it's really weird that people buy shirts on vacation as gifts for people that were not there. amirite?

I'd agree but my grandma bought me a shirt while she was on a cruise to Alaska and I've worn it to rags, I had it for almost ten years now

I have a similar opinion but in regards to magnets. I collect magnets from places I've visited to serve as tiny memories on my fridge but people often bring me souvenir magnets from their own travels from countries I've never visited... and I don't want to put them up amongst mine, it's petty I know.

Souvenirs in general for people who weren't on the trip make no sense to me

Weird gatekeeping.

I don't buy shirts for people but I do buy shot glasses for my daughter when we are on a trip.

I agree. When we travel, we get shot glasses or consumables frequently.

Totally agree. I absolutely hate it when someone hands me a t-shirt. All my friends think I'm some sort of minimalist because all of my clothes can be neatly packed into a carry-on suitcase (unless you include jacket, gloves, and boots). This has the undesired effect of making everyone think of me when they pass by a t-shirt stand in whatever tourist trap they happen to be visiting.

Call it minimalism if you want, I call it simple, non-descript.

Completely agree… why I only buy food as vacation gifts-spices, specialty candy, booze from the area, but only if it's good stuff, otherwise I just share pictures.

I've never really experienced this but I think it's weird when people resell and buy shirts from a specific concert or festival they didn't go to. Like when the date & name of the venue are printed in big letters on a shirt and it's only meant to be sold at that one event. Sometimes this stuff goes for crazy money and I can't fathom why someone would want to wear it if they weren't there. I think that's similar to what you are discussing

Finally an unpopular opinion I agree with! Never got the practice unless the person specifically requested it. Now if it has a REALLY cool design the person knows you like and the location is relatively small print that works, but the traditional souvenirs with large text front and center....why?

Cheap and easy to carry.

The idea is that they were in that cool place and thinking of you. Here's a shirt from "Paris" and I was thinking of you. Then when you wear it you remember that you are special to that person even while they were in a cool place.

I have I had people bring up the place and asking how I like it. When I tell them I've never been I get an odd look. Am I alone here with this thinking?

I dont think its that weird, if the design is cool or something, its not that different than any other graphic t shirt.

You could avoid the weird look by just going "Oh I just got this as a gift from a friend" before saying youve never been.

I think fridge magnets and to a degree things like coffee mugs or stationery is weirder. Stationery especially nowadays, but I kind of understand the novelty of it. There is a type of person who would think that is charming and special to use.

Me and my buddies have spent probably $1000 on shirts (and pins) from places we went without each other. It lets people know you were thinkin about them and you wish they came with.

"oh haha no actually my husband went and bought me this shirt as a souvenir. Hopefully I can go one day though he said it was really nice there". or something like that.

My mom still dose this for me. I just wear them to bed or when I'm cleaning. Once they get old I throw them away.

Here is the shirt that doesn't fit you from a place you've never been. Enjoyyyyy!

Yeah! My big brother there and he got me this shirt because he loves me, I really can't wait to go with him next time.