Don’t hate on me because I take travel selfies

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

Why is taking travel selfies (and selfies in general) so frowned upon? What does this disdain reveal about our internal biases?

Sometimes I feel like I’m the antithesis of what a “true” or “authentic” traveller is supposed to be like.  In travel circles I’m a bit of an oddball, committing numerous faux pas that make so-called “serious” travel folk cringe.

After all, I:

-Count the number of countries I’ve been to (95!)

-Often enjoy the thrill and breakneck pace of fast travel over slow

-Have been on a cruise (and enjoyed it, gasp!)

-Enjoy travelling on the beaten path just as much as off! (I mean, it’s the beaten path for a reason, guys.)

-And quite happily refer to myself as tourist (as opposed to traveller, which I think is the silliest and most pointless non-description ever).

I also have an extreme affection for taking travel selfies, which comes as no surprise to those who follow this blog or my social media feeds.

travel selfies 1

I love taking travel selfies, and stop just short of saying that the front-facing camera is one of the greatest technological advancements known to voyageurs (truth be told, wifi holds that distinction for me, lol! #travelblogger).

I derive great joy from taking photos of the places I visit, and my captures are made all the more special by having me in them.

I mean, if I want a picture of the pyramids or the Taj Mahal, I can just download one from Google. But having a picture of me interacting with the pyramids? Or a snapshot of the moment in time I was actually at the Taj Mahal? That’s priceless.

travel selfies 2

travel selfies 3

Nice snaps, right? But guess what? Sometimes you don’t always have the luxury of have someone who can take bomb azz photos at your side.

So, since I travel by myself frequently and often can’t bother asking strangers to take my picture, I have to get creative. I thus do one of two things: a) lug around my tripod and fiddle around with the self timer on my camera or b) whip out my phone and take travel selfies.

It’s logical, no?

However, more and more I find myself encountering people who just aren’t fans of taking selfies (travel or otherwise) but who actually regard the people who do take them with disdain. This stance puzzles me.

So what’s the issue?

Some fine art snobs will be quick to proffer that selfies are the lowest form of photography and sully the art world. However, I think there’s a general sentiment that selfie-takers are narcissists to the nth degree. Kim Kardashian, who published an entire coffee table book of selfies, immediately springs to mind.

The pervasive line of thinking is that when selfie-takers share their works of art on social media (because a selfie ain’t really a selfie unless you share it with your social networks, is it?!) it’s because they crave attention and approbation in the form of likes and comments from their peers.

While condemning people who take lots of selfies as vapid narcissists is more than a bit harsh, there’s absolutely a kernel of truth to seeking approval from the (virtual) masses.  The vast majority of selfies are taken to be seen and appreciated by others online.

 

But, I ask you, how is that different from posting a picture of you that was taken by somebody else… 

travel selfies 4
How is posting travel selfies like this somehow more indulgent and narcissistic than posting the pic below?

travel selfies 5

Or most forms of social media updates that we share? For snapshots of our newborns,  travels, tulip gardens in full bloom, or medals from our latest half-marathons abound on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  And guess what? They typically garner praise, not eye rolls. Hmmm.

So what is it about extending your arm and turning the camera on yourself that elicits such a visceral reaction in selfie haters? And why and when did using a selfie stick become so cringeworthy?

Here’s the thing: I take travel selfies, but I also take loads of selfies at home in New York City. Sometimes I take them to capture myself with the amazing NYC skyline as a backdrop, and other days? I take selfies because my hair or makeup is on point and I’m feeling myself.

 

Moreover, I share a good number of these photos online, and while I don’t live and die by how many likes and comments they receive, I’d be lying if the positive feedback wasn’t valid or affirming.

This doesn’t mean that I’m vapid or narcissistic, nor it doesn’t make me any less intelligent or informed about the world than the dude that only takes “serious pictures” of the Empire State Building on his fancy DSLR.  (And believe me, I could talk alllll day long about how gender-biased the vitriol directed toward selfie takers is– those getting the most hate are often female– but that’s fodder for another post.)

