| Going away with friends or your partner can be | | | | affect your travel companions? |
| stressful at the best of times, but you could be | | | | If planning a trip with friends, are you currently in |
| heading for trouble if you're not travel compatible. | | | | a relationship or having personal problems? What |
| Ten million British holiday-makers have lost a good | | | | impact could this have on your behaviour and |
| friendship because of not testing their holiday | | | | mood during your stay? Are you planning on a lot |
| compatibility before setting off on a week or two | | | | of bedroom action? If you're travelling with your |
| week break together, according to a new report | | | | partner, is it a particularly stressful time or do you |
| published by hotel chain Travelodge. | | | | have any disputes that are likely to flare up while |
| The poll of 3,400 adults reveals that 55 per cent | | | | away? |
| of Brits holidaying with friends have two serious | | | | How many of you are planning to travel |
| arguments during their stay and an unlucky seven | | | | together? Be aware of the jealousies, annoyances |
| per cent have even returned home within the | | | | and conflicts that are often present in a small |
| first few days. | | | | group of friends. |
| The most common causes of conflict are | | | | It is a good idea to agree on a strategy if things |
| personality clashes, differing likes and dislikes | | | | don't go smoothly. If you're travelling around the |
| concerning food and activities, annoying personal | | | | world, would you be happy to split and continue |
| habits, money and holiday romances or jealousy. | | | | on your own? |
| Anjula Mutanda, Psychologist and Life Coach says: | | | | When planning a longer trip with friends it's helpful |
| "It's a very common issue - friendships breaking | | | | to agree that you will let each other know if |
| up on holiday. The idea of going away with | | | | something is bugging you. Conversely, you should |
| someone you know and trust sounds good in | | | | agree to show some consideration to your travel |
| theory but it's so easy for it to go wrong. Never | | | | mates and try to approach things with humour |
| underestimate just because you're good friends, | | | | and flexibility. You can probably put up with some |
| going away together for a one or two weeks | | | | dodgy music but not an ever-growing pile of dirty |
| break will be easy. It's a big risk holidaying with | | | | underwear on the floor. |
| someone for the first time; this is when you will | | | | Paul Anstey, Travelodge Operations Director |
| discover what they are really like. | | | | remarks: |
| I would suggest, before committing to a friend's | | | | "Around 60 per cent of our customers stay for |
| holiday, first go for a trial run such as a weekend | | | | leisure. A large proportion of these consumers are |
| break to access your compatibility. This will be | | | | friends who are travelling or holidaying together. |
| beneficial for both parties and will not just save | | | | Our findings illustrate you can know someone for |
| you money and heartache but most importantly | | | | many years but it's only when you share a room |
| your friendship." | | | | together for the first time, that you really get to |
| Once you've tested the water with a weekend | | | | know that person. This experience can be true |
| away it's a good idea to discuss the following | | | | test of a friendship." |
| travel considerations before booking a longer | | | | When you're travelling, whether it's for two |
| break, and then you'll have done all you can to | | | | weeks or ten months, at some point you will |
| ensure you're a good match. | | | | experience tiredness, boredom and unfamiliar |
| What is your budget? Do you both (or all) have | | | | situations. You will need to speak to strangers, |
| the same amount of cash? What will be your | | | | deal with new currencies and make quick |
| priorities on spending? Would you like to contribute | | | | decisions. Sometimes all you'll want is your own |
| to a kitty or be responsible for all your own | | | | sofa and a nice cup of tea. |
| spends? | | | | At these times you'll need to feel comfortable |
| Do you prefer organised tours or would you | | | | enough with your travel companion to have a |
| rather wander round absorbing the atmosphere | | | | moan, sit in silence or go for a walk on your own |
| and discovering places for yourself? Maybe you | | | | without it causing an argument. If you've checked |
| just want to sunbathe or drink heavily instead. | | | | that you're travel compatible then you'll hopefully |
| Do you have any special needs, dietary | | | | have a happy holiday and you should be able to |
| requirements or personal preferences that will | | | | cope with whatever the world throws at you. |