Is It Really My Fault?
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A family of four came to Hangzhou for a trip. Since the elderly are not familiar with booking tickets online, I took charge of all the arrangements for accommodation and transportation. Due to a mistake in purchasing the train tickets, we had to change our original plan from a 10:00 PM high-speed train to the last one at 9:00 PM that day. To ensure they wouldn't miss the night view, I went alone to the hotel to fetch their luggage (four large bags) and agreed to meet them at the station. The family arrived at the station by 8:30 PM, but told me they couldn't go down and asked the staff to find me. I reassured them that I could make it, and confirmed if they had their IDs (for direct boarding). I rushed to the station, arriving just as the gates were closing at 9:55 PM. Once on the train, I called to ask where they were, only to be told they had left the station and were waiting for me at the subway, intending to help me with the bags... I was utterly shocked and asked why they didn't board the train. They blamed me for not informing them after getting off the subway, saying they hated me, that I had gone crazy and lost my mind... even cried. I really don't understand why they didn't just get on the train. Here's some background info: 1. The three elders are 70, 60, and 50 years old, while I'm 20. 2. One of the elders has experience with high-speed trains within the past two years. 3. We've traveled together before, but everything was handled by the family then. 4. In the end, they rescheduled for the next day, and I returned to Hangzhou to stay another night before leaving together the following day. #Sometimes you really feel helpless
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The core issue here is that you can't take charge of your family; no one listens to your arrangements. This undisciplined team simply cannot handle a tightly scheduled task.
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Your family doesn't seem to trust you much. When I travel with my family, once I confirm my plans, they believe in me and think I can solve any problems. But I understand that they might rely heavily on you due to unfamiliarity with modern tools and fear of traveling. So, it's not entirely your fault. Try to communicate better with your family.
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I also love cutting it close, but not when traveling with family. Among the four of you, only one elder has experience with high-speed trains? If it were just you, I'd say that's cool, but did you consider what would happen if you missed the train? Would the elders know how to use their phones or find their seats? I worry about them finding their way out of the station and back home. Plus, managing four bags is tough. Buying the wrong tickets is quite a slip-up, too. Traveling with family requires a lot of attention. You're doing great, though!
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But 50 isn't old at all. My mom is in her 50s and is very tech-savvy. She uses WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and Kuaishou. She handles household matters better than I do. So, it's more like the 50-year-old has their own ideas, just like my mom. They know a lot but don't want to listen to me, which is frustrating.
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It seems your family isn't confident in using high-speed trains, so they hesitated to act without you. Many older people are reluctant to ask for help. It's best to guide them like children.