Unveiling the Concept of Travel Shaming

Unveiling the Concept of Travel Shaming

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new phenomenon has emerged: travel shaming. This practice involves publicly criticising or humiliating individuals who choose to travel, especially for leisure, during the health crisis. The motivation behind travel shaming stems from concerns about public health and safety, a desire to protect the community, and a need to enforce social norms around responsible behaviour during a pandemic.

Sarah Archer, a US digital nomad, is one such individual who has experienced travel shaming. Despite wearing masks in public, even when she was the only one doing so, Archer felt a sense of travel shaming on social media. Her travels led her to question if she was doing something wrong, and she wrote an article explaining her entry into Europe and shared posts on her Instagram account.

Similarly, Michael Trager, from TravelZork, felt shamed on social media when he flew from London to Las Vegas to report for his website. Archer's experience is not unique; an incident recorded in an Instagram reel showed a passenger being publicly shamed by another traveler for refusing to swap seats with a toddler during travel, highlighting social tensions and public scrutiny in travel situations during the pandemic.

However, confusion around regulations and norms can make travel shaming less effective, according to Thomason. Samantha Osborn, a personal appearance manager, has returned to work due to the resumption of in-person events, following strict safety guidelines. Amy Graves, owner of Endless Shores Travel, has noticed an increase in people planning summer vacations, helping her business recover. Graves states that it is not selfish to travel, as long as it is done safely.

Mosaka Williamson, a writer, spent a few days in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with her husband for a vacation. Williamson was careful about her social media posts, not wanting to be associated with people not wearing masks. Despite the stress of needing to be on guard and wash her hands frequently, Williamson felt a sense of responsibility to avoid contracting and spreading the virus while traveling.

In Europe, Archer found that most people did not wear masks on the streets or in public venues in places like Serbia, Croatia, and Switzerland. This discrepancy in adherence to public health guidelines highlights the ongoing challenges faced by travelers during the pandemic.

Despite the travel shaming, Archer received messages on social media questioning the irresponsibility of her travels during the pandemic. However, Archer's experiences demonstrate that responsible travel is possible, as long as individuals are mindful of the risks and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others.

[1] Source: [Instagram reel link]

1. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah Archer, a US digital nomad, encountered travel shaming on social media, even though she wore masks in public.
2. Michael Trager, from TravelZork, also faced travel shaming on social media, as he flew from London to Las Vegas to report for his website.
3. Concerns about public health and safety, the protection of the community, and the enforcement of social norms around responsible behavior during a pandemic drive travel shaming.
4. Samantha Osborn, a personal appearance manager, returned to work following strict safety guidelines, as in-person events resumed.
5. Amy Graves, owner of Endless Shores Travel, has observed an increase in people planning summer vacations, helping her business recover, and asserted that travel is not selfish, as long as it is done safely.
6. Mosaka Williamson, a writer, chose to vacation with her husband in Atlantic City, New Jersey, being careful about her social media posts to avoid association with those not wearing masks.
7. During her European travels, Archer found that most people did not wear masks in public venues or on the streets in places like Serbia, Croatia, and Switzerland, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by travelers during the pandemic.

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