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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get annoyed with people who judge beach holidays?

297 replies

3DStanley · 28/05/2017 20:57

I get really annoyed with the type of people who say 'Oh I could never lie on the beach for two weeks, you must be so bored!' and act like the only valid use of my precious two weeks off a year is trekking barefoot through the Andes teaching orphans English.

I get especially annoyed because 95% of them seem to earn lots of money for jobs with very little stress.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Okite · 29/05/2017 06:36

Seriously, if you get intellectual stimulation for fifty weeks a year and you can't slow down and sunbathe for 14 days, you might not be very comfortable with yourself
Really? Hmm
I've never sunbathed, I don't like heat and can't bear to sit in the sun. Beaches don't much interest me.
I'd be very happy to spend 2 weeks reading in a cabin in a forest though.

HappyJanuary · 29/05/2017 06:42

They're allowed to think that a beach holiday is their idea of hell, because people have different holiday tastes.

But it's extremely rude to say it, and suggests a sense of superiority, that you're wasting your two weeks lazing about while they stuff their kids full of culture and adventure.

I enjoy both. Whenever people comment negatively on a beach holiday I think it's a shame they enjoy culture but haven't learnt manners.

sashh · 29/05/2017 06:43

A beach holiday would be my idea of hell, but if you like it, go enjoy.

I have a genuine question though.

If you are going to spend 2 weeks by the pool/on the beach why do some people go long haul? If you are going to a beach in July then Spain has lots of beaches and sunshine, I get it, you want a beach and sun, fine. What I don't understand is why someone would go on a 12 hour flight to do the same thing?

NotYoda · 29/05/2017 06:46

I love the idea of a holiday where you just sleep and read all the time, but not on a beach.

I love love love the seaside for beachcombing, rock-pooling, watching the waves, and bodyboarding, but I can't sunbathe anymore and the sand irritates me.

I'd rather sit under the dappled shad of a tree for two weeks

Westray · 29/05/2017 06:47

What I don't understand is why someone would go on a 12 hour flight to do the same thing?

Really.

Long haul means the sea is clearer, the sand is finer, the wildlife and food more interesting.

to get annoyed with people who judge beach holidays?
NotYoda · 29/05/2017 06:47

sashh

I also wonder that

Billben · 29/05/2017 06:57

I couldn't lie on a beach for two weeks either I'm afraid. Would bore me to death. I hate heat and I get fidgety. But I don't judge people for it. I also wouldn't go on holiday where you do something strenuous each day.

cushioncovers · 29/05/2017 07:00

I'm a bit like that- I cant relax by relaxing- I find it more relaxing to have something to focus on, but nothing too taxing.

^^ this.

Westray · 29/05/2017 07:00

It's the "boredom" and doing nothing that I need.

My life is mega busy. It takes a few days to wind down on a beach holiday, to lose that sense of having stuff to do.
Then you are able to sit and watch clouds, or an ant carrying a crumb.

It's part of the process.

wornoutboots · 29/05/2017 07:03

beaches are for walking on, playing on, paddling...

not for lying on!

SelkieQualia · 29/05/2017 07:04

Sashh - because the mediterrainian is cool and all, but the beaches are not much compared to Australia/ South Pacific.

SelkieQualia · 29/05/2017 07:05

Please excuse crappy spelling. Damn phone.

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 29/05/2017 08:30

Surely it comes down to how people relax, some people can switch off and just relax on a beach whereas other people need to be doing stuff to relax.

Like on my day off, I like to lounge about and play a few video games where my colleague likes to go to the other side of the country and attend an craft or antique fair all in a day.

TheNaze73 · 29/05/2017 08:39

YANBU. Do what you want & to fuck what anyone else says.

hula008 · 29/05/2017 08:40

I'm a bit snobby about holidays but don't discuss this with people unless they ask. Generally though, I like to be somewhere with a beach, but lots of other bits to explore as well. Best of both worlds.

I also don't think a laze around beach holiday is particularly less stressful or more relaxing than any other type of holiday so the argument of "Oh if you can't relax.." is a bit off the mark.

