{"id":28036,"date":"2019-02-07T00:00:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T00:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flashpacknew.wpengine.com\/?p=28036"},"modified":"2023-05-12T10:35:42","modified_gmt":"2023-05-12T09:35:42","slug":"perfect-travel-companion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/solo\/travel\/perfect-travel-companion\/","title":{"rendered":"This is how to be the perfect group travel companion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Worried about the etiquette of group holidays? Fear not, from snoring to boring, we give expert tips on being the perfect travel companion<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Thinking of going on a group holiday with a bunch of people you don\u2019t know? Got a slightly uncomfortable feeling in your bowels?<\/p>\n

As someone with a doctorate in nerves from the University of Pooingyourself, I can assure you that there\u2019s nothing wrong with you (though, if the uncomfortable feeling persists, or isn\u2019t at all related to your potential trip, please do see a real doctor).<\/p>\n

Travelling with strangers<\/a> can be daunting, especially the first time, and extra especially when one of them is going to be your roommate for the next two weeks.<\/p>\n

What if they snore or have chronic wind? What if you snore or have chronic wind? What if you both<\/em> snore and<\/em> have chronic wind? (In this case, you really do need to see a doctor.)<\/p>\n

The good news is, group travel will enhance your life. It will enhance your life even more if you and everyone around you show a bit of awareness, courtesy and willingness to generally not be an arse.<\/p>\n

None of us is perfect, but that\u2019s no reason not to aspire to be the perfect travel companion.<\/p>\n

As they say, if you aim for the moon, you might just hit the ceiling. Or something like that. So here are some expert travel etiquette tips, topped up by Flash Pack staff and you, our extremely considerate and worldly-wise community of Flashpackers. They’ll make your group travel experience \u2014 and that of your companions \u2014 a great deal more pleasurable.<\/p>\n

Make a good first impression<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

First impressions do indeed last. Greet your new roommate and fellow travellers with a string of critiques on their dress sense, or a finger up the nose followed by a handshake, and it\u2019s going to take most of the trip for them to forget that opening gambit, and if you’re in a small group it’ll be even worse.<\/p>\n

Instead, be nice, be politely inquisitive, remember names and \u2014 I mean this in the nicest sense possible \u2014 think about buying their affection, by getting that round in or shouting that cab ride.<\/p>\n

Expert tip:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen packing, think of your roommate. If you’re packing some snacks, why not pack a little something for your roommate-to-be \u2013 it’s a great hello and ice-breaker.\u201d \u2013 Nicola, Flash Pack HQ.<\/em><\/p>\n

Know your own mind, but be careful how you express it<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

No matter what your heartfelt opinions, when you meet strangers, try to judge the room.<\/p>\n

Nobody wants you to be all vanilla and boring and not have a take on anything \u2013 but just ask yourself, \u201cAre my views on men with top knots going to go down well with my travel partners, and if not, is it worth souring the atmosphere just to get said views off my chest.\u201d And really don\u2019t try to be \u2018amusingly controversial\u2019.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re not Jeremy Clarkson and nor do you want to be.<\/p>\n

Try to avoid conflict<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I mean, really. It\u2019s bloody obvious, isn\u2019t it? See above.<\/p>\n

Just say yes<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Really, this is what a Flash Pack trip is all about.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve said \u2018yes\u2019 to going, you’re keen to meet new friends, so why stop there with the positive decisions? That\u2019s like buying a sports car and only using it for supermarket runs (trust me, I once did this). This experience can change your life and only for the better, so no more \u2018not yets\u2019, say yes all the way.<\/p>\n

Expert tips:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important part of going on a Flash Pack trip is starting with an open mind. Get to know your group and push yourself to try new things. The people on your trip will make it extra special as long as you are open to it. Learn from them and laugh with them. They can become lifetime friends.\u201d \u2013 Samantha Mader, Flashpacker in Norway<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTravelling with strangers helps push you to do things you normally wouldn\u2019t do. When I abseiled down Table Mountain in South Africa, I was scared to death. I\u2019m sure if I\u2019d been with my mates, I would have chickened out. But because I was with a group of people I didn\u2019t really know, I didn\u2019t want to be seen as a wuss. I did it, and it was the most amazing experience.\u201d\u2013 Radha Vyas, Flash Pack co-founder<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSay ‘yes’ unless you absolutely cannot. It’s how you meet people and find yourself in fun, unexpected and exciting situations. No good story ever began with, ‘Someone said do you want to go to X, and I said no…’\u201d \u2013 Patrick, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

Do unto others as they would like to be done to<\/h3>\n

A slight twist on the traditional biblical advice this.<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s good to think how you\u2019d feel if someone used your toothbrush, but it\u2019s better to think\u2014even ask\u2014how the other person feels about something. Your idea of where underwear should be hung to dry might differ greatly from theirs.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re male, be aware of how you or a situation make a female travel companion feel. Be tidy, not tardy. Good manners cost nothing. Insert your own aphorism here.<\/p>\n

Expert tips:<\/p>\n

\u201cBe considerate if only one key, make sure you leave it at reception so it gives you both the freedom to come and go.\u201d \u2013 Nicola, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

