Often, we hear that the more the merrier BUT this will create a higher chances of disagreement and lead to argument. As the idiom "one rotten apple spoils the barrel', whenever one travel mate feeling unhappy, the whole group will be influenced (you know la.... everyone has their own mood swing). Here are some tips for a stress-free trip with a bunch of humans.
1. Choose your travel mates.
Yeap.... No typo or whatsoever. Travel with the humans that know your needs well because they are understanding-type of humans. Those who are "whatever" type especially guys, yeap.... I greatly recommend to travel with this kind of humans. Often we need to change our travel plan due to unbearable circumstances and so do not ever try to invite those human that is die-die/ blindly must stick to the plan. It's totally hell.2. Create a communication media.
Facebook group, whatsapp group chat or emails..... you name it. Not everyone stay in the same town/ city/ states/ country when we choose to travel as a group. We cant even meet up to have a simple discussion on the exciting future trip. The only time that we meet up as group is merely the time before we fly off in the same plane.3. Choose a leader.
He/ She have to conclude everyone's intentions and preferences. He/ She is the one who contact the travel agent (if you choose for tour). He/ She is the one who initiates to connect everyone and keeps everyone updated with current discussion. He/ She is the one who finalize the whole trip SO RESPECT YOUR LEADER.4. Travel itineraries.
There are several ways to plan for your awesome trip. You can either opt for own planning OR ground tour (the travel agent of the country that you wish to travel) OR your own country travel agent.5. Don't be MUTE.
Your hear me guys. Do not be ignorance during group discussion. Do voice out your preferences especially when a decision is needed. Do not act like "I'm busy" OR "cin-cai-larrrr" OR "I don't know". Do not give a hard time to your team leader. He/ She is desperate too in making the final decision. You know you can't get the money back if you really really really super duper don't like the accommodation (if self planning) OR the makan place OR regarding the pricing that quote by your travel agent. If you feel NO-NO for everything, dude/ ladies: you go backpacking lar you.....6. Traveler's responsibility.
Play your role in a group well. Either you are a loan shark, navigator, food hunter, campers, memories capture or sheep, do remember your own role to reduce misunderstanding.Loan shark: a person that is in charge to calculate the expenses and collect the money from everyone
Navigator: a person that is good in Geography and navigate the route without relying on the GPS apps
Food Hunter: a person that LOVE food so much that he/she will not skip a single meal and will search the BEST food in town
Camper: a person that decide your sleeping place; either on the concrete floor or the 5-star hotel bad. Not mentioning choosing the facilities that provided at the place that you are going to stay
Memories capture: a person that in charge to take videos/ pictures during the trip. Everyone can take turns to play this role so that everyone will be in the picture.
Sheep: a merely a follower that agree and cool on everything that go on during the trip.
7. Time concern.
Time wait for no men. Do not try to be a superstar when everyone is waiting for you on the agreed meet up time (unless you want to walk on your own or dating with your new scandal bf/gf in town). Do remember to give everyone some space (especially women that like to shop). Set a time and do let others know if you wish to spend your personal time longer.8. GROUP, not individual.
You never live twice and you know that. Challenge yourself or your friends. Do crazy things with your friends. Do not leave them alone.and last but not least,
