Results: This is about hellos and goodbyes. Some people are emotional at these times and some are not. Some make these times a big event and some want them over as soon as possible. This is based on the history of previous trips made over the years.
I was delegated to get my granddaughter to and from her indoor soccer practice the other day. There were many groups of parents and relatives there as spectators. When the game was over, they all went up the escalator to the lobby and began saying their goodbyes. This created a dangerous traffic jam. Each family member wanted to give a hug to each other family member. They had been sitting next to each other for the previous hour so all this hugging seemed unnecessary. This was my inspiration for this survey.
1.
1.
Lets assume you have many relatives overseas and you, your spouse, and kids have flown over to see them. You have arrived at your destination airport and have gone though customs. What kind of greeting do you expect?
Inlaws, outlaws, parents and other kin all waiting in a bunch to greet you. 15 minutes of hugs and kisses before you get your luggage and then off to the welcoming feast they have lined up.
15%
•
230 votes
Parents or one or two close family members to help you with your luggage and drive you to where you will be staying during your visit (family member home)
26%
•
383 votes
A family member or friend to help you with your luggage and drive you to where you will be staying during your visit (a hotel or similar). You prefer to have your own space.
24%
•
359 votes
You will make your own way from the airport and catch up with family once you are in your hotel or similar. Your will meet with family but not all at once and only after you have showered, rested and have changed your clothing.
14%
•
204 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
•
7 votes
Not Applicable
34%
•
514 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.25% | 3 | |
| A mix of all of these. | 0.08% | 1 |
| i've no blessed idea, but I hope those Mr. & Mrs. DK receive are pleasant. | 0.08% | 1 |
| Just one person for a pickup ride. | 0.08% | 1 |
| "Where's the money you promised to send us?" | 0.08% | 1 |
2.
2.
Now that you have arrived, you all wake up to a new day in The Old Country. The plan was to show your family some of the attractions and places you have fond memories of in the country of your birth. The reality may prove to be different. Which of the following is closest to what you are likely to experience on your trip?
In laws, outlaws, parents and other kin are all waiting to spend time with you, have meals with you, and remind you of all the experiences in your childhood you have been trying to forget. They will compete with each other to make the meals you liked when a child, even though they are not healthy. They will also compete to spend more time with you than other relatives. You will have very little time for yourselves.
19%
•
280 votes
Parents, or one or two close family members, will want to spend time with you and will make your favourite meals. Other family members will show up unannounced so the end result will be similar to the one above. You will have very little time for yourselves.
23%
•
351 votes
A family member or friend will want to spend time with you and will make your favourite meal or take you out to have it. They will take to you some of the places you planned to visit but other family members will be upset because you are not spending more time with them. You will have to schedule your trips and visits with military precision to accommodate everyone.
19%
•
278 votes
You will rent a car and or take tour buses from your hotel. You may spend every third day or so with family and one of those may be an expensive dinner out. Midway through this trip you will start feeling budget anxiety and wish you had gone to Mexico instead
10%
•
152 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
9 votes
Not Applicable
40%
•
602 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.37% | 4 | |
| What an ingrate. I'm glad I have no relatives with attitudes like yours. | 0.09% | 1 |
| We will stay and visit with the family members that are visiting just to see us and will eat in house away from other people and find a common idea or destination to visit. | 0.09% | 1 |
| No expectations, I would just enjoy the time and trip | 0.09% | 1 |
| Getting together at one of my family members house for dinner and reminising about our past and catching up with everyone. | 0.09% | 1 |
| Long drawn out complaints about in-laws and ungrateful children | 0.09% | 1 |
3.
3.
After your 2 or 3 week visit to "the old country" or wherever you were visiting, it is time to say your goodbyes and catch your flight back to wherever you now call home. How do these kinds of trips end - typically, or in your imagination/nightmares.
A convoy of in-laws, outlaws, parents and other kin, all want to see you off at the airport. They all want to give you hugs, carry your luggage and would walk all the way to the door of the plane if it were allowed. They compete to see who gives you that last special hug before you head off and out of sight. They will remain at the airport until they see your plane disappear into the sky. There will be tears aplenty
16%
•
241 votes
Parents or one or two close family members will take you to the airport and you will wish they allowed more time to get there. They will walk as close to the plane door as they are allowed. There may be fewer hugs but just as many tears.
23%
•
339 votes
A family member or friend will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the airport. They will buy you a goodbye meal and drink at the airport and watch as your plane takes off. They will report back to the other family members.
17%
•
252 votes
You will say your goodbyes the night before at a big family meal. You will sleep well, be all packed and get the airport shuttle to the airport in plenty of time. As your plane takes off you will look out the window at your last look at the old country and relax until you get home. When you arrive you will spend the next few days making calls to the relatives you didn't see on your visit.
17%
•
252 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
•
6 votes
Not Applicable
39%
•
588 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| The last option is depressing as f**k.... :( | 0.09% | 1 |
| We will have said our goodbyes to the members that are going home at the end of the evening after dinner then sleep. Someone will drive us to the airport and will see the plane off. | 0.09% | 1 |
| 0.09% | 1 | |
| Say my good buys and enjoy the memories | 0.09% | 1 |
| A ride to the airport. Say goodbye to two days before I leave to all the families. | 0.09% | 1 |
| We're too busy to take you call, Uber | 0.09% | 1 |
4.
4.
We made a trip back to the UK in 1974, 1985 and 1996 and haven't been back since then. Have you ever thought about planning a similar trip to somewhere without telling anyone, in order to avoid the hassle that these family get-togethers can cause?
Yes
15%
•
225 votes
No
32%
•
474 votes
Undecided
12%
•
180 votes
Not Applicable
41%
•
621 votes
Comments