I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way 🙌🏾 some places discovered seem better kept for friends and family rather than risking tourists ruining it for the locals. I also agree with the part about the magic being in the connection of how you found the place. I’ve had so many moments like that and the repeated kindness of strangers gives me hope for the world
Bittersweet. This essay reminded me of something I’d read somewhere, some time ago: folks so eager to catch the perfect photograph, yet failing to appreciate being ‘present.’
Eons ago I lived at the foothills of Northern Colorado, and had longed to return, but that fancy has now faded by the rise in population and the age of social media. One thing that time cannot take away from me is the memory of being within that enclave of beauty, way, way, way back in the day.
Not the same but similar is my...well disgust is the word that comes to mind...at the "shopping" that is done while visiting places that are now all the same. One has to shop at the _________ (write name of some luxury brand) in Paris or London or Milan or the hundreds of other places where the same store can be found. The homogenized nature of the world is crowding out all of the local treasures that you enjoy. Sad.
I really enjoyed this post! I like to share with close friends and family, and occasionally I'll share recommendations on Substack. However, the idea that a place could be ruined by influencers and people who are just there for the photo/video makes me so sad that I am also careful about what I share.
I relate to a lot of this. So much of what I love about Berlin is hyperspecific, literally not Instagrammable, and requires a time commitment. For travelers who want to optimize each moment, it's not the best city, actually. Without knowing who I'm talking to, I can't really offer a tailored recommendation!
Absolutely! Great point. I was floored how wide of a gulf there was being a tourist in Berlin vs. living there (even briefly). It's almost impossible to package it up for other people.
Read it all hoping for a conclusion but I see you are still, like many of us, trying to figure out the best way forward! When I think of tips and guides in food terms it helps. 10 best places lists with no context that you read in 20 seconds are like fast food. Maybe the choice isn’t to share or not to share, maybe it’s to make the things you do share long form and give all the context and description to the world. Instead of quantity, give quality.
It reminds me of a day going door to door, in a neighborhood on the coast: Right before the entrance, there was a small inlet; and as the sun was setting, the colors in the sky were comforting pastels in wispy clouds over the ocean; so I ran back and sat down. Not a moment later, a local photographer came and joined me; and before he even said hello, he said, “please don’t tell anyone about this place.”
And other than telling my coworkers where to pick me up (they had no interest in the water or the sky), I told no one. Didn’t tag the location, and wouldn’t remember how to find it again.
There have been many places like that over the years: Somewhere an Uber driver will drop me off, or an old man points me to… that are secrets. Let people discover them. That’s the fun of it.
As far as the ethics of posting in business, that’s a different ballgame; but my general rule of thumb is if I see someone posting about it while I’m there, I know they don’t need exposure, and will find something else another day.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way 🙌🏾 some places discovered seem better kept for friends and family rather than risking tourists ruining it for the locals. I also agree with the part about the magic being in the connection of how you found the place. I’ve had so many moments like that and the repeated kindness of strangers gives me hope for the world
Turns out that the repeated kindness of strangers is what makes the world very beautiful!
Bittersweet. This essay reminded me of something I’d read somewhere, some time ago: folks so eager to catch the perfect photograph, yet failing to appreciate being ‘present.’
Eons ago I lived at the foothills of Northern Colorado, and had longed to return, but that fancy has now faded by the rise in population and the age of social media. One thing that time cannot take away from me is the memory of being within that enclave of beauty, way, way, way back in the day.
Not the same but similar is my...well disgust is the word that comes to mind...at the "shopping" that is done while visiting places that are now all the same. One has to shop at the _________ (write name of some luxury brand) in Paris or London or Milan or the hundreds of other places where the same store can be found. The homogenized nature of the world is crowding out all of the local treasures that you enjoy. Sad.
I hadn’t thought about that angle but it’s definitely also related. Thanks for chiming in!
I really enjoyed this post! I like to share with close friends and family, and occasionally I'll share recommendations on Substack. However, the idea that a place could be ruined by influencers and people who are just there for the photo/video makes me so sad that I am also careful about what I share.
Thanks so much for your message! It’s definitely a delicate dance and I am also thrilled for places that are able to thrive with tons of attention too
I relate to a lot of this. So much of what I love about Berlin is hyperspecific, literally not Instagrammable, and requires a time commitment. For travelers who want to optimize each moment, it's not the best city, actually. Without knowing who I'm talking to, I can't really offer a tailored recommendation!
Absolutely! Great point. I was floored how wide of a gulf there was being a tourist in Berlin vs. living there (even briefly). It's almost impossible to package it up for other people.
Read it all hoping for a conclusion but I see you are still, like many of us, trying to figure out the best way forward! When I think of tips and guides in food terms it helps. 10 best places lists with no context that you read in 20 seconds are like fast food. Maybe the choice isn’t to share or not to share, maybe it’s to make the things you do share long form and give all the context and description to the world. Instead of quantity, give quality.
This is such a great post.
It reminds me of a day going door to door, in a neighborhood on the coast: Right before the entrance, there was a small inlet; and as the sun was setting, the colors in the sky were comforting pastels in wispy clouds over the ocean; so I ran back and sat down. Not a moment later, a local photographer came and joined me; and before he even said hello, he said, “please don’t tell anyone about this place.”
And other than telling my coworkers where to pick me up (they had no interest in the water or the sky), I told no one. Didn’t tag the location, and wouldn’t remember how to find it again.
There have been many places like that over the years: Somewhere an Uber driver will drop me off, or an old man points me to… that are secrets. Let people discover them. That’s the fun of it.
As far as the ethics of posting in business, that’s a different ballgame; but my general rule of thumb is if I see someone posting about it while I’m there, I know they don’t need exposure, and will find something else another day.