It’s been a while since we checked in with Rolf (it seems he’s been on his own extended travels lately), but he’s back and answering questions over at his column on WorldHum, like the one this week from a frustrated “Paul” (made-up name if I’ve ever heard one) who can’t get his friends to travel with him abroad.

Incredulous as it sounds, I guess there are those people out there, and Rolf seems to handle this one graciously, advising Paul to avoid the Christian missionary zeal-esque path, and instead suggests, “the best way to win over travel skeptics is to humbly allow your overseas journeys to deepen your life. Over the course of many years, as you return from exotic places energized and inspired — with your body (and bank account) intact — your friends may start to take an interest.”

I would have suggested what I normally do when confronted with these types of people: verbal ridicule and shunning their presence, but Rolf seems to have the more logical advice. What better way to convince people than showing by example? As one commenter adds, “I think the best thing you can do is have the time of your life on your trips. Your natural happiness about traveling will come through when you talk to your friends.” I couldn’t have said it better.