Good friends don’t necessarily make good travelling companions
16 JUN 2008: A survey in Britain suggests that while holidaymakers often expect to lose items on a vacation, what they do not expect, and what they frequently do lose are - friends. One in five Brits claim to have also lost a good friend by not testing ‘holiday friendship compatibility’ before embarking on week or two together with friends.
Research by Travelodge revealed one in five vacationers have experienced a ‘friends holiday from hell’ because they did not invest in a short break together first to see whether they were compatible for the longer trip.
Some things are simple, say you’re in London, and she loves Harvey Nicks and you want the Tate Modern – no problem - go do your thing and catch up later. But if you’ve got a ‘clinger’ who insists that you do things together at all times - you’ve got a problem. One of you is going to be bored and irritable at least half of the time.
Seven per cent of holidaymakers actually terminated their holiday within the first few days because they could not tolerate another minute in their (former) friend’s company.
The report found that 55% of Brits holidaying with friends have at least two serious arguments during the trip.
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The top five main causes for the disagreements are:
1. Personality clashes
What happened to you? Who are you anyway!
2. Different tastes and interests regarding activities and cuisine
Enough MacDonalds already! We’re in bloody Greece!
3. Annoying habits you didn’t know about.
Do you think you could get your dirty underwear off the floor? Please? Yesterday’s as well?
4. Holiday romances, jealousies and subsequent protocol.
No, I don’t think he fancies you. I think he fancies me. And, if you come in at 4am again, make sure HE stays on the other side of the door.
5. Money – Who pays, who doesn’t and when and where to split.
You had the soup, the salad, the fettuccini alfredo, the osso bocco, the zbaglioni, two grappas and a bottle of (rather expensive) red wine. I had the gnocci with tomato sauce and a glass of Prosecco. No, we wont be splitting this one.
Then there are the disproportionate packers – you can pack for two weeks in carry-on and a large purse, they take a weekend break looking like Elizabeth Taylor heading for an Atlantic Crossing on the Queen Elizabeth.
The different body clock syndrome. You just want to sleep in – this is a damn holiday isn’t it? They’re noisily up and about at 6.30 am, encouraging you to go for a jog on the beach, check the sunrise, have a game of tennis before it gets too hot. Get outtahere!
You know how it is…
Anjula Mutanda, Psychologist and Life Coach said: “It’s a very common issue – friendships breaking up on holiday. Never underestimate just because you’re good friends, going away together for a one or two weeks break will be easy. It’s a big risk holidaying with someone for the first time, this is when you will discover what they are really like."
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