Holidaying with Friends: The more the merrier?

Disney Parks,the international theme resort that has always attracted large groups have recently launched in India with a variety of travel packages. At Hong Kong Disney and Euro Disney,they rearrange a restaurant for large groups,throw in a personal holiday planner and provide babysitters. From a parent’s perspective,there’s some logic to these grand clan breaks: basically the pressure is off the mom and dad. Personally I think you’re better off not testing friendships with tediously long vacations,unless they’re such good friends that you can tell them to shut up and not worry about causing offence. A poll of 3,400 adults conducted in Britain revealed that fifty five per cent of friends holidaying together have two serious arguments during their stay,while an unlucky seven per cent have even returned home within the first few days. The most common causes of conflict are personality clashes and different opinions concerning activities and money.

Yet,since people live in different countries and have hectic work schedules,catching up is never easy. Bonding with old friends in holiday mood can be hugely enriching provided the boundaries are well established. The trick,is in the length of the vacation: a week can be great fun while ten days could become maddeningly long. Chances are since you’re with friends,there will be similar interests: the clashes happen if one person wants to chill on the beach while the others want to explore ruins in mid-day heat. A break in Phuket,with two school friends and husbands minus kids turned out to be one of my best holidays ever. Despite one massive argument on sex tourism in Thailand,where words like “sexist jerk” were flying about. The way to resolve it was to change the topic,to lighter issues like what to eat for dinner.hutkayfilms @gmail.com

(Leher Kala takes a quirky look at social trends and life in general in her weekly column)