Be honest, how do you feel when somebody tells you they’re going on holiday on their own?

[Zippityjumpingbean]

So, I suppose this is vaguely inspired by the thread about the lady volunteering at a festival in her van, also inspired by the fact that I have just booked my first Solo holiday in 14 years (since before DC were born) I’m ridiculously excited about it and I love holidaying alone but the first person I told about about it I got the sympathetic head tilt and “I’m sure you’ll still have fun though”

So , be honest, if you hear about somebody holidaying alone how does it make you feel?
Do you honestly feel a bit sad/sorry for them even if you don’t voice it?

I love travelling on my own, I enjoy the peace and quiet to choose what I want to do when I want to do and I like my own company.

Feeling sorry for me would be a wasted emotion.

I travel alone sometimes aswell, I always feel a bit weird telling people as I think some might think I’m a looser, honestly I would rather go on my own than go with others who are possibly going to cramp my style

I’d probably think ooh lovely and then never give it a second thought.

Blimey! I’ve been single for 25 years and never even thought about what other people might be thinking about my solo trips 🤷‍♀️ Honestly…get new friends if this is the response! Bloody rude of her!! My friends wouldn’t dream of being so rude.

Same here

I love going on holiday alone. But then my holidays are more out and doing things, not lying on a beach. I'd find that very boring alone, although even in company it's not really my thing. That said, if someone else enjoys it, good for them!

I've had so many random conversations with strangers that I don't think would have happened, had I not been alone. Those have been fun. I love getting up when I want, going where I want, eating when and what I want etc etc. Just zero compromise.

I generally find other people hard work. Went away with a friend once, god it was excruciating. Never again! My ex liked to ruin any time we had away together. The only people I can happily holiday with are my adult DC and we often will separate for some days/activities and meet up for dinner or whatever.

If someone felt sorry for me, well I also feel sorry for them that they can't do these things alone. Enjoying your own company is a real positive imo. People who need other people to be able to do anything are at a disadvantage.

Do you honestly feel a bit sad/sorry for them even if you don’t voice it?

God, no!

Envious of their self-confidence! Certain that they will have an amazing time because they know how to, and don't depend upon others for their happiness.

I’d think they are a wonderful free spirit and leading their best life

Jealous.

"You lucky bastard", or words to that effect.

I don’t feel anything.
I’ve been away by myself a few times on holiday. I’ve also been away for months at a time by myself when I was in my 20s.

The person doing the head tilt; it’s probably just not something they’ve ever experienced or would imagine they’d enjoy.

Love a solo holiday, do one every year.

Tbh the most frustrating bit of holidaying on my own is other people trying to chat to me (usually in restaurants) as, I can only assume, they feel sorry for me and think I want the company. No, random person who thinks they are being kind, I really do not 😣..

That fantastic!

I go on holiday alone usually every year. It’s wonderful. It’s not because I’m a saddo who has no one to go with me. I have Dh and dc and friends. I literally do not want to holiday with them! 😂

We do have lots of time away as a family. I’ve also had many years of travelling with friends and I truly do not want to spend a precious few days of peace with any of them. I want to be alone, going to museums I want to go to, reading books, eating out in peace at restaurants I choose. It’s great. More people should do it.

That said, I’ve been travelling solo since I was probably 17.

Envious! I know both old and young who go away alone - not "travelling" as such but your standard holiday or city break. I see it as if some people were waiting for someone to go with them, they might be waiting a while and life's too short.
A good few I know who holiday solo have now built friendships with locals and also other travellers when away and whilst they're "solo" they've got plenty of friends to meet up with! It's also a good way of seeing what you actually want to see etc without others interfering with your interests and plans.

I don't feel any different to when a couple or family say they're going on holiday. I've been on solo holidays and will probably do so again in the future. The difference really doesn't make me think anything different. Nor have I experienced any "looks" when I've told people I'm going away on my own - perhaps I just havn't noticed. Is the OP sure they're not just projecting their own opinions onto others??

I don't "feel" anything about it. I'm sure some people would enjoy a holiday on their own while others wouldn't see the appeal.

I've known 2 people (both married, both mothers) go on 'solo holidays' which were actually exit strategy affairs. So if I was invested in the holiday maker's marriage I would be telling myself not to put my foot in it my mentioning that under any circumstances!

I still vividly recall waiting in a horrendous queue at an airport in Greece (it was the year Athens hosted the Olympics and security had been upped). In front of me was a man and woman with two small girls (guessing something like 5 and 6). The woman was running around trying to keep both children in check. Been there done that.

I was alone and reading and pushing my suitcase along as required. Mother and I got into a conversation. She asked if I had holidays alone,when I confirmed that I had, she said I was very brave.

I'm brave? Id just spent four weeks on an idyllic Greek island doing what I wanted when I wanted. I guess she had spent her time running around after her children. I think she was the brave one.

I've done that and loved doing it, but now was My time, a time where I didn't have to consider someone else's needs, just mine.

That's what I think about people who holiday alone.

jealous

Insanely jealous. My idea of absolute bliss!

I would love it so much it is something I will do one day. I would go to the beach. Long walks, brunch, swimming, an evening walk and shopping would be my main focus. The rest of the time I would watch movies in my hotel room.

My only battle would be that I have a clingy sister who would shoe-in on my holiday if I said I had such plans.

So if it does happens (hopefully), I will keep it very quiet and have a great time alone!

Jealous!! I use to love travelling alone!! Enjoy

I holiday alone and do long stints of travel so to me it would be a very normal thing to do and I’d want to know where you were going and what you were planning to do. I’m curious that some people think it’s brave or impressive though! Fair enough not everyone wants to do 6 weeks hiking around Mongolia but what’s brave or impressive about a week in a hotel in Majorca alone?

This. ^