Christmas dilemma

[Luredbyapomegranate]

I’ve just had a lovely Christmas with my sibling and family, but I am bloody knackered and retreating more than usual.

We’re off to another set of relatives, before I head off to friends for NY. I have been slightly regretting not arranging a couple of quiet days…

Now I just found out I will be sharing a room with a teen relative at the next place..

I am thinking of pulling a work emergency and not going.

They are sweet relatives, they are very generous, and kind to ask me, but also quiet formal and I just don’t want to go without somewhere to beat a retreat to.. also I DO feel I am being treated a bit like a child because I’m single (there are other ways to organise the accommodation IMO).

Is it impossibly rude to pull out at this point? The rest of my family will still go

I'm very introverted and the though of sharing a room with someone would make me run away.

I'd pull out. You should do what you want at Christmas and if you could feign a work emergency no one will get hurt feelings.

Just don't go. I think the work excuse is a bit lame but you know your family best so you know what to say to bow out gracefully.

Pull out, enjoy some quiet time and send lots of well wishes. They'll be fine without you and sounds like you deserve a rest!

Thanks everyone, that’s reassuring.

I have a weird job, which is handy in these situations, so I think they’ll accept that explanation.

I was in a similar situation and managed to get a last minute hotel booking near my relative's house. Are you able to book a hotel or B&B nearby so you have got space to escape to? Lots of hotel rooms available due to covid cancellations so you might strike lucky.

I would pull out for work emergency, you’ve said yourself that you feel that’s all this a bit too much already. And me staying in a hotel would be more offensive for my relatives then pulling out because of work emergency.

I would definitely pull a work emergency, what is the point of dreading staying there when you could be more comfortable and stress free in your own surroundings.

It's wrong not to ask an adult if they are prepared to share with someone else. They should have asked you outright so you could pull out politely.

Oh yes definitely use the work card!

I would definitely pull the work card! Or book a local hotel and tell them it is non refundable and that is what you are doing.

I very much doubt the teenager wants to share with you either!!

No way would I be sharing a room so definitely fine to pull out although i think if that is the reason you would be better being honest so that they can make the decision to give you your own room if that would make you stay. But if youd rather not go at all I would use the work reason.

If the teens parents are there, I would absolutely expect them to share with their own dc rather than you.

You are right that you wouldn't be expected to do this if you weren't single.

Any chance of going but booking a hotel nearby?

I was supposed to share a room with my nan last night but just couldn’t do it. I ended up on a mattress in the front room. Had almost no sleep. But we only stayed one night so it was completely bearable. I wouldn’t go if I were you.

God, definitely have to work. Sounds stressful and exhausting to me