going places just to say you did

[j rake]

through the years, i've met plenty of people who go places or see things for the sole purpose of being able to say that they saw something or went somewhere. does anybody else do this?

i think it's kind of bizarre.

the only time i can remember doing this was when george bush came to kansas state several years ago. i had zero interest in seeing him, and only went so i could snap a photo and say, "I saw the sitting president speak!"

[michigancat]

While this behavior is certainly bizarre, having no other reason for wanting to see the president of the United States in person is probably more bizarre.

[chum1]

When travelling, people seem to often do standard sightseeing regardless of their interest or enjoyment.  It's like, "I'm in Paris. You bet your ass I'm gonna get a look at that rough ridin' Mona Lisa." Silly, yet understandable.

[Cartierfor3]

Dentist

[Kat Kid]

When travelling, people seem to often do standard sightseeing regardless of their interest or enjoyment.  It's like, "I'm in Paris. You bet your ass I'm gonna get a look at that rough ridin' Mona Lisa." Silly, yet understandable.

Understandable for everyone except rake apparently.

[Pete]

I've done this a bunch when traveling for work.  A random Tuesday night, or whatever, with nothing to do, so I'll just go see something. 

[michigancat]

When travelling, people seem to often do standard sightseeing regardless of their interest or enjoyment.  It's like, "I'm in Paris. You bet your ass I'm gonna get a look at that rough ridin' Mona Lisa." Silly, yet understandable.

Understandable for everyone except rake apparently.

I don't think it's really understandable, beyond people are kind of lazy sheep. But why are people lazy sheep? I don't consider that to be very understandable.

[yoga-like_abana]

I'm going to Europe not necessarily my first choice but you only yolo once I always say

[0.42]

weird thread

[j rake]

many collectors i know collect things just to show people what they've collected. like, the actual collecting of the things brings them zero satisfaction or enjoyment. it's all about showing off to others what they've collected.

that's pretty bizarre, too.

by the way, weird thread.

[Kat Kid]

Rake, micat do you really not understand the human condition?  People have a deep need to be accepted and validated.  So do you.  This is one way people seek acceptance and validation.  If you want to make a judgement about it, go right ahead, but the feigned ignorance is really cowardly and annoying.

[0.42]

I try and always get something out of the experience whenever I go somewhere. Sometimes I'm not successful at doing so and then I snap some pictures to at least be able to go back and look at them and say "hey, I went there." That happens a lot whenever I'm at some sort of secondary attraction like a national forest or something. I've seen a number of environments/ecosystems just like (obscure national forest) with more beauty and things to see, but I'll snap some pictures of (obscure national forest) just to say "hey, I was there, that was cool I guess." I like documenting my travels for my own benefit first and others second.

Anyone who says they always get some sort of deep mental stimulation/satisfaction out of all the places they visit is kidding themselves. But I think OP is talking mainly about tourists who just collect pictures and experiences like they collect stamps, and yeah I think you can attribute that behavior to this:

Rake, micat do you really not understand the human condition?  People have a deep need to be accepted and validated.  So do you.  This is one way people seek acceptance and validation.  If you want to make a judgement about it, go right ahead, but the feigned ignorance is really cowardly and annoying.

[michigancat]

Rake, micat do you really not understand the human condition?  People have a deep need to be accepted and validated.  So do you.  This is one way people seek acceptance and validation. 

of course I fail to understand the human condition. I don't think you  understand it either. We are complex beings, kat kid.

[420seriouscat69]

#wackycatbrags are common amongst us all.

[j rake]

Rake, micat do you really not understand the human condition?

i don't. is that bad? 

[SkinnyBenny]

Rake, micat do you really not understand the human condition?  People have a deep need to be accepted and validated.  So do you.  This is one way people seek acceptance and validation.  If you want to make a judgement about it, go right ahead, but the feigned ignorance is really cowardly and annoying.

C'sourky

[sys]

my wife does a version of this.  not going to a place to say she was there, but going to a place to take a photo of her there.  it kinda drives me crazy sometimes.

[chum1]

It's understandable at least in the sense that you've experienced it yourself, as a human.  Like, sometimes we eat when we're not hungry and not particurlarly enjoying the taste of what we're eating.  You know what that's like because you've done it.

Usually, you probably don't have a better reason for doing something other than to say that you did it.  Just embrace it as a legit reason.

[wetwillie]

my wifedoes a version of this.  not going to a place to say she was there, but going to a place to take a photo of her there.  it kinda drives me crazy sometimes.

[pissclams]

oak park mall

[eastcat]

I went to 3 mile island just to see it once.

Was bored.

[pissclams]

in and out burger

[pissclams]

Vegas

[pissclams]

Pennsylvania

[0.42]

Vegas

best example of this