Rather, it’s biology: by nature humans like to share aspects of their lives with others in order to get a response. It’s the foundation upon which the whole internet community is built on! I thus find it sad when friends and readers tell me that they refrain from taking selfies (or using a selfie stick) in public because they’re afraid of the backlash.

So, my opinion, as always, is to live and let live. Being holier than thou over something as insignificant as a self-portrait is a time waster, especially since, as far as I know, selfies (whether they are travel selfies or “regular” selfies) are a harmless activity.

The question, then, is not why we feel the need to take these selfies, but why they elicit so much derision and criticism from others.

Why all the hate?

Do you take selfies on your travels or in your every day life?  Why or why not? And have you ever been privy to selfie hate?

SHARING IS CARING

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

178 Comments

  • No hate. I’m not a fan of selfies. But its fine if that’s what people want to do. I prefer to photograph the destination and the people around rather than me. My fans do like the photos with me in it better than without though I must say.

  • To be honest, I’ve always kind of looked down on excessive selfie-taking. I rarely take selfies, though I would say that for me (and probably many other women of my generation) this also has a lot to do with insecurities. After all, we never look good enough. In fact, we might have an issue with people taking selfies because we subconsciously wish we would feel that confident.
    Your post is completely on point from a logical point of view, and I will try to be less negative about selfies and maybe bring myself to taking one every once in a while. 🙂

  • If I’m traveling with my daughter…she takes the cool shots so no much need for selfies..but being a pre-pubescent miss thang, she oft gets moody and sulky, not to mention tired..so I have to up my selfie game..I´m very proud of the selfie I took at Buckingham palace..for reference here you go

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BHes-6cjQxc/?taken-by=travelogues_africangirl

    I cringe at those selfies all over my fb newsfeed that are a) an overload of pictures not really showing anything much rather than a pouty face
    b) horribly taken pics
    c) pics focussed so close to the person that we totally miss seeing the destination

    But depending on one´s personality, it would be wise to let people be, no use trying to please everyone and ending up unhappy..`To each their own.`

    I have quite a number of destination pictures I´m quite proud of, but am more and more trying to place myself in pictures not because I want to, but because intellectual property and credit to myself or my blog.

  • I like your selfies 🙂 They are inspired and not a trout pout in sight! I personally feel like a bit of a dafty taking selfies, especially in public. It must be the stiff Brit in me. Saying that I want to do more solo traveling so I need to get me some selfie confidence because I hate asking strangers to take photos of me more than I hate taking selfies!

  • I usually find new ‘travel’ issues I never knew were issues on your blog! LOL. Love that you discuss these here and I also love that you are you, irrespective of what is being defined as the right way to be a traveller (not a tourist!). Also didn’t know selfies were frowned upon. I don’t usually take that many selfies and this is usually because I forget to, not because I am against it. At the end of the day, I find that I have more photos of a place I’m in than of me and I really want to be in the photos too. Selfies do come in handy when you travel solo, I’ve got to start taking more of those!

  • Yea, sounds like hate to me. I actually hate taking selfies but its more because I hate about 90% of pictures taken of me, by me or otherwise lol.

  • No hate here. I wish I had more confidence to take selfies! I’ll often look back through my travel photos and wish that I had captured myself interacting more with the environment (because I often travel alone too). I’m going to start it doing it more because it is nice to see yourself in the photos. You did pay money to visit the place!

  • I have no issue with people taking selfies, in fact I always take selfies when I travel for the same reasons that you do! I think a lot of the hate though is directed towards people who block the view for other people whilst taking their selfie – and they’re often not quick about it, they’ll take about 12 photos and analyse each one before taking the next. I try to be as quick as possible and put a limit on how many attempts I give myself to make myself look attractive.

    BTW I love your blog Oneika 🙂

  • I love taking selfies but there are times and places where selfies should never be taken. Inside of churches , cemeteries and memorials like the National September 11th Memorial among others . On my blog, sportsandtravelblog.wordpress I have a blog post about selfie etiquette .

    • I agree that etiquette should be in place, though the parameters for everyone will be different depending on their personal experiences.

  • The only problem I have with selfies is that I never like how I look. But to be honest, that is also true for pictures other people take of me. I just don’t like photo’s of myself in general. I have been taking them more these days, because my family likes seeing me in my pictures rather than just the places I have been to. So maybe one day I’ll learn to take selfies I’m happy with.