“Keep your stuff organised in your room \u2013 there’s nothing worse than falling over someone else’s stuff every time you get out of bed.” \u2013 Charlotte, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely always try and be the first to rise and first to arrive \u2013 when you travel with people you have to be considerate of everyone’s times!\u201d \u2013 Lucy C, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

Be honest about your snoring<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This is probably the number one fear of any Flashpacker heading off on a solo trip, no matter how experienced they are.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t your partner or friend doing an unconscious, nasal\u00a0impression of Sepultura<\/a>, it\u2019s a stranger, so kicking them is not the done thing. You know if you\u2019re a snorer, so be honest, be apologetic, and do whatever you can to ease the pain.<\/p>\n

And if your roommate snores and they haven\u2019t told you, don\u2019t get angry \u2013 it could be the new bed, the booze or altitude. Just politely explain the situation, with a smile (even if it\u2019s a tired one).<\/p>\n

Expert tips:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you snore \u2013 bring a snore blocker for your nose\u201d \u2013 Charlotte, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’re a snorer, bring earplugs for your roommate!\u201d \u2013 Nicola, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

Be yourself, but don\u2019t be too individual<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As we have been reminded ad nauseam<\/em> for the last two years, we live in a democracy. This applies to group travel, too. Ok, you might not want to eat in that particular restaurant on that particular evening, or have that one last beer, or climb a temple or stop for a swim, but if you let go of any innate control-freakery, you\u2019ll have a much better time.<\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t mean you have to miss out on the things that you want to do\u2014be flexible, be open, and your travel companions will be more likely to listen to your suggestions of things to do, and your concerns about stuff you\u2019re really not comfortable with.<\/p>\n

(Oh, and don\u2019t be that guy who gets his calculator out when the bill arrives. Pay your share and trust others to do the same.)<\/p>\n

Expert tips:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can just be yourself at whatever confidence level you find yourself on at the time of travel. All of us Flashpackers had different personalities, expectations and life experiences, but we all bought our own individuality to the tour and, in turn, created a group memory.\u201d \u2013 Bella Stevenson, Flashpacker in Sri Lanka<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve travelled solo with a tour group before, and I didn’t have the greatest time. I felt we had a hard time connecting to each other; often, days were full of silence and loneliness. I was confident the Flash Pack trip would be better. Our group connected instantly! We were all super-comfortable being ourselves, letting each other in, and sharing life stories. Everyone came on the trip for a different reason, yet we all bonded over the excitement of the adventure.\u201d \u2013 Alex Yee, Flashpacker in Morocco<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ditch the digital<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a fairly safe bet to suggest that you like solo travel for one or more of the following reasons: to meet people, to experience new things, to make friends<\/a>, to see the world, to take some excellent photos, to get away from the daily grind.<\/p>\n

Absolutely none of these will happen if you\u2019re constantly on Twitter or video chatting with your mum. And not only will it ruin your holiday, it\u2019ll cheese off your lovely companions.<\/p>\n

Expert tip:<\/p>\n

\u201cDon’t spend loads of time on your phone \u2013 it’s annoying if you’re constantly looking for the wifi spots! Bring cards and learn a few card tricks for rainy days. Also, bring a pen and paper. This is often overlooked, but the key to evening games and fun.\u201d \u2013 Charlotte, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

Less drinky, more thinky<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Full disclosure: many Flash Pack trips involve alcohol<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, by your age, you should know how your brain and body react to the drink, so I strongly suggest using all the data that’s been built up over the years and acting accordingly, perhaps on the side of caution.<\/p>\n

Your friends might understand your propensity to get naked and chase stray dogs after a bottle of white wine, but your new friends will be less prepared.<\/p>\n

Embrace your travel buddy (not literally, unless permission is expressly given)<\/h3>\n

Fact: you and your roommate are going to be spending a lot of time together, so why not make it quality time?<\/p>\n

Get to know each other, indulge in some harmless in-jokes, maybe flattering nicknames for each other. And share stuff. It\u2019s nice to share. Pretty soon you\u2019ll be good friends<\/a>: the Ant and Dec of the gang (back when things were going well).<\/p>\n

Expert tips:<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a first day and last day selfie with your roomie. It\u2019s fun looking back at the beginning after the adventure. Carry hand sanitiser: it\u2019s a joy when your travelling companion brings out the hand sanitiser on a mucky activity. Bring an earphone splitter, too. Sharing music on a journey is the best.\u201d \u2013 Charlotte, Flash Pack HQ<\/em><\/p>\n

Give space, get space<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a group trip, it\u2019s a social event, but that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re some kind of human Rat King<\/a> (only click on the link if you have a strong stomach). We all need some alone time, so take it. Nothing wrong with that. But also be aware that others, including your roommate, would like some, too, so give and you shall receive.<\/p>\n

Expert tip:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFlashpackers I’ve spoken to often bring up the importance of having your own space \u2013 and how it’s possible to do that even when you’re travelling with a group. So, not feeling the pressure to be constantly switched on\/sociable (as I think some people assume that’s what group travel is about)\u201d \u2013 Anna Brech, Flashpack writer<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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