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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that holidays are non essential?

479 replies

Silliantro · 02/04/2021 12:27

The amount of whinging about missing out on holidays here and elsewhere has been shockingly irritating. Will missing out on a couple of trips to Megaluf/bland med cruises REALLY be the end of the world? It's such a shocking tone-deaf and privileged way to live your life.

Will staying at home and talking to your DC/learning a language/read a few books really be the end of the world? It's pretty grim absolutely NEED trips abroad or the seaside to to distract yourself from your own life.

OP posts:
Abraxan · 02/04/2021 18:18

@PanamaPattie

Holidays are not essential. Most people if they are honest, don’t really enjoy them.
Really?! What a strange comment.
Peace43 · 02/04/2021 18:19

OMG my kid has been home for months and months of the last year. We have done EVERYTHING in the house, garden and village a billion times. No a 2 week all inclusive to Magaluf isn’t a life essential but a break from the relentless being at home and entertaining ourselves feels like a huge thing at the moment.

Today we went to a National Trust place for a walk and a picnic. A change of scenery that has transformed our moods and really made a difference.

I will be taking wherever opportunities there are for days out and holidays over the next few months!

LadyWithLapdog · 02/04/2021 18:19

A holiday where you go away is not essential but time off work and off school is. Going away makes work more bearable plus all the other non-tangible benefits.

salemcat · 02/04/2021 18:32

Not much point learning a language if you aren't going to go to that country and use it.......

Jasmin82 · 02/04/2021 18:33

I don't have children to teach new languages to. I did, last year, try to teach Resident Collie some new languages. She now knows how to ignore me in 7 languages.
I don't know whether I'll get (or be able to afford) a holiday this year, as I'm paying towards a big holiday next year, but the odd day away here and there would be a welcome change of scenery. Maybe not "essential" but I don't see spending time with abusive family members who I'm stuck in close proximity to as all that essential either.

UrAWizHarry · 02/04/2021 18:43

@dontdisturbmenow

This just shows that despite a pandemic and losses that came with it, there are still people who are spoilt and entitled and quantify their happiness by the level of comforts and luxuries they can buy, and throw tantrums when they are taken away.
Oh do fuck off.

I like taking holidays. Fucking sue me.

mytwocats · 02/04/2021 18:57

ever noticed how things have become Essential lately?,absolute tosh nothing is essential,

SoupDragon · 02/04/2021 19:02

nothing is essential,

Water is

Weirdwonders · 02/04/2021 19:06

Your attitude is the grim and privileged one. I’m sick of people trying to prove how worthy and Puritan they are because they pretend they can get by on some hard work and a bowl of gruel. People are allowed to moan so if you’re happy with your lot pipe yourself down and be glad.

EileenGC · 02/04/2021 19:08

@mytwocats

ever noticed how things have become Essential lately?,absolute tosh nothing is essential,
What’s your definition of essential? (Apart from food, water, a place to sleep).

I’ve had many a row on Mumsnet with people who kept saying I shouldn’t be allowed to do my non-essential job during the pandemic. Sure, it’s not essential for people to stay alive, but it’s essential for my bank account if I want to keep making rent, and providing to the economy.

So yeah, it’s non-essential but at the end of the day, very much essential.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/04/2021 19:08

@SoupDragon

nothing is essential,

Water is

Air? Shelter? Food?

Turns out quite a lot of things!

greeneyedlulu · 02/04/2021 19:13

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

Learning a new language? You can fuck off with that shit!
You are my people! GrinGrin
diwrnachoflleyn · 02/04/2021 19:15

@dontdisturbmenow

This just shows that despite a pandemic and losses that came with it, there are still people who are spoilt and entitled and quantify their happiness by the level of comforts and luxuries they can buy, and throw tantrums when they are taken away.
I definitely qualify my happiness by travelling to see my family. Yep, that's me! No tantrums, the government set up some exemptions, hooray.

I'm not the one getting my knickers in a twist about what other people want to do. Crack on then.

ilovesooty · 02/04/2021 19:19

@IcedPurple

People were freely flying all over the place for half of last year

That's just not true though, is it?

No it isn't. Two of my booked flights were cancelled. The other I had to move when the destination went into the red zone a few days before travel.
fizbosshoes · 02/04/2021 19:21

What’s your definition of essential? (Apart from food, water, a place to sleep).

