Why do people act like it’s a moral failure to not pack light? AIBU to enjoy taking stuff on holiday with me?

[igotitbadforyou]

I’ve noticed this on a lot of packing/holiday threads. Lots of sneering and looking down on people for packing more than is “needed”.

Technically you could go on holiday with the clothes on your back and a spare pair of underwear and that be that, but I enjoy having options and taking some of my home comforts with me.

Why do people act like it’s wrong to do this? It doesn’t impact anyone else.

I’m going to be exploring with my big suitcase, I’ll be tackling public transport. I’ll be able to lift it though!

I also take the same gym outfit on holiday that I never use and bring back again. I live in hope that one day I will go for a run on my trip!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I also take twice the pants I need, and add in at least another 5 pairs. Just in case I suddenly become incontient

I don't know, it's not a skill or a proof of superiority if you pack light, surely it depends on your needs? If you are travelling on a plane, and not 4 adults in a fiat 500, there's space so why not use it.

Sometimes a 10kg hand luggage is enough, other time you need more stuff, want to take liquid with you. Sometimes you go on a beach holiday, others the weather will be very unpredictable, or you have a full schedule and you need options.

I always find the under-packer amusing. They don't need to carry or deal with other people luggage, so why do they care?

My friend arrived for two weeks in the uk last Summer with just carry-on. I’d booked a really nice thing for us somewhere with a dress code that she wanted to go and she rocked up for it in something I wouldn’t wear for the school run, and I’m a notoriously scruffy dresser. She also didn’t have the right shoes for half the activities she wanted to do. I don’t get it, if you can afford several hundred quid for flights just do it properly and pay for some luggage so you stay comfortable during your trip.

It’s not even that expensive. £200 all in for UK to Italy return flights with three piece of luggage each way. During the summer holidays!

I pack light on clothes so I have room for all the novels (I plan for 9 for a 7 day holiday)

Then I leave them at the hotel/rental, and fill their space with souvenirs (usually food)

I don't have a lot of clothes and shoes. I think it's probably rebellion after a childhood of ridiculously over-packing. My mum used to bring every item she owned just in case she felt like wearing it.

I admit to feeling proud of my light packing skills. One one level I know this is a bit silly. But surely other people are proud of other pointless skills?

I’m very much in your mum’s camp I’m afraid 😬

I have to admit, I’m quite proud of how much I can take on a trip 🤣

I don't have a lot of clothes anyway, I wear the same shorts and t-shirts on holiday as I wear in summer here.

There's probably a link between not having a lot of clothes ANYWAY and being able to pack light. And probably the fact we prefer low key, simple meals to fancy restaurants.

If I have a couple of pairs of shorts, some leggings, a pair of jeans and enough tops, I'm happy. My sister needs half her wardrobe.

My Dad's anniversary present one year was to give her his luggage allowance.

I'm not kidding.

Yanbu!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 it was an expectation in our family that the boys halved their luggage allowance and gave it to us 🤣

Just because you don't pack lots of the same stuff doesn't mean other people don't! I know someone who once posted a picture of her holiday wardrobe as part of the holiday photo album on facebook. She had about 15 pairs of shoes in total for a weeks holiday, including 3 pairs of identical style sandals in slightly different colours. I do see that as excess and consumerism (knowing her and her shopping habits, these were not carefully considered purchases).
That is what I consider overpacking - taking so many multiples of things that realistically you'll never wear them all. Often goes with a more general pattern of overconsumption buying loads of clothes that never get worn.

Over consumption is one thing, but sometimes you do also just want more than one colour of things.

I have the exact same sandals in two colours, because my feet are wide and when I find something that suits me I stick with it.

I am a difficult shape to dress. If I find something I like that actually fit me well, I will buy it in quite a few colours!

I do that too. That's not the behaviour I'm talking about.

Me too!

And I like to have options on holiday. I plan spare outfits because what if I take a dress and then feel really bloated? Or get sunburnt and want to cover up a little more?

I'm with you OP. I find I can pack less if i am going somewhere cool/cold as i wear jeans a lot. However if it is a warm/hot destination then i like to take enough light summer clothes so i have 2 outfits for each day. I really do not want to wear anything more than once in hot weather.

Yeah I get sweaty, plus I don’t want to be doing washing while I’m away!

I don’t pack light I pack what I need and want to wear when I’m away. I’ve no idea how people go away for 5 days with a small underseat bag do they wear the same clothes every day? I need make up and toiletries which takes up quite a bit of room. I’m not going on holiday then wearing the same dress for 3 days.

I didn’t say you need to be ashamed. I don’t think you need to be proud either. As you said in your op, neither under or over packing is a moral trait. I choose not to give my money to the airlines - I’d rather spend it on nice food and drink While I’m there. As I said each to their own.

I think the best one was when I went to South Africa and took my pillow with me.

completely redundant apart from for the two overnight flights there and back. While my mum was uncomfortable and complaining the entire way, I was the most comfortable I’ve ever been

I’ve done it, and to be honest it does work for some trips. I went on a long f1 weekend and it worked because I wore the same shorts and just different tops everyday. But it was 20° max for the entire time and we weren’t going out to eat