To have screamed at my sister about Butlins?

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Fucking Butlins. Just the name makes me angry.

When we were kids the family (our mum, our aunties and our cousins) would book a yearly holiday to Butlins. We loved it when we were little but as we got older it became a horrible fucking chore. The adults would force us to join “clubs” so that they could have grown up time away from them and most of us hated these clubs. We were forced to watch the babyish entertainment on a night, forced to do sports etc etc - this was the 80s. It was horrible, nobody enjoyed it, the adults usually ended up arguining, the kids were miserable yet they would book it year after year as if it was compulsory. When we were in secondary school one by one the cousins started refusing to go - I first refused to go when I was 14 and then had my auntie shouting at me that I was ruining it for everyone. Then my sister refused to go … by the time I was 15 the Butlins nightmare was thankfully a thing of the past.

Anyway! My sister has 2 children and started booking Butlins every year when her eldest was 3, youngest 1. This has been a yearly thing for the past 8 years. Every single year she starts complaining as soon as she books it “it’s so expensive!” Then when she gets back “it was crap! The chalet was mucky, the entertainment was shit, the kids didn’t want to do anything, the weather was awful “ etc etc

Shes booked again this year and goes at the end of this week. I saw her yesterday and she was complaining that the kids were not grateful, the weather looks to be shit, husband is moaning … “ I ended up screaming at her!! Why the fuck does she book it every year?? Why the fuck did our parents book it every year?? It’s madness! It’s not fucking compulsory to go to Butlins every year!! So she snapped back and said “rather go to Butlins than fucking Northumberland” having a dig at our holiday plans but I don’t book it every year and then complain constantly do I???

I once got talked into a holiday at a Butlins (used their site but it wasn't Butlins entertainment, limited pool opening etc) the facilities were good for younger children, the food places were a bit meh but again, suited young children, it was hugely isolating as a single parent though and I was even there at the same time as people I knew. As a family we've tended to prefer to explore an area so we are more likely to book a cottage than one of these resort places though. It feels less crowded and busy that way. But then I don't book hotels for holidays for similar reasons.

Do people actually scream? Or just raise their voice in irritation?

When people say they screamed, it puts me in kind of Diane Keaton genuinely screaming ‘I’m sorryyyyyyyyyyyy’ in the First Wives Club.

I would have screamed and ran away. I went to Butlins as a kid too and absolutely hated it.

Why does everyone on MN scream? Someone always ‘started screaming and shouting’ I mean, shout I can understand shouting, but do people literally scream as well….? They actually do this….?

Agreed, people on MN are always screaming or being screamed at and if they're not they're shaking and crying.

Screaming sounds like an overreaction, unless your sister was trying to force you into a car and take you to Butlins, in which case screaming, kicking and biting would have been entirely appropriate.

I'm with you. People moaning constantly is so draining especially when they dig their own hole. I know someone the same with their repeat holiday. Too hot, shit food, pool too cold 🙄. Had a nice time then? 😏

YABU to scream at her, YANBU for raising the question of why on earth she keeps going every year.

I’m with u. Even with the screaming. I would have as well. Butlins is shit.

Your joking right? 😂

YABU for screaming. Just no need, there’s enough aggro in the world without screaming at your sister about holiday destinations. Heated discussion sure, but screaming…nope.

I went in the early sixties, taken by parents, aunt and uncle, obviously. Doesn't sound as if it's changed much. Don't scream at your sister, if you can avoid it, unless she books a holiday there for you too. Haha - just read @ImNotReallySpartacus comment. Yes, I'd say you're free to bite your sister who books you into Butlins.

That made me laugh. I didn't know what butlins was, I found out when I visited Bognor Regis for the first time. Yikes! What I found surprising was that it was quite expensive!

Its changed loads
The,Too hasn't been since the 80,so she doesn't know its changed either 🙄

Op*

We’ve been to Butlins several times over the years, last time was last year for a long weekend. DC are now teens and love it still but have never been put in the kids clubs. DH and I enjoy it; swimming, shows, bikes, funfair and seeing the kids having fun. The beach and town at Minehead are nice too. The accommodation is always clean and comfortable, not luxurious but then neither is our home.

It probably is annoying listening to her moan but she must enjoy it overall or she wouldn’t keep going back. If not then it’s her own money and time she is wasting.

Your thoughts are probably right, but the way you said them has nullified any argument you had. You may have been better to remain calm and suggest different places for holidays. I certainly would have taken offence if I was your sister. I would aim to be more calm in future as it all sounds very angry.

You realise that Butlin,s had a huge revamp.in 00,s?
yeah its not for everyone but these threads always go the same way with people who.last went in 1975 and assume its still.the same .

Sounds like you are very stressed. Apologise to her for screaming and tell her to never mention butlins to you again.

YANBU, I would have screamed at her until my head fell off.

Seriously I would scream too if I had to listen to one more freaking minute of meaning about a holiday she willingly booked and has the same complaints about FOR YEARS

I recognised everything in the opening post.
“clubs” so that they could have grown up time away from them and most of us hated these clubs. We were forced to watch the babyish entertainment on a night, forced to do sports etc etc - this was the 80s. It was horrible, nobody enjoyed it,
There you go.

One thing to mention is that people often have different memories of the same thing. Your sister may remember the good bits, if she m more outgoing or sporty than you she may have enjoyed the clubs. She may have blocked the shit times and arguments.
I don't have siblings but very close cousins....we went on holiday together once. They both remember it as a great week. I just remember being stuck in a tiny bedroom, being made to swim in the freezing sea and being ripped off in a chip shop😂

Whilst I understand the frustration, this seems like a massive over-reaction on your part.

People saying that you are unreasonable for having screamed, obviously have no idea how frustrating it is to have people moaning about their own repeated bad choices. 😂
I’d probably scream as well.
and woe betide you if you dare to point out that their misery is of their own making. Next time, try laughing at her. In fact, have a bingo sheet ready for the complaints, and then show her afterwards. It might drive your point home a bit better 🤷‍♀️