THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS FROM WHICH WE MIGHT MAKE A COMMISSION.

Are you a REAL backpacker? Are you sure?

You’re not a real backpacker if…

… you stay in anything other than hostels.

… you pay more for a meal than your room.

… you don’t get drunk every night.

… you’re not drinking right now.

… you carry a laptop.

… your passport has no stamps.

… you’ve been to less than three continents.

… you carry a suitcase.

… you’ve never taken an overnight bus.

… you’ve taken a shower today.

… you’ve never had sex in a dorm room.

… all your clothes are clean.

… you take taxis over buses.

… you take tourist buses over local.

… you’ve never washed clothes in a sink.

… you’re in a tour group.

… you’re on a cruise.

… you’ve never flown a budget airline.

… you’re at a museum.

… you’re traveling less than three months.

… you’re traveling to less than five countries.

… you use a guide book.

… you check your bags.

… you know what day of the week it is.

… you aren’t wearing a friendship bracelet. Or 20.

… you have a permanent address.

… you don’t have your passport number memorized.

… you’ve been to less than 30 countries.

… you own more than 3 shirts.

… you carry more than one pair of shoes: flip flops.

… your sunglasses aren’t knockoffs.

… you have never gotten up for free breakfast only to go back to bed afterwards.

… you don’t know how many liters your backpack is.

… you’ve never chosen a hostel for price over comfort.

… the thought of paying $1 more for air conditioning is ridiculous.

… you’ve never “borrowed” a hostel-mate’s shampoo.

… you’ve shaved in the last week.

… you’ve never been on a pub crawl.

… you stay in private rooms.

… you’ve never slept in an airport.

… you don’t own at least one shirt advertising a local beer.

… you’ve gone more than a month without visiting a beach.

… you’ve never haggled a price down to next to nothing.

… you’ve never worn harem pants.

… you have actually tried to speak the local language.

… you don’t spend most of your days in a hammock.

… you haven’t stayed in a 20-person dorm room.

… you haven’t missed a bus/train/plane because you were hungover.

… you’ve never spent a day (or a week) where you didn’t leave the hostel.

… you’re at home.

 

Are you a real backpacker? What would you add to this list?

 

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