So you’ve decided to respond to the “I’m planning a vacation, whose in?” group text. Before you hit send, understand this could be a trip of a lifetime or one epic disaster. Vacationing with Friends, or “Friendcations,” may seem like a great idea but all too often can lead to broken friendships and wasted vacation days. Vacations expose our true personalities — you experience extreme stress, pure bliss and maybe a little embarrassment all in a 7 -9 day trip.
To avoid the demise of your 10-year bond ending under the glow of moonlit beach, be wary of the types of friends you travel with and the issues that may arise before you even log in to Expedia.
I have plenty of friends. Ok, I have a few friends. Each one is a multi-dimensional person with rich life experiences, yet somehow when we travel together, they all morph into one of the 9 types of Frendcation Travelers. Let’s discuss.
Six Types of Friends on Vacation
The Boss
I have to admit that I fall into this category. Boss doesn’t have to mean bitch; instead, the boss is the person who makes final decisions for the group when needed or, simply, makes a decision as everyone else tries to politely defer to each other. The boss is necessary on all vacations. In a group setting of indecisive or agreeable people, it’s easy to lose 15-20 minutes of vacation time trying to get a group to make a decision. Try choosing where to eat in a foreign county… and just like that, it’s Monday and you haven’t done anything. Insert the boss here. He or she makes a decision, with the group’s best interest, and usually, everyone follows behind.
The Penny Pincher
Vacations can be expensive, and in groups of six or more gratuity is automatically added to everything. So, it’s understandable if vacationers want to save on unnecessary expenses. But this friend takes frugal to the next level. The Penny Pincher believes it’s possible to walk everywhere, itemizes every bill and “tastes” everyone’s meal rather than order their own. While they will definitely help your less fiscally responsible friends stick to a budget, they can also put a damper on group plans when every decision is based on the financial impact rather than experience payoff. Make sure that you vacation with people who are in a similar financial state- this doesn’t mean a similar tax bracket. Instead, the travelers should be responsible with their money and willing to part with some dinero if it will enhance the overall group experience.
The Yolo Friend
There’s a thin line between love and hate, but this friend straddles the thin line between adventure and danger. Vacationing with friends is usually intended for fun, new adventures, relaxation and experiences that lead to life-long inside jokes; however, the Yolo Friend has no inhibition and finds joy in peer pressuring others to face their fears and phobias… On a trip to Los Cabos, where Tequila was literally flowing from the walls, my friend decided that we were in dire need of snacks. So when she decided that 4 American girls should take the 2:30 a.m. local bus to The Walmart you know what I said… Oreo’s, please.
The Walking Pharmacy
Mosquito bite, blistering sunburn, fractured a toe during your zip-line landing? Que The Walking Pharmacy; this friend has you covered for any medical emergency. When traveling with friends, someone in the group will inevitably experience some level of medical need. So when a buddy has an allergic reaction a la Hitch or dehydration sets in, The Walking Pharmacy’s bookbag-sized first-aid kit is actually beneficial. And be thankful for their obligatory Lysol bath, we all know how gross hotel rooms are…
The Over-Indulger
Vacation is the time and place to be carefree and risque. Dessert every night is a must, but being a sloppy drunk is both inappropriate and unattractive. I mean, I take “all-inclusive as a challenge,” but I know my limit… 98 percent of the time. Who wants to be abroad with an Over-Indulger who hides behind the fact that they “can’t remember” their antics from the night before. And there’s nothing worse than walking (thank you Penny Pincher) back to the hotel with a sloppy, head-strong drunk friend. We all have our nights and its essential to look out for friends. But, the last thing you want to worry about on vacation is being responsible for an adult who willingly overindulges every day… or trying to figure out how to hide your new tattoo, sigh.
The High Maintenance Friend
We all know who this friend is. They horde beach towels, make overly specific menu request at restaurants and actually schedule the hotel turndown service. Allow them to do their thing and reap the benefits that come with their high-maintenance attitudes like automatic refills, extra pillows, and more attention from waiters– just don’t taste any of their desserts.
The Vacation Bae
Congratulations you’re in a serious relationship now stop reminding everyone. Don’t get me wrong, just because someone is in a relationship doesn’t mean that they won’t be fun to vacation with (chances are they won’t be). However, this friend allows their relationship status to influence every aspect of the vacation. They won’t engage in conversations with the group you meet at the pool, will not see the value in making friends, and definitely will pass on the night-life experience because, you know, they “miss them so much.” Vomiting on cue is a life-skill but, the involuntary upheaval that comes with hearing your friend “whisper” sweet-nothings to their significant other ALL night long is unpleasant at best.
The Attention Whore
Let’s be clear, this friend has no specific gender. Instead, the Attention Whore seeks attention from any and everyone who will give it –they fish for compliments to the 10th degree and are known to be cringe-worthy emotional in public settings. Don’t share a room with this friend but be understanding. Remember, we all may have a drunken cry in a bathroom stall at least once in our lives.
Fitness Junkie
There’s nothing wrong with exploring a location from scenic views; in fact, this is the best way to truly get to know a new place. However, this friend requires physical activity for everything. Five-mile hike to breakfast anyone? Or, how about an evening run after dessert? Every vacation should include relaxation and downtime. I mean you’ll need time to recover after attempting to go toe-to-toe with the Over-Indulger.
Enjoy your vacation. Which friend are you?
