Pick Your Travel Companions Wisely
Picture it, you are now free to roam the world and the friends you sat next to at your kid’s baseball games forEVER are eager to hit the road with you. You plan the PERFECT vacay, a lovely resort on the beach. Your swimsuits, cover-ups,, headphones, books and sunscreen are packed and ready to go. Ahhhhh, some much needed relaxation and down time.
You arrive in paradise when suddenly, your pals come knocking on your door, spreadsheet in hand with a daily itinerary that starts at sunup and ends at bedtime. UH OH, you didn’t think of THAT now did you? They have tours planned, meals at restaurants all over town, some golf, and of course daily workouts so you don’t slack off for a week. Not your ideal vacation at all.
There are things you need to consider when you pick your travel companions. Traveling with friends can be a wonderful experience, but ensuring compatibility is important to avoid conflict. Here are some things to contemplate before you risk a friendship and ruin your getaway:
- Compatibility Check: Ensure you can withstand being together 24/7. If you haven’t seen them before their morning coffee before, you could be in for a rude awakening
- Budgeting: When they tell you they like a “budget-friendly” vacation, make sure their budget doesn’t include private yachts and the penthouse suite unless yours does too
- Activity Alignment: Do you like to take an occasional museum stroll sandwiched between naps by the pool and a massage while they expect a daily hike up the nearest mountain together? Could be an issue…..
- Dining Style: Are you a foodie who likes to try new things while they are good with hitting up the local fast food spots they are familiar with back home? Yep, you need to talk about THIS one!
- Patience Level: Do you tend to go with the flow if there is a flight delay or a long line at customs while they complain about every small hiccup?
- Extrovert vs introvert: Chances are you may already know if they are going to get their “money’s worth” with the drink package and end up dancing on the tables by midnight, inviting new friends back to the room but if you like to hang out on your balcony to unwind in th evening, this could cause conflict
- Communication Style: Note how you and your friends communicate. Often, problems can be avoided by discussing issues before they arise and making sure you are aware of each other’s style before committing to a long vacation together
Remember, you are not joined at the hip and it can be fun doing your own thing during the day and having something to talk about at dinner.
Julie's Adventures In Wanderland 