To really hate the pressure to have/want a holiday...

[DirtyDennis]

Two people so far today have looked at me like I'm an alien when I've said that I'm not going on holiday this year. I haven't been on holiday for a few years and this is a recurring theme.

One said "Oh no, you have to have a holiday". The other said "Oh okay" as if I just told her I'd developed a fetish for eating toe jam.

I really hate the pressure to have/want a holiday.
Some people can't afford a holiday so might say they don't want one because they don't want to tell people they're skint.

I can afford a holiday, I just don't want one. Last year I started saying "We might get a late deal later in the summer" just to avoid having to explain why I wasn't having a holiday.

I realise it's a massive non-issue but it pisses me off.

Ignore and roll eyes.

I can totally relate to this. We're not holiday people and I get funny looks when I say we're not going away. I couldn't care for holidays, there not me.

A holiday doesn't have to be abroad it's just a break from your normal routine. Could be staying at home and lounging in the garden, going on some day trips or just doing things you enjoy. I'm not sure who wouldn't enjoy that

Surely if you're off work it's a holiday?

@TheHandsOfNeilBuchanan Yes, that's kind of my point. When I take annual leave from work, I want to stay at home but I feel there's a pressure to go somewhere else (abroad or in the UK).

I think it depends if you have dc's or not. If you really can't afford it then absolutely fair enough. Or if you have toddlers or stroppy teens where a holiday is no fun whatsoever then again absolutely fine.Or if you live somewhere truly lovely with a beach or countryside.

However if you can afford one, the above don't apply and have children, I personally feel it's a shame to declare yourself "not holiday people" when your children would probably really enjoy it. Holidays are about quality time with the family. There must be something you could enjoy. It need not involve flying or even a week or so. A 3 night city break or example could be lovely too.

People ask things like "are you going away?", "are you going on holiday?", "are you having a holiday this year?" all of which set "a holiday" up as a time away from home, rather than just time off work.

YANBU sometimes holidays can be stressful!

YANBU I thought a law had been passed making holidays abroad compulsory when I wasn't looking.

@Witchofzog I don't have children. I enjoy quality time with DP and my dog but I'd rather spend that quality time at home.

Why don't you like them? What do you like doing?

@familycourtq Yes, it certainly feels that way. This one woman genuinely said to me "Oh no, you have to have a holiday". Really?!

I get that. I get quite stressed on holiday and often wish I’d stayed home. Also people always ask if you’re excited to go away and are aghast when I’m like not really.

When I'd 3 under 4 I'd rather have gnawed my own arm off than go on holiday. Now, its not as bad, but still not a lovely relaxing time. Maybe in a few more years it'll actually be enjoyable again

Depends on your reasons, but not necessarily unreasonable.

Op then that is absolutely fair enough. Your life and your annual leave. You should spend it how you want

@Oysterbabe
Why don't you like them?

• I hate travelling
• I hate sleeping anywhere but my own bed
• I hate leaving my dog and she can't travel
• I feel like me and DP have our days/nights off optimised to a fine art and a fortnight of that is more fun/blissful than any holiday I could imagine

What do you like doing?

• Reading my book
• Pottering
• Day trips
• Meals out
• Take aways
• TV/films in my PJs
• Drinking wine

YANBU

I can't understand you at all, I count holidays as basic essentials, but I totally respect your preferences and your choices!

if nothing else, the least people go on holiday, the more pleasant my trips are . People must be so insecure if they can't understand someone has different views.

I understand OP, I like having leisurely time at home more than the stress of going abroad no matter how nice it is when we get there. I have gotten ill in one form or another on every holiday for the last 6 years, so I'm less keen to go now! I end up sitting around thinking I'd be much happier at home, calculating how much money I'm wasting.

@Queenoftheashes
When I was a kid, I used to be totally ambivalent about going on holiday. From about day 2 I'd be counting down to when we were going home. The 3-week Disney/Florida holiday was billed as a holiday of a lifetime for a 7-year old me but I couldn't wait to get home after the first few days

I didn't tell me parents this.

For me time off work at home is still holiday and I would describe it as such.

We didnt have a holiday as such for years (apart from visiting family) for lots of reasons, and yes it does sound alien to some people

Though I still get the 'oh' when I'm asked about a holiday and I dont say some foreign place

Of course its fine but it is a bit unusual not to want a holiday so maybe its easier to come up with a simple explanation. We just really enjoy having some time at home to do the garden or something like that.

My FIL is like this about hot holidays.

'Not very warm there this time of year is it?'
'You won't get much of a tan there?'
'What can you do there? The weather isn't great.'

If we say we're going somewhere, he'll look up the weather in advance and sneer at us if it isn't peak heat for the season!

I have considered decapitation.

@thecatsthecats Ha! My mum does this about people's holidays. She was completely confused when my aunt went on an Arctic cruise

I hate going on holiday, so much faff. I'm quite happy at home with the odd day trip when my husband is off.