{"id":20002,"date":"2023-12-14T11:49:33","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T11:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/?p=20002"},"modified":"2024-02-19T09:53:34","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T09:53:34","slug":"tips-for-travelling-in-a-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/tips-for-travelling-in-a-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep it together! Tips for travelling in a group"},"content":{"rendered":"Approx read: <\/span> 3<\/span> mins<\/span><\/span>

You agree with Sartre: Hell is other people.<\/h2>\n

Your family or employer: Skip this group trip at your peril.<\/h3>\n

Sounds like you need some strategies for staying sane when the group is driving you crazy!<\/p>\n

I despise group anythings, especially abroad. That’s why I travel solo. But sometimes I have to join the herd. Read on for tips about how to deal with common group trip types.<\/p>\n

\"late<\/p>\n

The Late One<\/h4>\n

Most itineraries allow for some wiggle-room, but some activities begin sharpish: boat excursions, performances, museum tours.<\/p>\n

Tip: Be aware of cultural differences or personal habits regarding punctuality. If someone in the group is regularly late, blame your own cultural standards, sent in a text message, well out of turnaround range.<\/p>\n

The Stingy One<\/h4>\n

As a former Bourbon Street bartender, I always tip well. In countries where gratuity is expected – especially where tips are half or more of a server’s earnings – it chaps my hide to share a bill with others who don’t include it.<\/p>\n

Tip: That person who stiffed the server may come from a country where tipping isn’t common. Have a quiet word the first time, coerce the greedy git the next time through loud and public shaming: ‘And how much of a tip will YOU add?’<\/p>\n

\"forgot<\/p>\n

The Unprepared One<\/h4>\n

Guilty! But as someone who travels light, I know how to replace the things I forgot to pack. Toiletries in foreign languages can be a window into culture. Polish skincare products are amazing. Thank Gott that the German anise-flavoured toothpaste was a travel size: superyuck.<\/p>\n

Tip: There’s almost always a place nearby for essentials. Everywhere sells hair brushes; no need to share yours.<\/p>\n

The Rude One<\/h4>\n

Ok, there are two categories: accidentally rude and intentionally rude. For example: an accidentally rude person may not know you have to doff your shoes when entering a home in some countries; an intentionally rude person knows, but stays shod anyway. Same goes for table manners, conversation topics, and speaking volume.<\/p>\n

Tip: Quietly alert the perpetrator of the offense; keep your distance if they ignore the suggestion.<\/p>\n

\"spray<\/p>\n

The Anarchist<\/h4>\n

This person avoids everything but compulsory events and sneaks away early to do their own thing. My kinda person!<\/p>\n

Tip: Ally yourself early on for a deeper exploration of the destination, but be prepared to get ghosted. That person might just want some down-time away from the extroverts.<\/p>\n

The Itinerary-Militant<\/h4>\n

There’s one in every group, bless them! Get on the bus\/get off the bus\/pose for a group photo! Dinner at 7, you can’t change your meal choices! Sheesh, what a thankless job.<\/p>\n

Tip: Consider the time this person spent planning and budgeting every aspect of the trip. Would it really hurt you to spend a few hours each day following the itinerary?<\/p>\n

The Complainer<\/h4>\n

Having read over what I’ve written, I realise that I fall into most of these categories, including this one. It’s so easy to complain on a group trip abroad, so many types of people to complain about. But wait – ah, hubris – that might be you!<\/p>\n

Tip: Manage your frustration levels with these tips and enjoy the destination.<\/p>\n

Good to know! Local rules and customs for happy travel<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n