To think that holidays are non essential?

[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.

YABU
Tbh I havent really been on holiday for years. I havent left this town since March last year either. Neither by design but its not the end of the world.
As for "needing to go away" for mental health type reasons - I think thats perfectly possible by a few nights in a neighbouring town, a week in the lake district etc. Nothing essential about jetting around the world imho (fun yes but not essential)

But why can't people complain? A lot of people feel like they need a holiday after the shit year that has just been, and so what if that's how they feel.
It is not up to you to deem what is and what isn't essential and what people can and can't moan about.

YANBU.
Had a conversation yesterday with a friend about this issue.
Came to conclusion that only people with limited imagination insist on holidays during the pandemic.

There is much snobbery around holidays on mumsnet. I will not go abroad until safe but I have several holidays moved from this and last year. I work bloody hard, I am a lone parent and holidays/short breaks are what I do to relax and get some time with DC. We love some sunshine/snow/exploring wherever is cheap in school holidays depending on skyscanner. DC loves to ski and I love watching her now that I physically cannot. It is what we do, sometimes friends join and we have been to some wierd and wonderful places.

Sometimes we like to go somewhere sunny and spend time around a pool or on the beach- a revelation since I had a child how lovely this kind of holiday can be. Sometimes it is a city break or a fabulous thermal spa town. We miss it because it is the only bloody chance we really get to relax. Miserable, overpriced holidays in the UK just remind me of my childhood miserable overpriced holidays in the UK. Our family are scattered everywhere anyway so it is not as if we have not explored this bloody island. It is just not a holiday- same weather, same overpriced dull days out and accomdation at three times the cost at least. Yes there is a lot on offer in the UK but we spend weekends doing that regularly(pre-covid). We really do not want to spend thousands on self catering to make a week of it.

Not essential no. However, I find that the preparation and having something to look forward to really helps me with the monotony of daily life. Then afterwards we can reminisce before thinking about where to go next. Right now there’s none of that and it’s making us both struggle if I’m honest. We’re trying to do other stuff but tbh, it’s all getting very repetitive and dull.

@3JsMa

YANBU. Had a conversation yesterday with a friend about this issue. Came to conclusion that only people with limited imagination insist on holidays during the pandemic.

Or people who have been having a really shit time and need a break from it all? Just a thought.

I’m afraid I can’t personally agree with comments of the ‘why go abroad, lots of lovely places in the uK’ . Thing is I really don’t think there are - some nice scenery yes and I’ve lived in some of the nicer places , but for a holiday I think a lot of not very special accommodation is hugely overpriced, meals again can be a bit freezer food specials, at inflated prices- weather — Mm , a bit random - especially in places that folks flock too like Dorset and Cornwall. I think uK has lots of nice days out , but it’s not exactly the Greek islands in terms of relaxing headspace with often charming funny locals in pretty much guaranteed sun . I totally get that it’s not essential but then neither is good wine, TV, en suite bathrooms etc— but all things that make life more enjoyable or fun for many. We now live in Copenhagen - lucky here as it has nice beaches, lovely blue sea when the weather is nice , it’s an excellent place and yet the Danes are massively into holidays in the med or even further.

Can I derail this thread to ask how likely it is we’ll get somewhere sunny this year if adults vaccinated but not kids?! I know the op disapproves but I disapprove of killjoys

I think it is very unlikely, Alfaix. Let's hope for some good summer weather here so we can at least walk and sit outside. Last summer was glorious.

No really, no.

But I'm glad I've never had to go on holiday with you though. 'Bland Med cruises' can be quite fun if you're a fun person to be around.

Magaluf, it's not for me but lots of people enjoy it and good for them.

I work crazy hours in my job, it's very stressful and I love the opportunity to switch off. My company won't let us log in abroad, thank god! The highlight of my year is going on holiday, I'm gutted this isn't an option at the moment.

You sound like the kind of person I dread to sit next to at a dinner party.

@3JsMa

YANBU. Had a conversation yesterday with a friend about this issue. Came to conclusion that only people with limited imagination insist on holidays during the pandemic.

You've clearly never had a demanding, stressful, fatigue making job. From surgeon to delivery driver, and everything in between.

