With our busy lifestyles and 24-hour connected culture, quality time with friends and family is now more important than ever. The chance to relax, unwind and make amazing memories with each other is invaluable.
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One of the best ways to do this is to get the family or your mates together for a holiday - be that a staycation or somewhere more exotic. And what could be better than sea, sun and the ones you love? It sounds perfect, right?
Well, new research from Bolsover Cruise Club shows that it is perfect – for the first 2 days…
More than two-thirds of us Brits have fallen out with friends and family while on holiday, lasting just 2 days and 12 hours before our first spat. It seems that we fall out over where to eat, what to see, and even the temperature!
As we believe holidays with loved ones are a thing to be cherished, not dreaded, we’ve put together a list of the seven best ways to avoid falling out while on holiday.
Pre-plan your activities
The top reason people fall out on holiday is over disputes about where to go and what to see. When you’re in a beautiful place with a list of amazing sites, shows, and attractions, it can be easy to fall into the trap of disagreements if you feel you may miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The best way to combat this is to get your group together a few weeks before you go on your holiday and have each of them write a list of the top attractions, events, and activities they want to do or see. Then, together, you can create an itinerary so everyone gets a say, and your trip can be fun and varied for everyone.
Scope your accommodation
Are you staying in a hotel, Air BnB or a villa? Will the rooms be the same size, or is someone going to be stuck with the pull-out bed or the box room?
Make sure everyone is aware of your accommodation before you book it and have an open and honest conversation about who may get what room. Even if you end up drawing straws, at least no one can complain about it being unfair – just don’t leave it to a first-come, first-served basis or you may come across a mass brawl as soon as you get there!
Prep for the weather
When people get hot, they can get moody, and it can get to the point where even the smallest of annoyances can cause an emotional explosion. Ensure you plan properly for the heat – bring plenty of sun lotion so people don’t get burnt, make sure everyone has the right clothing, and encourage those around you to get in the shade or the pool if you start to see them getting affected.
Don’t be afraid of alone time
Even though holidays should be about bonding, don’t underestimate the importance of putting aside a few hours for yourself. Whether it’s a few hours each afternoon, or a full day of solo activities, encouraging your group to take some time for themselves (as well as doing it yourself) is a great way to avoid those arguments that seem to come from nowhere.
If you have children, agree on a schedule with your partner or other family members who can look after them while you have some “me time”, and vice versa.
Budget
The fourth biggest cause of fights on holiday is money. It’s completely understandable – who hasn’t fallen victim to excessive spending (especially when you have a different currency in your pocket!).
To help avoid any arguments around money, agree to a daily budget, and make sure you keep some spends aside for luxuries. When you know you have enough for everything you want to do, having a conversation about splurging on those holiday extras will be a lot easier for everyone involved.
Try not to place blame
As amazing as holidays are, sometimes we have to accept that things can, and often do, go wrong. From missed flights to lost luggage, broken down cars to failed hotel bookings, it’s rare for everything to run smoothly on a holiday.
When your tired, far from home and something has gone wrong, it’s so easy to play the blame game. Someone has booked the wrong hotel, someone didn’t bring their passport, someone got the date wrong. Even if a mistake was absolutely someone else’s fault, getting upset about their actions and blaming them is only going to make the holiday worse for everyone.
We’re all human, and the best way to have an amazing holiday even if something does go wrong is to work together to fix the problem – not place blame.
Be ready to compromise
You can plan everything, budget as much as possible, prep for every eventuality, but when on holiday with other people, there will come a time where you’ll have to compromise. Be considerate of how your group is feeling – people may be tired, sunburnt, or feeling ill, so you may have to cancel that family boat trip you had in mind.
Be considerate of other people and make sure they are considerate of you as well. Having compassion will ensure you all have the best time together.
There’s nothing like a group holiday, and they help to create some of the best lasting memories. Fallouts can be a normal part of family life, but by planning, compromising and taking some time out on your own, you’ll ensure you’re set up for the best holiday ever.
For more information about what families fall out about on holiday, you can check out the full research from Bolsover Cruise Club here.