All the distance in the world means nothing if a traveler is still mentally tied to their home country. There's a good number of expats in [country] who hang out at Irish pubs with other expats, bitch about [country], and don't bother learning the language.

You have to be willing to unmoor yourself, which I think deep down a lot of people aren't seeking to do.

You can say "English people in Portugal or Spain", and you've got a stereotype that's actually accurate.

Cheers--I didn't want to single out any country in particular because it's a fairly common stereotype in whichever expat scene.

I like the “unmoor” phrasing. Thank you :). To truly immerse oneself, primarily communicate in a language foreign to one’s country of origin, and eat local foods (no harm in indulging in foods from back home every once in a while). And give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.

Actually, check out his book, "Innocents Abroad." It's a great travel native and lampoon of his cruising companions who manage to stay small-minded in a big world.

That's neo-traveller, a different breed than the past. They do ruin the concept for others, as profit now leads enlightenment and disentanglement.