The Most Interesting People in the World

There was an article making the rounds earlier this summer about 6 Ways To Not Be A Holier-Than-Though Traveler which I thoroughly enjoyed, and made notes on so I could avoid this dreaded problem in my future conversations (especially when I’m visiting my hometown this fall).

This article has popped into my mind a few times since then while eavesdropping on conversations during a ferry journey or making a new friend in the hostel common room. Whilst listening to tales told to impress fellow travelers – a daunting audience to be sure – the storyteller would often dangle dangerously over the edge of Smug Canyon, and sometimes leap right over it: “the traffic is nothing here, I’ll tell you about the time in India I had to…”

This subject was brought up again in a much more humorous way by Kelsey Timmerman as he dissects Dos Equis’ latest ad campaign centered around “The Most Interesting Man in the World”. This campaign is new to me, but some quick YouTubeing brought up some very funny ads featuring this dashing fellow who you most certainly would want to be friends with for the stories alone, and who prefers Dos Equis of course.

This one is my favorite for the line “He lives vicariously… through himself.”

Kelsey shares my fear that I might come off as someone inflicted with what he has dubbed MIMIWS (The Most Interesting Man in the World Syndrome) and be the subject of much eye-rolling when our backs are turned.

I am sure I have uttered “that reminds me of the time we were [insert colorful story here]” a few times, but posts like these definitely have me aiming to be a better conversationalist in the future!

Certainly, though, some of the most interesting people I have met both on and off the road are the most humble about their accomplishments. It helps to keep in mind that being very well-traveled just means “that I’ve been made fun of in more languages than you.” How true, Kelsey.

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Tags: Dos Equis, Most Interesting, snooty, travel