Your Go-To Guide For Happy Travels With Every Personality Type
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You always wish you were hitting the road (or the skies) with your favorite travel buddy. Your partner in crime who always wants to eat at the same restaurant as you. Your adventuring soul mate. But sometimes, you can’t control who’s in your travel squad. Think bachelorette parties, family vacations, work trips and group tours. Here’s how to deal with some common travel types — even when they make you crazy.
The Constant Explorer
Some people are overjoyed to explore everything in sight. They want to climb up that wall, run down that road and follow locals into their favorite bars. When you’re traveling with an insatiable adventurer, it’s okay to opt out of some of the action. Say no, but make it an upbeat no.
If the constant explorer holds up the entire group, don’t turn the problem into a spectacle. Pull those intrepid folks aside and explain the situation. Or suggest that you break into subgroups so everyone can go at their own speeds.
The Social Butterfly
The life of the party, the social butterfly makes new friends constantly. These types turn around and there’s a line of new pals waiting, and their ideal night out could be looooooong. Make sure to talk about this before you hit the bar. And if there’s only one person who wants to stay out past bedtime, someone else should babysit.
For travelers who are on a bonding trip (bachelorette/family), it’s okay to want quality time with just the core gang. And it’s even okay to say so — if you do it politely.
The Homebody
The homebody’s not used to being on the road, or is perhaps traveling far from home for the first time. If the people you’re traveling with have rarely left the comfort of their own neighborhoods, you’re going to need to be patient. Give them advice on passports, security lines, safety, etc. You were a newbie traveler too once!
The Type A
This traveler has a plan. And it will cause him or her serious angst if you deviate from the plan. The itinerary is law. When traveling with a type A pal, we suggest taking a peek at the plan before you depart. It might even be worthwhile to schedule a coffee date in advance to make sure you’re on the same page with the plans.
The Introvert
When people get draining, introverts tend to withdraw. They’re refreshed by time alone. If you’re taking off with introverts in the crew, let them know you get it. If they need to take some time off from activities, it’s okay. Give your friends some solo time to regroup, and everyone will avoid possible tension.
The Photographer
We all love a good travel pic. But the photographer types want to spend heaps of time finding the perfect angle on everything the light touches. If you can get into the Instagram spirit, maybe they’ll catch a fab candid shot of you and your besties.
But if it gets excessive, use a three-strikes policy. First, warn them it’s getting to be a little much. Second, remind them. Third, tell the photog either to catch up or chill a little. Unless this is a professional photo trip, it’s just unnecessary. One shot is probably enough for the Snap Story.
The Easily Grumpy
How can we put this one gently? Certain people are, well, constantly angered by every little thing that occurs. Your bus is five minutes late and they’re distraught. (God forbid a flight is delayed…) We love our grumpy friends, but they are a doozy to travel with.
You’re going to need a lot of patience with this traveler too. You have to separate your fun from the complaints coming from the grump. It’s either that, or a very uncomfortable chat.
It takes tact to bring this up. We’d recommend easing in with some general inquiries about the unhappy traveler’s woes before potentially going blunt. If everyone else is being brought down, the grump can either skip the group activities or suck it up. All said with love, of course.
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