Survived Beijing, But My Friendship Didn't.
-
Sigh, I really want to cut ties with some friends. I feel like I'm doing more than my share without getting appreciation in return!
Take the last time for example, when I suggested a trip to Beijing with my friends. As a result, I had to take care of all arrangements and plans.
- We were still students at the time, so we always went for "poor tourists" (this is a kind of travel that focuses on saving money). Everything revolved around budget and efficiency.
- And this was the issue:
- We made our reservation late and didn't get any hard berths (China’s economical sleeping carriages with six beds per berth). So my friend kept complaining, saying "I'll never do this again," or "This will be my last time."
Travel tip: Train tickets, especially sleeper ones in China, are fiercely popular! During holidays, you have to book far in advance!
- Also, because it was only a three-day getaway, I emphasized bringing as little luggage as possible. But she brought an entire backpack filled with clothing alone and other unnecessary toiletries, and complained about the weight as soon as the train arrived. When I offered to help carry her bag, she rejected my offer but continued grumbling.
- Sister's travel advice: For short trips, keep your luggage light! This will save you from carrying heavy things in transit areas within major cities.
- The place where we stayed also took some location adjustments. I discussed this with her earlier: hotels would cost less if we opted for ones located further away from the prime locations such as Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. However, after agreeing that she could deal with the change, she continued to complain about her accommodations.
- Frugal travel tip: In large cities like Beijing, cheaper accommodations often mean longer commuting times. Before traveling with friends, make sure everyone clearly understands and can accept every detail of the trip plan.
- We made our reservation late and didn't get any hard berths (China’s economical sleeping carriages with six beds per berth). So my friend kept complaining, saying "I'll never do this again," or "This will be my last time."
Deep down, those feelings are truly exhausting! Taking the role of a “slacker companion” (someone who does nothing and relies on others) while always complaining about things can indeed wear me out emotionally. I felt that managing a tour might not suit me.
Awe... honestly, solo travels will just make me feel much happier!
- No one else to complain to my ears constantly...
- And no regrets or missed experiences due to delays caused by others.
Enough gloominess! This weekend, I plan to get a new manicure, starting off well and fresh for my next trip!
- Anyone has any good design recommendations, ideally something bright and glittery like a sparkling diamond design, but affordable enough for my original nails?
- I found a natural nail service on "Huangtuang" (an equivalent app of Groupon in China called "Meituan", which provides group discounts for various local services) where you can choose any design starting from 49 RMB, even add your own decorations. It feels like a total loss not to give a diamond-adorned look a try!
#travel #NationalDayTrip #TravelInBeijing #Complaints #TravellingWithFriends #Manicure
-
Traveling really puts people to the test. My friend is a qualified 'corpse herder,' and I'm a qualified 'corpse.' That's why our Beijing trip went so smoothly.
-
@BUZZ (Seen the Jackson Wang version) The secret to a peaceful trip with friends: either plan everything together, or just shut up and be the 'corpse'.
-
We'd wake up at 10 AM and head out around noon every day. We were always cutting it close for our reservations, sometimes even skipping meals. Just one attraction a day. That's how we spent 12 days in Beijing.
-
I'm tired just hearing about your itinerary! Even locals don't tour Beijing like that. It's probably best to skip most tourist spots, or just pick two or three key ones.
-
Just got back from my solo trip to Beijing. Feeling amazing!
-
Sometimes, when it comes to travel, going solo just lets you be more spontaneous and do what you feel like.
-
The only travel combo that won't end in arguments: one person who genuinely loves to travel, another who just wants to spend time with that person doing something, and a hefty budget.
-
Heading to Beijing soon with my parents. My main goal is to stay calm and collected, and absolutely not lose my temper.
-
Just got back from Beijing with my parents. It was an intense, action-packed itinerary, like a military operation!
-
I'm always most impressed by people who drag their huge suitcases around all the tourist attractions.
-
I could never do that. The absolute first thing I do after arriving is head to the hotel to drop off my luggage. If the room isn't ready, I just store it at the front desk.
-
I have an amazing travel buddy. With two moms and three kids in tow, our trips are always a blast. If I'm driving, she's entertaining the kids. Once, my child accidentally fell into a river and was so scared they cried and vomited. By the time I got back to the hotel, she'd already messaged me – she had ordered our favorite food and left it at our door. She'd even washed my child's soiled clothes and shoes, telling me not to worry. In Dali, we went cycling; I'd rent an e-bike for one kid, and she'd rent a tandem bike for two. When she got tired, we'd switch so she could have an easier ride on the e-bike. We have similar energy levels, values, finances, and parenting styles. Though we've only known each other for a year, we click like old friends. It really makes you believe in serendipity. We even end up ordering the same food and drinks when we scan menus simultaneously!
-
Kinda jealous, NGL. What's the secret?
-
Went to Beijing with my friend, and we each brought our moms. The whole trip was fantastic! Our moms weren't downers at all, and my bestie was great too.
-
Wow, that's amazing!
-
I'm actually not someone who enjoys planning, but since my friend was visiting, most of it fell on me. Once everything was planned, it felt more like a chore, a heavy burden. While we were out, my friend was constantly focused on finding spots for 'insta-worthy' photos. I prefer to wander, experience things, and snap photos along the way. They, however, wanted to hit specific 'influencer check-in spots' for those perfect shots, reshooting until satisfied. It all felt like a task and was incredibly tiring. What I also dread is asking for input and only getting 'anything's fine' or 'whatever works,' leaving the final decision always on me. Then, if it was somewhere they weren't interested in, they'd just be on their phone. Ultimately, while we didn't have a major fight, neither of us was happy. I don't want to travel like that again; it's exhausting and strains the friendship.
-
I went on a trip with a friend, and even on the way, I sensed something was off. When we got to the hotel, he complained, 'What kind of hotel is this?' even though I'd shown him before booking and he'd told me to just pick one. He wanted to change, saying it wasn't good, but we ended up staying. Around 8 PM, I suggested going out; he reluctantly agreed but spent the whole time on the phone with his partner. His partner told him to come home early. So, just after 10 PM, right as we arrived where we wanted to go, he said, 'Let's go back, it's late.' He was unwilling to go anywhere I suggested and complained about everything, even though I did all the planning. His partner's word was apparently law, more influential than anyone else's. Yesterday, we planned to go to Sanlitun. His partner said it was unsafe because of the bars and told him to return. We'd just exited the subway, and I lost it. I yelled, 'You're not even going inside a bar!' He retorted, 'The streets outside aren't safe either!' I told him to just go back by himself then.
-
Since he hadn't done any planning and didn't know how to get back alone, he ended up following me, then called his partner to 'supervise' him while he was out. Yesterday, as we were almost back at the hotel, he complained, 'Why is traveling so tiring?' I mentioned I hadn't slept well, and he shot back, 'You don't even work, you're home all day! I'm the one who's been working hard; you can't possibly be tired!' Whenever we went out, he'd look annoyed. He'd ignore me when I spoke to him, or only give a one-word reply after I asked several times. When it came to photos, I'd spend ages taking a dozen or more for him. He'd then snap three of me, declare them 'good,' and if I asked for a couple more to choose from, he'd say, 'They're fine, let's move on.' I had a photoshoot planned for that evening, but in the morning, he woke up and told me he felt sick and didn't want to go out, telling me to go alone. So, on the day specifically set for photos, he bailed. I ended up exploring by myself all day while he slept at the hotel. When I returned, he was just on the phone with his partner again.