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.

I was so happy when I found a good hairdresser who doesn't talk to me. We greet each other and do the niceties and then barely speak for the whole appointment. It suits us both!!

Well. Some of the above things can be enjoyable in the right circumstances.

I thought Disney and Universal Studios Florida would be awful based on British theme parks. I loved them. Loved the atmosphere, the fantastic tech, the sheer fun, the sun ( never went in summer and did it in (expensive) style. Loved cape canaveral and the space stuff and the lovely gulf coast. Fab. Loved it pre kids and post watching their wee faces.

Theatre. Agree for most part but occasionally sublime.

Spas - as above.

It sometimes pays to look for the sun.

Me too! I would be happy doing any of these things!

We have some weird unspoken rule about easter eggs in our family - once a child reaches 16, everyone is supposed to stop buying them. My own DM asked why I had got my cousin an easter egg since he was over that age now? I said i'd buy them until they didn't want them anymore.

Camping.
Walks
Holidays abroad when there are loads of children running around unsupervised.
Shopping in Malls

I agree with a fair few of these including Christmas; I try to enjoy it but the anxiety of organising and paying for it, spending time with family members who aren’t nice company and the overindulgence, means I struggle to be happy and content!

I would also add allotments… I know some people get a lot out of them and are wonderfully creative but I found it lonely, stressful and a bit overwhelming having one! Maybe it was because I also had small children at the time…

Children's parties
Camping (used to be fun when we all had small kids, but as a grown adult...it's a no)
Work travel
Funfairs - depressing
Clowns - depressing
Disneyland
Baking cakes

Town centre food festivals. Where they have loads of pop up food vans that put the word ‘Urban’ in front of the name of the food they’re serving so they can charge twice the amount (Urban Pizza, Urban Burger Co etc) with shit gin and Prosecco vans that charge you £10 a glass because they put some twigs in it (supposed to be a garnish I believe) and you can buy really shit overpriced soap that will make your eyes swell up.

If I wanted to get pissed and eat shit food on the street I could get a 4 pack of foster’s and a kebab on the way home. Much cheaper.

About beaches, why would anyone enjoy sitting on sand, having no loo beside them, (apart from peeing in the sea, yuck), and have food that instantly gets covered in sand, the umbrella blows away and dogs dig a hole and kick the sand, as do some kids. The sandcastles fall down, crying commences, bottles and bottles of suncream which makes the sand stick all the more. Cheek by arse with the family next door. Bare chested men with beer bellies prancing around or playing footie on the sand thinking they are Adonis. OMG no. NO.

Nothing about a beach appeals to me. Give me a lovely terrace off my hotel room or a patio in an air bnb and I'm happy. Nip in for sand free drinks and food, and of course the loo.

Evening “entertainment” on AI holidays. Would rather sit and chat!
loud music

Swimming in the Mediterranean sea off a yacht. Just terrifying.

I'm with you on the beach and the sea too. I only tolerate it because the DC like it and only if there's a fresh water shower to get rid of the salt water on my body and sand on my feet.

Foot massages. Least relaxing thing ever. Hate having my feet touched!

Loud music at wedding receptions where people have to have conversations by screaming into each other's ears.

Spa days.

Snow and ice.

Camping holidays (if I can't afford anything more comfortable and accessible than that, I'd much rather stay at home, thank you!)

Having my birthday acknowledged.

I only agree with hen dos on the OP’s list.

If I get invited, I decline.

Holidays - we’ve travelled extensively (all over the world) with our kids from when the eldest was 6 months. No dramas whatsoever and they are our absolute best memories as a family. Cant relate to finding them exhausting at all.

Ditto beaches. We love ‘em (not a fan of British ones unless it’s for dog walks).

Eating out - something we do far too much of and bloody love.

Paris - I’m lucky that my husband works there a lot so I can hop on the Eurostar to spend the weekend with him. Used to do it regularly and take the kids when they were small. Never encountered rudeness, smelliness or sleazy men.

Sex? That’s a sad viewpoint and you’re clearly doing it with the wrong men.

100% spa days. I like to think myself open minded so went along to one even though I didn’t get it. Fuck me. What a waste of time. Same for most weddings, all baby showers.

And now I have been vindicated so I could carry on using my time for things I know I enjoy. A pub quiz, long walks, reading. Farting about on Mumsnet and Reddit.

Is the country full of people doing things the don’t want to do? Probably. But we should all still give it a go or we will all just be in our pyjamas on the internet. So I will of course attend all the events in good grace.

Oh, and fairground rides!

I absolutely love the beach - and sea swimming is literally my 'happy place in my head' that I picture if I want calm - but not a busy one in 'high season' which is what it sounds like you're describing!

Sex. Germy and gross. I'd rather be nice and clean and fresh all the time and leave my PH nicely balanced.

New years eve I always find it a bit depressing.
Barbecues, I just can't be bothered.

Breakfast in bed- so unrelaxing, over-busy and then you just end up with a load of crumbs. (Drinking tea in bed on the other hand is wonderful.)

69- I need to be able to concentrate on one thing or the other. Trying to do both is like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time and unless you’re the same height you just get a crick in your neck.

Threesomes- just awful. Busy and fraught and depersonalising.

(Realise having two sex ones make me sound like I’m very adventurous- actually am very vanilla, maybe that was the problem 😂)

OTOH I love beaches, spas, Paris and holidays with small children.

Staying in people’s houses I feel like am walking on egg shells better to stay in a hotel

Christmas
New Years Eve
going to parties
sunbathing
I’m 66 now, but I’ve never really enjoyed these things. I’ve always enjoyed sex though and used to love clubbing

Agree re:
Christmas
Birthdays
Spa days
Families
Going to the hairdresser
Barbecues
Clothes shopping

But I love/like:
Theatre
Eating out
Paris
Beaches
Baths
Holidays

Just shows that we're all different, I guess!

Getting your nails done.