Bill Murray is, for all intents and purposes, a regular human like you and me – except that his name Means Something. Sort of like Hitler, or Ayn Rand.
Bill Murray, as an Internet symbol, stands for a peculiar mix of whimsy, obstinance and eccentricity. He’s an inspiration for anyone who feels no obligation to answer phones or emails, and every traveller could learn something from him.
Lesson 1: travel is more important than romance
Bill Murray – in a move so characteristically quirky that it’s almost predictable – recently gate-crashed someone’s bachelor party, with this advice. To paraphrase: rather than marrying The One, go on a round-the-world trip with them. Get married at the airport on your return if it goes well. The sentiment, of course, is that travelling is a great way of getting to know – like, really-really know – yourself, and your travel partner. Better, perhaps, then spending your life savings on a big party and a fancy frock.
It also shows us that Bill Murray has no understanding of the normal world, because if we could afford round-the-world trips we’d be frolicking through Thailand right now instead of avoiding work by surfing the web. Also there are no Home Affairs or officiating personnel at airports.
Lesson 2: cut out the middle man
Bill Murray, famously, doesn’t have an agent. This allows him to get on with his first priority: Getting On With Things while ignoring phones that ring. This approach has its attractions in travel, as it does in life. Having someone else choreograph your travels is convenient, but it’s not surprising. You may end up lost in the wrong city, or starring in a movie about Garfield, but that makes for better stories in the end.
Lesson 3: become a synonym for what you think is important
Decide about the things that are important to you, and the things you want to do, and do them as hard as you can. Personally, I hope that “Kati Auld” will one day be shorthand for “the certainty that fruit and cheese should remain ever separate, glancing at each other longingly across the dinner table, never unified in one mouth at the same time.” You might be more attached to ideas of justice, or colour-blocking. It’s the fervour of your dedication that’s important.
Lesson 4: don’t overthink things
Just go with it. Act on your impulses. Jiggle locked doors. Walk down side streets. (Carry pepper spray.)
Lesson 5: be playful
It’s always a good idea to pitch in and help others, even in modest fields like bartending. When Bill Murray did some bartending at SXSW (with his friends RZA and GZA from the Wu Tang Clan) however, he switched it up and gave everyone tequila, regardless of their order. Without a sense of humour, travel can be a truly unbearable prospect. Without tequila, it’s even worse.
Lesson 6: be brave
Bill Murray probably doesn’t think that giving people unsolicited marriage advice and the wrong drink order is brave. It’s just what he felt like doing at the time. However, for the rest of us, throwing yourself into a place or idea whole-heartedly doesn’t come easily. Stop doubting. Make friends. Give them the wrong shots. It’ll be fiiine. And if it’s not fine, it’ll probably be funny at some point in the future.
Lesson 7: connect with people
Although Bill Murray is aloof and often incomprehensible, there’s reason to believe that at least some of the stories about him are true. Those stories range from night-long benders and crashing on student couches, to cash donations for good causes. No matter where you’re travelling, remember that the very most important thing is to make people feel special. Except when that requires answering a phone.
