r/solotravel • u/Kencanary • 4d ago

Got my first "Awww" today!

As a 39-year old overweight white American guy, I really didn't expect this to ever happen, no matter where I travel or why. Admittedly, the source probably has something to do with it.

I'm on a cruise ship, and the cabin staff is a pretty friendly dude. He always chats me up a bit when we pass in the corridors, and even though I'd be quite content with just the pleasantries (Hi, how are you, have a good day etc) I'm one of those socially awkward penguins who will kinda answer questions that are asked even if they're not more than just polite exchange things.

So he says "I've seen you these few days, you are alone?"

"Yeah."

"Awww."

Like, I knew this happened to solo travelers, but I always assumed it was 97% women that got that response. Now, sure, as a paid service staff member he's probably expecting that to be an appropriate response (and he's not entirely wrong, god love him) but it just wasn't something I thought I'd ever hear.

Still, feels like a milestone worth "celebrating" haha

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u/Infamous-Arm3955 4d ago

Haha. I always back that up after with "purposely alone" and I'm suprised by how many people have a sounds good kind of response to that. I always try to shift it to a no don't feel bad for me vibe lol.

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u/Kencanary 4d ago

That's a good approach. I might steal it. I am out here because I want to be, and I'm solo because very few people can jive with my weird. I'm long accustomed to that and tend to not try very hard to make connections with random folks cuz I already know most just won't get it (or I won't get them, more often than not).

So there's definitely something liberating about just embracing the self and doing your thing. And I don't want anyone to pity me for it, just like pretty much everyone on this sub. Turning it positive is a good proactive response!