  • I think the Internet in general is a lot more narcissistic than it was before smartphones were invented. I’ve been online since the 90s and have watched it evolve for better and worse over time. Likewise, I’ve been carrying a camera of some sort around with me since I was a kid, long before life went digital. But it wasn’t until smartphones were invented that I ever bothered to awkwardly try to squeeze my face into location photos. We’re all guilty of selfies at some point, but maybe some people (myself included) long for the days when our heads were all held up and we were experiencing life fully through our senses rather than with our cell phones.

    It’s hard not to miss those days and/or question how dumb you must look when in selfie-mode, as you watch a stranger bump into things while they stumble around with their selfie stick 😉

  • This was an honest and interesting read. We really like to police other people’s behavior and use the information gathered to decide if the person is worthy or not. Live and let live! Personally, I’m not a big fan of taking selfies, but it doesn’t matter to me what others do. Their phone, their IG/Twitter/Facebook… they’re entitled to do what they want…?

  • I have witnessed the selfie hate but luckily I have been spared it. I think it’s so silly to see people just making up reasons to put people down, like the whole “traveler vs. tourist” thing. Let people have joy! The world needs it.

  • Might just be my opinion, but there’s just something about holding your phone on a stick and staring at yourself in it, that rubs me the wrong way.
    Plus, selfie pics rarely look great, and as there are so so so many of them around these days, good ones are even scarcer.
    But I would never openly show my opinion about it to strangers. I’m more opposed to those kinds of haters.
    Disliking something and giving someone a hard time about it are two very different things.
    Though I’m afraid I can’t find myself in your attitude at all.
    Validation via social media feels so hollow (though I know the experience. It’s why smartphones are, in a very real way, quite addictive), if you admit to caring about it or not.
    To me, travelling, especially travelling alone, as opposed to tourism, is about mindfulness. About getting to know the people and the culture. And especially the food .
    I thought it sooo weird, when I met this guy from Paraguay in Bangkok, who had travelled all over the world, but only ever eaten at Pizza Hut, Burgerking, Mac Donalds and the like. He liked to take selfies.
    Tourist sights have never been important to me. The odd selfie that sneaks in is usually with a person or people I have met and interacted with.
    At the end of the day, though, do whatever you like. Just as long as you stay mindful and respectful of your surroundings.
    Take all the selfies you want. Who am I, to tell you what to do, or to judge.
    If you enjoy going to touristy spots, though, don’t complain if there’s a bunch of opinionated, mouthy tourists. Those are usually the places where you find the worst of them … stomping around like bulls in china shops, with blinders on, unable to look beyond their tightly wound horizons, staring up at their phones

  • I feel this is among the most important information for me.
    And i’m happy reading your article. But want to commentary on few general issues, The web site taste is perfect, the articles is
    actually nice : D. Just right task, cheers

  • Thanks to my father who informed me regarding this blog, this weblog is in fact remarkable.

  • This paragraph gives clear idea for the new visitors of blogging,
    that in fact how to do running a blog.

  • I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of house .

    Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m
    happy to show that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny
    feeling I found out just what I needed. I such
    a lot no doubt will make certain to do not omit this website and give it a look regularly.

  • I like what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and reporting!
    Keep up the very good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

  • Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I
    provide credit and sources back to your webpage?
    My website is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Appreciate it!

  • Hi my family member! I want to say that this post is awesome, great written and come
    with approximately all important infos. I’d like to look more posts like this .

  • There is certainly a lot to find out about this issue.

    I really like all of the points you made.

  • My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and
    thought I might check things out. I like
    what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page again.

  • Hello, this weekend is pleasant in favor of me,
    since this time i am reading this fantastic informative paragraph here at my home.

  • I blog often and I truly appreciate your information. This article has truly peaked my interest.

    I am going to book mark your website and keep checking for
    new details about once per week. I subscribed to your
    RSS feed too.

  • Thanks for finally writing about > Don't hate on me because I take travel selfies – Oneika the Traveller < Liked it!

