There are many ways to get to know a travel destination. You
can read books ahead of time, go see the sights, but how do you really get to know
the culture of a place? One way is to go run errands - like checking out the
grocery stores, shopping, or going to the post office. You can observe how
people handle their daily grind or stressful situation. However, I find the
best way to really understand what a place and it’s people are all about is by
sitting at the bar.
When I am traveling, alone or with companions, I like to eat
at the bar of a restaurant instead of at a table. The bartenders make great
hosts, you get better service, and chatting with the other people at the bar
will give you a more authentic experience in the place you are visiting. The
bar is a place where people come to unwind from the day, to commiserate or to celebrate.
It’s here that locals love to give you insight into their city and other
travelers might share in your stories.
In Seattle, Gman and I sat at the bar and this lovely local Seattleite
gave us the her version of the history of the city, with its achievements and
shortfalls. Her personality and passion helped us to better understand the what
makes her city tick. Go to almost any bar in NYC and I bet your impression of
mean New Yorkers will soften, particularly if you like their sports team. In
Key West, it isn’t hard to belly up somewhere and meet that local hippie who
moved there in the 1960s in search of bluer waters and looser social norms.
People are loyal to and passionate about the places they live, they moved there
for a reason, after all, and you are there likely for the same reasons. Why not
dig a little deeper? Next time you travel I encourage you to become part of the community at your destination and sit at the bar.
This place looks so nice!
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