In Reply to: just shows how self righteous posted by trayden on Monday, 2. February 2009 at 16:28 Bali Time:
You say that you asked for simple answers?
I obviously mistook the general vibe of your post, to clarify my view.
# You write that you read a lot about people helping so I naturally assume that you realise how many people are in true need.
# "Why do I never consider this and just go and have a good holiday?" Is this a simple question?, see we differ because I think that is a very personal and deep question. The fact that you read and think about others helping but then don't even consider that as something you would do, I think that's sad.
# "I think it's a very nice thing for people to do but it just doesn't enter my travel plans!" seemed to me you were boo hooing the whole idea of helping.
# "Am I shallow or is it everyone to their own?" was this your simple question? again I don't see this as a simple non emotive question.
OK now here's part that prompted me to answer your post
#"Would it not be better to give up the holiday totally and donate the money to a much more worthy cause? Or is it for personal gratification to take away some of the guilt of having a good time while the less fortunate go without.
You got me there, that one paragraph actually made me think you were just looking to stir up trouble, I find that to be a provocative statement.
# But then so humbly you say your not knocking it you just don't understand and that even though you have been to Bali many times you "have not seen any poverty but I also don't go looking for it" Hmm I took this to say that those that do help go searching for a cause.
# Then you come across quite harsh again " I see people at home lining up in soup kitchens but I don't go and and buy them a good meal when I walk out of a restaurant". I took this to show how you don't care at home, so why should you care when your away having fun.
I'm sorry if I misread your post I didn't see a simple question, I honestly thought you were being deliberately arrogant, at a time when I feel very strongly about the clinic I have helped I saw someone questioning the heart of those that do help.
It's obvious that I took a lot of what you said much deeper than intended, that's why I don't usually comment on issues that involve personal feelings and I'm going back to that!