Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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:
tutturr · 31/08/2023 15:54

only holidaying in the UK can be seen as an inadequacy

Just to clarify that I again, don't agree with this statement - but this is how some people with low self esteem who feel they have something to prove and want to put others down might view it.

gogomoto · 31/08/2023 15:54

By the way we can all have opinions- I told my friend that I thought canal holidays (they have just been on one) sound like hard work and that they move too slowly, we agree to disagree as she doesn't fancy going to the south of france on a motorcycle!

muddyford · 31/08/2023 15:56

We do the same sorts of holidays as you. We travelled a lot in the past, partly with work (Armed Forces) and now we'd rather take the dogs to Cornwall, Yorkshire, Norfolk or wherever. I don't give a toss what people think of my choice of holiday.

FullFatPhil · 31/08/2023 15:56

"Guessing you're a frequent flyer and I've hit a nerve 😂"

You wish 🤣

Wherethewildthymeblows · 31/08/2023 15:56

Sod her!
And you can take the moral high ground if you like because your carbon footprint must be minuscule compared to hers. Not to mention you are contributing to the local economy rather than that of another's country.

I have holidayed in the UK far.more often than I have been abroad. I know some people think I am boring because of it but I couldnt give a fig what they think. I actually have very little interest in seeing other countries especially these days when you can see so much on tv documentaries. So what if that makes me boring. Holidays are for relaxing and recharging, not for ticking off another country on a 'How many places have you visited' questionnaire.

70sDuvetCover · 31/08/2023 15:57

Some people have a pathological need to make you think the same as them! I have a friend you always drones on about how I should holiday abroad but I like holidaying in the UK for the same reasons as you. I just ignore her, I don’t understand why she cares so much!

PermanentTemporary · 31/08/2023 15:58

There's a lot to be said for some old fashioned proverbs in these situations. 'Takes all sorts to make a world' seems to cover it here. That way she doesn't screech 'hell I'd be bored stiff, you're not dead yet' at you and you don't say 'god how Type A are you, are you incapable of relaxing without 2000 distractions and loads of Instagram material' at her.

I tend to ask lots of excited questions about other people's holidays, because that way frankly I get to hear all the best bits without actually having to go there. I love my holidays but hey the reason I'm with DP is that we both thought a slow walk round a Berkshire Roman site in the rain followed by a classical civilisation podcast over a glass of wine was a top date. Who cares what others think.

ArabeIIaScott · 31/08/2023 15:58

She's probably feeling guilty about flying so much and so is defensive.

doroda · 31/08/2023 15:58

FullFatPhil · 31/08/2023 15:56

"Guessing you're a frequent flyer and I've hit a nerve 😂"

You wish 🤣

You referenced your last 8 flights, I think I've hit the nail on the head honestly

CherryMaDeara · 31/08/2023 15:59

@NeedTheSeaside @CissOff @NeverGuessWho

Porthminster Beach, near Carbis Bay!

suckrifice · 31/08/2023 16:02

Just do what you want. Your holidays are my idea of hell, but they are your holidays.
But don’t blame lost passports, airport security or delayed flights, that is just silly tbh. It’s the same like saying I don’t want to worry about traffic jams, losing my drivers license or running out of petrol.

ManyATrueWord · 31/08/2023 16:04

She's jealous that you are so happy with your holidays and she isn't so happy with hers.

theDudesmummy · 31/08/2023 16:05

We don't holiday in the UK, but we do go to exactly the same place in Croatia every summer and have done for nearly 20 years. We could well afford to do long-haul/exotic destinations etc, but we prefer the relaxation of knowing exactly what we are going to and how everything works (and driving rather than flying, which I find much more relaxing). I am aware that people think this is awfully "boring"/unadventurous/lacking in curiosity etc and I don't give a fig.

suckrifice · 31/08/2023 16:05

ManyATrueWord · 31/08/2023 16:04

She's jealous that you are so happy with your holidays and she isn't so happy with hers.

What a silly thing to say..

Zanatdy · 31/08/2023 16:05

How rude. I guess yes your holidays are boring in comparison and I love travelling so would much rather see the world. I’d never say that to a friend who was happy with their U.K. holidays.

explainthistomeplease · 31/08/2023 16:06

I actually think holidaying in the uk shows more imagination rather than less. You've got to be able to daydream and actually relax rather than be constantly entertained.

I've done a mix of holidays over the years and honestly overall the foreign ones are no better. Best one we ever had was taking the children to Hadrian's Wall. They were bang on the right age to imagine themselves as Romans. We walked, we marched like Romans, we laughed even in the rain. Your friend would have hated it OP!

Lovelybeansfromnextdoor · 31/08/2023 16:06

Why care? I do plenty of things my friends find boring, literally. We laugh about it. One friend Ioves yoga retreats. I would rather iron on a loop for 3 days than join her. We laugh. It's ok to not like the same stuff.

blablabla123 · 31/08/2023 16:07

My PILs love an organised busy tour with 4am starts everyday but I find that they need the distraction of 20 new people to meet and talk with/about as they are fed up of their own company!!!!!

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/08/2023 16:07

Oh god, ignore her. There is nothing more tedious than a travel bore. And after they bore you they want you to say "That sounds so fascinating! I must go there too!" Because if nobody is envious or wants to follow their example, what is the point?

Your holidays are for pleasing yourself, not impressing others. Enjoy Cornwall and don't let anyone spoil it for you.

bluegreenandcoral · 31/08/2023 16:07

She sounds really rude. I’d much prefer your holidays anyway.

If she tries it again, start guilt tripping her about her impact on the environment.

Crapsummer2023 · 31/08/2023 16:08

I chose YABU mainly because I can’t believe you’d allow her comments to spoil your own holiday. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the point of this thread was for everyone to congratulate you for holidaying in the UK whilst slagging her off for her wasteful holidaying abroad.

I like holidaying abroad as I need the guaranteed sun and want to see different people, cultures, terrain. I also holiday in the UK but not as much as I used to as although it will sound petty, I don’t want to give my money to Brexit voting areas/people.

TheShellBeach · 31/08/2023 16:08

Your holidays sound exactly like our holidays.

We also love just touring around attractive places and chilling out in the gardens of rented cottages.

I even like doing the cooking while we're away, although DH always does a cooked breakfast for us. We probably have two dinners in restaurants and occasional lunches.

I have done the kind of holiday your friend prefers and it is not for me.

Each to their own - and it should not matter what your friend thinks. She is not being asked to join you.

suckrifice · 31/08/2023 16:09

I also have a sneaking suspicion that the point of this thread was for everyone to congratulate you for holidaying in the UK whilst slagging her off for her wasteful holidaying abroad.

Same here. I don’t regret a single one of my trips around the world.

TheShellBeach · 31/08/2023 16:10

"One friend Ioves yoga retreats. I would rather iron on a loop for 3 days than join her"

Same here. My friend goes on yoga retreats and always looks forward to them - but I would not enjoy them at all. We do not fall out about it, though.

Each to their own.

alpenguin · 31/08/2023 16:11

Tell her you like to cut down your carbon footprint by not flying multiple times a year.