Please explain why we need selfie sticks when we travel abroad?

As we grow older, we often look back on things and admit we were wrong. In regards to the current selfie stick craze, I hope that I’m right on this one.  Let’s talk about the selfie stick.

Millions upon millions of people have bought and used selfie sticks over the last year. In fact, the word selfie is actually a noun in the dictionary despite what Spellcheck thinks. So, should we be using selfie sticks because everyone else is? Or like the old adage says,”just because your friends jumped off a bridge, should you?” Are we being perceived as conceited or narcissistic when we waive our selfie sticks around unabashedly and unaware of our surroundings?

We are, quite frankly, obsessed with taking pictures of ourselves. Especially when we are traveling abroad. It’s like a proverbial middle-finger to your less-traveled pals, or a digital bumper sticker to prove that you were actually there.

Now with selfie sticks, people can…wait for it… take selfies from further away! I observed several travelers using selfie sticks abroad, and I couldn’t help but say, “I’m glad that’s not me.” First of all, you are definately a tourist. There is no question about that. Secondly, when did we forget about living in the moment and actually seeing the place we paid good money to visit?

If you don’t think the selfie stick is bad yet, just go to a crowded tourist destination. I once witnessed a girl take 2,000 selfies of herself on a beach without sunbathing or swimming for hours. I challenge you to observe a selfie stick user on your next trip abroad, and then imagine that you are a local. What would you think of that tourist? I’m not calling for a ban on selfie sticks, I just think they should be used in moderation like everything else in life.

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Where Selfie Sticks Are Banned In The World:

• Places around the world that have banned selfies
• Landmarks Where Selfies Are Banned

I am guilty of taking more than a few selfies, but I have not yet used the selfie stick. I even have one in my household beckoning to be used. It was a prize given to me at a raffle. Oh the irony! Now it sits in my house like the evil doll you can’t seem to get rid of it in that cliche horror film. We will see how long I can resist the call of the selfie stick! Maybe I’ll change my mind.

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