“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” — Mark Twain

No quote may be truer than this in regards to traveling with groups.  Having a lot of friends around can be exciting and fun but oftentimes it becomes a delicate juggling game of split personalities.  Everyone has their routine, their way of existing that makes sense in their minds.  You have the push-overs, the nay-sayers, the optimistic, the up-for-anything, take chargers and the bullies. Some people go with the flow and accept other people’s routines while others constantly power trip that their way is the only way and there is no use doing anything else.

During a trip to Ireland, I traveled in a group and experienced a lot of this.  I found myself put between several of the people trying to create a balance so that everyone could get along and enjoy what Ireland had to offer- not argue about what time we were going to eat!  Years later, and all the more wiser, I struck that balance during my recent trip to NYC.  Here are my 10 ways to enjoy traveling with a group.

1. Communicate.  No one can read your mind, so if you want to go somewhere or do something- speak up.  You’ll be sorry if you don’t and you’ll only have yourself to blame.
2. Be upfront about budget and what you are comfortable spending.
3. Eat when you are hungry- whether anyone else is eating or not.  When people get hungry they get irritable and testy.  No one enjoys being with someone when they are acting this way- so if you notice yourself getting hungry (and feeling agitated), do everyone a favor and eat something.
4. Do not talk politics.  Everyone has their own opinion and even if you voted for the same person, you might differ slightly on this or that.
5. Do not talk religion. (Unless this is a mission trip- then that is the reason you are traveling!)
6. It’s okay to not do everything that everyone else is doing.  If you want to go on a hike, and someone else doesn’t want to- that’s fine.  Separate for a few hours and meet back up later. Everyone will have a fun story to share at dinner and spirits will be high.
7. Have sex with caution. You are going to be seeing these people for the duration of your travels.  If that only means a weekend, you might be okay.  But if it’s long term travel and you don’t know how you’re going to feel about the person the next day, you might want to steer clear.
8. Bring a toothbrush/ gum/ mints.  Bad breath is never okay.
9. If your group is big enough it might be cheaper (and nicer) to get a hotel instead of a hostel.  You’ll have privacy and comfort without shelling out more money.
10. Know your limits, but allow them to be pushed a little.  Experiment, explore and go outside your comfort zone

Have you ever traveled in a group?  What are your go-to ways to handle the nay-sayers or bullies?  Or, are you push-over?

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