Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Copycat friends

103 replies

Mgb24 · 20/08/2017 06:53

Need advice. Our family have a campbervan and tent. Spend most school holidays traveling around England; France; & Spain camping; enjoying activities; al fresco dining; sight seeing and just having family fun.. we know that we're fortunate and these trip are the highlight of our year.

We spend a lot of time and effort planning targets; routes; activities etc. I learned the lingo to help maximise our trips.
Yet
A "friend" of my DH; his new wife & his stepchildren have taken to replicating our trips.

These holidays, we drove over 2000 miles in the last 4 weeks over a huge area enjoying gorgeous French villages away from tourist areas; range of activities & fun for the kids; perfect wee campsites with natural (river or mountain or beach) fun / adventures or bigger campsites with organised fun (pools; games; etc).. but a range to keep it fresh and interesting. Much fun was had by us

But our carefully planned and much enjoyed holidays was slightly soured when our trip was replicated by DH's "friend" & his new family as two weeks behind us they repeated our route; and our activities even staying in the same tiny villages; eating in the same restaurants; enjoying many of the same activities
They didn't ask for recommendations- seem to have just picked up the inspiration from our facebooks; instrgrams etc.

DH finds it creepy and flattering all in equal doses
Me - I find it frustrating that all the time and effort we put into planning is just then used by lazy "friends".

Any ideas of how to deal with it?
Any ideas on how to prevent reoccurrence?

OP posts:
Cakesprinkles · 20/08/2017 06:56

I don't think there's anything you can do other than be less specific in your Instagram and Facebook updates. You must've been going into a lot of detail if they've been able to follow your every move.

Sierra259 · 20/08/2017 07:02

If you're not intending your social media posts to be used as recommendations, then either leave out the more specific details about your trip, or block these friends from seeing the posts.

ShottaSheriff · 20/08/2017 07:09

I really can't see how or why this affects your enjoyment. The best way to deal with it, is not to let it bother you! If they appeared in places at the same time as you and wanted to join your holiday then fair enough, that would be something to get annoyed about, but otherwise I think you just need to let it go.

Also, if you post on Facebook and instagram to the extent that they can follow it like a travel blog, then expect people to treat it as an information source. The internet is fair game for finding inspiration for all sorts of things including holiday destinations. Keep it private if you don't want people to see what you're doing.

I also find it hard to believe that they hadn't made some of these plans for themselves beforehand, given that they must have booked their holiday a while back. The extent to which they're 'copying' might not be as much as you think.

SentientCushion · 20/08/2017 07:10

I'm not seeing the issue myself.
You didn't invent going on a tour of France and your holiday probably just looked fun, you haven't trademarked the route you took.

I will often go to places I've seen other people go on Facebook that look nice.

Maybe they just don't have as much time to plan a holiday as you so have found a way to cut corners.

MagdalenLaundry · 20/08/2017 07:12

You had a lovely time, can't see the issue
People get ideas of others all the time

Painfulpain · 20/08/2017 07:12

So what? How does it impact your holiday?

It's not as if you are discovering untrodden territory. There will be holiday makers before and after you. Loads of people travel Europe in a campervan

If you feel you are being 'copied' just don't post to social medium or exclude them from viewing your posts

SentientCushion · 20/08/2017 07:14

Also I find your attitude towards your holiday a bit weird in general to be honest. Lots of people 'learn the lingo' when they go on holiday, especially when it's France, Britain and Spain not mars.

It's wonderful that you got to travel around Europe but lots of people do it.

Lenl · 20/08/2017 07:14

What does it matter? Post less on social media.

MoseShrute · 20/08/2017 07:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cupcakegirl13 · 20/08/2017 07:19

The simple answer is don't share such detail on social media - why are people not surprised when there are ramifications to this ?!! Confused

badbadhusky · 20/08/2017 07:19

Is this thread for real? Complete non-issue IMO, unless you think you own exclusive rights to the wider world - in which case, you have bigger problems. Is this a "problem" people have if they FB and need bragging rights? I don't FB or Instagram, so this thead has left me all WTF??? Talk about first world problems.

BrandNewHouse · 20/08/2017 07:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mollyandmee · 20/08/2017 07:24

The real issue being that you see yourselves as original and adventurous travelling all over with your DC, no package holiday for you and actually they've just done the same which takes the shine off your limelight a bit (given that you clearly documented the whole thing on FB and insta in the first place)

You don't own the world ya know

Cupcakey · 20/08/2017 07:40

I don't want to offend in any way but take a step back.. Maybe don't post every waking moment on Facebook ???? I don't really get your issue, I went on holiday to Wales does that mean other friends I know can't go as that would be copying? See if you really sit and think you are being a little bit ridiculous. Sorry just being honest.

RallyRoundTheFlagBoys · 20/08/2017 07:47

Holidays are expensive, and if they are a disappointment or go wrong, they can be very stressful too (especially with little ones). If someone sees that you have had a wonderful time and found all these suitable and lovely places to go to, I can understand why they would want to do it too..because it's not easy to find the perfect holiday. I CAN understand why you are a wee bit annoyed, but why not turn your frown around and just be happy for them that they have managed to have as lovely a holiday as you did. Precious memories are priceless after all?

Seth · 20/08/2017 07:58

Op seriously?

I'm not even sure what to write. Ok in your shoes maybe I would have been a little annoyed and had a chat / laugh with my DH about it. However as others have said, the fact that you see it as such a big issue that you need to post it on here is surprising. How on earth did it 'sour' what for you was obviously a great holiday for you and your family?

chocolatesa · 20/08/2017 08:01

If they turned up at the same time and intruded on your holiday I could understand your frustration, but to go to the same places two weeks later doesn't impact you at all. I really don't understand what you are bothered about to be honest Hmm

Sleephead1 · 20/08/2017 08:14

Why would it spoil your holiday? I thought you where going to say they came at same time and wanted to be included with your family but they didnt. They possibly havnt done it before and know you have so thought they would take your advice/ recomendations i know you will say you didnt give this but if you have put all of this on social media in detail they could have taken it as such. If you dont want them to do it again then dont give details, but as this has happened once you may find they loved the idea of your holidays abd have tried it out and perhaps will organise their own adventures from now on

MagdalenLaundry · 20/08/2017 08:41

Perhaps see holidays as a time for family fun rather than to demonstrate to the world how unusual and adventurous you are
If this soured it for you your priority must be impressing others

ScarletSienna · 20/08/2017 08:45

I use other people's holiday photos etc on insta and FB as recommendations! Is that not part of the reason you share so much?

Admirablenelson · 20/08/2017 08:49

To stop this happening again, before your next trip, check your campervan for tracking devices. Tell no one where you're going. Travel at night. Tell no one where you've been, especially Mumsnet.

FinallyDecidedOnUserName · 20/08/2017 08:54

Seriously? You don't have a private right to these places. What an arrogant attitude.

Smallangryplanet · 20/08/2017 08:56

It's weird of them, do they acknowledge they are doing this by mentioning a or tagging you? I'd less specific about the locations.
I'd definitely mention something to them irl. I understand it's social media and info is out there. If your DH isn't that close, I'd unfriend them. Cheeky bastards.

CremeFresh · 20/08/2017 09:00

I really don't see how this has spoilt your holiday , you can't 'undo' a good time.

I say that they've used their initiative, let you do the slog of planning the holiday and copied your ideas.

If you don't like it then stop bragging on social media.

MadamePomfrey · 20/08/2017 09:10

I agree I don't see the issue you went has a lovely time so they went too. ultimately if they were able to completely copy your holiday just from Facebook I would have a think about how much detail you are putting out there!

Swipe left for the next trending thread