You will definitely recognize this when you go on vacation with your in-laws

Going on vacation is always a good idea. And with every company, it's just a little different.

That's what makes it so fun. There are indeed some differences to notice when you go to Southern Spain, Cape Verde, or Texel with your in-laws, compared to when you simply enjoy the peace together, just the two of you, somewhere in the world. I love my sisters-in-law, their boyfriends, and my in-laws. There’s even a little nephew born, who is too sweet for words. And when you’ve known each other for years, you know what to expect on vacation. That helps. But still. It’s something, being nine of us hanging out abroad. Normally you see each other once a week, once a month. At a birthday. Or with Sinterklaas. And then suddenly being together non-stop for 24 hours everywhere, from breakfast on the beach to the last cocktail in the hotel bar.

It’s just different than, well, with your own family. So anyone who has ever packed their bags with their mother-in-law in the airplane seat in front of them knows:

• You disagree with something but you don’t say a word. With your own mother or father, you would have already commented on something. Now it’s go with the flow. For days, weeks on end.
• You don’t know what to wear. If your mother-in-law puts on fancy boots for dinner, you feel bad showing up in your sneakers. Your own mother would have just asked you what the dress code for the evening is.
• You can’t say anything negative. If the food in the restaurant isn’t great, you wisely keep your mouth shut. Your partner can complain and sulk, the ‘real’ kids can whine until steam comes out of their ears, but the in-laws are quiet. You don’t say anything negative about anything. Everything is beautiful, wow, and fantastic. Oh and ah.
• You think about your own sisters, parents, and brother at many moments. If only they could have seen this beautiful spot. If only they could have heard this joke. If only you could have shared this crab with your own sweet sister.
• You get to know everyone in a very different way. Good conversations come up that you wouldn’t have so quickly at home. Sensitive topics are brought up. That can be a pleasant surprise, or it can be disappointing. Sometimes you can feel excluded in conversations that are more about their lives than about yours.
• You follow the daily rhythm of others. You don’t go to bed when you feel like it or get up when you want to have breakfast, no, you do what the rest does. You adapt. And yes, you are expected to chat cheerfully at breakfast. At seven o’clock in the morning.
• You are always cheerful. Always interested. Always.
  Well, however it may be for you, let one thing be clear: vacation is vacation. And that is always a good idea. So you won’t hear me complain. Oh and ah.

FACTS

• For 89 percent of people, daily stress disappears after two days of vacation.
• The most visited country in the world? Bonjour – c’est la douce France.
• No less than 99 percent of Libya consists of, yes, sand.