@Alfaix

Can I derail this thread to ask how likely it is we’ll get somewhere sunny this year if adults vaccinated but not kids?! I know the op disapproves but I disapprove of killjoys

Quite likely. Just choose wisely which country to go to and you shouldn’t have problems. Kids might need pcrs

But why can't people complain? A lot of people feel like they need a holiday after the shit year that has just been, and so what if that's how they feel.
It is not up to you to deem what is and what isn't essential and what people can and can't moan about.

No. The Thought Police have decreed that you are not allowed to feel the tiniest bit fed up that you cant have a holiday this year.

I've just had a very apologetic email from Virgin Atlantic regarding a change in the time to my flight to Barbados in October. I'm actually very happy about it as it gets me there 3 hours early!

And yes, my trip to Barbados is absolutely essential.

@PradaBallbag

I've just had a very apologetic email from Virgin Atlantic regarding a change in the time to my flight to Barbados in October. I'm actually very happy about it as it gets me there 3 hours early!

And yes, my trip to Barbados is absolutely essential.

It’s not essential ... unless you take me with you :). Hope you manage to go and enjoy it !

Me too @EasterIssland! I'll have a pineapple daiquiri for you 🍹

Strawberry one better please :) or mango :) or rum coke !

It’s interesting how terms like privilege and tone deaf start off life by doing something useful in alerting us to injustice and others’ perspectives, and end up as a stick to beat people with.

Privilege to talk about structural equalities —yes. But I see it more these days as a sneering put-down. Looks like tone-deaf may be headed that way too based on this post. The new ‘first world problems’, if you like.

I just wonder what the point is of guilt-tripping in this way. What is the point of telling people in such a condescending way that holidays are not essential? (Which nobody disputes.) Does it help anyone who can’t take holidays? No, and I don’t believe there is any intention to do that. It’s all about making people feel guilty or crap, like so many posts on this site.

@EasterIssland

Strawberry one better please :) or mango :) or rum coke !

Ooh yes mango, good call!

I'm sure learning a new language and the other things you suggested are all what people could do in lockdown anyway so just because holidays are not for you how dare you question hoe somebody enjoys their time. You sound boring as hell maybe you should try a holiday, go on let your hair down, have a drink, learn a new language by speaking with the locals

I have workaholic tendencies - and I'm self employed so there's no one to tell me to stop! Working from home means there's no real boundaries between home and work life either.

Holidays are the only time where I'm basically dragged away from work and can actually stop myself from working.

I've always gone for the work hard / play hard lifestyle, but everything that's play has basically been banned It's not healthy. At all.

And what about people like myself who has immediate family that live abroad, are we allowed to vsiit them as it's essential but not do anything remotely fun on that holiday during the time we are not visiting them?

For us our holidays are to see our families which don't live in the same country as us (or each other)...not all holidays are to booze it up...seems to me like you aren't imagining other people's situation...all this covid commenting is so irritating- everyone has different lives and therefore everyone should be concerned with themselves not what other people are doing or moaning about...if you don't want to hear it, don't listen!

No they're not. I never went away on holiday as a child. A couple of summers I was lucky enough to spend a day at the seaside, but other than that I just played in the park.

@yetmorecrap

I’m afraid I can’t personally agree with comments of the ‘why go abroad, lots of lovely places in the uK’ . Thing is I really don’t think there are - some nice scenery yes and I’ve lived in some of the nicer places , but for a holiday I think a lot of not very special accommodation is hugely overpriced, meals again can be a bit freezer food specials, at inflated prices- weather — Mm , a bit random - especially in places that folks flock too like Dorset and Cornwall. I think uK has lots of nice days out , but it’s not exactly the Greek islands in terms of relaxing headspace with often charming funny locals in pretty much guaranteed sun . I totally get that it’s not essential but then neither is good wine, TV, en suite bathrooms etc— but all things that make life more enjoyable or fun for many. We now live in Copenhagen - lucky here as it has nice beaches, lovely blue sea when the weather is nice , it’s an excellent place and yet the Danes are massively into holidays in the med or even further.

Yes, I’m sick of sanctimoniously being told that I should be happy with a UK holiday. If other people like them, then fine, I’m glad, but I CRAVE foreign holidays in a way I never do a domestic break. I’ve been obsessed with foreign parts since I was a child (my mum used to go into Thomas cook to pick up brochures for Egyptian holidays so I could cut out pictures of the pyramids!) and I would look to move abroad too if it looked like I’d be confined to the UK for life. I don’t expect other people to give the same things as me important, but for me seeing new and unfamiliar places - and getting away from the depressing built environment in the UK - really enhances my life.