Do you disapprove of people who are planning an overseas holiday this summer?

[miss direct]

Individual circumstances are more nuanced that that. I already know that summer will be a long haul, my autistic boy will be up hours before anything is open, and my 6 year old is hyper-intelligent and needs stimulating from 6am until 9pm, or just goes nuts. The chance of a week or two where the weather is guaranteed to be good enough for them to play in a pool all day, is the only respite we'll get. We don't have anyone else who can handle them, no-one who even babysits., now the lady who could has got a full time job.

I've had both jabs and if allowed we'll be away at the end of August. If we can't, we can't, but I won't feel bad if we can

Yeah, obviously there are different situations and one like yours doesn't match the typical attitude I've seen - people who are gagging to get on a flight to Turkey to drink Efes and get sunburnt, many of whom will neither follow the rules there nor self isolate on return (that's if Turkey does go to Amber).

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Yes, I will judge anyone travelling just because they want to, without a reason such as visiting family or other necessities. There are wonderful places in the UK to go to, and the narrative of "I deserve a holiday" (especially if this is followed by "I've worked all through this") and "can't wait to get off this shitty island" has really annoyed me. Selfish and holiday obsessed.

We are booked to Greece at the end of July with Frau Bahn’s mum who is 80 and deteriorating fast, will most probably be the last time we get to go away with her.

Actual flying has been shown to not be a spreader, airports may but the ones I have seen have been spotless the past year with really well thought out distancing plans. To then hire a car and go and sit in a villa for a fortnight, venturing to a beach or outside restaurant or bar every few days, why should that be considered risky?

 

[xenon]

Oh yeah people who use the word staycation to mean going on a holiday in the country of their residence, I very much judge those wrong fuckwits.

Staycation as everyone knows means not going on holiday at all. Not going down to Cornwall for a fortnight break, there's a word for that already. Holiday.

 

[miss direct]

We are booked to Greece at the end of July with Frau Bahn’s mum who is 80 and deteriorating fast, will most probably be the last time we get to go away with her.

Actual flying has been shown to not be a spreader, airports may but the ones I have seen have been spotless the past year with really well thought out distancing plans. To then hire a car and go and sit in a villa for a fortnight, venturing to a beach or outside restaurant or bar every few days, why should that be considered risky?

I was actually thinking of older people who may not get to go away again, yes, don't have a big problem with that. My distain is for the type of attitude I described, of which I see a lot on various social media.

It's not just the flying that's a concern (although having flown last year to move back to the UK, it's not something I would want to do just for a holiday personally), it's also the vaccination rates and rules in the host country.

 

[danny la rouge]

I don’t disapprove of the people, but I think their plans are likely to be subject to sudden change. I wouldn’t be booking anything abroad for a while yet. This is far from over, vaccine or not.

 

[Sue]

I'd love to go abroad but have basically ruled it out this year. I do really need a holiday but that'll be somewhere in the UK -- probably Scotland to see my family.

(And going somewhere where things are potentially closed and whatever precautions are in place doesn't seem that relaxing tbh. I'd rather wait until things are more back to normal...)

 

[bimble]

Friend flew to Portugal yesterday, he sent me a photo from the plane window coming in to land, all sparkly sea below and it really felt like something from another era, like Oh yeah that used to be a thing.

 

[Yossarian]

if you can't have a beach holiday in Dorset, or Cornwall, or Pembrokeshire, or a walking holiday in the Dales, Lakes, Galloway in or Snowdonia, or a city holiday in Edinburgh, or Manchester, Bristol or Norwich then there's (to be blunt) something wrong with you, not anything lacking in the astonishingly beautiful and varied country in which we live.

....

(Anyone who goes on holiday to Dubai should be shot, entirely regardless of whether there's a pandemic on...).

I'd personally take a wet weekend at a British beach over an all-expenses-paid fortnight in Dubai - but I've been a little less judgy about Dubai tourists after hearing that some British Muslims favour Gulf holidays to get away from racism and Islamophobia in Britain.

 

[elbows]

Its not really a question of whether I disapprove.

For me its more like one of the big factors that people experienced in the first few months of the pandemic - whether stress that stems from uncertainty and rapidly changing circumstances outweighs the mental health benefit of having a holiday 'to look forward to' without such hope being crushed at any moment.

Individual decisions on this matter should also be incfluenced by peoples economic circumstances and the feasibility of them having to quarantine upon return.

 

[miss direct]

I'd personally take a wet weekend at a British beach over an all-expenses-paid fortnight in Dubai - but I've been a little less judgy about Dubai tourists after hearing that some British Muslims favour Gulf holidays to get away from racism and Islamophobia in Britain.

Having spent a month in Dubai for work, I totally agree. I met nice people but generally awful place.

Don't buy the second part. Plenty of other places they could go that actually have history and culture.

 

[nagapie]

What I want to know is whether I can book to go see my family in Apr in South Africa. It will have been 4 years since I've seen them.

