Why are people on holiday so miserable

[Angelbabygloria]

I’m on a hot Mediterranean island with DP on our annual hol. Every time we go abroad we notice how miserable / rude the majority of people are.
It’s a mixed resort - mostly older couples, quite a few families, a few younger couples. Mostly German holidaymakers, then British and then Russians.
We smile and say a quick ‘morning’ when we get in lifts etc. Rarely anybody smiles back or the most we get in a grunt.
The Older people are the worst. They look at us like we’re dog poo they’ve just stood in. They push in front and like to be the ‘first’ at everything - boarding boats, at the buffet etc.
I thought holidays are supposed to be enjoyable, happy times? I get families can get stressed with kids, but if you’re retired why can’t you enjoy these simple pleasures of nice weather, food on tap, places to lounge?
I really hope I’m not like that in 40 years

Holidays are stressful & boring a lot of the time. I’ve only had a couple of holidays where I’ve literally enjoyed every minute.

foreststew yes we are walkers, with a dog, so tend to say hi to people / receive greetings regularly and whenever we go on walking trips in the UK.

I've just been on holiday to an adults only hotel that had mostly older guests but some younger ones. Lots of nationalities. Without a doubt the older people were the most polite and friendly. Would always hold the lift, say good morning or good evening when passing. Not one of the younger people did this and it was something I noticed when I was there.

Ruined my holiday it did. I partly blamed DH too, as he kept fucking yacking to them.

I think it was entirely his fault! If he hadn't spent all that time talking to them, they probably would have left you alone, but because of his nattering, they probably felt like they knew you both, and acted like you were friends.

How do you notice all this stuff if you're so busy chatting away to your DH and having a jolly, spiffing time?

It is possible to notice other people while eating a meal and chatting to your OH. People don't wear blinkers.

i went on a cruise mostly itailians rudest people ever-they dont have the concept of queing they just look at u like youre mad and stand in front

french do it alot too

Ruined my holiday it did. I partly blamed DH too, as he kept fucking yacking to them.

Sounds like your DH wanted to chat to them. Perhaps he doesn't want to spend time with just you.

Ha ha! Only on mumsnet do people stick up for these rude fuckers, and say op has a problem!

Op I feel for you. Hope your fellow guests lighten up.

user1490607838 - sounds like DP loved their company and couldn’t stop chatting to them,!

Angel, I remember when I first moved to England (from abroad) and started going walking regularly in Oxfordshire, I was taken aback by how unfriendly other walkers were when you crossed their path, even when you were somewhere pretty unfrequented.

Just been on holiday in France - passed many older walkers who greeted us with a friendly Bonjour and I even struck up a convo with one on the best route to take. I noticed that it was mostly the British who didn't acknowledge or say hello at the campsite, however. I figured they were maybe shy or didn't notice we'd said hello; it happens!! But you know what? People of all nationalities and all cultures can be really lovely or rude gits at home or abroad.

Ha German tourists. Fond memories of holidays in Spain as a child with my mum literally racing the Germans to get towels on the sun loungers .

I think it’s a Spanish holiday thing more than anything else. I’ve avoided them as an adult, I only do city breaks now.

I completely agree with you OP! I notice this too, so many couples and families seem utterly miserable despite being in a nice resort with good food and weather. It just seems like such a chore for them, and maybe it is and they don’t really want to be there!
I think people have certain expectations of how they think their holiday will be and are naturally disappointed / look miserable if things aren’t quite as they expected.

I often think it’s the same at music concerts. Lots of people look poh faced and barely tap a foot. Why waste the money on a ticket?

I am currently on holiday and have noticed this too! In a lovely hotel on a gorgeous island. Mostly Brits. They are often rude to waiters, not each other, and many look miserable and fed up.

@aridan

user1490607838 - sounds like DP loved their company and couldn’t stop chatting to them.

Nothing gets past you does it? 🙄

Yes he DID keep chatting to them and was seemingly enjoying it, when I just wanted to spend some time alone with him and the kids.

On our next holiday, (which was 6 months later,) I spent 20 minutes (soon after we got there,) chatting to the Italian male bartender. DH nearly had a meltdown, because another man was giving me attention. Didn't like it when the boot was on the other foot!

@dungeondragon15

Sounds like your DH wanted to chat to them. Perhaps he doesn't want to spend time with just you.

Nothing gets past you either does it?! 🙄

See above ^ DH used to love merrily chatting to other women, but when the boot was on the other foot, and I chatted - at length - to a man in front of him, he didn't like it, and he knew how shit he had made me feel.

He hasn't done it since. He talks to other women of course - in a normal fashion - like I talk to men, but he no longer gasbags for ages to them, leaving me almost entirely out of the conversation. He realised on our NEXT holiday - 6 months later - that I can do the same (with men) and he didn't like it.

Men learn eventually.

Not that it matters, but this was all 15-ish years ago.

We went on holiday a couple of years ago to a lovely hotel. There was a British woman there who cornered me at every opportunity to moan about how awful everything’s was. Despite having the best room in the hotel too. Some people are never happy.

Some people are just frigging rude OP. They won’t change because they’re on holiday! I used to notice a lot more rudeness from the older generation too; but I’ve since realised it’s not that at all, rude people were ALWAYS rude. They were twats as teenagers, as young adults and older people too, and they’ve parented their children to think that’s ok too so the cycle continues.

If I hold a door open for someone and they just barge through and don’t say thank you, I always smile brightly and say ‘you’re SO welcome!’

You sound a bit needy OP.

Such a shame rude ,"miserable " people are making you "sad" on your holiday.

German and Russian people are rude,its a well known fact

I don’t think saying please and thank you constitutes neediness rebel

I know what you mean OP. I think being on holiday, with the same people constantly, working out what to eat, where to visit, feeling the heat, can be quite exhausting.

Agreed ziggiestardust
Nothing wrong with being smiley and pleasant on holiday. Being needy has nothing to do wirh it !

German and Russian people are rude,its a well known fact

It might seem rude to some but I'd disagree and say it was more 'matter of fact' if that makes sense. I prefer that, personally.

Other cultures don’t do small talk like brits do.