21 Signs that You are a Backpacker

Backpacking across the world is a great, wonderful experience. It teaches you a lot of things, and sometimes those things you have learned through backpacking manifest themselves subconsciously. Here are some of the signs that you are a true backpacker.

1. You do not balk at the prospect of staying in the cheapest hostel in your destination—even if it means that towels and breakfast are not included!

2. You get extremely excited about cheap flights or airline seat sales.

3. You ask everyone you talk to (or at least, every traveller you have the pleasure of conversing with) if they have been to this or that place, just so you can share tips or your knowledge of the different countries you have been in. Sometimes, this counts as showing off, but really, it is all about sharing (and perhaps, asking for tips you can use in your next travels).

4. You encourage people to visit the places you have visited on your backpacking trips because they are simply "marvellous" or "incredible."

5. You believe that short plane rides to local destinations take the fun out of traveling. Plus, the long bus rides (or train or boat) are the best way to see the sites. You are using this to make yourself feel better about the fact that you are on a budget and thus cannot afford the short plane ride.

6. Bargaining, to you, is like second nature. You are an undisputed master of finding the best deals.

7. You are an expert in the field of packing, and find it difficult to imagine why people complain about this very vital part of traveling.

8. Converting currencies is so much easier for you, even if you are no math whiz.

9. You Instagram like a National Geographic photographer (and your Instagram profile is gorgeous).

10. You strive to befriend the locals, because they can point you to destinations not found in travel guides.

11. One of your favourite phrases is "it’s a small world!" (And you have friends to prove it).

12. You have a perpetual tan from going on all those outdoor explorations.

13. You have no problems with traveling alone.

14. Your passport has very few blank pages for more visa stamps.

15. You have a box or bag of stubs, tickets, and brochures from different parts of the world at home.

16. You are not discouraged by the sticker price on just about anything—from bottled water to tour packages. You always find the best deals

17. You have plenty of funny anecdotes or interesting stories that begin with "one time, when I was in (insert name of country)…"

18. Destinations with no budget accommodations are virtually invisible to you.

19. You believe that traveling is important, and you are not afraid to voice this belief out at least once a day.

20. "Off the beaten path" is a phrase that greatly appeals to you.

21. You have an enormous backpack that does not conceal the fact that you are a backpacker. Of course.