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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:
Ilovecleaning · 01/09/2023 18:52

Why do you care what they think?

FallingStar21 · 01/09/2023 19:04

Surprised at PPs saying "she was a bit rude" or "she wasn't rude or judgmental". She bloody was VERY RUDE!
You just don't say such things to people, she must have known or been trying to embarrass you. Because most people know that not everyone can afford "exotic" long distance holidays and that of course it's a matter of personal choice.
Please don't give her a second thought. Or if you do, just ditch her because she is really tactless and unkind, I wouldn't consider her a friend.

FallingStar21 · 01/09/2023 19:11

AGoodDayForSomebodyElseToDie · 01/09/2023 12:41

I find most people’s idea of a holiday interminably dull. I have no desire to lie on a beach or by a pool, drink heavily or slow roast myself in the sun. I also have no desire to “do” destination holidays like a checklist of fashionable places to have been.

My interests are in the history of places, or rather, specific places which are of interest to me historically, and in various niche sports. That means I’m as likely to find somewhere I want to be in the UK as anywhere else.

The sort of holidays I enjoy would be appallingly dull for someone who didn’t share those interests. That’s why they’re not obliged to come with me, or vice versa.

People who are narrow minded enough to think they have a monopoly on the concept of fun aren’t worth a second thought.

Same for me, couldn't have said it better.

mylifestory · 01/09/2023 19:15

why wd yr friend dictate where u go on holiday? she does what she wants cos she likes it. you do what you want cos you like it. tell her to mind her own business cos yr hols make u happy like they do i presume

Bignanny30 · 01/09/2023 19:29

We bought a touring caravan 9 years ago and we have since discovered parts of the U.K that we didn’t know existed ! And what a beautiful country it is too 👍. We can set off when we like, no timetable, no schedule, so much more of a relaxing holiday. I never liked flying anyway, or the hassle of the airports etc. We also tried cruising, which we hated. Each to their own but I like to come back from my holiday chilled and refreshed.

Hawkins0009 · 01/09/2023 19:33

I can understand both sides on this one, on the one hand I like UK based holiday destinations, but then I also would like to see the world, however for the time being due to needing ££ for travel I have YouTube with people's vlogs for holiday destinations.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 01/09/2023 19:47

Cornwall is my favourite place. I've been all over. I go back to Cornwall over anywhere else. I go where makes me (and DH and for now, DC) happy. I don't care whether anyone else wants to go there. In fact, the less people that do go the better, because it keeps it quiet and not crowded, which is exactly what I need to recharge my batteries. You do you and next time she says anything ask her why she feels the need to be rude about things other people enjoy. Because ita likely that she's jealous of the fact you're content with simple pleasures and she hasn't found anything that makes her feel that good.

MissingMoominMamma · 01/09/2023 20:42

She’s bloody rude!

Bibbitybobbitty · 01/09/2023 20:49

As long as you happy with cares?! We also do UK holidays, haven't been abroad since 2002 & have never felt we missed out, so much to see in UK & we've been lucky with weather so far!
I have friends too who travel, some who live in Australia & it's honestly my idea of hell for a holiday.

carly2803 · 01/09/2023 20:51

CherryMaDeara · 31/08/2023 15:02

Loved my UK holiday.

looks awful. ;) not! where is that?

Love UK holidays, no flying, no drama at airports or stress!

twilightcafe · 01/09/2023 20:53

Are you sure your friend hasn't touched a raw nerve re your holidays?

Cowlover89 · 01/09/2023 20:57

Yanbu

Maray1967 · 01/09/2023 20:59

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

Yes, my MIL often says that it wouldn’t do for us all to be the same. Very true.

Your friend was very rude.

Vinomummyinlockdown · 01/09/2023 21:11

My BIL is like this. Always telling us to go to other countries etc when we enjoy going to a certain area in Spain as we know it, love it and we are on holiday from minute one as it’s all there - our kids loooove it too. He has no kids, endless budget and tells us what we “should” do. Well it’s OUR holiday so buzz off mate!!!! You do You OP. Stuff other people!

Mrsgreen100 · 01/09/2023 21:31

How lucky to have a holiday, having not had one for years , I’d be happy with anything tbh

Middleagedspreadisreal · 01/09/2023 21:49

Your holidays sound pretty perfect to me

CountessWindyBottom · 01/09/2023 21:51

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.

I'm assuming you are both elderly?

Sotiredmjmmy · 01/09/2023 21:52

CherryMaDeara · 31/08/2023 15:02

Loved my UK holiday.

I know exactly where that photo is taken, love it and have said the same every time we’ve been there, which is many times now.

Unfortunatley not all UK holidays luck out like that, personally I like mixing it up with Europe and long haul too.

RamblingRosieLee · 01/09/2023 21:57

You are being unreasonable because I don't understand why you care about her views.

If you do care that much then why not consider something more far flung?

CorvusPurpureus · 01/09/2023 21:59

But it does depend, anyway, on your everyday.

I live in Cairo. Any Thursday afternoon, I could book a driver to take us to the North Coast for a weekend on a stunning beach 2 hours away. I did this a lot when the dc were younger.

My teenagers: 'nah fam, you go, I'm meeting Mariam & Omar in Starbucks on Friday'.

So I don't tend to book beach holidays! We do interesting city breaks, & when they're with their dad in the uk they get to yomp around the local moors.

I'd LOVE a 'flop on the beach' holiday. But as far as the kids are concerned, it's available down the road & a bit boring.

Perspectives vary & that is ok.

Mummadeze · 01/09/2023 22:01

I like all kinds of holidays. British low key ones can be just as fun as fancy foreign ones. Just be a bit more thick skinned. Who cares what she thinks!

TeenLifeMum · 01/09/2023 22:39

Next week the weather is going to be stunning op, enjoy! Ignore her narrow minded approach.

Julimia · 01/09/2023 22:46

Take no notice it's your holiday, your choice, nothing to do with her. Tell her that het comments are boring Enjoy Cornwall

Dunnoburt · 01/09/2023 22:47

You cannot beat UK in summer....YANBU..... not been abroad since 2008 and am not inclined to either! Enjoy!!! Xx

Mildred007 · 01/09/2023 23:43

I've voted YABU only because you're allowing your friends opinion to ruin your lovely holiday which you chose because you enjoy it.
You're going on holiday for your own enjoyment not because of what anyone else thinks! Each to their own.
I hope you have a fab time x