Vacation with friends not such a great plan after all?

Meeting friends on vacation is the most fun for me. Endless lunches, a swim and a nap, then a snack and who knows, maybe even a dance, and then... each to their own home and bed. I wouldn't mind if that could be put on repeat for a few more days, but that's it for me. Because no matter how much you like each other, you really get to know each other on vacation, and no matter how good friends you are, you can have quite different ideas about the ‘ideal day out’.

That's why here are the biggest irritations in a row AND the solutions

1. They want to soak up culture, you want to shop.

Shopping, or taking in contemporary culture and supporting the local economy a bit, is your idea of an ideal vacation. Not shuffling past The Adoration of the Magi by Velázquez with your camera on your belly.

SOLUTION

Go have breakfast together and split into two groups. You really don't have to be glued to each other all the time. Meet up for lunch, give an update on what you've seen and shopped, and then go your separate ways again. Maybe it would be nice to find each other and occasionally join in on a cultural outing. It's not like you'll be much worse off for it, and then your credit card can also catch its breath.

2. You are a morning person, they sleep until lunch

Great idea to go to the local bakery in the morning, by the time the others woke up, that baguette was already tough.

SOLUTION

Let it go, let it be. They are on vacation too, and what could be better than sleeping in if that's your hobby. Twiddling your thumbs next to the breakfast table is not fun for you, and for the sleepers among us, it's not really a relaxing idea either. So go out yourself and suggest if they would like to brunch together. Try not to force someone into your idea of fun.

3. They turn out to be frugal

You might be way too careless and easygoing and only know the term ‘tikkie’ as a reminder of a game you played on the playground, they scrutinize every bill where that extra cola is charged to you.

SOLUTION

Create a vacation pot where you all put a certain amount in each day. And try to keep in mind that if you order oysters and lobster and the other person orders a pizza margherita, it's not entirely balanced. It's a sensitive point for the other, keep that in mind.

4. They love long dining, your children are not so good at that

I love nothing more than sitting at the table for hours and serially testing whether I still like wine, but with three children, that can sometimes be quite a task. A bit of a sacrifice for friends without children.

SOLUTION

Find a restaurant near a playground/carousel/whatever where they can blow off steam between courses. You'll see that your childless friends also enjoy kicking a ball or scoring in the shooting booth. And do yourself a favor by not choosing the fanciest restaurant on the list. Nothing is more awkward than when your children are tugging at the corners of the tablecloth next to a couple hoping to enjoy their honeymoon. So choose a nice ’throw-it’ place as we call it.

5. They are game people

While all your games are still in the foil.

SOLUTION

Come on, step out of your comfort zone. Maybe it would be really fun to play cards, backgammon, or for my part, Twister. At some point, you've chatted and sipped enough, and isn't it incredibly fun to be offline for a bit?

Main tip:

During your vacation, you might get really annoyed with your company, but also cherish the moment and know that when you get home, you'll have completely forgotten those little irritations and only remember the fun things.