 

[Winot]

Personally, I take the view that anyone going abroad just for a holiday in the current circumstances of rapidly emerging variants, a not fantastically competent government, and a lottery in of restrictions upon their return is a magic mix of selfish and idiotic.

I enjoy holidays in Greece, or Portugal, or Italy as much as anyone in else, but the idea that it's not really a holiday of you stay in the UK is a stupid one - if you can't have a beach holiday in Dorset, or Cornwall, or Pembrokeshire, or a walking holiday in the Dales, Lakes, Galloway in or Snowdonia, or a city holiday in Edinburgh, or Manchester, Bristol or Norwich then there's (to be blunt) something wrong with you, not anything lacking in the astonishingly beautiful and varied country in which we live.

For me, potentially exposing yourself to new variants and then bringing in them back is as selfish and harmful to others - and should be as socially unacceptable - as drink-driving.

The risks to the traveller of local lockdown, illness, and restrictions upon return are the same as those as those involved in going swimming, at night, off the coast of South Africa, dressed as a seal: the the richly deserved wages of stupidity.

(Anyone who goes on holiday to Dubai should be shot, entirely regardless of whether there's a pandemic on...).

Very happy to go on holiday in the UK but just to note that most accommodation in rural areas is now fully booked.

We will do a city break in Glasgow (if allowed) on the basis that we are probably going to be able to find accommodation there.

 

[kalidarkone]

Its not really a question of whether I disapprove.

For me its more like one of the big factors that people experienced in the first few months of the pandemic - whether stress that stems from uncertainty and rapidly changing circumstances outweighs the mental health benefit of having a holiday 'to look forward to' without such hope being crushed at any moment.

Individual decisions on this matter should also be incfluenced by peoples economic circumstances and the feasibility of them having to quarantine upon return.

That's what I was going to say- honest!

I judge people for going on holiday abroad, not because I think its wrong or have a problem with it, just because it seems really stressful at the moment.....hardly worth the effort imo. So I guess I think that unless they can afford to quarantine or are unwilling to take the hit of cost and inconvenience then they are stupid and I have no sympathy.

 

[Looby]

Yeah, obviously there are different situations and one like yours doesn't match the typical attitude I've seen - people who are gagging to get on a flight to Turkey to drink Efes and get sunburnt, many of whom will neither follow the rules there nor self isolate on return (that's if Turkey does go to Amber).

That just seems to be judging the class or motivations of people wanting to go on holiday though.
It doesn’t follow at all that it’s the lads lads lads lot that won’t follow the rules, won’t isolate etc

Everyone you ask will have a reason why they need a holiday. Either it’s ok to go or it’s not so whilst I have sympathy for those who have extenuating circumstances like a hard year, elderly parent etc it really doesn’t change whether it’s really ok to travel abroad.

 

[miss direct]

That just seems to be judging the class or motivations of people wanting to go on holiday though.
It doesn’t follow at all that it’s the lads lads lads lot that won’t follow the rules, won’t isolate etc

Everyone you ask will have a reason why they need a holiday. Either it’s ok to go or it’s not so whilst I have sympathy for those who have extenuating circumstances like a hard year, elderly parent etc it really doesn’t change whether it’s really ok to travel abroad.

No not about class, just attitude.
Some reasons are better than others though. It's just my opinion.

 

[NoXion]

I don't hold any particular antipathy towards anyone going on a foreign holiday, although I do really have to wonder why they would bother in the first place, considering how quickly the situation has been shown to change already. Even if your trip doesn't get cancelled by circumstances outside of your control, there's just so much bother associated with an already bothersome process. Airports and shit are stressful enough without Covid on top making it worse.

 

[Looby]

I don’t really have skin in the game as I don’t go abroad but I do think it’s quite a silly decision and I probably do judge a bit.
My attitude throughout this year or so has been just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should.

I’ve got a weekend away booked in the UK. Driving there, Airbnb with my own room and only outdoor stuff when I’m there so park comedy thing, restaurant and beer gardens and probably mostly walking and very little public transport.
I’m prepared that it could be cancelled and I’m prepared to lose the money on the accommodation if it doesn’t but I don’t feel it’s safe.

I think actually everyone needs a break and it would be really nice if we all got one but it won’t happen.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

That's what I was going to say- honest!

I judge people for going on holiday abroad, not because I think its wrong or have a problem with it, just because it seems really stressful at the moment.....hardly worth the effort imo. So I guess I think that unless they can afford to quarantine or are unwilling to take the hit of cost and inconvenience then they are stupid and I have no sympathy.

I can afford it and the quarantine is not an issue, but really don't fancy spending the entire break filling out five passenger locator forms, arranging and uploading tests and so on. Did think that would be OK if it was amber, but the past week have been, meh, fuck it unless it goes green.

 

[2hats]

Personally, I take the view that anyone going abroad just for a holiday [...] is a magic mix of selfish and idiotic.

...

For me, potentially exposing yourself to new variants and then bringing in them back is as selfish and harmful to others - and should be as socially unacceptable - as drink-driving.

