Friend said our holidays are boring

[SusanandMidge]

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.

The bigger question is why you care what she, or anyone else, thinks about your choices?

probably already been said but you pay more for holidays in the UK for the same shit weather and things you could probably do at home.
We had a week all inclusive in spain for less than a week in Cornwall but we got all your food, ice cream and drinks, a beach, a pool, kids club, entertainment, and a train ride away from a major city. We didn't need to worry about buying or cooking food or cleaning - we're on holiday!

I’d rather pay more and have a rainy week in Cornwall than spend a week at an all inclusive in Spain, no matter what food / drink / entertainment or kids clubs were included though.

What one person wants in a holiday has no bearing on what anyone else wants.

Oh OP don’t give your rude CF ‘friend’ a second thought . Do what makes you happy . The sooner you start to do that the more insignificant such people and comments become .

Do you enjoy your holidays? If yes, then ignore your friend. She was rude to you but don’t let it ruin your upcoming holiday and don’t do things to please other people. If you like holidaying in this country then great!

My DH travelled all over the world when he was working, when we went on holiday the last thing he wanted to do was to do more long-haul flying. Airports are hell, particularly with children, and I've never been on a flight that left on time.
We have had some lovely holidays abroad over the years, but are quite are happy to stay in the UK.
When the OP thinks about how much she could have spent on holidays (as her friend does) she can probably think of better things to do with the cash.

I have no 'adventurous need' to go to some remote, but beautiful country. I also wouldn't want to do anything in this country attached to a spa!
I'm happy NOT been stressed etc and having to juggle pasports flights transfers etc. We did go abroad , we loved Disney, but we got s pup and for now he comes with us. So uk car holidays. Love Scotland, lakes, dales , Cornwall etc x

Oh the lols. Who said anything about Ibeefa? I was merely assuming that the OP has issues with dementia or a weak bladder given the following statement:

We prefer to holiday in the UK. Just throw everything into the car, no airport security, worrying about losing passports, delayed flights etc.

Because if not, I don't see why any able bodied person would choose to holiday solely in the UK if there are not financial constraints. If there are no financial constraints and the OP isn't geriatric and worries about airport security or forgetting passports (wtaf?) then there is literally a whole world to be explored. And having traveled extensively myself because it enriches ones life and broadens the mind AND HAVING NEVER BEEN ON AN 18-30 HOLIDAY TO IBEEFA there are so many other exciting options to choose from rather than preferring to holiday in the UK EVERY TIME.

It really is each to his own- but there do seem to be some awfully smug stay at homers on this post. I can perfectly enjoy an odd 3 or 4 day break here - problem is I like that as an extra- not the main course. I do get that not everyone wants 35 degrees and an AI in the med etc- but by the same degree not everyone is that keen on embracing a possibly wet week in wales and an overpriced slightly grim cottage etc. not everyone is into camping, hiking, cycling - even if it's cheap(ish) . Personally I think you may be being over sensitive- but your friend does need to cool it -

I voted yabu, just because you're starting to think she's right.
She's not, your holidays sound fab, please keep enjoying them x

It's up to you how you spend your money and no adult needs to justify their choices.

We do both, abroad and UK. Because of our dog getting very ill last time we were abroad we haven't been for a while. But the UK has so much to offer that even as able bodied young people who dislike partying but enjoy walking, we don't feel like we have missed out on "exciting" holidays. You know people from the rest of the world choose here as a holiday destination right?

I also know several elderly people who love long haul trips.

I get that you don't understand it. But that doesn't mean other people don't love that kind of thing. Or hate the hassle of the airport. Everyone is different, let them enjoy what they enjoy. Whether it ticks your boxes or not.

Went to Cornwall for our minimoon and it just rained and rained. Food was so so and the luxury hotel cost a fortune. Should have spent it on a five star resort abroad with almost guaranteed sun.

However I'm aware this is personal and I have friends who holiday in the UK a lot(mostly people with kids). They seem to have the time of their lives and I've never questioned this. Everyone is different.

I've been on many holidays similar to yours. There are so many beautiful & interesting places to visit in the UK and we have more history than many other countries, it's definitely not boring! If I'm honest, I've preferred some of our UK breaks to some of the foreign ones. In fact, I've just booked a break in Devon to recover from a long haul fly drive 🤣.

Your friend is very rude and judgemental. You go on the holidays you enjoy, not to impress people like her. Each to their own. Personally, I can't understand why people would fly half way round the world to sit on a sun lounger in a non-descript all inclusive, although it doesn't sound like your friend does that. I also know people who go on loads of holidays but have hardly seen anything of their own country. Conversely, I have friends who LOVE camping - their heaven, my hell 🤣

If you think about it logically, choosing to fly or not really doesn't affect your carbon footprint. It's arbitrary because the plane is going to fly anyway. Putting the responsibility of carbon emissions on one passenger makes no sense, however, if I choose not to fly for this reason, and instead drive 4 hours to a UK holiday destination and back - that carbon emission is my doing!

Anyway, each to their own - we are all allowed our own opinion - however, I am of the international holiday camp. There's nothing more eye opening as a human being than really immersing yourself into other cultures. And as I have got older, I have planned in tours, experiences but also balanced it with chill days and lie-ins. I can't imagine living my entire life without the thrill of international travel. But that's my opinion! 😀

That's like saying it's fine for veggies to eat beef because the cow was going to be killed anyway

But think about it, it would require a mass movement of people worldwide to stop flying to reduce the number of flights and the greenhouse gases they emit. Same with vegetarianism/veganism. There are other ways to reduce CO2 emissions that have a more immediate effect - do we need to drive to the local shop when we can walk? Many do. Also, tourism is what drives many economies.

I'd rather go on your holiday than theirs 🙂 bugger them!

We started camping 2 yr ago, always said over my dead body would I camp but a friend invited me and my 3yr old and we both loved it! He has freedom to run around, make friends and it’s so relaxed. We’ve bought our own tent now and planning trips to Devon and Cornwall next year. Lots of my friends won’t camp and some have several overseas hols, we couldn’t afford that and frankly Who cares what others think? You enjoy it and you aren’t asking them to do it! If she persists just say you think she’s being a bit rude and presumptuous that your hols are boring plus you are helping the British tourist trade

I agree. It took me a long time to learn not to care what other people think of me. It is very liberating.

Each to their own .... don't let your rude friend stop you from enjoying your chosen holidays! My brothers and I own a beach bungalow (it was mum and dad's before they passed). We spent all our school holidays there and most weekends as we were growing up. We're adults now, and still go there. It's basic, right on the beach, been flooded three times in fifty years. No electric - calor gas lights, fridge and oven, a bit of solar power - that's it! I've been abroad a few times - Portugal, New York, France. What with the hours spent at the airport, not being able to leave my 'bits and pieces' on the beach if I fancy a swim, ignorant, twatty holidaymakers .... nope, call me boring as much as you like .... I know which I prefer. Keep on doing what makes you happy!

Many people from abroad come to holiday in the UK. Bet they don't think it's boring.

@Traceability you're a tourist even if you holiday in a different part of the country you live in.

She's the one with the problem, probably feels guilty for having so many nice holidays and feels that people who aren't exactly the same are in some way silently criticising her choices

YANBU for enjoying holidays here

YABU for giving a damn what your mate thinks.