You leave for your vacation with a bag full of clean clothes, a guide book and your favorite buddy in tow. But how can you be sure your friendship will survive long days, missed flights and strange situations? Spending twenty-four hours a day with someone can put a strain on even the strongest friendships, but if you follow these rules, there’s a good chance you’ll arrive home with nothing but pleasant memories and your friendship intact.
Talk it Over Before you Go
The best time to figure out what type of traveler you’re dealing with is before you leave. Meet for coffee or a beer to discuss the trip and plan what sights and cities you’ll visit. Decide who who will book flights and hotels, making sure to divvy up the work so no one feels they’re doing the lion’s share. If money is tight, be sure to mention your budget to your friend so they aren’t surprised by your frugality once you’re on the road. Most importantly, get a feel for what type of experience your travel companion is looking for. If you’re hoping to party your way through Europe while they want take in every opera from Oslo to Amsterdam, you’ll need to ready yourself for some serious compromising. The more prepared you are, the smoother the trip will go.
Spend Some Time by Yourself
You know what they say: absence makes the heart grow fonder. Make sure to spend some time solo so you can really appreciate the time you do spend hanging out with your friend. Before you leave, mention to that you like to take time to yourself to take pictures or write in your journal. Even when things with your pal are going great, be sure to take this time. Not only will it give you a chance to decompress, it will set a precedent for not spending every waking second together. That way, if things do get tense, you can excuse yourself, and your friend won’t immediately become offended.
Learn to Read Your Friend
You know what to do when your friend is pushing your buttons, but what if you’re the one doing the aggravating? Pay attention to your friend—if they aren’t talking as much as usual or are quick to snap, it might be a good time to give them a little space. Resist the urge to ask them what’s wrong every five seconds or snap back at them; everyone occasionally gets cranky when they’re on the road. If you can’t manage to get away from your friend physically (say, if you’re on a road trip or on a flight) now is a great time to pick up a paperback and shut your trap for a while.
