That could be it. It doesn't seem as though natives have quite the same restrictions on travel and information that we do, anyway, given that the gym leader in Vermillion City doesn't seem to be a native of Kanto or Johto... unless they were put into place after he arrived here, of course.

I really can't say I fancy myself the protagonist of some sort of 19th century romantic novel, so I don't think it would.

"Interesting" doesn't always mean "good," of course...