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ICantThinkOfANameBud t1_j6fe682 wrote

Reply to comment by OverlordXenu in MTA cuts free Wi-Fi from NYC buses by flightwaves

Some people don't think about that. I wouldn't be thinking about connecting to the internet while planning a vacation, but maybe that's just me.

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OverlordXenu t1_j6fezqv wrote

really? every single person i know who has ever travelled outside of the US has made sure they have the ability to get directions, call Ubers, stay in touch with people… and i've known europeans who have done this, too.

but like your hotel booking is on there, your ability to get transit directions, to just get around in an unfamiliar place, coordinate with people you're meeting up with…

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ICantThinkOfANameBud t1_j6fgeso wrote

Perhaps it's different because I've only ever been to Canada and Mexico as far as international travel goes, but I've just never thought about it. I've always used the wifi at the hotel or restaurant to get what internet I need, and had numbers or whatever saved for whatever else I needed.

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OverlordXenu t1_j6fo671 wrote

you didn't need directions or a map? i've been in nyc for years and i still need something like the maps app or citymapper to get around to places i don't go to regularily, though i have a bad sense of direction. before phones were common i used the maps, talked to people in info booths, and talked to strangers. got lost occasionally. never get lost when using my phone for directions. i wouldn't go back, personally, i'd spend the $50 on a SIM.

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krazyb2 t1_j6gttpc wrote

One of the first things I do after I book my trip internationally is decide if i'm going to get a sim card or a wifi hotspot. It's literally the only way you can get directions, translations, communicate with airbnb, etc? I feel like it's just irresponsible not to do this?

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ICantThinkOfANameBud t1_j6hm4q2 wrote

> It's literally the only way you can get directions, translations, communicate with airbnb, etc?

It's not though. You can download maps/have a physical map. You can hire a translator/learn the language/get a translation book. You don't need AirBnB, hotels and hostels exist and are very easy to spot. You speak like someone who's never lived without the internet. How do you think people did these things before the internet?

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krazyb2 t1_j6hv1af wrote

Sure, you can do those things. But we do have the internet now. You do you, I’m just saying that sounds like a lot of trouble to go through to save 30$ on having connectivity. I lived long before the internet. Things were not easier. But, life isn’t about everything being easy and you’re free to do things the harder (and potentially more fun?) way if you’d like!

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ICantThinkOfANameBud t1_j6hy56j wrote

I'm not saying I do these things but the person I replied to said the internet was literally the only way to do those things.

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joyousRock t1_j6j8xkt wrote

every time I've gone to Europe I did not have cellular data. used wifi and maps. not that hard at all, just requires thinking & planning

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