Earlier this year, I finished reading Antifragile by Nassin Nicholas Taleb. I must acknowledge that it took me 2-3 months to complete it and I will probably go back to it in the future, as I feel that could obtain more from it.
At the beginning of the book IV, Taleb starts describing what optionality is and how can make things work and grow. Before getting into details in the following chapters, he describes a comparison between a tourist and a flâneur.
Obviously we all know what a tourist is: someone who plans the trip well in advance and sticks to the plan. Probably, this person is ticking all the boxes in the destination and does not miss a point of interest. Most likely will not modify the plan as may miss some of the main attractions. On the other hand, some of the most interesting things as connecting with locals and living the city, instead of visiting it, will be lost.
On the contrary, a flâneur may plan in advance though, once arrives to the destination, may follow their instincts and get lost in the city, without knowing clearly where is going but taking advantage of what this new city or country is offering.
Reading this part of the book, took me 25 years back to 1999. I visited Rome and, as you can imagine there were lots of preparations, planning and a long checklist of places to visit.
The first three days were hectic. Vatican, museums, roman ruins including the Colosseo and Foro romano, Fontana di Trevi, Bocca de la Verità, Piazza Navona….
By the end of these initial days, we were exhausted and, at some point, nor even enjoying it.
Then, in the afternoon of the fourth day, we decided to stop for a coffee. It looked like just a simple bar. No tourists, just some locals taking a coffee and having a conversation. We stayed. The whole afternoon. Just talking, enjoying the place and the coffee.
Then, we moved to Piazza Spagna, remained sat there until sunlight went.
We realized that this was our way forward. From that day onwards, we avoided queues, enjoyed meals and coffees. Then, we visited places though relaxed, not looking to the watch. Sitting in a terrace, enjoying environment close to the Pantheon.
Visiting a park (Villa Borghese) and spending the day out and about.
Without knowing, we were transforming in flâneurs. Not only in Rome but also with all trips that came afterwards.
When we returned our friends asked for this and that place, some of them were missing. No regrets. This is a reason to go back again, and I hope it will not take long.
Please notice that all the credit for the photos goes to my wife. I have just taken pictures from her 1999 album.
130 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 9 Jun
I can relate. I have to fight my instinct to try to see everything. Thanks for posting.
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Yes , this is what we try initially, make the most of our vacation. But it gets better when you realise that enjoying the time it is much more important.
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Plans inevitably go astray. Its just life.
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I've just realized that I'm a 'flâneur'. And what a coincidence that my first big trip was to Italy. I spent two weeks there with a rental car, and the only thing I planned was the number of days I would spend in each city. Everything else was decided on the fly. Rome was without a doubt the best experience of all. Your photos speak a thousand words.
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Congrats! Rome is my favourite city in Europe. Though still have several I have not visited.
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Except for the eastern European countries, I have visited all the European capitals and many other cities. Among them, Rome was my favorite. It is incomparable, with its millennial architecture.
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On the other hand, some of the most interesting things as connecting with locals and living the city, instead of visiting it, will be lost.
You visited Rome, which is basically one giant museum. The locals "living" the central part of the city are basically museum workers. Which is something you can say for a lot of European cities.
Last time I visited Rome I spent a good part of the day getting entirely outside the central city area to where ordinary people actually live and the buildings are all recent... and you could barely tell the difference between it and any other southern European city.
Honestly, unless you're in somewhere truly different, it's the more touristy stuff that is usually the biggest differences between cities. How ordinary people live is pretty similar all across the western world. And I say that having been to something like 50 countries (including almost every country in Europe).
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Citizen of the world 🌎
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I must acknowledge that our trip to Rome was 25 years ago. Perhaps some perceptions are a bit blurred. Tourism has changed over the last decades.
There are places, thinking about Venice now, which are a clear example of touristification. Sadly, many are following their lead ( I have never seen in my city, prior to the last few years, dinner at 7pm. These days you can have it if you wish, though you will not find locals)
But, here it becomes interesting. You are not obliged to follow this trend. You can choose a different path and enjoy singularities.
Having lived in the north of England, south of Australia and south of Spain gives me different point of views. Even though western societies have similar lives, there are clear differences and this is what you need to find.
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Thank you for introducing me to this delicious word!
I’m a flaneur, but for better or for worse, I married a planner. My wife goes as far as to plan where she will have her meals. She says that seeing her plans come to fruition brings her joy 😅
You know what they say, “happy wife, happy life”. No points for guessing my current style of travelling
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Taleb seems to have written the chapter for you. I am citing him now “the opportunism of the flâneur is great in life and business, but not in personal life and matters that involve others”
Definitely, you need to include your loved ones in the process of choosing the path. This enriches the results as well. No one has the right answer to every single problem.
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How would you determine the difference between self-imposing FOMO (which creates a tourist, IMO) and real goals when traveling? I suppose it comes down to being able to discern "should" ideas and actual desire.
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Perhaps, is the trip causing some distress? Are you becoming irritable because you are not completing your plans?
On the other hand, you’re missing some of your expectations but you have enjoyed an afternoon just relaxing with friends and a good conversation.
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20 sats \ 1 reply \ @Athena 10 Jun
Planning can nowhere be close to reality for anyone. If you're going on a trip, the utmost goal is to relax, escape from daily tensions, for this if you need a plan? I would never make a plan before reaching the place. Once I reach a new place, I love to search what would attract me.
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That’s the way! These days less and less planning myself.
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20 sats \ 1 reply \ @SatsMate 9 Jun
I know people who plan and laminate their itinerary and won't deviate even for a moment.
Life is full of surprises if you just go with the flow, live like a flâneur.
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Amen!
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I'm a good planner but whatever I'm upto I always dig deeper and deeper. I don't know why but this is natural to me. Even in my visits to any places I always took more than I planned.
For my recent trip in the Upper Himalyas, I decided to go as far as 4000 Metres elevation only but I couldn't help to reach upto 6000 metres and it actually took me 3 days more. But I must admit it gave me a lot more enjoyment than I thought of initially.
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And this is the point: let the optionality guide your trip.
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This is the best way. Having a vague outline is good. Going with someone that plans every hour gets tiring. You are not able to enjoy what you came to see because you are on a tight schedule.
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Definitely, but only experience can get you to understand that this is the way.
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All it takes is a few times of overplanning that ruin a trip.
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