Stereo-typing again Robyn? . As much as I hate busy, built up, resorts, I dont think that the type of holiday you have makes you any more or less likely to have sex with a waiter!!

Some people need a rest and a break and dont care where they go, as long as they get sunshine. If the cheapest place that week is Turkey, they go to Turkey. They have no interest in the country, just want sun and relaxation. Who are WE to judge them? It brings money to the tourist industry after all!

You are all being a bit sanctimonious . I love holidays where I am off exploring the country I visit. On the other hand, I would not have swapped last winter's two weeks in the Caribbean, laying in the sun, sipping cool drinks for any cultural trek! And NO I didn't "get off" with a waiter!

No it is not just britain at all. By any chance has anyone been to NY? in some places you will learn spanish before you learn english!

Also when I was 9-10 (had birthday there) my family went out to Spain for quite a long time, and there were no british people near where we lived of what I can remember.
We lived in Estepona (Costa Del Sol) and you had to do everything spanish ...even order food! and ask for directions etc and so I picked the language up quite quickly.

One time I was called by this woman and she said something like "Perdoneme tiene usted el tiempo?" (excuse me, do you have the time?" to which I proudly replied "sí el tiempo es casi a las cinco" (yes the time is nearly 5pm).

I couldn't believe it really but I was like wooo yeah and it is a nice feeling to know you are learning something without trying and having such a great time as well!

Especially night dancing with the locals on the streets!
ibaile! ibaile! ibaile!

Since the beginning of this topic started as "living" with the locals, I say of course you are going to seek out people more like yourself. Why wouldnt you, just because you chose to live somewhere else doesn't mean you need to try and adapt to every single part of that culture, you are still unique and shouldnt forget where you came from. Example.... my boyfriend has lived in the US for almost 6 years, but still eats tukish food and has definatly seeked out turkish friends to hang around with. So NO I don't think you "have" to do and eat everything turkish while living in turkey or just have turkish friends. Everyone gets home sick and if being around others like yourself helps you to cope, thats how you should live.

I agree aenigma. It is sometimes great just to relax and do absolutely nothing. But I know people who only go on all inclusive holidays. They tell you all the wonderful places they have visited and it turns out they have never even left the holiday complex! They could be anywhere - its just Centre Parks with sunshine as far as they are concerned. Still - each to their own eh!