Travel has a funny way of making an otherwise normal person to take on annoying habits. Maybe it’s the pressure to look good on social media… or perhaps the excitement of visiting a new place that is driving people crazy?
If you want to travel better, then let us acknowledge these 8 Bad Travel Habits you need to quit this year:
1. Going on a crash diet so you can gain weight during the trip
This is the worst of all the bad habits, and one that even our own relatives religiously practice.
Spending the few weeks leading up to your holiday going on a crash diet, to make room for your predicted weight gain – is absolutely not healthy. You will also likely to wreck your metabolism and immunity during the holiday. Control your appetite and don’t be greedy.
Also when you encounter buffets, you don’t have to eat everything to get your money’s worth.
2. Not wanting to stop shopping until maximum baggage allowance is reached
In Indonesia we have a phrase “Ga mau rugi” which translates to “Don’t want to lose out”. This idea is usually ingrained from the very first family holiday. For example: if your luggage allowance is 30kg plus two carry on baggages, only a fool will come home with anything less!
But in trying to maximising baggage capacity you will end up buying unnecessary items. Sometimes people end up buying things they actually have back home. Why fly halfway around the world to buy random things that are $5 or $10 cheaper? Others can save much more by buying designer goods, but this is usually followed by complaints that “holidays are expensive”.
And what happens if you do go over that baggage allowance? Time and time again we see people bargaining their excess baggage fees at the airport counter. Sorry, the sweet talking won’t work.
3. Being an international courier for unnecessary items
“Do you want me to bring back anything?” is a very common sentence we hear before someone go on holidays. You don’t owe anyone anything. Don’t feel guilty and feeling the need to buy present for all your friends and relatives. You have worked hard for this family travel opportunity so enjoy yourselves! Also don’t forget to make room for your own children’s packing checklist.
From snacks, vitamins, make up , etc; notice those Facebook posts that usually read something along the line of: “Anyone travelling from ….. to ….. ? Need help, please PM me”. IGNORE, that very same person will post the exact same thing in a few weeks time. Travelling gives you the opportunity to be charitable along the way, but carrying things for people too cheap to pay for postage is good for nothing.
4. Bringing home ALL free hotel stuff
Your luggage space is precious, so use it wisely for special souvenirs not free hotel toiletries and slippers. Seriously how many hotel slippers do you really need at home?
Also try to be environmentally conscious when you travel by re-using your bath towels, not wasting water and turning off room lights when you leave your room. You don’t have to take daily baths at the hotel to get your money’s worth.
5. Packing too many clothes from back home
When it comes to clothing, bring just the right amount. Travelling as a family means bringing comfortable clothes and footwear. This is not the time for a fashion show or matching t-shirts (which make your family look even more Asian).
Many families bring too much clothing from home only to end up NOT wearing them. Bring easy to wear, colour neutral clothes that are easily mixed and matched. As for that tiger print hoody.. leave it home.
Check out our Best Packing Tips to Make Family Travel easier article
6. Holiday spent looking down to your phone
If you want to check Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, emails, news all the time – isn’t this what you do every day? – at work?!
Too many family holidays are ruined by smart phones addiction. Be present. Stop racing from one Wi-Fi point to the next. Stop taking excessive number of pictures, checking in and reading on what your friends are up to back home. If you take your phone out throughout the day, try to stay internet free. You will be surprised by all the little things and moments you embrace without the distractions from your phone.
7. Worried about work all the time
Usually again this is the direct result of having your phone with you throughout your holiday. There’s not much you can do anyway when you are halfway around the world – beside getting stressed and dreaming (or getting nightmares) about work.
The world will not stop turning, you will not come home to a disaster. Give yourself a break and come back fresh to tackle any challenges that may come your way.
8. Coming home knowing nothing about your destination other than the usual “This brand is cheaper than back home” comment
Come home sharing family travel experiences and not just coming home as a shopping guide.
For places we have visited, Checkout our website’s travel Destinations section. We buy our travel essentials online via Ebay