Go to Waitrose. Their essentials range includes all sorts including chocolate!Grin

I would bet any money that all the people tutting and saying "of course holidays are not essential" probably dont rely on holiday makers or travel for their job.
While of course last year, and maybe this year there wont be foreign holidays or festivals etc but it might be one missed holiday for the individual or family, but what about the people for whom this is their income...? Do you tut and sigh and think theyre entitled because they might actually be unreasonable enough to want to earn a living, after a year of probably no, or very little income?

IcedPurple · 02/04/2021 19:33

@fizbosshoes

What’s your definition of essential? (Apart from food, water, a place to sleep).

Go to Waitrose. Their essentials range includes all sorts including chocolate!Grin

I would bet any money that all the people tutting and saying "of course holidays are not essential" probably dont rely on holiday makers or travel for their job.
While of course last year, and maybe this year there wont be foreign holidays or festivals etc but it might be one missed holiday for the individual or family, but what about the people for whom this is their income...? Do you tut and sigh and think theyre entitled because they might actually be unreasonable enough to want to earn a living, after a year of probably no, or very little income?

If I never hear the words 'essential' or 'non-essential' ever again, I'll be happy.
partyatthepalace · 02/04/2021 19:35

Oh piss off. No one is pretending holidays are essential. However, taking a break from work and home is good for everyone and something everyone should do if possible for their health - especially after a year of lockdown. Being upset you can’t is perfectly natural. I know you think you sound clever and superior - you actually just sound nasty and pompous.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 02/04/2021 19:57

Talk to my kids 🤣🤣🤣 No thanks!

Songsofexperience · 02/04/2021 20:27

Starting this thread was not essential OP, but you like MN so you started one.

MargosKaftan · 02/04/2021 20:29

Why are so many people acting like the Puritans are back?

All the sneering at luxuries and non-essentials like its morally wrong to have a nice time if you can.

FFS - work, clean, exercise, shop (for essentials only), cook, repeat. If you genuinely think that's all you need, you are wasting your life.

I've had enough of the joyless fuckers. You stay at home if you want. (Be sure not to have eaten any of those Easter eggs- no need for the Cadbury factory to be open or all those delivery van drivers, not an essential, you granny murderer!)

Logmein · 02/04/2021 20:39

@Silliantro

The amount of whinging about missing out on holidays here and elsewhere has been shockingly irritating. Will missing out on a couple of trips to Megaluf/bland med cruises REALLY be the end of the world? It's such a shocking tone-deaf and privileged way to live your life.

Will staying at home and talking to your DC/learning a language/read a few books really be the end of the world? It's pretty grim absolutely NEED trips abroad or the seaside to to distract yourself from your own life.

You really are a judgmental bitter peach OP! The only time I can relax and totally turn off from my work is to go away. Privileged no, not really its my choice, essential to my mental health YES.
GreenSlide · 02/04/2021 20:50

@Phineyj

I imagine a lot of people are pretty sick of rolling over holiday bookings and worrying if they'll ultimately lose the money - I had to move 2020's Easter booking to 2022 recently. Stuff paid for in 2019-20 has been stuck in limbo and some holiday companies have been rather shifty about refunds.

When we went into this I don't think many imagined there'd still be so many restrictions a year on.

When you come down to it, very little is actually "essential" but what a way to live!

Yeah I think this is what's behind a lot of the comments wondering if we will be allowed to holiday this year.

I did a lot of holidaying, and travelling, when I was younger and I don't really miss it. I'm happy to spend my summers in the garden but then I have a garden, and I live 40 minutes from the beach and I have a car to drive me there. I might feel differently without these freedoms.

saffire · 02/04/2021 21:34

@Topseyt I'm sorry for your loss too. So many of us have had losses recently and we haven't been allowed to go through the grief process properly.

My mum always wanted to go to India. Then she got ill and couldn't travel. And now she's not here, I feel that I need to go, I need to have the experiences she missed out on.

Alannathelioness · 02/04/2021 21:42

@PanamaPattie

Holidays are not essential. Most people if they are honest, don’t really enjoy them.
You are going on the wrong holidays Confused
tobee · 02/04/2021 21:44

Op still fucked off them?