Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Friend said our holidays are boring

361 replies

SusanandMidge · 31/08/2023 14:50

My friend and her husband love travelling and go on about 4 holidays a year. This year they've been to Egypt, India and Japan and are planning a trip to Croatia next month,
We prefer to holiday in the UK. Just throw everything into the car, no airport security, worrying about losing passports, delayed flights etc. We genuinely enjoy driving around places like the Lake District, Devon, Wales etc., stopping off at nice villages, chilling out in the garden of rented cottages with a glass of wine and a book, pottering up to the local pub for dinner and all that.

Last night, after a couple of drinks, my friend asked me why we go on such 'boring' holidays. I just said I wouldn't really enjoy the holidays she goes on but each to their own. She started persisting, saying 'don't you want to see the world' and so on. I pointed out that when we were younger we went to the States, Australia and lots of European countries. Then she said yeah but that was years ago, and we should 'treat ourselves' to a few nice holidays.

We're about to head down to Cornwall for a week, but her comments have kind of ruined it. I really don't want to go on long haul holidays and was content with our UK holidays but now just feel like everyone thinks we're boring and unadventurous. AIBU.

OP posts:
FrustatedAgain · 31/08/2023 14:52

They are your holidays, you enjoy them that's all that matters. You should have told her that her holidays sound dreadful hard work to you and unrelaxing.
Different strokes for different folks!!

ilovemydogmore · 31/08/2023 14:52

Obviously not AIBU.

People would do themselves a favour if they stopped doing what they they should be doing and actually just do what they liked.

Enjoy your holiday, I've always wanted to go to Cornwall looks beautiful

Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 31/08/2023 14:55

Everyone likes different things. Just be confident that you enjoy what you’re doing - that’s all that actually matters. Why on Earth is it ruining your holiday??

We go to Disney World nearly every year and I know lots of people who couldn’t think of anything worse and they tell me that too! Most of my friends like to go camping - I’m very vocal about how much I hate it!! Everyone just does what works for them.

KinooOrKinog · 31/08/2023 14:55

Just as well you're not asking her to come then isn't it!

CalistoNoSolo · 31/08/2023 14:56

Your holidays are my idea of hell tbh. Not so much the format, as I love a self catering holiday, but the places you go. Your friend is a bit rude to be so forthright about her opinion, but you are being U to be so upset that its ruined your Cornwall trip.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 31/08/2023 14:56

Why do you care what she thinks? I don't think she's particularly judging, she's just making conversation. My dd says this to me, she can't understand why I don't have a desire to travel the world. I don't feel diminished by this, I love my quiet life!

Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 31/08/2023 14:57

By the way I put yabu just because I think you’re overreacting - she was a bit rude but letting it ruin your holiday would be ridiculous.

Tothemoonandbackx · 31/08/2023 14:57

I'd point out that a lot people can't even afford to go on any sort of holiday at the moment and would love to go on one, even if it was a UK based one. You do what you like and enjoy Cornwall, it's your holiday, your time to relax. I'd bloody ignore her x

ilovesooty · 31/08/2023 14:59

She's rude. Don't let it bother you.

Have a good holiday.

CherryMaDeara · 31/08/2023 15:01

Wow, she's a rude twat. We've only been on UK holidays since Covid. The main thing for me a nice hotel, lots of good food, a lovely spa and pool. Good weather is a bonus.

We went to Cornwall and got lucky with the weather, and had a few lovely beach days.

I hope she gets caught up in the travel chaos.

Bookish88 · 31/08/2023 15:01

We're about to head down to Cornwall for a week, but her comments have kind of ruined it. I really don't want to go on long haul holidays and was content with our UK holidays but now just feel like everyone thinks we're boring and unadventurous. AIBU.

In the nicest possible way OP, you need to get a grip. How can someone else's opinion of a type of holiday you know you'll enjoy possibly ruin your experience of it? Why do you let what other people think of you affect the way you choose to live your life, as long as you're happy?

MakeItRain · 31/08/2023 15:01

She's being rude. I always think that people who are rude like that are jealous or miserable about something underneath. People who are genuinely happy with their own choices tend to be kind and enthusiastic about others' choices. Take no notice of her. Your holidays sound relaxing and I bet the views in all these places you visit are beautiful.

Barbiesback · 31/08/2023 15:01

Tothemoonandbackx · 31/08/2023 14:57

I'd point out that a lot people can't even afford to go on any sort of holiday at the moment and would love to go on one, even if it was a UK based one. You do what you like and enjoy Cornwall, it's your holiday, your time to relax. I'd bloody ignore her x

God not this old chestnut again. What people can't afford is all relative I say this as a single parent and I manage to holiday every year with my DS.

Original poster
SusanandMidge · 31/08/2023 15:01

Thanks. I suppose I just felt that everyone must be rolling their eyes and saying 'there they are, off on another boring cosy holiday.' But obviously I'm just being over sensitive. I just got a bit of a shock when she said it. I used to wonder why she never wanted to go on a relaxing holiday (hers are always booked through a group with lots of early morning starts, planned activities etc) and wouldn't really enjoy the ones she goes on, but would never have criticised them like that. To each their own.

OP posts:
CherryMaDeara · 31/08/2023 15:02

Loved my UK holiday.

Friend said our holidays are boring
WeetabixTowels · 31/08/2023 15:02

We’ve started doing UK holidays as opposed to abroad. I prefer them - and what lovely places the UK has! Ignore her

reallyworriedjobhunter · 31/08/2023 15:02

She sounds awful. You do you.

HaPPy8 · 31/08/2023 15:03

We just came back from Cornwall and it was absolutely lovely. Enjoy your holiday!

NeedToChangeName · 31/08/2023 15:05

I just felt that everyone must be rolling their eyes and saying 'there they are, off on another boring cosy holiday I doubt people would think that. And frankly, even if they do, so what?

If she raises it again, you could say that you choose to holiday in the UK to boost the tourism industry and minimise your environmental impact

Tinkerbyebye · 31/08/2023 15:05

I would just turn round and say imagine how boring it would be if we all did the same, now stop being rude about our holidays

LolaSmiles · 31/08/2023 15:06

Your holiday sounds boring to me, not the UK part but the pottering around villages, but you enjoy it so that's what matters. Different strokes for different folks.

My friends and I are open about not liking parts of each other's holidays. I can't imagine being so upset that a friend not liking my type of holiday that it stops me enjoying an upcoming break.

romdowa · 31/08/2023 15:07

I'm not keen on holidays abroad. I bloody hate airports , they are so stressful. My favourite holiday is driving to the county where my dad is from and spending a few days there visiting family.
Your holidays sound lovely , especially Wales. I love it there!

PuttingDownRoots · 31/08/2023 15:08

Location doesn't make a holiday. You can go to the Caribbean, drink just Coke and standard international lager, eat chicken nuggets and chips and only speak English while barely moving off your sunbed. Or go thr Lake District, try a range a food, visit historic sites, try watersports, and strike up conversation with people from around the world.

Canthave2manycats · 31/08/2023 15:08

Tell her she doesn't have to go with you.

kaloen · 31/08/2023 15:08

Just be confident in your own choices OP. I prefer to go abroad with my dcs but there's plenty of comments on here from people who are horrified at the idea of going overseas with toddlers. I'll be honest, I'd be bored with your kind of holiday but it doesn't matter because I'm not going, and I wouldn't say it to your face or try to persuade you to go elsewhere.