is often associated with drunk horny college kids doesn't mean families vacationing should expect to see that. Especially in a spot not popular with that type of Spring Break.

The Germans know how to vacation. They're wunderbar at it.

a reply to: bigfatfurrytexan

I grew up poor as well, first time I left Britain was a 5 night holiday in Majorca when I was 12 (In January so it wasn't really very warm) only paid for from some inheritance when my grandmother died.
I grew up by a beach though so every summer was a holiday when the tourists came back.

a reply to: intrepid

You mean you don't have to take a picture of your dinner before you eat it?

originally posted by: GuidedKill
Spring break is a time of year not a mind set. Families take vacations during that time to not just drunk naked college students. Besides the are where he was is actually not a huge College Spring Break location like say PCB or Daytona used to be. Just because Spring Break is often associated with drunk horny college kids doesn't mean families vacationing should expect to see that. Especially in a spot not popular with that type of Spring

He didn't say specifically where he was other than it was a 'spring break' beach which, to me, implies it's a college spring break town.

Guess what? There's gonna be drunk college kids doing drunk college kid stuff. When you're walking in the jungle and the tiger eats you getting pissed at the tiger is not the answer.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Dude, we are talking about normal people walking on a normal sidewalk. I don't like people in my bubble, but it seems you've never been around a crowd before.

I never said my kids did I? I don't think it is appropriate to pull your swimsuit down on a public beach, people are just trashy now and a lot of it is for show on the phone. It is spring break for families, and where we went is not Daytona or Cocoa where all the teens/ college people go. There are plenty of nude beaches if people want to go there but the should keep it decent on the public beaches.