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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you take a speaker on a solo holiday?

266 replies

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:18

To use in your Airbnb and on the beach?

OP posts:
SandAndSea · 07/06/2026 22:22

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

No. I live by the sea. Other people playing music on the beach is annoying.

Fine for your private accommodation though.

AxolotlEars · 07/06/2026 22:19

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

Nope!

sohard · 07/06/2026 22:15

I don’t want to hear other people’s music in public.

SpottyDeckchair · 07/06/2026 22:13

OMG you're one of those people who can't cope with silence & thinks that everyone wants to hear their music

Newsflash - nobody else wants to hear your music

DO NOT use a speaker on the beach, in the garden or on the balcony.

Use headphones

If you use a speaker indoors be aware of the volume. The surrounding 10 houses do not want to listen to your shit music.

AnnPerkins · 07/06/2026 22:02

I’m a grumpy old fart and I’ve never heard of Olivia Dean but I really don’t mind people playing music on the beach. If it’s not too loud it just sort of blends in with the whole soundscape of waves, seagulls, kids playing, people chatting, random bits of music drifting on the breeze…
And OP your pizza and cocktail on the beach plan sounds great. Presumably as you’ll be on your own enjoying the sunset you’re planning some chilled tunes rather than euro pop at full blast because that would be weird.

RachelGreep87 · 07/06/2026 22:01

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:41

Firstly, it’s not shite.

Secondly, it’s really common for my area? You always get groups down at the beach at the weekend listening to music.

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You must live up north

wheresthesnowgone · 07/06/2026 21:57

I don't want to sit on a beach listening to someone else's choice of music. I want to hear the waves lapping the shore and sea birds.

Take ear buds.

SoggyTissue · 07/06/2026 21:53

I think this is a wind up. Like, why even ask if you should pack a speaker? Are you age 10 and need packing advice?

LakieLady · 07/06/2026 21:52

Newstartplease24 · 07/06/2026 19:44

It’s ok for people not to mind - lucky them. But if you do mind, everything is fucked

anyone who knows any secret quiet swimming places please pm me and I promise I won’t tell a soul and will treat them well . ESP in lakes like Coniston water, where the once beautiful beach is now a hell hole

Horsey Mere in Norfolk. I've swum there several times and never seen anyone in the water apart from the people I've been with.

Not sure how easy it is to get to by road/foot though, I was on a sailing holiday.

5foot5 · 07/06/2026 21:46

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:32

Because I feel like it’s dangerous to always have headphones on, especially when you’re alone on the beach in the evening.

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Do you always have to have background noise / music to enjoy yourself?

2pence · 07/06/2026 21:41

I think British Transport are issuing fines for ‘bare beating’. I blame Apple for removing the headphones Jack so people are forced to buy ear buds. However, people don’t buy ear buds, instead people seemed to have evolved to not recognise when their behaviour is completely unreasonable, invasive and negatively impacting others. This thread is a perfect example of this new social inadequacy. We’re all doomed I tell you, doomed!!!

YourShyLion · 07/06/2026 21:36

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

You're on the wind up aren't you 😏 Noone thinks a speaker on the beach or anywhere public is ok and you know it 🙄

LakieLady · 07/06/2026 21:36

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

It being "an open area" is precisely why you shouldn't do it!

People inflicting their musical preferences on anyone who happens to be within earshot is really anti-social imo.

Mumofyellows · 07/06/2026 21:34

As others have said yes to air bnb but no to on the beach, that’s what headphones are for.

2pence · 07/06/2026 21:33

I had this on a coach trip I did recently. They were sat in front so I sang along and kicked their chair in beat with the drums. They switched their tinny little disco off after Toni Basil’s Mickey! Boooo!

SevenYellowHammers · 07/06/2026 21:32

Yes

ERthree · 07/06/2026 21:29

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

Bloody arrogant thing to do.

Cooshawn · 07/06/2026 21:28

If I were king of the world I'd make it legally acceptable to pick up any personal speakers on a beach and launch them into the sea. Ditto swimming pools.

Nobody wants to hear your music. I don't want to hear any music at the beach. I want to hear the water and enjoy the peace.

Jellox · 07/06/2026 21:26

Why do posters do this - ask for advice but are still adamant that they’re right, even though everyone says they’re wrong.

OP do what you want.
You’re obviously ok with embarrassing yourself and looking like a twat.

Summerbay23 · 07/06/2026 21:24

Callmeback · 07/06/2026 20:16

I'm no fan of the OP's antisocial choices but it's pretty patronising to suggest she's lonely because she's solo travelling.

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To be fair I don’t think she’s solo travelling because she’s lonely but probably because she’s a rude, selfish, ever so slightly antisocial person who people don’t particularly want to hang out with.

Figgygal · 07/06/2026 21:22

Speakers on the beach will have you be "that" person
Don't do it

ParmaVioletTea · 07/06/2026 21:19

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:54

Where did I say that? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have a plan for one night - to sit at the beach, eating a pizza with a cocktail at sunset. Hardly sitting in the dark on the beach every night

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And you're going to inflict your noise on anyone else who might just want to listen to the waves on the beach.

What an anti-social wanker.

shhblackbag · 07/06/2026 21:19

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

You're presumably not 20 years old and going to Ibiza or wherever. Just don't.

ParmaVioletTea · 07/06/2026 21:16

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

NO, it's definitely NOT OK.

Why do you think you can inflict your noise on others? Are you 6 years old?

Pistachiocake · 07/06/2026 21:06

Not unless I did dance/exercise routines, and on holiday I personally don't. But if you like having music playing, and don't like stuff in your ears (a lot od people don't) then why not, if there's no one close enough to be bothered by the noise?