CouchSurfing

[Andrew]

If I might just boil things down to a personal catchphrase: Living your life is always a risk. Wasting it is a sure thing. You're better off for having the experience.

So not taking unnecessary risks equates to a life wasted? Bullshit.

Unprotected sex with strangers is a risk, but it's a lot more enjoyable than getting the Trojan Man involved. Be that as it may, smart people wrap it up.

[Frogacuda]

Jim Norton has been fucking prostitutes without a bag for 20 years and hasn't gotten a thing.

There's a cost of fear. I'm not saying you should pretend to be invincible, but on the contrary, you should realize that you're just never completely safe either, and just embrace reasonable risks like this. And it is a quite reasonable risk. I wasn't trying to wrestle alligators or anything, I was just going into an unfamiliar place without the security of a hotel or a familiar face.

[icarusfall]

Your entire life is based around stand up comedy isn't it?

I've done plenty of hanging out with homeless drug addicts in abandoned train stations, but sometimes I just want to sleep in a hotel. Don't you fucking dare to presume your experiences are more 'authentic' than mine.

[Andrew]

Jim Norton has been fucking prostitutes without a bag for 20 years and hasn't gotten a thing.

It would appear that Mr. Norton and I have different takes on what constitutes responsible behavior.

There's a cost of fear. I'm not saying you should pretend to be invincible, but on the contrary, you should realize that you're just never completely safe either, and just embrace reasonable risks like this. And it is a quite reasonable risk.

I have to disagree on that point. And I shall do so respectfully, minus any sort of personal attacks.

Besides, my point wasn't one of safety, but comfort. Furthermore, I still maintain that one can have a very satisfying and enjoyable trip while keeping a private evening residence.

This couch surfing thing isn't for everyone, myself included. Atlas said so from the beginning, and I concur.

[Frogacuda]

Well that's the thing. Being obsessed with comfort isn't really always the best way to approach new experiences. My experience was not comfortable. It was immensely rewarding, eye opening, and ultimately enjoyable. "Creature" comforts are highly overrated.

I've done plenty of hanging out with homeless drug addicts in abandoned train stations, but sometimes I just want to sleep in a hotel. Don't you fucking dare to presume your experiences are more 'authentic' than mine.

I never used the word authentic. I don't think an experience can be authentic or not. I'm just saying that neither experience is a substitute for the other. They're just completely different things. I stay in hotels sometimes. I'm staying in one next week. But I have different expectations for this trip. It's a different thing.

[Andrew]

Well that's the thing. Being obsessed with comfort isn't really always the best way to approach new experiences. My experience was not comfortable. It was immensely rewarding, eye opening, and ultimately enjoyable. "Creature" comforts are highly overrated.

And that would be where we differ. If I'm uncomfortable, you can forget about anything being rewarding, eye opening, or enjoyable. It's a necessity. Call it closed-minded Americanism if you will, but I prefer to call it understanding myself well enough to know what does and does not work for me.

[Frogacuda]

Realizing how little 99% of the things we feel we need matters can be enlightening. Realizing you don't need television, a soft bed, the internet, and video games to be happy is a valuable revalation, even if you inevitably return to all these things. None of that shit is a necessity, and most people don't have it.

All of that shit? You have it. When you come home, you'll still have it. When you're away, you'll realize the perspective is far more valuable than trying to recreate what you're used to.

[Andrew]

Realizing how little 99% of the things we feel we need matters can be enlightening. Realizing you don't need television, a soft bed, the internet, and video games to be happy is a valuable revalation, even if you inevitably return to all these things. None of that shit is a necessity, and most people don't have it.

All of that shit? You have it. When you come home, you'll still have it. When you're away, you'll realize the perspective is far more valuable than trying to recreate what you're used to.

I've been through that, but in Mexico, not Israel. It was a great experience, but that's not to say I want to make a habit of it. If I have the option, I'll take the comfort.

[Frogacuda]

I've been through that, but in Mexico, not Israel. It was a great experience, but that's not to say I want to make a habit of it.

But would you trade that experience you had in for a typical trip to Cancun?

[Andrew]

But would you trade that experience you had in for a typical trip to Cancun?

No, they're very different. But at the same time, I wouldn't begrudge those with enough self-awareness to say that it's just not for them.

Back then I was young and prone to do things that I just wouldn't do today. Sleeping in the dumps of Juarez to help orphan kids was all well and good when I was 17, but I'm older now, and that sort of thing just isn't my bag anymore. Now I want Cancun.