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Granny gripe

(55 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!! 🤣

Happygirl79 Wed 14-Jun-23 12:51:18

Many years ago I was left as sole parent to my two young children and in those days suitcases did not have wheels. I taught myself to pack very lightly because there was only myself to do the heavy lifting for holidays. To this day I am still the same. The habit stuck despite having lightweight luggage with wheels now.

LilyoftheValley Wed 14-Jun-23 12:49:29

Mollygo. \How on earth do people manage with only 1 case on a cruise?

I have one just for my pillows, Nutribullet and Coffeemate!!

Cossy Wed 14-Jun-23 12:22:51

My husband appears to think he only needs the absolute bare minimum when going away - I now do all the packing for both of us as on previous occasions he’s forgotten so many times to pack essentials ! Once he forgot to pack any pants or socks more recently phone charger ! Drove me nuts !

TanaMa Wed 14-Jun-23 12:21:29

I went on holiday with a widower friend once to Lanzarote (hot weather). Getting ready to go to dinner one evening, I went to his room so we could go together and couldn't believe my eyes!! He had 3 suits, ? number of thick sweaters and endless pairs if heavy shoes spread over the beds in his room!! I can only imagine my friend, his late wife, had previously done the packing when going away!

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

*puts

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!

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

I pack light. I have to lift it!

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 …

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..." 🙄

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

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

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 !

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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 😂😂

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

We only travel with hand luggage...