Man Questions Life Choices After Meeting 60-Year-Old American Who Chose Travel Over Marriage And Kids: ‘I Was Shocked’

An Indian man’s chance encounter with a 60-year-old American man in Vietnam has left him reflecting on personal freedom, loneliness and the different ways people choose to live their lives. While people often associate growing older with marriage, children and grandchildren, he realised that not everyone wants to follow the same path.

Sharing his encounter with the American man on X, Pranjal Soni revealed that the 60-year-old, originally from New York, was travelling alone in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. “Met a black American guy in his 60s in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was from New York. He mentioned it like 3 times lol,” he wrote. “Very kind, gentle, and friendly. Like a sweet old uncle.”

“I’m From New York” During their conversation, he learnt

that the man had never married and had no children. He worked as a janitor for a few months, saved money and then travelled around affordable Asian countries until his savings ran out. Curious about his unconventional lifestyle, Soni asked him why he had never married or started a family.

“I asked why he never got married or had children. He said, ‘In New York nobody really cares about that. You can live however you want,’” Soni said, adding that he then asked the American man who would look after him when he turned 80. The latter laughed and replied, “I’m from New York.”

What struck Soni the most was how content the man appeared despite continuing to work in his 60s to finance his travels. “I was genuinely shocked,” he wrote. “He’s in his 60s, still working to fund his travels, but he seemed completely happy. Where I grew up, people his age are spending time with their grandchildren. He’s spending his savings on hostels in Vietnam.”

“I don’t know whether to admire his freedom or feel sad for him, really nice guy though,” he said. “I wish him the best.”

Internet Is Divided Over The American Man’s Life Choices
Once he shared the post, many began sharing their thoughts and opinions on not marrying, having children and living life on their own terms.

“I think when people get older and are single with no family, and do cool stuff with their freedom, it is both admirable and sad at the same time. Super cool that they have the freedom to explore the world and live like that. Sad that they have no wife and kids,” said a user.

met a black american guy in his 60s in ho chi minh city, vietnam.

he was from new york. mentioned it like 3 times lol.

very kind, gentle and friendly. like a sweet old uncle.

never married, no wife, no kids.

he told me he works as a janitor for a few months, saves money and then travels around cheap asian countries until he runs out.

i asked why he never got married or had children.

he said “in new york nobody really cares about that. you can live however you want.”

i asked him who’s going to look after him when he’s 80.

he just laughed and said “i’m from new york.”

i was genuinely shocked.

he’s in his 60s, still working to fund his travels, but he seemed completely happy.

where i grew up, people his age are spending time with their grandchildren.

he’s spending his savings on hostels in vietnam.

i don’t know whether to admire his freedom or feel sad for him.

really nice guy though.

i wish him the best.

— Pranjal Soni (@pranjalsoni_) October 21, 2026

Another quipped, “That is a true New Yorker! They are freedom!”

“I am from Vietnam. I agree with you; Insta algo brainwashed and bankrupted this gen. But I believe living alone is based on multiple reasons; not every one of them is nonsense. If I have to die alone, accept it and let it go; don’t beg for others to care,” an individual shared.

Meanwhile, someone said, “That’s really sad; it’s not a normal life.”

Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18.