To be annoyed at my friend for arranging drinks with strangers on holiday

This /\

This is why holidays with friends can be tricky. I don't think either approach is wrong but they are a bit incompatible. The offer has been made so I think you should try to make the best of it.

God you sound abit miserable op. Your friends sounds fun.

Go and meet them and have a laugh. 🙄

Well whatever you decided I hope you had a nice night.
Just on the “friends” thing- they aren’t your friends, there’s not need to make a big fuss over something really small.

I'd feel really claustrophobic if I went on holiday with a friend who didn't want to chat to anyone else we met.

You’re on holiday. Relax. One drink with some friendly people is something to enjoy. Don’t be a stick in the mud - it’s not a big deal. If the chemistry is off people will feel it and go their separate ways

I do agree the nature of AI where you spend a lot more time around the hotel is probably more conducive to chatting to randoms than going on a SC or B&B type place where you’re out for meals and drinks so less likely to be arranging meet ups.

Mentioning to others in an AI bar you'll be there about 7pm if they are around for a cocktail isn't really the definition of "inviting strangers for a drink".

It's a hotel. Everyone is strangers and everyone eats and drinks together in the same restaurant and bar and no one is paying or expected to,dog for a round!

The nature of AI especially is often you go in for a drink and end up chatting to lots of people - thee aren't usually enough tables for every hotel room to have 1 each!

Maybe you should try solo travel going forward

I agree with this. I totally get where you’re coming from, but you never know, it might be fun. If they’re not great company you can always make your excuses tomorrow.

That would annoy me too. I'm not interested in making random 'friends' on holiday though and small talk bores the life out of me.

I would absolutely hate this but I’m autistic and find socialising really difficult anyway lol

If you were only away for a night or 2, then I would be a bit peeved.

But if you’re there for a week or something then it’s absolutely fine and you’ll probably have a laugh.

Absolutely. It's not a slur, it's just the reality. I'm sure my traveling companion is very glad to never travel with me again. Or actually, travel, because it's not her happy place.

I’d hate this too. I’ll chat to anyone but wouldn’t want to make any arrangements with strangers on holiday.

I'm surprised at the responses so far! If I went on holiday with a friend I'd want to hang out with them, not random people. Partly cos it's easier to chill and not be "on" all the time.

Also as you say, if they're actually staying at your resort, you're potentially setting a pattern for hanging out together the whole holiday.

People are saying the OP can say "no thanks" but that's going to be tricky without looking standoffish.

This would annoy me too. I'm all for chatting to randoms on holiday (went backpacking round the world solo in my 20s and it'd have been a bit of a lonely trip if I never struck up a conversation with anyone!) if everyone involved is happy to go along with the plan and is aware it's being made. I'd think the lack of prior discussion here to be a bit off, and would say so, but would also go along for said cocktail and see how it pans out.

I'm sure it's nothing personal but she might find the idea of a resort holiday with one person a bit intense and be happy to dilute the company/ conversation a bit (although I'm sure it's lovely company, I get that you're venting here). for your part, you're very sociable for work so this being nice to strangers thing is a bit of a busman's holiday. seeing as it's arranged, I would go with the flow for tonight if they do turn up but be politely clear with your friend that you're not looking to necessarily do that every night if need be. If she is, you can't stop her but you don't need to stay in the room alone. You can have evenings apart. go with an open mind, you might really enjoy it.

I think it is rude.
However, go down have a drink or two and leave them to it if you can't be arsed.
I can understand you not wanting to make small talk, but be open to it and clear off if it doesn't suit you.

Ah the best of friends are always made on holiday (until you never speak to them again after the holiday is over…). You might actually enjoy it!

You’re getting a bit of a pasting here OP. I would feel the same as you - I’d want to be asked. I don’t want to hang out with random people on holiday.

Ideally you would’ve discussed this before going away together.

As for those saying they won’t travel again with someone who’s not into collecting randoms - maybe they’d rather not travel with you again either?

You could sit with a book if you want?

Exactly this.

It's one of the things I look for in a travel companion, the ability to collect randos. I have a friend who goes traveling with me and we talk to people wherever we go. I've also traveled with someone who never wanted to talk to anyone (for months of traveling!) and suffice to say I would never travel with her again and we aren't friends any more. She was suffocating.

But it's very personal. You've learned that she's one type of person and you're another. Suck it up for a week and don't travel with her again.

Of course you are being unreasonable.

Because you think she should have asked and you and when you said no, she shouldn’t have gone either.

You can absolutely say no. You can not want to sit and drink with other people. But you can’t also dictate that she doesn’t.