Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To Surprise OH At The Airport?

162 replies

ladybird30 · 21/09/2024 15:54

My OH is due back from being away for a week, for work.

It's the first time he's been away for more than a few days since we had our LO and I thought it'd be nice to surprise him at arrivals and pick him up.

I've mentioned this to a couple of people and some have said it'd be embarrassing and a bit cringe, as he's away for work with a few guys he works with and they're all travelling together.

Should I surprise him or just stay home?

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 21/09/2024 15:59

I'd stay home. If he was travelling alone, it might be different.

MagentaRavioli · 21/09/2024 16:00

No, don’t surprise him if he’s asked you not to. Because then it’s not a nice surprise.

MBM18 · 21/09/2024 16:00

Yes sorry I'd stay at home too. If he was coming back by himself it would be different, but probably a bit embarrassing when he'll be with colleagues 😣

Fuckingpissedoff1234 · 21/09/2024 16:00

I think it would be a lovely surprise.

WonderingWanda · 21/09/2024 16:01

Don't do it. Make a cake and a little welcome home sign for your little one to hold him or cook a nice dinner.

Aquacitra · 21/09/2024 16:01

This would be nice if he was travelling alone, but not with colleagues. Maybe prepare a nice surprise at home instead?

Gonk123 · 21/09/2024 16:01

I would love that. I think it’s cute x

llamali · 21/09/2024 16:02

I think it would be incredibly cringey UNLESS! You're going to take them all back home

Ihatemondays1962 · 21/09/2024 16:04

Yes I think cringey.

LoobyDoop2 · 21/09/2024 16:05

I think your chances of it going wrong- by him being delayed, or you just missing each other, or he’s planned to share a taxi with a colleague who’s then pissed off- are too high for it to be worth the trouble. Do something nice at home as others have suggested.

ALunchbox · 21/09/2024 16:05

I'd look at it practically. Will your turning up save him a lot of time and effort to get home? If so, yes!

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 16:06

My Husband would be absolutely chuffed to bits to be met in those circumstances, because he cares more about us than what his colleagues think, and anyway his colleagues are grown Men with their own families, not teenage boys trying to be cool.

Assuming you're not planning on making a massive sign or taking balloons, and that he hasn't asked you not to, then I would go.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 21/09/2024 16:08

You know him, do you think he would like it or not?
My husband would love it but I'm sure there are others who wouldn't.

Rainbowshine · 21/09/2024 16:08

Is he someone who likes surprises or a big fuss? Personally I’d hate this as I don’t like surprises at all but if you made it nice at home by having a nice meal or something like that I’d be fine with that.

ClareBlue · 21/09/2024 16:08

Everyone will see this different. I would have no issue either picking up or being picked up and wouldn't care about work colleagues and what they thought and neither would my partner. But not everyone would be like this and some would not like it at all. You are obviously not sure, so er on the side of caution and have a welcome home treat prepared. Then say you were thinking of doing it but not sure if it was appropriate. His reaction will tell you want you need to know for the future.

cuckooooooo · 21/09/2024 16:09

No it sounds a bit embarrassing in front of colleagues. He's only been working away for a week

Hoppinggreen · 21/09/2024 16:11

I probably wouldn't as hes travelling with colleagues.

TickingAlongNicely · 21/09/2024 16:18

I wouldn't not because ots "embarrassing" or anything like that, but because its an unnecessary trip for what I'm guessing is a baby or toddler. The "surprise" is more likely to be a fractious child or a stinky nappy...

A nice welcome at home is lovely though.

ladybird30 · 21/09/2024 16:18

Sounds like I should stick to a nice roast dinner ready for him at home 😂

I think he'd like it but I know his colleagues, 2/3 who are actually his best mates, would tease him, which is why I was a bit hesitant

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 21/09/2024 16:20

I did this I once and he was with another woman! I hid and went round his later and confronted them. But I'm sure yours would be a lovely welcome home. I'm always scanning the faces waiting for people hoping there's someone for me. Never is tho.

Nightowl1234 · 21/09/2024 16:30

Really cringey and embarrassing, sorry. I’m imagining you at arrivals with a little eager beaver face, and all excited like a teenager. Personally it would give me the ick - what’s the male equivalent of a vagina slamming shut?

GalileoHumpkins · 21/09/2024 16:32

Stay at home, he's only been away for a week.

samarrange · 21/09/2024 16:33

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 16:06

My Husband would be absolutely chuffed to bits to be met in those circumstances, because he cares more about us than what his colleagues think, and anyway his colleagues are grown Men with their own families, not teenage boys trying to be cool.

Assuming you're not planning on making a massive sign or taking balloons, and that he hasn't asked you not to, then I would go.

At Amsterdam airport there is actually a machine just outside the exit door that prints out "Welcome Home" banners with the message of your choice.

Aquamarine1029 · 21/09/2024 16:39

He's been away for work for just a week, not coming home from war after a year. Surprising him at the airport, when he's with colleagues, is a little much.

CheeseWisely · 21/09/2024 16:40

I'm always scanning the faces waiting for people hoping there's someone for me. Never is tho

@Doggymummar I happened to mention to my DH when we were dating that nobody ever picks me up from the airport (we live offshore and I travel for work so I fly a lot). I've never arrived home without him being there to meet me since ☺️