English Debate Club : Souvenirs - a waste of money and time?

How do you keep vacation memories alive? Are souvenirs a waste of time and money or a way to remember your adventures, far away people and places?

Some people love buying souvenirs when they travel. These can be small things like magnets, keychains, beer bottle openers, or t-shirts that remind them of their trip.

Souvenirs help them remember fun times and share their experiences with others, and can potentially work as a conversation starter when people visit. Having a small item can bring back happy memories years later. Also, buying souvenirs can support local shops and businesses in the places people visit. It can be part of the experience to have a trophy.

Others may think souvenirs are a waste of money. They can be expensive and might just end up collecting dust at home. Some souvenirs are cheaply made and don't really represent the place visited at all. They also can produce clutter at home.

Instead of buying things, some people prefer to spend their money on experiences like trying new foods or going on tours, which they feel create better and longer-lasting memories. Some people keep a travel diary, journaling their activities and people they've met. Still others enjoy photo-documenting their trip with some degree of skill, as an alternative. Our memories fade. We need reminders. What is the best way to preserve our history?

Should people spend money on souvenirs when they travel, or is it better to retain memories in other ways? What are pros and cons of approaches to documenting and recalling travels?

Debate topic image: Road Unraveled: How to find the best vacation souvenirs https://www.roadunraveled.com/blog/best-vacation-souvenirs-guide/

at 6pm, log onto https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83063138691
Meeting ID: 830 6313 8691
Passcode: EngDebate

The debate will begin about 18:05 or when most have gathered. The moderator, Tobias, reads the topic for the group, combined with related questions that might get us thinking. Then we put our names in the chat if we want to speak, and he calls on us (either in turn or else if someone has not spoken, he gives them priority).