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Granny gripe

(54 Posts)
Overthemoon Tue 13-Jun-23 16:30:18

This isn't important, I just want to get the irritation off my chest!

When packing for holidays, why is it that some people think it's a virtue to have the lightest case? E.g. my husband! I've never known anyone pack and unpack as much. Then he tests the weight of mine and chortles ooo, yours is so much heavier than mine! Oh my days! What does it matter!! 🤣

grandtanteJE65 Tue 13-Jun-23 16:34:06

It only matters if you expect him to carry your heavier case, which I don't suppose you do, or if you will have to pay for excess baggage.

Look at it this way: all spouses have some traits that get on our nerves. If your husband only displays his when you are packing for a holiday, then you are getting off lightly, you know.

(Said with tongue in cheek!)

I do sympathise. It would bug me too!

Salti Tue 13-Jun-23 16:39:19

In my much younger days, before suitcases had wheels I thought it was a virtue too. The thought of carrying a heavy case was very off putting. Maybe it's a hangover from those days.

A few years ago my sister and her family went on holiday and the airline lost her case! Nowadays all our extended family work on the theory that every piece of hold luggage should contain sets of clothes for each person travelling with essentials in hand luggage, of course. As she said one pair of sandals, a spare set of undies and a summer dress would have made all the difference until her luggage eventually appeared.

Mollygo Tue 13-Jun-23 16:49:11

Not just in families either, Overthemoon. People boasting on cruise threads that they ā€˜only take carry on luggage’ for a 10 day cruise and 2x2 day stop overs.
I don’t mind the boasting, but I object to the put down of those who feel they need to take a reasonable size suitcase. It’s also irritating when they want to take up more than one space in the overhead luggage rack because they ā€œonly had carry on luggageā€.

Blondiescot Tue 13-Jun-23 16:49:58

We only travel with hand luggage...

mumofmadboys Tue 13-Jun-23 16:50:57

Why not say lightheartedly ' And I weigh less than you!' Another fact that is irrelevant in the scheme of things!

AGAA4 Tue 13-Jun-23 17:01:57

I had to laugh when watching my DD packing. She left about a quarter of a suitcase for her DH. He brought down one pair of swimming trunks, one spare underpants and a t shirt. She looked horrified that that was all he was taking. He told her he would wash them each night!
That is travelling light.

ixion Tue 13-Jun-23 17:27:40

DS2 occasionally comes with us to see DS1 and his family in Australia.
He doesn't stay as long as us, but we fill his suitcase with additional toys, books snd gifts for the grandsons.

He has been known to make the return solo trip with a suitcase weight of 4kgs.

sodapop Tue 13-Jun-23 17:31:38

My husband takes enough for a month on a week long holiday. I've given up saying anything now.

Overthemoon Tue 13-Jun-23 17:34:16

šŸ˜† thanks for replies! Good tip to carry spare change of clothes in bag - always a chance of luggage going astray!

Granny23 Tue 13-Jun-23 17:44:31

D SIS and I are going on a 7 day cruise shortly and both she and my DD1 are horrified that I am taking my biggest wheely case. BUT there will be 2 formal dinners requiring evening dress and shoes. Also we are not going to the Med, so need clothing for cool/rainy days as well as for sunshine.
2nd BUT, and it is the big one, I suffer from incontinence, so need pads and pants (usually 3 changes per day. Making allowance for 2 days, travelling to and from the port that is 27 bulky pads+ pants), not to mention spare trousers in case of accidents.

I am afraid I was quite rude to both of them when they mocked the size of my luggage

Nandalot Tue 13-Jun-23 18:00:46

We are not the lightest packers. I mean, the wheelie carry on hand luggage case is pretty full just with the medicines and first aid!

inishowen Tue 13-Jun-23 18:00:58

You've touched a nerve with me! We go on a lot of short breaks. One or two nights in a hotel. Hubby sneers when I have packed my small bag with a change of clothes, my washbag, books, tablet etc., He says he'll put his stuff in with mine! Why for God's sake. We're travelling by car. He can have his own bag. Every flipping time he makes a fuss about two bags.

NannyDaft Wed 14-Jun-23 11:22:27

I do my case and my Husband does his ! We have used this method all our married life and we don’t niggle each other about our cases - We can find other things to niggle about šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚

Nannapat1 Wed 14-Jun-23 11:22:56

My only concerns re weight of the case are making sure that I don't go over and therefore be subject to a charge and possibly allowing a little weight/room going out in case I want to buy souvenirs.
I too am plagued with where to put the incontinence pads! Medication goes in the hand luggage which is already pretty full with laptop, camera equipment and kindle etc!

GrannyBlossom Wed 14-Jun-23 11:27:14

Packing light, boasting about it, and then using my stuff is what winds me up.

Scottiebear Wed 14-Jun-23 11:33:48

Overthemoon. Funny and frustrating in equal measures. They can't help themselves. When our son was young and I was back working, when we were going on holiday I did virtually everything. Clothes for son, documents, holiday necessities, currency etc. I did the packing. Just asked DH to lay out what he wanted to take. I can remember getting home from work evening before our early flight. Rushing round manically. DHs contribution 'how many pairs of underwear do you think I will need?'. Lucky I love him.

Larsonsmum Wed 14-Jun-23 11:35:19

We ALWAYS divide out suitcase contents between the two/three cases. That way if one case is lost we both still have clothes, toiletries etc, etc, until it turns up....if it ever does.

Not only wise, but would save your issue that clearly irks you about whose case is heaviest.

Coconut Wed 14-Jun-23 11:35:21

Yes, why does it matter ! Tell him (them) if that’s all they have in life to get excited about, a lighter suitcase, then how sad is that !

Missiseff Wed 14-Jun-23 11:42:31

I do the packing for us both & mix our clothes in two suitcases just in case one goes astray

V3ra Wed 14-Jun-23 11:46:33

GrannyBlossom

Packing light, boasting about it, and then using my stuff is what winds me up.

And the comments once there:
"Have we got some paracetamol/sudocrem/needle and thread/sellotape..." šŸ™„

On our last holiday, my suitcase was actually lighter than my husband's.
First time ever! He was most put out šŸ˜‚

SusieB50 Wed 14-Jun-23 11:50:15

When DH was alive I used to despair over his packing . We always went by car around France Spain or Italy as he would not fly. I always packed the cases - he put out what he wanted but was such a hopeless impatient packer and I learned from my dad how to pack . That was all fine but then DH used add things loose in the car and take everything but the kitchen sink!
But I do miss those days so shouldn’t complain …

Supernan Wed 14-Jun-23 11:54:50

I pack light. I have to lift it!

PinkCosmos Wed 14-Jun-23 12:09:14

My DH is the same but that is only because he takes the smaller case and outs some of his stuff in mine!

Everything is a competition with my DH and he always has to win!

PinkCosmos Wed 14-Jun-23 12:12:58

*puts