Being latched onto abroad! NOW

[Poisongirl81]

Help! We don't want to appear rude but we are in Spain with my toddler and another couple have latched onto us for a week now...they have 3 dc and are different ages to ours 🙂 today we got up early to put towels down but they spotted us and so sad next to us...again! We can't move our towels now as it would be rude. We just want to chill and read but they talk all day mainly at us!

Practice practice practice!! Thanks for asking me that's so kind of you but that doesn't fit with my plans! Sorry!! Etc etc

Even if you can't bring yourself to be totally blunt, you should be able to manage this!

Also, how about "No thanks, it's our last day and we really just want to spend some time by ourselves". "No, we're grand just as we are, thanks."

And repeat.

"Could you PLEASE leave us alone to enjoy our hard earned holiday" would have been my considered response to this after barely a day.

These types do not recognise hints, however large and obvious. Being blunt, direct and often even downright rude is the only way. Don't be afraid to use it. Grow some rhino hide.

Arrrrgh!!!! Come on OP and OPs DH, put your big girl/boy pants on FFS.

Hints arent working now, you need to go with my "::::::::::::::::fake laugh after something they have said:::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::happy false sigh::::::::::::::::::::: anyway, think we're just going to chill and enjoy whats left of our holiday now with each other and the DC, we don't get much family alone time, so its been great, hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and we'll probably not see you now so have a safe trip back home" and then go somewhere if you must, dont allow them to respond, just start walking off. If they come up to you again just be cool with them, if they ask you to go somewhere just say "no, like I said we're just going to chill ALONE now, enjoy whatever it is you are doing"

Come on OP, theres not being confrontational and theres being a soggy pink blancmange........ you got this!!!

Cannot believe you've let them dominate your entire holiday like that! Don't let them do it a moment longer. This is my idea of hell! Just say 'we're leaving soon, we'd like some time alone while dc is in kids club' say bye and physically turn your back on them! Get your husband on side and stand up for yourselves!!

Jesus Christ OP, do something !!!!!!!

It does sound like you guys are maybe a little too nice for your own good! If they asked me to go in the water with them and I didn't want to I'd just say "no thanks, I'm going to read my book for a bit". No putting on the spot about it!!

can you try appealing to the man who just doesn't seem to get it- " I really need to spend some of this holiday just me and DH, sorry I'm taking him with me", grab DH and disappear without waiting for or ignoring any response. He may think you crazy but hey who cares, you need to do something

"But now they are using him as a bloody photographer."

"Actually, DH is legally not allowed to take photos of minors, sorry."

You'll never see them again.

Never apologise and never explain.

Do you want to go to the beach-

No thanks.

Stop getting into a conversation with them
And never explain and nver apologise!

Too late for you OP but top tip for future latcher-free holidays - never remove your sunglasses when outside your room. That way you avoid the eye contact that these folks see as an invitation.

StormTreader that is hilarious!

It's all about people pleasing, not 'being nice'

Isn't that the same thing?

I bet the writers of benidorm are reading this as inspiration of the next season's plot!!

Even reading this has been so stressful I've been internally screaming "Please just LEAVE US ALONE!!!"

It might be rude to actually vocalise that but if I've waited 50 weeks to go on our holiday and get to see DH's face not bathed in the light of a computer screen, then I would. In fact I probably wouldn't be able to help it.

WHY are you putting up with this?! Either they aren't picking up the social cues that you don't want to engage with them, or you aren't making those social cues clear enough that they can't possibly misconstrue your meaning. Either way, you'll have to ramp it up and say clearly what you want...

I have nothing constructive to say, only that this is my idea of a bloody nightmare!

Reminds me of the overbearing couple in this......:o

OP, if you want to spend what time is left, agonising over these fools on the internet....plese continue.

The fact that you're so unable to say anything is incredible! just tell them to fuck off !!!

Oh this sounds awful.

I empathise - I generally have no problem being assertive but it is hard to effectively tell someone that their friendly overtures are too much and not welcome. They must have the thick skin of a rhino!

they have just asked my oh to go in the water with them...they want to take photos. They literally put him on the spot...so I'm going to the beach on my own.
And he didn't say "sorry, not at the moment, I'm trying to have a peaceful read of my book" because??????
This is like my mum - complains like hell about situations but ignores all useful advice on how to avoid them. Drives me bonkers.

That sounds the pits.

I like to have peace and quiet on holiday, and this sounds hell.

Dh would like to sit and talk to people, I'd quite happily ignore them even though I'm a chatterbox.

When we were on honeymoon, a couple latched onto us. They told us a story about how they ran out of money on one holiday and another couple bailed them out. At that point we backed off...

Life is all about choices. And choosing how you want to feel. These people are currently choosing for you. Not good.

I don't even think that's entirely true. The OP does have a choice. She's choosing dropping slightly passive-aggressive little hints and not getting to spend any time with her DH on holiday while seething on the internet, rather choosing than the short-term embarrassment of being politely assertive.

There's clearly some psychological payoff in not being assertive that's worth having had their holiday made less pleasant by unwanted company, or being assertive on day one would have been a no-brainer, but the OP would have to tell us what it is. Is it really worth the annoyance to feel 'I wasn't rude'?

Give me£1500 OP and I won't pester you.

As essentially you're pissing your money away.

Be firm. I know it's hard I'm a natural people pleaser - but it's just got ridiculous.