How to travel with coworkers

This is how to do it

It all sounds like heaps of fun, an outing with your coworkers or a meeting with investors in another city, but in reality it can be extraordinarily tiresome. No matter how much fun it can be, some coworkers are just not your friends.

 For my silly job I’m in and out of airplanes at least once a month with an ever-changing group of people. Sometimes you know someone, sometimes you don’t. And sometimes you like them while other times, now how do I say this is a diplomatically, your company is so-so. Therefore a short little survival guide on how to handle these situations.

Meet at the gate

If you still need to check-in, you usually meet up at the check-in desk. This generally leaves you with an hour or two to kill at the airport. My advice would be to tell your travel buddies, in the friendliest way possible, that you still need to purchase a few things and you’re a chaotic shopper so you will meet them at the gate.

Believe me, no one likes walking around like a heard of clueless sheep.

Create your own space

I have the tendency to sit back and act entertained, throw out a couple anecdotes here and there, when truth be told I actually have no energy to do it. Unless you’re in the mood to listen to a fun little chitchat, then it’s fine to hang out and ooze in on the conversation. But after partaking in one, you might not have any energy left once you’ve landed and the purpose of your trip commences. If that’s the case; let them know. Tell them you’re going to watch a movie that you’ve downloaded in all serenity, or that you’re going to shut your eyes for a quick nap since you had to wake up early. If you’re honest, they’ll understand. And if they don’t, so be it. If you want a combination of fun and rest, you could always watch a movie together. The atmosphere will remain the same, but you won’t be forced to talk the entire time.

Be on time

Very important if you are traveling with a group. Make sure you respect the designated times given. I’ve been to fashion week in New York before when an undisclosed coworker was always at least fifteen minutes late. So aggravating for a group.

If it isn’t impossible for everyone to be dressed up and ready to go on time, then meeting up in a café is a good option. This makes waiting less irritating. You can order a cup of coffee (or wine) to kill time.

Dispose of the cell phone

I think it’s very important to schedule in some me-time during a business trip, but during the crucial moments, you have to not only be physically present but also mentally. Leave your phone in your purse during dinner and converse with your company. These are the moments to listen to your CFO’s story about hiking trips in England or the camping trips from your company strategist.

It’s moments like these that I do thoroughly enjoy because you get inspired by the diversity of the company.

How to Deal with annoying company

Almost always there is one bad apple to spoil the bunch. Someone who has the tendency to always complain and loves to share his or her groundless, negative opinion about anyone in the world who isn’t seated at the same table. It always makes me feel uncomfortable because A. it ruins that atmosphere, A. it’s all but inspiring and C. you know for sure that if you leave the table you will be the next victim. One way of handling this situation is referring to it in a humorous way. “I really like you but it is such a shame that you are too afraid to share your own opinion.” Or say to the rest of the group: “This is Sarah, the woman without an opinion.”

This eases the group (because they found it all very uncomfortable too) and the old grump has been put back in his or her place in a friendly manner.

Keep it real

Spending an evening on a rooftop  in New York drinking gin-tonics is evidently awesome, but coworkers are coworkers and not your friends. Anything you might say to them in a jovial mood could be used against you months later in a business related matter. Have a good time, but don’t go too far. And definitely do not make an embarrassment of yourself on the dance floor tumbling over or spewing. Before turning into an utter mess, you’ll already be neatly tucked in under your covers. 

Have adequate gear

You are here for work so be sufficiently prepared. Have a fully charged laptop, a charger and charged cell phone with an extra battery and plenty of room to take a bunch of photos. Everything is set, your passport hasn’t expired, you have your business cards with you. These all lead to a great impression for your employer. And it puts you at ease.

Pay for the minibar

Imagine, you’ve treated yourself to a little aperitif from the minibar or a bag of nuts or maybe even a Mars bar, then pay for these at the reception desk. For Holland’s Next Top Model I once spent two weeks in a hotel being treated like a princess, but those extra little snacks I snubbed from the minibar, I paid for myself. And don’t forget to leave a tip for the chambermaids.

have some fun

Because well, someone is paying a lot of money to have you flown in. This means you’re capable of doing something others are not. Pat yourself on the back a little.

aftercare

Once your flight has returned everyone departs to their home base. This could feel a bit odd after having shared everything with each other (well, not everything, please refer back to point 6). Sending an app in your group chat or an email or card to the person who facilitated the trip (your boss for example) is never a bad idea.

Gifts for the home keepers

A macaroon for the rest of the staff who stayed behind working their little butts off, personalized M&M’s from New York, some soap, or a dainty pair of socks with palm tree imprints. Everything is fun.