Are you a 'place dropper'?
By seamonkey
@seamonkey (1976)
Ireland
April 9, 2007 3:57am CST
We have all heard of name droppers, so I think you get the idea of what I mean: someone who will drop a place name to impress the audience.
I recently had cousins visiting and my husband asked if this was their first trip abroad, which it was. Then he asked if they have travelled much in the United States and the reply was, "No, nothing organized. It is usually just impromptu trips to visit family."
Well, I knew that wasn't precisely true, as there have been several trips I knew about, and as the week went on there were some very small comments made in passing, not place name dropping, just things she had forgotten about which made it clear they had done a lot of travelling they didn't seem to consider 'travelling'. It was all domestic travel, but we all know how big the United States is, so it was fairly diverse.
On the other hand, I was feeling a little foolish talking about our trip to Monte Carlo, or when we were in Cannes, or how lovely the Alps and Pyrenees are in the summer, or he Christmas Market in Brussels....
I was feeling a bit embarassed for myself, as I can go on just as tediously about places in the US. I dound myself biting my tongue trying not to sound like I was bragging, which I wasn't, really, it's just that the kids was get talking and things would come up.
How about you, are you an accidental dropper, a deliberate dropper, or do you no drop at all?
2 people like this
8 responses
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I'm going to be honest, I try hard not to do that because I work around folks that haven't had the opportunity to do what I have done; I went on a cruise last year and after I returned, I had the head lady rolling her eyes at me; but my supervisor tried to go to Cancun on a cruise this year but it didn't quite work out sadly. but I overheard her saying well if I could go on a cruise, so can she; personally, I feel that was a bit nice though I know how she rolls. So no I try not to do any dropping; I once let it slip that I served in the military and them folks looked at me real funny and all. So, for the record, nope I won't do it.
1 person likes this
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
12 Apr 07
I think with some people, no matter what you say they will roll their eyes. It's a flaw in their personality!
@CaroleeKaufold (1853)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I hang my head in shame, Yes I am. My husband and I watch TV and yell I have been there. We owned a Travel Agency and was luckly enough to travel alot. I mentaly slap my hand everytime I find myself doing it.
1 person likes this
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
11 Apr 07
You are so lucky! I wuld love to be able to watch tv and have been to many of the places if not most!
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
11 Apr 07
Seamonkey, When friends are talking of the places they have visited and I have not, I am spell bound, I love to hear those kinds of stories. I also dearly love to share my own travel experiences. I have never really thought about it being bragging. I will have to think about that now. But even my children love sharing our family vacations. For us to go anywhere it was almost like The Beverly Hillbillies, something funny is always happening to us. It might not be funny at the time but we always come home laughing about it.
When a friend is talking about a place I put myself there, and enjoy the images the tale shares with me.
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
11 Apr 07
I don't really think of it as bragging, either. I mean, with some people it is, plain and simple, and with others they are just telling about interesting experiences they have had. I have visitied places myself because people have been so enthusiastic in their stories, I was drawn in.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I'll talk about places I've been. I'll say things like Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. That my roomie got to go into the center of Stonehenge since she is visually impaired (and BOY am I jealous!) She should've had the camera! I guess I've never consider it as showing off, since I didn't pay for most of the trips I've been on, my parents or mother did. I love to travel, and I'll happily talk about the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach as I will about that visit to Rome when I was 14.
1 person likes this
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
9 Apr 07
Hey, I've been to some of those places you mention, but I will bite my tongue and not name drop ;-)
I think, or I like to tell myself anyway ntil I get sick of he sound of my own voice, that my stories are relevant, and not just, 'look how fabulous I am' stories.
Seems like you are enriching your audience's experience and maybe inspiring them, rather than irritating them!
@sick4muzick (816)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
Hi! Oh yes, I am all three. When there is someone who sounds to me like bragging and place dropping every chance they get, I will drop places as fast as they could. Not that I have ever been to a lot of places hihihi .... If I haven't been to the place they are mentioning, I just say "Oh yes my friends say that that place you're saying is ...." or something to that effect. Sometimes I accidentally drop a place and too late realize that I could have been bragging or something, makes me feel bad. Most times though, I just don't say anything at all unless asked.
Nice post. Have a great day and Happy posting!
1 person likes this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
18 Apr 07
I am an accidental dropper. It is diferent if I am with people that are bragging. Sometimes I feel like I have gotten sucked into a competition I don't want to be in, and have to fight my corned against them. I might mentiona place or two just to shut them up.
1 person likes this
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
14 Apr 07
I'm sure I've been guilty of "place" dropping as I love to travel and I'm sure I must have bored at least a few people in my time with travel stories. Oh well.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
14 Apr 07
No no, I think this is disgusting. Impressing people to make people feel embarrassed is just so wrong. I will only name drop or place drop if that guy is obviously showing off and I want to take him down a peg or two. :P