LadyPW · 29/05/2017 08:42

I could never lie on a beach for 2 weeks because I would get bored. But I wouldn't criticise others for it. I'd be happy having two weeks in a shady spot with a pile of books and enough other things to go and do if I wanted when I got fidgety. I struggle to lie on the sofa and watch a film for a couple of hours though - I'm terrible at just relaxing unless I can really lose myself in a book.

treaclesoda · 29/05/2017 08:51

I wouldn't enjoy a beach holiday myself but I'm in total agreement with the OP that there's nothing more tedious than someone who considers themselves superior because they have travelled as opposed to us mere mortals who have just visited some places.

hmcAsWas · 29/05/2017 08:53

I hate beach holidays. I do find them boring, however I would never say this to someone discussing their beach holiday as that would be rude. I'd ask about it and show interest....

MoominFlaps · 29/05/2017 08:54

I don't really like holidays at all. Now THAT gets judged.

hmcAsWas · 29/05/2017 08:57

"It seems that all the people who 'travel' have loads of holidays, money and fairly stress free lives"

This though isn't strictly true. In our case whilst I don't have a great deal of stress, dh is stressed to the eyeballs.

ChickenBhuna · 29/05/2017 09:04

We don't like 'beach' holidays because we're all crap with the heat but I wouldn't judge anyone that does.

Also we're definitely not rich and with stress free jobs! Our holidays are uk based , very kid friendly and to the most interesting place we can afford.

Beaches are great for a picnic and a paddle but I couldn't lay there all day without wanting to explore the area.

Do what you want OP but please don't think that us 'beach haters' are all rich explorer types!

BrieAndChilli · 29/05/2017 09:06

In my youth I went to places like Tenerife where you went out all night and then spent the day lounging by the pool.
I couldn't do that now, and DH would be bored within a couple of days. We have been travelling for months at a time and like city breaks with lots of sightseeing/museums.
Money has dictated the past 10 years since we had kids that we do things like camping (where half your day is taken up by cooking/walking to the toilet/etc) or visits friends in London/MIL in Devon.

We are however this year going to the south of France for a 'beach' holiday. The campsite has several pools and we will have a couple of chill days but we have also scheduled in some days out.

We are all so knackered at the moment we are actually looking forward to doing nothing this time!

MaisyPops · 29/05/2017 09:07

I am starting to suspect that you are one of these people who does this to people, and the comments on here are hitting a raw nerve. That's why you're getting defensive and accusing people of 'having a chip on their shoulder.' I certainly don't have one; I just hate arrogant narcissistic wankers who are so full of themselves that they think I need their cunty opinions on my life choices.
Well, that's delightful. But thanks for resorting to name calling and abusive language. Very well reasoned.

People can be annoyed at people voicing negative views of their holiday all they like. Personally, in polite chatter with an acquatience I'd not say that I don't get beach holidays or explain why I don't like them.

Different company then maybe I would, because my friends and family equally mock my holiday choices.

What makes me think of chips on shoulders is when people decide "somebody doesn't like my beach holiday. They MUST be a snob". To me THAT is a chip on the shoulder. I really done get how anyone can go from 'somebody doesn't like my holiday' to 'they must be a snob' (which is what I've seen repeatedly on this thread).

As I've pointed it repeatedly, it's NOTHING to do with being snobby. I wouldn't like 2 weeks on a beach whether it's a 3 package holiday or a 5 luxury resort. It's NOT to do with snobby and everything to do with holiday preferences.

And that repeated jump to accusing people of being snobby on my thread is why I said it makes me think of chips on shoulders.

FlyingElbows · 29/05/2017 09:08

We're doing the whole Orlando thing next year along with a Disney cruise! I can hear my intellectual snob mother imploding from here!! We're going for Halloween horror nights at universal and my bucket of fucks is indeed empty. We've never had a proper holiday and I fully expect some sort of qualification and graduation ceremony when I'm done organising this one. Who knew going to theme parks could be so damn complicated?!

MrsJayy · 29/05/2017 09:13

Only thing i will advise about orlando is take a day off you will fizzle away if you don't and enjoy i love universal studios can take or leave Disney

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