{"id":16327,"date":"2016-04-27T08:55:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T22:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=16327&preview_id=16327"},"modified":"2025-02-26T00:15:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T13:15:58","slug":"best-travel-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/best-travel-friend\/","title":{"rendered":"How to be the friend everyone wants to travel with"},"content":{"rendered":"

So we know how not to lose friends and alienate people<\/a> on trips (at least, we\u2019re working on it), but what does it take to be the perfect travel companion? The one people want to sit next to on the bus, or bunk with at the hotel, or share zip-lipped secrets with after a few too many glasses of red?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not hard, compadres. In fact, it\u2019s something that is easily achieved AND can be converted into your daily existence without too much trouble. Here are our top tips for being MVP of your holiday (and life).<\/p>\n

First, some essential don\u2019ts<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t be: mean, a complainer, a gossip, a know-it-all, a bossy-boots, a stick-in-the-mud, and\/or someone who doesn\u2019t shower. Sure, we\u2019re all susceptible to a bit of the woe-is-me\u2019s, but if you want to be in the running for Most Coveted Friend While Travelling Award (Google it, it\u2019s a thing), keep these to a minimum and focus on the following:<\/p>\n

Be the chief spreader of good vibes<\/h3>\n

A wise being once said, \u201cDon\u2019t wait for people to be friendly. Show them how\u201d. Sit down and say hi to new travel-mates, ask questions, flash your pearly whites, and generally be your awesome self. Notice a quiet solo traveller<\/a>? Strike up a conversation with them about their favourite place in the world, then introduce them to the rest of the group. Someone looking a little green around the gills after a few too many tacos in Mexico<\/a>? Hand them a glass of water and a packet of dry biscuits.<\/p>\n

\"Friends<\/p>\n

Go with the flow<\/h3>\n

Travelling is stressful. Unless you\u2019re a robot, everyone feels the tightness in their chest when your train\u2019s about to arrive \u2013 and depart \u2013 and one of your travel-mates is still in the kiosk stocking up on snacks<\/a> in Japan, \u00ador your bus breaks down and you have to hitch a ride in the back of a peanut truck in Africa, or you recognise the tell-tale taste of E coli (and gurgle in your belly) after consuming a questionable stew in a small Siberian village. When you encounter bumps in the road while you\u2019re on<\/em> the road, don\u2019t let them ruffle your feathers. Go with it. Catch the next train (and enjoy some seriously delicious\/strange treats while you wait), perfect your getting-comfortable-on-a-bag-of-peanuts skills, and accept that going back for a second helping of whatever meat that was probably wasn\u2019t a great idea and move on (but only when it\u2019s safe to do so, if you catch my drift).<\/p>\n

Take charge when you need to<\/h3>\n

When people are outside their comfort zone, they\u2019re more likely to let stress take hold and complain. We know that no one likes a whinger. Rather than joining in on declarations of \u201cWhy is Cambodia so HOT<\/a>??!!\u201d\/\u201dI\u2019m so sick of RICE!!!\u201d\/\u201dMy heavy bag is STUPID and I hate it!!!!\u201d remind your peeps that a) it\u2019d be so much worse if it was snowing, b) rice is delicious and c) your muscles will thank you for giving them a workout. And then point out an incredible view and wrangle everyone together for a group picture. Keep a smile on your dial but don\u2019t pander to the grumblers.<\/p>\n

Help out<\/h3>\n

Be the designated bag-watcher when your mates need to use the bathroom at the airport (is there anything trickier than trying to navigate a wheely suitcase in a tiny bathroom stall? There is not.). Carry your pal\u2019s pack when they\u2019re feeling poorly. Hold up a towel when your friend needs to wee on the side of the road. The best travel-mates (and indeed, the best people) aren\u2019t those who guilt trip those around them, but inspire them to be, well, better at life.<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/p>\n

Pack a mean first aid kit<\/h3>\n

Painkillers, bandaids, tweezers, anything that\u2019ll make nausea\/diarrhoea\/constipation less hideous… You don\u2019t want to become known as the Trip Chemist (presumably you\u2019re travelling with grownups who know how to pack their own med kit) but people get caught out at the most inopportune times. If you can help quell a migraine or stop the gush of blood from a paper cut, there\u2019s a special place for you in good-traveller-heaven.<\/p>\n

Have mad skillz<\/h3>\n

You know what goes a long way on an especially long bus ride? Jokes. Learn a few pearlers (the more dad-like, the better) and break out the big guns \u2013 What\u2019s brown and sticky? A STICK! \u2013 when your seat-mate is starting to get restless. Laughter will spread throughout the bus and soon you\u2019ll garner a comedic reputation on par with Tina Fey. If jokes aren\u2019t your strong suit, the ability to demonstrate the ancient art of origami and fold your paper napkin into a crane or lotus flower is kinda impressive\u2026 Knowing how to read a map (or follow the blue dot on your phone) also goes a long way.<\/p>\n

But really, the best way to be the best friend on a trip is just to be a friend. Listen to your group, be open to new experiences, be ready to make new connections, and do as Bill and Ted do: be excellent to each other.<\/p>\n

Ready to put your social skills to the test? We’ve got an average of ten new besties waiting for you on a small group adventure.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Here are our top tips for being MVP of your holiday (and life).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15582,"featured_media":16329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[455],"tags":[43,736,21,108,417,253],"class_list":["post-16327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-cambodia","tag-friendships","tag-japan","tag-mexico","tag-tips","tag-travel","ipf_region-cambodia","ipf_region-japan","ipf_region-mexico"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to be the friend everyone wants to travel 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