Is there some all-inclusive social etiquette I seem to have missed?

[packingcubes]

Just curious really…

I’ve just got back from holiday and all the reviews and Facebook groups absolutely RAVE about the animation team- how friendly they are, how inclusive they are and how they chat with everyone, they are the second family etc.

Meanwhile, I got asked once if I wanted to do aqua aerobics and once if I wanted to buy a kids T-shirt… and that was it. I kept seeing them sitting and chatting with other guests very regularly, hugging there children etc so I started wondering if there’s some kind of secret all inclusive social code that I completely missed. Even my kids were pretty much ignored (although they couldn’t care less or even notice)

I’m genuinely not annoyed, just a bit baffled because I’m friendly and chatty and was by myself too with the children… yet I somehow seemed to be invisible.

It did have me wondering whether there’s some kind of all-inclusive etiquette I’ve somehow missed… or whether I just really am the least interesting person on the resort

I always found the animation teams were good at picking up on the "social clues" as to whether to approach you or not. The hotel won't want them annoying guests who aren't interested. Things like you not making eye contact with them, appearing to be "busy" doing something else, or even more subtle things like avoiding people lying quietly in a corner of the pool surroundings. They'll "home in" on the more outgoing/extraverted looking people - the ones already chatting with other strangers, the ones who chose the sunbeds in the "busy" area of the pool area. They'll also remember who they've asked before, who wasn't interested and who joined in, so they know who to approach when they're organising the pool volleyball etc, i.e. those more likely to partake. They don't just randomly go around asking everyone for every time there's something going on.

You use kids club and are one of these parents that want to join in every activity going . I prefer to be ignored 🤣

I expect some are locals and I also suspect those that use the kids club get to know people more :)

Rest assured OP the ‘animation’ (never heard of that) team will have forgotten all those ‘friends for life’ when the next load of guests arrive.

I think it just depends on how many activities you do. One spring my DH and I went away on our own and it was the first week of the season for the Tui Blu team and activities. We both did everything, sunset yoga, paddleboard yoga, watercolour sessions, shuffleboard, nature walks, you name it we did it. After a day or two we were like old friends with the team, it was actually really nice.
It happened other year in Turkey and Italy too, my DC signed themselves up for everything and my family did a lot of boules and archery together and we really got on with the staff.

I always leave the Facebook group straight away.

Me too.

I've never been anywhere that called them the animation team tbf

I know exactly what you mean! When they’re on first name terms with other guests, sit and chat, high five around resort. Some were even whatsapping the kids to arrange stuff last time we were on holiday! Meanwhile
im wondering how you get included in all this!

"One evening the entertainer said "if this is your first time here, give us a cheer" the second, third etc."

Good grief, that sounds just like Pontins and Butlins back in the 1970s.

Some people join in every activity, and also go every year. There are people that literally go for the activities.

Only ever had one good one, still friends with her 14yrs on, she used to take all the kids from the kids club to lunch with her. My kids loved her, and she was so good with them. She was probably about 20, and it’s been nice to see her travel the world and now settle down. It was amazing being able to sunbathe on holiday, knowing kids were safe and having fun. Never found another as good as her though.

We went to a hotel with reviews like this, naming members of the team. Realised when we were there they were going round encouraging ppl to leave reviews, begging to be named and even had QR codes on the back of their lanyards to take you straight to the TA page. They came round when you were waiting for the coach transfer back to the airport as they had you trapped there! Made me even more suspicious of OTT reviews.

My niece works as crew on Caribbean/ med yacht charters ( think Below Deck) so slightly different but I did ask her about the guests and she said some are completely formal and by the end of the week it’s still “sir”
and “ma’am” and some are very friendly and will ask the crew to join them for drinks/ are interested in talking to them. She says the thing is that you don’t have the option not to socialise with them if they want you to so it’s not an equal relationship/ genuine friendship even though some of them are v nice and interesting people and it’s no hardship to chat and have a drink with them. I imagine AI is similar in that you probably genuinely like some of the guests but you’ve got to remember why you’re there.

Anything including an “animation team” would have me running for the hills; how very 1970s. You had a lucky escape OP 😄

They are very common in AI resorts. Being alarmed, unsettled, sneery would indicate you didn't really do your research before booking your holiday.
The things they offer are obviously popular for the guests that book those resorts.

I had similar in a Premier Inn.
It was a PI, you know....a place to get my head down for the night after a party.
The front desk lady was helpful to be sure. Got me an iron.
She then pushed and pushed me to give her a review.
You know, I would have done (no bother for me), except while I was waiting for my taxi, out of her line of sight, she proceeded to eat a meal and burp a lot.

Is it maybe that these families visit the same destination (possibly even the same week) yearly and have got to know the staff over the years?

I had the same in a 5 star hotel in Dubai, where we have stayed more times than I can count. Suddenly staff approached you with stupid cards with qr codes to give reviews.

too soon?

Some tipping going on to get into the best bits. And/or If you decline the first you are not their people.

She's not allowed to eat? Probably a minimum wage job.

They usually know the kids through the kids club … did yours go?

I don’t want to listen to anyone burping.

Stupid comment