You agree with Sartre: Hell is other people.
Your family or employer: Skip this group trip at your peril.
Sounds like you need some strategies for staying sane when the group is driving you crazy!
I despise group anythings, especially abroad. That’s why I travel solo. But sometimes I have to join the herd. Read on for tips about how to deal with common group trip types.
The Late One
Most itineraries allow for some wiggle-room, but some activities begin sharpish: boat excursions, performances, museum tours.
Tip: Be aware of cultural differences or personal habits regarding punctuality. If someone in the group is regularly late, blame your own cultural standards, sent in a text message, well out of turnaround range.
The Stingy One
As a former Bourbon Street bartender, I always tip well. In countries where gratuity is expected – especially where tips are half or more of a server’s earnings – it chaps my hide to share a bill with others who don’t include it.
Tip: That person who stiffed the server may come from a country where tipping isn’t common. Have a quiet word the first time, coerce the greedy git the next time through loud and public shaming: ‘And how much of a tip will YOU add?’
The Unprepared One
Guilty! But as someone who travels light, I know how to replace the things I forgot to pack. Toiletries in foreign languages can be a window into culture. Polish skincare products are amazing. Thank Gott that the German anise-flavoured toothpaste was a travel size: superyuck.
Tip: There’s almost always a place nearby for essentials. Everywhere sells hair brushes; no need to share yours.
The Rude One
Ok, there are two categories: accidentally rude and intentionally rude. For example: an accidentally rude person may not know you have to doff your shoes when entering a home in some countries; an intentionally rude person knows, but stays shod anyway. Same goes for table manners, conversation topics, and speaking volume.
Tip: Quietly alert the perpetrator of the offense; keep your distance if they ignore the suggestion.
The Anarchist
This person avoids everything but compulsory events and sneaks away early to do their own thing. My kinda person!
Tip: Ally yourself early on for a deeper exploration of the destination, but be prepared to get ghosted. That person might just want some down-time away from the extroverts.
The Itinerary-Militant
There’s one in every group, bless them! Get on the bus/get off the bus/pose for a group photo! Dinner at 7, you can’t change your meal choices! Sheesh, what a thankless job.
Tip: Consider the time this person spent planning and budgeting every aspect of the trip. Would it really hurt you to spend a few hours each day following the itinerary?
The Complainer
Having read over what I’ve written, I realise that I fall into most of these categories, including this one. It’s so easy to complain on a group trip abroad, so many types of people to complain about. But wait – ah, hubris – that might be you!
Tip: Manage your frustration levels with these tips and enjoy the destination.
