Is It Narcissistic to Talk About My Vacation at Thanksgiving Dinner?
For many, the summer months mean taking a vacation. However, not everyone can afford one or is interested in hearing about your fab adventure. Thanksgiving get-togethers mean you’ll be socializing with family with different interests and financial situations than you. With massive job layoffs and inflation squeezing people’s budgets, should you talk about your past or upcoming vacations with people, or is it narcissistic?
That’s The Dilemma Facing Travelers
This was a popular topic on my favorite online discussion board. Recently someone shared, “My partner and I are in our 30s. We are DINKs (dual income, no kids) and planning to stay this way.”
Should You Feel Guilty Talking About Your Life?
“We have ample time off, so we usually make one-to-two international trips a year, plus some shorter trips and weekend getaways. But, I have recently felt more guilty about rising inflation and costs for everything. I understand my partner and I are in a unique position, and we are grateful for our lifestyle. But should I feel guilty sharing stories? Is anyone else in the same boat?”
The internet has spoken and here are the top-voted responses.
1. Read the Room
“I don’t think you should feel guilty. But I do think you need to read the room. Maybe people are not interested. Perhaps they’re not. And it could have nothing to do with jealousy,” someone stated.
2. Most People Do Not Care
Another said, “I think it’s best to remember that people don’t care about your travel stories. And I am saying this is an avid traveler!”
“Traveling is the sort of thing that is life-changing to experience but a bit torturous to hear about if not requested. So unless someone specially asks, I don’t say anything about my recent trip, and if people do ask, I usually keep it nice and short.”
3. Share Only If Asked
“I travel a lot,” shared one. “To the point that most of the conversations at work start with others asking where I’ve just been or where I’m going next. Never feel guilty – I work hard and have earned these trips.”
“But I also only talk about my trips when specifically asked. It’s like asking about other people’s kids – either you care enough and want to know more, or you avoid bringing up the topic.”
4. Just Don’t Be Obnoxious
“Nope, they made their life choices. You made yours. Now, if you talk about it endlessly to people who have no interest in the topic, you are obnoxious, but that is true about any case,” someone suggested. Again, the topic of people chattering nonstop about their kids when not warranted or wanted.
5. Be Aware of Income Gaps
“Always good to have some basic awareness about income differences between yourself and others and to try to be sensitive to how they might feel about that, but you ought not to feel guilty for living a life you enjoy,” another suggested.
6. A Lot of People Can’t Relate
“I find many people can’t relate,” one shared. “Many have limited travel experience outside of resorts and organized tour groups. They aren’t even curious because it’s a type of travel they can’t imagine themselves doing.”
“I don’t feel guilty at all, but I don’t feel the need to overshare. However, I want to help people who wish to pursue a similar travel style to mine, and then I will open up with incredible anecdotes and stories that help put them at ease and encourage them to explore.”
7. It’s My Thing To Celebrate
“No, I kind of love it,” one replied. “I’ve missed the expected milestones of marriage, children, homeownership. Instead, I feel like travel is the thing I get to celebrate.”
Another agreed, “Same here. If only everyone else felt the same way. I get it. Hearing about other people’s travels can be tedious, but since I don’t have anything else about me that society values, I’m going to toot my own horn about my travels and the resultant expansion of my mind.”
Share Carefully Is The Morale of The Story
Many people feel guilty when sharing their experiences because they’ve had many that others may never have. However, the majority expressed nothing to feel guilty about but to be mindful of oversharing. Still, others suggested sharing vacations online and keeping it there.
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This article was produced by Planner at Heart.