Travelling solo in a group and avoiding people who want to be your new best friend

I have had this happen quite a few times. I usually say something like "well, I like to do my own thing during the day so maybe meet later for a drink?". A lot of people go on these holidays to actually meet new friends but I really don't need any new ones and am just travelling in a group because it is organised and safer. However on a trip to America once I met an Australian lady and we hit it off so well that we have stayed in touch since and visited each other and that was about 30 years ago!

Tell them you belong to some strange cult.

Poker face. Brief answers. I did this to a gent who tried to chat me up at the bus stop! Look in opposite direction, walk away. It may be rude but it gets the message across.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

MayBee70

Pretend to have a hearing problem and you’ve forgotten to bring your hearing aid with you?

I am deaf and this is actually great advice that I do use. Not just holidays but I swim most mornings at the local pool. Other swimmers often try to strike up a conversation while I'm swimming, hate that, I'm there to swim not chat to (for example) old withered men. Being deaf is an under appreciated, super power.

This is why I stopped going on holiday with other people or even using package holidays. I am a planner and have my own schedule of things to do. I can be quite blunt about telling people I need some ME time, although Im not averse to having a meal or a drink in the evening.

One time I went to Paris with a friend and we were joined by her friend and her friend. I found myself doing all the interpreting, organising and so on as I was the only one who spoke French. I began to feel like an unpaid tour guide. So despite their protests I left the three of them together to do the sights and headed back into the fleamarket. The foolish friend-of-a-friend left a bag with all her money, travel cheques and passport (it was the 1970s) under her seat in a cafe and it was stolen.

Of course it was MY fault for abandoning them. They had to go to the British Embassy next day for an emergebcy passport and were devastated that I would not go with them.

Guess what folks, they speak English at the British embassy!

We sat on separate seats on the train back from Paris to Calais.

Since then Ive travelled all over the Middle East as a solo independent female including Syria, Iran, Egypt and Morocco.

Tell them you're Catholic and get your rosary beads out!

On a more serious(?) note I think I have one of those faces that says. 'don't speak to me,' because I've never joined a group yet where anyone spoke to me for more that a few seconds...
was it something I said or just the way I look? I wish I knew!

friendlygingercat

This is why I stopped going on holiday with other people or even using package holidays. I am a planner and have my own schedule of things to do. I can be quite blunt about telling people I need some ME time, although Im not averse to having a meal or a drink in the evening.

One time I went to Paris with a friend and we were joined by her friend and her friend. I found myself doing all the interpreting, organising and so on as I was the only one who spoke French. I began to feel like an unpaid tour guide. So despite their protests I left the three of them together to do the sights and headed back into the fleamarket. The foolish friend-of-a-friend left a bag with all her money, travel cheques and passport (it was the 1970s) under her seat in a cafe and it was stolen.

Of course it was MY fault for abandoning them. They had to go to the British Embassy next day for an emergebcy passport and were devastated that I would not go with them.

Guess what folks, they speak English at the British embassy!

We sat on separate seats on the train back from Paris to Calais.

Since then Ive travelled all over the Middle East as a solo independent female including Syria, Iran, Egypt and Morocco.

Haven’t we read this tale before? Under a different poster’s name?

Yes it was.
The poster was mentioned on another thread recently - What was the outcome for these GN's?

Pantglas2

friendlygingercat

This is why I stopped going on holiday with other people or even using package holidays. I am a planner and have my own schedule of things to do. I can be quite blunt about telling people I need some ME time, although Im not averse to having a meal or a drink in the evening.

One time I went to Paris with a friend and we were joined by her friend and her friend. I found myself doing all the interpreting, organising and so on as I was the only one who spoke French. I began to feel like an unpaid tour guide. So despite their protests I left the three of them together to do the sights and headed back into the fleamarket. The foolish friend-of-a-friend left a bag with all her money, travel cheques and passport (it was the 1970s) under her seat in a cafe and it was stolen.

Of course it was MY fault for abandoning them. They had to go to the British Embassy next day for an emergebcy passport and were devastated that I would not go with them.

Guess what folks, they speak English at the British embassy!

We sat on separate seats on the train back from Paris to Calais.

Since then Ive travelled all over the Middle East as a solo independent female including Syria, Iran, Egypt and Morocco.

Haven’t we read this tale before? Under a different poster’s name?

Yes, it would seem she is still among us.

