Things that are supposed to be enjoyable but aren't in reality

[Tooconfused12]

Here's my list:

Holidays with the family (kids under the age of 6.) Too expensive, the kids are always tired/vomiting/over-stimulated. Travelling is a fucking nightmare. There's at least two arguments with your partner. And you (being the woman) end up doing all the prep for about three weeks beforehand. When you come back it takes at least a week for you to get through all the washing. And you're exhausted.

Being on the beach. It's actually a bit shit all round. Sand everywhere. People get too hot and uncomfortable. Sand in the food. Warm drinks that have been left out in the sun. The kids end up with sand in their eyes and so do you. It's always really windy and the sea is miles out which means you have to walk for ages to get there. Someone gets bitten/cut by a rock/sunburnt/swallows loads of sea water and you give up and leave after about 2 hours of drama.

Eating out. Too expensive, better quality of cooking at home with fresh ingredients.

Paris. Dirty, smelly, you're followed everywhere by sleazy men trying to sell you stuff or pickpocket you. Everyone's really fucking rude as well

Having sex. It's a bit touch and go, most of the time it's slightly boring, the bloke normally orgasms before you and the people you really fancy - when you end up shagging it turns out to be rubbish after all that build up. Or they ooze sex appeal and charisma but they do something to give you the serious ick and your vagina slams shut.

Hen do's - end of.

Mumsnet!

End of.

Musicals …,

I’ve found my people.

Specifically, Christmas Markets.

I've never done Disney and probably would turn it down if offered am all over expenses paid trip for these exact reasons.

Live sporting events, participatory bigger ones.

Mostly uncomfortable seats, ‘action’ that might or might not be exciting, and generally a worse view than you have at home on the telly. Overpriced food and drinks, and facilities with queues for days. Then a journey home on a packed train, or out of an insanely busy, eye-watering expensive car park.

We had tickets to day 4 of Wimbledon last year, and while it was good to take in the atmosphere, the matches we saw were all boring, we absolutely sweltered in the sun, and there was nowhere to sit and enjoy or drink or two; everywhere was standing room only. I didn’t hate it, but it just felt like it had lost something of the old atmosphere and laid back feel it had back in the 90s and earlier.

And don’t get me started on football… used to go with my uncle to see a team in the fifth tier, and it was the best part of £30 to watch absolute dross. It was good to spend time with him (even though he turned out to be a massive dick), but we could have done that at the pub, or at home for a fraction of the cost and without the faff of getting there and back.

To each their own, but i always end up feeling like some kind of cash cow, and I just don’t think it’s ever as good as it should be.

Satsumas. Just pleased to get rid of all the peel, wash my hands and get the pith out from under my nails.

Gigs. Even when they’re going well I’m still weirdly relieved when they announce it’s the end.

Paris is one of the most interesting places on earth, I love it. And you've been going to the wrong type of beaches (although I agree with young kids it's annoying and boring.) Agree with the rest, and I will add theme parks to the mix.

‘Maybe it’s just that the UK beaches are a bit shit’. No, they are not. Some are breathtaking.

Motherhood.

Hellooooo, Grinch of the Year is here -->

Going on any type of break during the School holidays - as a person without kids I don't. I did once or twice and never again. I'm sure those who are confined to school hols would like to travel in term time also. If you want to travel at all that is!

Christmas. Every bloody thing about it. I see extended family all year round, and I'm just too old for forced jollity and too much food and drink, shopping, crowds, trees, baubles, Santa the lot. All for one stupid day. So I feck off to Spain for a month - go before schools finish and back after they return. I have it licked ha ha.

Anywhere there is loud music and I can't hear myself or chat normally with those around me. Why are restaurants getting louder by the day, is it to take our minds off mediocre food or what?

Birthday parties/get togethers for grown adults. Christmas presents for grown adults. Come on...

Dealing with the misogyny of the medical profession. Some of them are unreal and if you advocate for yourself they consider you difficult and might refer you for psychiatric help or HRT while you're dying of something else.

I have more but I'll wait and see if anyone else says them. I'm normal and well adjusted by the way 😊

This thread is making me realise that I love pretty much everything and that I am lucky that I can find the fun in pretty much most things. Weddings, Christmas, spa days, Disney, parties, musicals, eating out, holidays… this is a summary of most of my favourite things!

I agree with lots of these.

Always want to love Paris, just haven't quite managed it yet. Willing to keep on trying though.

Vienna with small children.

Beaches - I have a very low boredom threshold and pale skin so unless I'm doing something fun in the water, it's a no. Do love going for a bracing walk on the beach here though. Boredom threshold with baths too - all the faff, I get in then think what should I do now.

Dogs - I like other people's but when they do that loud breathing I am definitely on edge.

Had some fabulous holidays when the children were small but package type holidays and entertainment are not for me. Anyone singing badly while I'm trying to eat/chat in a restaurant.

Omg yes

I love gigs, I hate the waiting around beforehand though! The last one I went to I very nearly didn't get into because during lockdown it had been postponed a few times, and the people at the O2 arena said our tickets weren't valid, even though they were supposed to be!

I agree about beaches. The sea is always bloody freezing, it’s either uncomfortable pebbles or annoying sand

And agree about sex. As I get older, the more I can’t be arsed.

I love everything about the beach apart from sand! It seems to stick to me more than other people and drives me mad.

I love Paris and sex though.

My list is:
childfree weddings
food shopping
board games that take over half an hour to play

Another vote for barbecues. Unless there are enough seats for everyone, and places to put down your glass/plate, there's just too much juggling involved. Not to mention the risk of undercooked food.

Agree with Christmas markets, pretty much any commercial Xmas experience which are over priced and overcrowded.

Beaches if too hot - but a quiet one with shade is lovely.

Concerts are massively overhyped. Expensive, can't see, tiring. Always used to be relieved when they finished. Would only go now if I can guaranteed sit down.

I'll add theatre - just nowhere as good as a film, crowded at the interval, and basically a lot of faff and money

Bbq's- Too much faffing just whack it in the air fryer or oven
Birthing pools- Actually really hard to get into a comfortable position.
Beaches-Just get the ick nowadays to how much sewage is in the sea.

Loud events - gigs, big parties, cinema, sports events (everyone but me enjoys football in my house).
Baths - showers are much better.
Gender reveals & baby showers.
Alcohol - tastes crap, can be expensive and normally ends up with someone in the group who doesn't know their limit.
Softplay - smells like sweaty feet and no one watches their kids.
Macha - grass flavour anyone?
Halloween - why do we tell kids not to speak to strangers then get them to knock on doors for sweets?
I however love Christmas, atleast the traditions that come with it, same with Easter and birthdays.

I’m not sure ‘dealing with the misogyny of the medical profession’ is supposed to be enjoyable, tbf!

I agree with some of these, but I honestly don't see what's wrong with birthday/Christmas presents and celebrations for adults. Just because a person grows up doesn't mean it's not still enjoyable to celebrate special times with them. People may decide to stop doing Christmas presents for adults to focus on the kids, and that's a nice sentiment but even then I don't see what's wrong with adult birthday celebrations so long as everyone concerned wants to keep doing them.

Running! Everyone always says “as you get better at it you’ll get the bug!” but I always hated it. Built up to running 10ks and hated every second of it

You’ve made me want to go & try it as don’t think I’ve ever had a massage that good