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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend doesn't want to go out after dark on holiday

210 replies

curtainp0le · 25/10/2024 22:23

I am going on holiday for 3 nights with 2 friends to a popular city in Spain in a couple of weeks. One friend, let's call her Susan, is keen to go to a bar or a club one evening. We are mid/late 20s but none of us are major clubbers or party people. I don't drink at all. The other friend, Elaine, is reluctant to go to a bar. She is scared to 'be out too late in a place I don't know. Scary stories in the news have made me extra cautious'.
I said that we will stick together, but even at that she is worried about walking back late to our hotel as we are 'still a group of girls'. I said there will be night buses and trams. I also pointed out that in Spain they eat dinner late and it will get dark about 7pm, so by necessity we will probably have to be out after dark if we want to have anything to eat. At this, Elaine said we will need to get a phone number for a taxi.

AIBU to feel a bit annoyed about this attitude? I totally understand, in light of recent events, why she is concerned. I don't want to cause drama. But I also feel we need to be realistic that statistically anything like that is extremely unlikely. I don't want to feel restricted on the basis of Elaine's fears. I don't want to sit in the hotel from 7pm onwards. It's my holiday too! And Susan genuinely wants to go to a bar. How would you manage this?

OP posts:
Growlybear83 · 27/10/2024 17:31

As other people have said, I'd leave your friend behind in the hotel. I think you would be far safer walking around a Spanish city after dark than in many British towns.

soupfiend · 27/10/2024 17:44

ruethewhirl · 26/10/2024 20:01

Very mixed feelings about this thread. On one hand, no of course it's not reasonable for this one person's fears to keep the others from doing what they want on holiday. And I personally can't relate to the levels of caution and fear OP's friend is displaying, and yes on the surface of things it would seem she's letting her fears rule her and potentially derail the holiday, which of course is not fair on the others.

But on the other hand... bloody hell, some of the Mean Girls-style sneering/laughing and lack of empathy/sympathy about anxiety on this thread is disgusting. Must be nice for certain pps to be so perfect that they can sit and laugh/sneer about other people's struggles. 😒

I have every sympathy with people like the poster on this thread who said that she is the same, even here, sounds like she barely leaves her house

But why, is OPs friend going on a holiday in the first place, when chances are you'll be out, but in particular going to Spain where the day ends in the early hours of the next morning. What possessed her to do this?

And then to put expectations on the others that are going which are unreasonable.

I think thats why people are responding as they are.

Lentilweaver · 27/10/2024 18:00

I don't think this is a genuine thread. But I confess to having compassion fatigue when it comes to anxiety. It's used so often these days to derail plans and make other people suffer.

I have one friend who is anxious about flying. Another who is anxious about going on the Tube. A third who is anxious about going on escalators. Hard to avoid these in London. A fourth with health anxiety.

They all expect people to go out of their way, incur expenses and change their plans to cater to their anxieties. Like drive them or avoid the Tube or take Ubers with them etc etc. I, for one, am tired of it. I am still friends but I put up very strong boundaries now.

MasterBeth · 27/10/2024 18:06

curtainp0le · 25/10/2024 22:48

It is real unfortunately.

Friend does have a history of anxiety (as do I incidentally) so I think that's why this fear is exaggerated.

Recent events as in for example Ashling Murphy, Sarah Everard; women not being safe to live their everyday lives.

The grim history of violence against women means these terrible (not so recent) events have always happened. But there's no sudden upswing, especially for three women together in a busy Spanish tourist city.

Maddy70 · 27/10/2024 18:07

tommyhoundmum · 26/10/2024 21:05

There are strong anti-tourist demos in Spain. Perhaps this is what she means.

This has been blown put of all proportion in the British press

I saw one of the protests where the mail had said tourists had neem attacked with water pistols.

They did carry them and they were squirting them into the. Crowds. It wasn't done in a menacing way. It was quite funny. Kids were running over to them to get 'squirted"

Nothing like the news report. And it was a pre planned protest with no more planned. It was advertised and you could avoid it easily if you wish

Maddy70 · 27/10/2024 18:07

tommyhoundmum · 26/10/2024 21:05

There are strong anti-tourist demos in Spain. Perhaps this is what she means.

This has been blown put of all proportion in the British press

I saw one of the protests where the mail had said tourists had neem attacked with water pistols.

They did carry them and they were squirting them into the. Crowds. It wasn't done in a menacing way. It was quite funny. Kids were running over to them to get 'squirted"

Nothing like the news report. And it was a pre planned protest with no more planned. It was advertised and you could avoid it easily if you wish

ClemenceD · 27/10/2024 19:54

The two murders she referenced happened in the UK and Ireland, so if anything you can tell her she may be safer in Spain!

DBD1975 · 28/10/2024 14:34

You will know when you are past your prime!

Madamum18 · 28/10/2024 18:52

She stays in at wherever you are staying that evening. The rest of you go to a club!

Nettie1964 · 30/10/2024 22:14

It's soain whole families arevout having dinner. Leave her in the hotel.

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