Unfortunately friend of friend left a bag with her passport, cash and travel cheques (1970s) on the floor under the table and it was gone when they returned. Long frustrating trip to local police for report (We could have done with your help we don’t speak French) and by the time the translator arrived it was too late to go to the British Embassy for a replacement passport. When I got back to the hotel late evening I was confronted by three hostile companions who made out how it was my fault for “abandoning” them. Next morning there was more bickering because I would not accompany them to the British Embassy to apply for the replacement passport. “We don’t speak French” “Well be prepared for lots of waiting around, form filling and queuing. But Ive got some good news for you. They speak English in the British Embassy so you don’t need me to babysit you
We sat on separate seats on the train back to Calais..
Welcome back BigLouis ?

Come on friendlygingercat or BigLouis
Why the mystery?

Pantglas2 you are very astute. You are Miss Marple in disguise and I claim my £5.

If is true am happy to hear about the reincarnation.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Pantglas2 you are very astute. You are Miss Marple in disguise and I claim my £5.

💷 FGT!

It was such an amusing tale it must have stuck in the old grey matter but I’d never have recalled the poster without t’other sleuths on GN 👏

keepingquiet

Tell them you're Catholic and get your rosary beads out!

On a more serious(?) note I think I have one of those faces that says. 'don't speak to me,' because I've never joined a group yet where anyone spoke to me for more that a few seconds...
was it something I said or just the way I look? I wish I knew!

I'm like that too! DH always attracts people who want to chat endlessly, he just nods & smiles & they go on & on; walking the dog / going to the supermarket with him takes ages because of all the unsolicited chat.
But if I'm on my own? A smile, a wave or a casual remark about the weather & I'm on my way.
It may be my face, but as noted up-thread I'm deaf, so maybe that's what they pick up on.

RosieandherMaw

Come on friendlygingercat or BigLouis
Why the mystery?

Well, there were posters missing BigLouis and worrying that she had been ill and might even have died 😲

Actually, why would anyone go on organised trips if they want to be alone?

Solo Holidays website says:
We might be biased, but we think that the best way to meet solo travellers is to join group holidays for singles. You’ll join a sociable groin us on one of our up of like-minded solo travellers, made up of people from all different walks of life, who are all looking for the same thing: to have fun, find other solo travellers and meet people to travel with in the future.

If you don't want to interact with people, just go alone.

Simple.

Disclaimer: the cut and paste is exactly as it was on the website, I have not changed the gobbledegook.

Allira

RosieandherMaw

Come on friendlygingercat or BigLouis
Why the mystery?

Well, there were posters missing BigLouis and worrying that she had been ill and might even have died 😲

Actually, why would anyone go on organised trips if they want to be alone?

Solo Holidays website says:
We might be biased, but we think that the best way to meet solo travellers is to join group holidays for singles. You’ll join a sociable groin us on one of our up of like-minded solo travellers, made up of people from all different walks of life, who are all looking for the same thing: to have fun, find other solo travellers and meet people to travel with in the future.

If you don't want to interact with people, just go alone.

Simple.

Disclaimer: the cut and paste is exactly as it was on the website, I have not changed the gobbledegook.

I'm bemused by the "sociable groin" in your quote Allira. Although, l have been on solo holidays where people have found that.

OP did imply she doesn't object to company on her terms, solo holidays are great for social evening time. The Cling ons can be a nuisance. I used to get up and get out early to avoid them.

I met a “sociable groin” on a solo holiday ( Just You actually).

Although we restrained ourselves until arriving back home.

Definitely no pairing up on solo holidays - totally against the ethos😬

I'm bemused by the "sociable groin" in your quote Allira. Although, l have been on solo holidays where people have found that.

Me too, OldFrill
Freudian slip?

Lathyrus 😁

Me too, OldFrill
I meant I'm bemused too!
And no, I've never been on a holiday like that - what have I missed?

Allira

^Me too, OldFrill^
I meant I'm bemused too!
And no, I've never been on a holiday like that - what have I missed?

Can you pm me Allira as I found the info you were looking for recently about crochet?😃

On the holiday question, a friend my age goes on a coach holiday every year as a singleton and always enjoys herself.
I need to question her on groins tho.😁

😁
Do you not know what a groin is, Oreo?
It's the bit that joins your bottom half to your legs.

Or something found found on a beach on a Solo holiday (or that could be a groyne).