  • Asking questions are genuinely good thing if you are not understanding anything entirely, except this piece of writing presents good understanding yet.

  • You’ve made some really good points there. I looked on the web for more info about the
    issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  • We stumbled over here by a different page and thought I should check things out.
    I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.

  • Why viewers still use to read news papers when in this technological globe all is existing on web?

  • What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me
    out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist different users like its aided me.
    Good job.

  • Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much,
    However I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t join it.
    Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues?
    Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  • Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I
    in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to offer something again and aid others like you aided me.

  • We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.

    can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write in relation to here.
    Again, awesome weblog!

  • Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to
    get there! Cheers

  • May I simply say what a relief to find an individual who actually understands what
    they’re discussing on the internet. You certainly realize how to
    bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people must check
    this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular given that you definitely have
    the gift.

  • I think this is among the most vital information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is
    great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

  • Hi, its good paragraph regarding media print, we all be aware of media
    is a fantastic source of information.

  • It’s remarkable to go to see this website and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this article,
    while I am also zealous of getting knowledge.

  • This web site certainly has all of the information and facts I needed about
    this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  • Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to
    claim that I get actually enjoyed account your weblog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds or even I success you
    get admission to constantly quickly.

  • Superb, what a weblog it is! This website presents useful facts
    to us, keep it up.

  • Thanks , I have recently been searching for info about this subject for ages and
    yours is the best I’ve found out so far. However,
    what about the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the source?

  • Thanks , I have just been looking for info approximately this subject for ages and yours
    is the greatest I’ve discovered till now. But, what about
    the bottom line? Are you certain about the source?

  • Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

  • Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand
    your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great.
    I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.

    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great site.

  • Link exchange is nothing else but it is only placing the other person’s weblog link on your page at proper
    place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.

  • I used to be recommended this website by way of my cousin. I am now not certain whether or not this put up is
    written by him as nobody else understand such unique about my trouble.
    You are wonderful! Thanks!

  • Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as
    I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog site is in the very same
    niche as yours and my users would truly benefit from some of the
    information you provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Regards!

  • Tremendous things here. I’m very satisfied to see your article.

    Thank you a lot and I’m having a look forward to contact you.

    Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  • I do accept as true with all of the ideas you have offered toyour post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work.Still, the posts are very brief for starters. Could you please prolong them alittle from next time? Thank you for the post.

  • Great post! I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part I care for such information a lot.

  • Incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is magnificent, let alone the content!

  • It really is an amazing bit of crafting in support of most of the on the web tourist might receive advantage from this I am sure.

  • Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in findingIt really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to offer one thing back andhelp others such as you helped me.

  • Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get one thing done.

  • Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to exchange techniques with others, please shoot me an email if interested.

  • I used to be recommended this blog by means of my cousin. I am now not positive whether this post is written by him as no one else realize such distinct approximately my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  • An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should write more about this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t discuss such issues. To the next! All the best!!

  • Hello There. I found your blog the use of msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn more of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.

  • I’m interested in this position perimenopause acne aldactone As the air cycles more than the hotter drinking water, it heats up and brings less snow, translating into drier disorders inland.

  • I have read so many articles or reviews on the topic of theblogger lovers except this piece of writing is actually a good article, keep it up.

  • Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

  • Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and in no way seem to get something done.

  • A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to write more on this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t talk about such subjects. To the next! Kind regards.

  • I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!!I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you book-markedto check out new things you post…

  • Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written and come withalmost all important infos. I’d like to look extra posts like this .Here is my blog post … real insta followers

  • I live in London happy golden ox of happiness slots free play Chancellor returned and reintegrated in the 24-20 Week 11 loss to the Chiefs, and that was the last time Seattle lost

  • I love what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work andreporting! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve added you guys toblogroll.

  • Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.

  • Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am going through issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anybody having similar RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  • An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do think that you need to write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about these topics. To the next! Cheers!!

  • Thank you for some other fantastic article. Where else may just anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such info.

  • I used to be very happy to search out this web-site.I wished to thanks in your time for this wonderful learn!! I positively having fun with each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.

  • Thanks for the marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you may
    be a great author. I want to encourage you continue your great work, have
    a nice day!

Comments are closed.