Totally true. I have many friends who travel constantly and always talk about situations like those you describe in the post, also I am fortunate to live in a city that is a tourist destination and spend a lot of time in an area full of hostels. Hostels are the best way to meet people and learn from other cultures. Finally, I think the most important thing to know a new place is to walk, when you go on public transport or in a car you lose those little hidden gems of popular culture. 😀