Need help convincing parents for short-term trip, 18 year old female :(

[WanderingMKL]

Hello!

I want to go to Taipei, Taiwan for one week over spring break in March, but I would be traveling solo and my parents are worried about safety.

I've done loads of research, I have a list of places I want to go to and I've researched them all in depth, and I've even asked some of my friends to contact their relatives and I have some emergency contacts that I know I will have. No matter how much I research and how much I try to reassure my mom, she's always really reluctant to talk about it and insists we will discuss it when I get home from college, which is fine with me, but I really feel like she's not going to let me go.

All of the research I've done says that Taipei is a really safe city, and I've always been a pretty cautious and safe person--I don't drink, smoke, or go to parties, and I've never been in any serious trouble in my life. I would be staying in a hostel, and I might even have some local contacts who would be willing to hang out with me for a day or something. I worked as an intern in NYC last year, and I feel like that was probably a hundred times more dangerous than spending one week in Taipei.

If I want to get the affordable tickets, I would have to do it before December 31st, and I need to also renew my passport, so I don't have a lot of time. Everybody I've talked to other than my parents think this is a great opportunity, and I really don't know what to do ><... I would be spending the money I've had saved up from working last year, so it would be no expense on my parents part--and if I didn't go I would just end up sitting alone at home all week because my break doesn't coincide with those of my friends from home.

My main issue is convincing my mom that it is safe... but it seems like the more I do to ease her worries, the less likely she seems to let me go! What do I do?

[simply_angelic]

Whoa...that's a lot of cash to dough out for 1 week's worth of travel. Personally I'd choose to fly somewhere a little closer if I only had a week, but that's just me.

Taipei's cool, although I really hope you choose to branch out a bit from the big city! In the end it really is just another huge metropolis and Taiwan has so much more to offer (taroko gorge for one.. )

Good luck on convincing the 'rents. In the end if you're 18 though, you can legally make your own decisions (buy your own tickets, fly on your own, book your own hostels, etc). Yes, it might mean heartbreak on your parents side, but in the end it IS your decision. I'm sure you'll be able to come to some sort of agreement....

Here's another related thread on how to convince the parents....

http://www.travelpunk.com/boards/general-travel-tips-advice/15073-convincing-parents-let-you-go.html

[louise92]

Originally Posted by simply_angelic

Good luck on convincing the 'rents. In the end if you're 18 though, you can legally make your own decisions (buy your own tickets, fly on your own, book your own hostels, etc). Yes, it might mean heartbreak on your parents side, but in the end it IS your decision. I'm sure you'll be able to come to some sort of agreement....

http://www.travelpunk.com/boards/general-travel-tips-advice/15073-convincing-parents-let-you-go.html

Yes, as you're 18 surely you don't require your parents permission to go travelling? (Unless of course you're asking them to fund it!)

[maniladsouza]

Well as you are 18 years old they don't stop you if you wanna go there. But if you want their permission they convenience them that this trip will help you to understand the culture and tradition of different place. As they are parents, its their duty to think about you, so convenience them that you are safe and will back soon. And ensure you safety with medical or travel insurance which covers much for you.
---------------------------------
Annual Travel Insurance UK

[Canadian Bacon]

Hey tough bind!

I would say the first thing is to see your parents POV. I mean if I were a father and my 18 year old daughter with little travel experience (you didn't mention this, but this is what I assume) wanted to travel solo in some weird place, I would also be cautious.

You have done your research -- super. I would try to meet and identify your parents concern point by point, no matter how ridiculous they seem. More importantly, rather than dismissing their concerns (which is natural) perhaps really think hard about how you yourself would deal with specific situations.

Wear them down, slowly, day by day, night by night. Be relentless. In your relentlessness, they see that you are determined. In your determination, they will gain some trust and respect for you.

That said, to quote the Barenaked Ladies, "nothing worth fighting comes without some sort of fight". But it would be best to leave your trip with your parental relations intact.

[marc873]

I love when even the old Tpunks post on threads that are years old...