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!

Ugh, this happened to us a few years back. We had our 17 year old DD with us. We'd booked an extremely nice all inclusive hotel in Madeira at the last minute, because DD was recovering from some major surgery and we thought a couple of weeks lying in the sun would do her good. Family with three kids latched onto her, and because she was nice to the kids they tried to treat her like an unpaid nanny. Last straw was them buggering off to the pool bar leaving her in charge of the kids. I put my foot down after the third day, explained to the parents that she was not to be disturbed and sent the kids back to their parents every time they appeared. Which was every 5 bloody minutes!

This is why I never go to a resort

Same! God, the last thing I want on my holiday is to be around other people!

OP, sounds like you were too friendly at the start! Work on your aloofness for next time and then these ppl won't even approach you in the first place

Oh dear poor you! I am like you, I'm afraid, in that I would do almost anything to avoid rudeness to strangers - utterly ridiculous, I know. However, I would get so wound up that I would end up roaring at them "OH MY GOD WILL YOU JUST BOG OFF!!". That would work

One of the times I'm glad I'm a miserable bitch

OP how I feel for you. This is one of my worst nightmares.

I know this is bad, but whilst I don't discourage it, I don't actively encourage our 2 DB's to make friends when on holiday for fear of having to talk to the parents....and even worse, meet up with them in the evening

Honestly, the people suggesting you tell them to fuck off bluntly haven't got a clue about the real world.

I think the only thing you can do now is to stop engaging with them - if they sit next to you and start talking just go "mmmm" and don't have a conversation, just keep reading your book, blank them.

If they ask are you going to beach, just reply: "no" - don't follow up with a "maybe later" that they can latch onto.

If they join you for drinks this evening, turn your back on themot move chairs round and have a very intense private conversation with your DH. Don't chat to them, just smile and turn your heads away. Move and sit somewhere else if necessary.

And don't engage with their kids either, just ignore them.

TBH my own DP is a bit of a latcher on, he loves chatting with strangers and gets all excited about making new friends. I really have to rein him in during holidays.

I am quite shy and not confrontational 😔 so I can't tell then to piss off. Kids club is on and 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.

OH taking a hit for the team right there! Enjoy the beach time Poison!

Just tell your DH that you want him to come with you!

If they say they are coming, just say "No, We want to be alone"

Exactly puppy you cannot tell well meaning people, however bloody annoying, to "fuck off". Say you are reading a book, smile, ignore. Keep doing this even they will get the message.

We have NEVER had this problem, firstly as we don't usually stay in resorts and secondly DH. He spends his life dealing with difficult people and will not even holiday with people we like let alone hang out with randoms. One glance from him and latchers scuttle off, never to be seen again. I should hire him out

Why would your H go off with them anyway- he's a grown man fgs.

Say to them you've had some bad news from home and you need to be alone as a family!!
Hate lying but I think this situation calls for it!!!

Your H is a loon. He needs to say, NO, I just want to sit here in peace, please ask someone else.

Go to the beach, but he needs to know that he comes on afterwards and leaves them at the hotel.

He can tell them that you want to be alone with the family, shrug his shoulders and let you carry it.

You can say that you are feeling a little claustrophobic and would welcome some space.

You have my full sympathy OP. I hate people that do that on holiday to you

They have very bad manners to impose themselves upon you to such an extreme, with no active encouragement. I'm very polite and unassertive but I would still have allowed my irritation to show after a couple of days of this. It wouldn't be that rude to say in a friendly voice (hint of steel) "We'd like to have some space now, thank you. And to spend some time as a family/couple". Or even "Please could you give us some space for a while". If it makes them question their behaviour then you're doing them and other holidaymakers a favour.

Christ they sound unhinged! And if my DH sacked me off for some weirdo stalkers I'd be feeding him his balls!

They literally put him on the spot...so I'm going to the beach on my own

Right, now say "Come on OH, we are going to the beach now, see you tomorrow!!!"

Why should you go to the beach on your own? This is your holiday.

They guilt tripped you into giving up sun loungers, ruined quiet drinks and generally your holiday.
It doesn't have to be rude but you don't owe them anything - not an apology or a made up excuse. Just say that you'd rather relax in your own and would appreciate more time with each other.

Wow OP, you and your DH sound as bad as each other. I was very sympathetic at first but must admit I'm starting to lose patience with you (both). You don't have to be rude to them, just politely say "I want to spend a bit of romantic time alone with my husband" and smile. Job done.

There are times when it pays to be anti-social and have a healthy dose of selfishness and this is one of them.

YOUR holiday, YOU choose what to do. Not some random people who happen to be staying in the same place.

Your DH should have said "no, I'd rather be with my wife. See you later"

I've never quite understood why it is considered to be so rude to be anti-social but not rude to insist in engagement from other people.

On engagement not in.

Oh God. We are going on holiday next week and this is my worst nightmare - even more so for DH as he is about as introverted as they come.
We have perfected the sunglasses on, books to the ready, talking to family only, "fuck off" vibe and will pour it on thick while we're there.

Jesus Christ op, there's non confrontational, then there's being completely wet!?

You and your dh have now been separated for the last day of your fucking holiday?

What are the pair of you on?

I don't interact with anyone on holidays unless absolutely necessary. I wouldn't be comfortable either been outright rude but at this stage it's well needed op.

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