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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:
CosyLemur · 26/09/2024 07:03

Don't do it!

MsMarple · 26/09/2024 07:21

Why does it have to be a surprise? Just ask him first - and then you won’t accidentally miss him, or mess up any plans with colleagues.

its still a lovely gesture, whether he is expecting it or not!

ElaineMBenes · 26/09/2024 07:21

Florin · 26/09/2024 06:43

When our son was 4 my dh was away on business our son threw up at school, we found he had eaten something he was intolerant too so not a bug and was bouncing off the wall but school said he had to be off school for the rest of the week. The first day he was so bored just the two of us stuck at home. Dh was due home the next day early afternoon so I offered if he would like us to pick him up next day. Ds can watch the planes and dh was really excited about the idea. He landed with another female colleague who he knew well and been on nights out together with clients, she had even bought our son small presents while away occasionally. However she took the right hump when she saw us (no gushy 90’s movie hello from us so wasn’t that) she blanked our son when he said hello then walked off so she obviously didn’t take it well, assume my dh hadn’t warned her. To be fair after this it soon became apparent was an incredibly moody person and would regularly throw a strop over a lot less. Put me off doing it again though even if I did ask first!

This is really odd behaviour from the female colleague.
Why on earth would it bother her?

I returned from a work trip a few days ago with a colleague. My DH rearranged some things last min so he could pick me up and was there with our DS.

Once I collected my bag I says goodbye to my colleague and that was that - no drama 🤷🏼‍♀️

SallyWD · 26/09/2024 07:31

It's a lovely thought but honestly, if I was travelling with colleagues and my DH and child were at the airport, I'd be embarrassed!
Do something at home instead like make a cake or a nice meal.

GoldenNuggets08 · 26/09/2024 07:41

Josette77 · 21/09/2024 18:59

How is this needy? It's ok to miss your spouse.

I can't believe OP is being called cringey and egotistical. It's ok to say no, but these replies are wild.

Why are we assuming his coworkers are a bunch ofem who would mock him? We don't even know ops husbands job.

My partner is a crisis worker and I don't imagine his colleagues being immature enough to mock this.

No assumptions being made. OP said "I know his colleagues, 2/3 who are actually his best mates, would tease him, which is why I was a bit hesitant"

Mugaloaf · 26/09/2024 08:53

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 21/09/2024 15:59

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

I agree.

It's a really lovely thought I'd he's travelling alone.

ElaineMBenes · 26/09/2024 08:56

SallyWD · 26/09/2024 07:31

It's a lovely thought but honestly, if I was travelling with colleagues and my DH and child were at the airport, I'd be embarrassed!
Do something at home instead like make a cake or a nice meal.

Genuine question... why would you be embarrassed?
Surely your colleagues know you have a family? Why would seeing them be embarrassing?

SallyWD · 26/09/2024 09:00

ElaineMBenes · 26/09/2024 08:56

Genuine question... why would you be embarrassed?
Surely your colleagues know you have a family? Why would seeing them be embarrassing?

I mean I wouldn't be mortified or anything, it just seems a bit too much after a few days away. I'd still be in working mode if travelling with my colleagues and wouldn't want a welcome party as I walked into the airport. Maybe if I'd been away for 2 months or something...

ElaineMBenes · 26/09/2024 09:06

@SallyWD maybe I'm seeing through my work trips which are often to the other side of the world. I'm certainly not in work mode when I've got a minimum of 14 hours flight time 😂 In economy 😂
My DH is a welcome sight as it means I don't have to navigate taxis or public transport on zero sleep!!

mitogoshigg · 26/09/2024 09:13

Please don't, pretty embarrassing. 6 months away fair enough but not a week. My dc isn't even keen on the family gathering when they get back from full deployment, bit cringy

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 09:20

I'm picturing the full Gavin and Stacey welcome at the airport 😁

HerbalBovril · 03/10/2024 16:32

FrancisSeaton · 21/09/2024 18:49

Enchanted and delighted? After being away a week for work?

Yup. Don’t know how much experience you have with military and/or FIFO families, but we take what we can get. 🙌🏽

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