Poll: How do you feel about working remotely while traveling?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jul 12

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How do you feel about working remotely while traveling?".

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Lieven Malaise
Lieven Malaise  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 19:18
Member (2020)
French to Dutch
+ ...
Impossible Jul 12

I can't imagine doing my work anywhere but in my office at my desktop computer. When I need to work, I don't travel. If I travel, it means that I've decided not to work for a while. The only thing I do is remaining available through email for questions about delivered translations and new translation requests.

WolfgangS
Philip Lees
Alex Lichanow
Susanna Martoni
Christine Andersen
Maria Laura Curzi
 
Gregor Trebec
Gregor Trebec
Slovenia
Local time: 19:18
English to Slovenian
+ ...
me too Jul 12

Me too, i cannot do it outsite my room. Maybe in the kitchen, yes. My laptop is not in good working order and it depends on battery cable more or less.

 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 18:18
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Jul 12

It depends on what you mean by traveling. For 9 years (2006-2015) I travelled between Brussels and Lisbon at least twice a month always accompanied by my laptop. So, I worked quite often in the airport while waiting for my flight (a good way to pass the time!). By then, I had a small office in my apartment in Brussels and another one in my apartment in Lisbon (where I am now). I got so fed up with airports that I haven’t flown since…

Philip Lees
 
Dongwoo Lee
Dongwoo Lee  Identity Verified
South Korea
Local time: 02:18
Member (2018)
English to Korean
+ ...
I hate it but... Jul 12

About 8 years ago, I thought I was a genius: I packed my laptop for a winter trip to Fukuoka with my family. My plan? Be the hero who speaks Japanese, keeps the family happy, and delivers for clients. Basically, Superman with Wi-Fi.

Reality check: after driving all day, I was more like a zombie chauffeur. By dinner, my eyes were screaming “please stop!” every time I opened the laptop. When the trip ended, I was so wiped out I begged my PMs for an extra week off — not to explor
... See more
About 8 years ago, I thought I was a genius: I packed my laptop for a winter trip to Fukuoka with my family. My plan? Be the hero who speaks Japanese, keeps the family happy, and delivers for clients. Basically, Superman with Wi-Fi.

Reality check: after driving all day, I was more like a zombie chauffeur. By dinner, my eyes were screaming “please stop!” every time I opened the laptop. When the trip ended, I was so wiped out I begged my PMs for an extra week off — not to explore Japan, but to explore the art of lying flat on my bed. That’s when I learned the golden rule: vacations are for recharging, not for pretending you’re a productivity ninja.

The funny part? I still bring my laptop on trips. But now it’s less “mission control” and more “travel buddy.” It helps me enjoy the journey — not squeeze in emails while my family wonders why I look like I’m auditioning for a burnout documentary.
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Christine Andersen
Maria Laura Curzi
 
Anastasia Kingsley Kinkusic
Anastasia Kingsley Kinkusic  Identity Verified
Member (2011)
English to Croatian
+ ...
Have PC, will travel Jul 12

Hi, looks like I think differently. In 2023 I travelled all over - US, Germany, Dubrovnik, Japan... anyway, I can't imagine leaving home without my laptop. It's always there, just in case. I don't mind integrating it into my travel / lifestyle plans. It's also a good excuse to get away from a loud group of people No problem, whatsoever. I do try to keep any potential workload light if I know if advance that I will be out of town. ... See more
Hi, looks like I think differently. In 2023 I travelled all over - US, Germany, Dubrovnik, Japan... anyway, I can't imagine leaving home without my laptop. It's always there, just in case. I don't mind integrating it into my travel / lifestyle plans. It's also a good excuse to get away from a loud group of people No problem, whatsoever. I do try to keep any potential workload light if I know if advance that I will be out of town. But two-three hours of work per day, even while traveling, is certainly manageable.Collapse


 
Vincenzo Di Maso
Vincenzo Di Maso  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 18:18
Member (2009)
English to Italian
+ ...
business as usual Jul 12

I use to travel every 2 months. I have no other choice but working while travelling. When I work during travels my wife helps me with our son. I have been doing it for 20 years

 
Alex Lichanow
Alex Lichanow
Germany
Local time: 19:18
English to German
+ ...
Time off means time off... 05:10

...so when I travel, I don't work. I will answer urgent e-mails, but that's it.
I also need some proper screen real estate to work properly. In the VERY RARE cases that I even take my laptop with me, I am still not willing to work on its single, tiny 17-inch screen.


Lieven Malaise
Maria Laura Curzi
 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 19:18
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Other 06:39

I used to work while traveling, though only emergency projects from longstanding customers. However, about two years ago I stopped doing this. Time off is quality time that I like to fully enjoy without any work.

 


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Poll: How do you feel about working remotely while traveling?






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