Equally applicable to (re-)exporting a rich zoo of variants from de Spaffel plague island to other countries (many of whom have lower rates of vaccination, lower degrees of vaccine access, and some with lesser resourced healthcare facilities, particularly when the population count temporarily rockets).

 

[Looby]

No not about class, just attitude.
Some reasons are better than others though. It's just my opinion.

But what people do on holiday or want from their trip doesn’t change whether they should go on holiday in a pandemic. No offence to Harry and Bahnhof but their perfectly valid reasons for wanting a holiday don’t trump mine or anyone else’s.
Is it safe?
Is there a risk of transmission/introduction of variants?

That should be the only thing decisions are based on not whether someone wants to go to Magaluf and do shots for breakfast* or to do a nice cultured trip to Barcelona.

*that sounds amazing right now.

 

[miss direct]

I suppose not, BUT if everyone who fancies a trip abroad goes, the risk goes up. Also, I'm guessing the poster who is going with their 80 year old parent will be very careful, whereas the boozey brigade, er, may be less so.

I would judge someone who wanted to go and visit mosques in Istanbul because they fancied it just the same as someone wanting booze with their full English on the beach.

 

[Sprocket.]

I would truly love a holiday in Greece, especially as it could be my last opportunity. But I cannot and will not risk my life after going through what I have over the last two years. Sadly, even getting away in this country is a problem due to treatment and appointments.
It’s Mrs S. I feel bad about, she has spent two years coping with me, her mother, who has advanced Alzheimer’s and working ridiculous hours, though at home.
I hope we can soon catch a break and jet off to our spot on Kefalonia, I yearn to go and see those who have had such a positive impact on our lives over the last thirty five years.
But I am adamant not to lose what I have for the sake of sentimentality.

 

[Plumdaff]

I suspect many people will be in the same situation as me. We booked a holiday for summer 2020 in late 2019, have been able to postpone it to this year, but currently can't cancel or postpone until 2022 (which would be my preferred option) until close to the date without incurring some financial losses. Therefore, in case we can go, I've needed to arrange refundable travel options so we don't end up scrabbling around at the last minute. We'd only go if it's on the green list, and had I had a crystal ball in late 2019 would not have booked in the first place.

 

[Raheem]

As long as the travellers are fully vaccinated it's not an issue I'd lose a lot sleep over - they're definitely not in the same league as the shitheads who took holidays overseas when Britain was a COVID hotspot and the Alpha variant was emerging.

Possibly not, although it has to be said Britain is currently a Covid hotspot, and this time it's the delta variant.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Is it safe?
Is there a risk of transmission/introduction of variants?

I genuinely don't think it is any more risky than just staying around my home town.

There's a lot of judgement going down here, the thread is specifically asking for that, however one thing this past year or so has taught me is that everyone has their own level of risk and, crucially, that I must respect that. Which pisses me right off as I like to judge and cast aspersions and Covid has robbed me of that and made me a more tolerant human being. For that it can't be forgiven.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I suppose not, BUT if everyone who fancies a trip abroad goes, the risk goes up. Also, I'm guessing the poster who is going with their 80 year old parent will be very careful

Yeah, she's not in the best of health and started shielding at the end of January 2020, nearly a month before it was advised, she saw that it was particularly dangerous for people in her condition. And she only left her house for the very first time in April of this year. And whilst fully vaccinated, we'll of course be hyper-careful.

 

[chilango]

...and this is yet another example of how the Government has washed its hands of responsibility. preferring instead to place that in the hands of individuals.

We are not epidemiologists.

Yet, they place the onus on us "to make the right decision" whilst - still - putting out confused and contradictory guidance.

I've just had a look at the travel advice stuff.

"You really shouldn't go, but if you do here's loads of details about how to do it..."

Essentially.

 

[Glitter]

Hmmm I want to go away to drink cheap booze in the sunshine, mess about in the pool and get a tan but I will also follow all the rules.

I don’t have any x factor stories as to why I should go and I accept that I won’t be this summer (we’ve a place in Wales booked) but I’m booking my girls weekend in November as soon as I can afford it and if we’re allowed to go I’ll be off like a shot!

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

...and this is yet another example of how the Government has washed its hands of responsibility. preferring instead to place that in the hands of individuals.

We are not epidemiologists.

Yet, they place the onus on us "to make the right decision" whilst - still - putting out confused and contradictory guidance.

I've just had a look at the travel advice stuff.

"You really shouldn't go, but if you do here's loads of details about how to do it..."

Essentially.

 

[Johnny Doe]

But what people do on holiday or want from their trip doesn’t change whether they should go on holiday in a pandemic. No offence to Harry and Bahnhof but their perfectly valid reasons for wanting a holiday don’t trump mine or anyone else’s.
Is it safe?
Is there a risk of transmission/introduction of variants?

That should be the only thing decisions are based on not whether someone wants to go to Magaluf and do shots for breakfast* or to do a nice cultured trip to Barcelona.

*that sounds amazing right now.

No offence taken Looby, I think you make a valid point