In Good Company

DC- inaugural weekendIn section 4 of ‘On Habit” they talk about the traveling mindset—and how people seem to be more open to enjoying a new place than one they know well. While I don’t disagree, I want to add another dimension to this discussion: As I think I’ve mentioned before, I spent a good part of my childhood traveling. After a while, though, I grew tired of it preferring to spend time at home with my friends.

Although they knew where my preferences lay, my parents continued to drag my sister and me on their trips—insisting that they were family trips and, seeing as we were family, we too had to go. This extended beyond vacationing—I wouldn’t want to go to the grocery store or on a picnic in the park….If I hadn’t suggested doing it, chance are that I wasn’t about to do it…What can I say, I was an angst-y teenager.

One summer, one of my cousins came to live with us for a few months; she was older than I was, giving her instant coo potential. If she suggested we do something, I more often than not jumped at the chance. One day her sister and their friend came to visit. While they were staying with us they planned a day trip into DC and, of course, I as dying to join them.

They told me that I could come with them if, and only if, my mom gave her approval. So I begged and pleaded with my mom but she was clearly angry. As far as I could see, there was no reason why I shouldn’t be allowed to go. She was angry because, as she so clearly pointed out, if she and my father had suggested the same outing I would have point blank refused to go and, if dragged, would complain for the duration. In the end I was allowed to accompany them into the city and ended up having a great time playing grown-up on the town for the day, but my mom was obviously dismayed.

This trend continued through high school wherein I was constantly ready to go places with my friends knowing that the same sights with my parents would make for a very different experience.
The point of my story is this: while “On Habit” suggests that it is the locale that makes us open up to its potential, I also believe that who we are with plays a significant role in our openness to a given situation.

Location