Sometimes in life, people say one thing but mean another. When it comes to travelers, this statement is particularly true.
Luckily, we’re here to decode all the things you say when traveling and share what they really mean. Not familiar with traveler lingo? Perhaps it’s time to book a trip of your own.
What you say:
“It’s been a long winter. I deserve a vacation.”
What you mean:
“Ok. I don’t REALLY deserve a vacation. I did spend the entire winter binging Netflix, growing my winter coat and generally avoiding human interaction. But I’m ready to face the world again… if that world involves all-you-can-drink tequila somewhere in Mexico.
What you say:
“I’m going to stick to a budget.”
What you mean:
“Let’s create a Pinterest board of travel hacks and cheap things to do as a way to make us feel a little better about spending money. Then let’s splurge on nice dinners, spa days and buy all the souvenirs. We’re on vacation, after all.”
What you say:
“Don’t you think an all-inclusive is a little overrated?”
What you mean:
“Honestly, going all-inclusive is probably the only way I will be able to afford this trip, but I don’t want to seem “uncultured,” or worse, broke. Please, someone speak up and make a strong case for the all-in life. I’ll combat it with my best eye roll and then concede because I am such a good friend.”
Pro tip: Leave this article up in your browser when friends are around: An insider’s guide to all-inclusives
What you say:
“I’m not checking social media or email this entire trip.”
What you mean:
“Does the airport before takeoff count? Because this picture of me balancing my passport on my coffee cup is too good not to be on Instagram. Now that I’m thinking about it, if I don’t Snapchat every aspect of my trip, did it even happen? If one doesn’t induce jealousy in all friends, fans and followers, did one really even go on vacation?”
What you say:
“One room with a queen-sized bed is enough space for three of us, right?”
What you mean:
“The thought of not being able to starfish in my own bed for seven days is making me claustrophic. But, alas, if I want to sip on the very best gin and juice, I have to keep my mind on my money and my money on my mind.”
What you say:
“We can totally afford a vacation. Just need to find a deal…”
What you mean:
“If only there was an easy way to find a super cheap flight without doing a ton of work…”
Pro tip: We may be able to help you with that…
What you say:
“I can’t believe in a few hours we’ll be landing in Hawaii.”
What you mean:
“Airplanes are magic!”
What you say:
To the TSA agent at airport security: “Nope, no liquids and gels here.”
What you mean:
“There’s a 30 percent chance there’s a tube of toothpaste buried at the bottom of my carry-on, but I was in too much of a rush to make this flight to check.”
What you say:
To the gate attendant: “Is the flight full?”
What you mean:
“Asking for something directly is not my strong suit. I want to be moderately comfortable during this flight, but because I’m not a frequent flier or first class passenger, I realize I have no bargaining power. I’m hoping your gate agent intuition will kick in and you’ll realize that I’m really asking, ‘Do you have enough empty seats on this flight to hook me up with an empty row?’ Please and thank you.”
What you say:
“It won’t take me too long to pack.”
What you mean:
“It is going to take me FOREVER to pack. I must get some weird satisfaction from procrastination. Apparently, I rather be anxiety-filled over the fact that I haven’t packed yet, than just pack. I could start now… or I could text all my friends and ask if they started packing so I don’t feel so alone. I’ll do that first, and then I’ll start packing.”
What you say:
“What a view!”
What you mean:
“#NoFilter”
What you say:
“This resort has a gym! I am making a note to pack my sneakers right now.”
What you mean:
“I’m definitely not packing my sneakers, but if anyone asks I forgot them.”
What you say:
“Traveling together is going to be great for my relationship.”
What you mean:
“Please let us find each others travel quirks adorable. It’s cute when I collect all the free bath products each morning and burrow them in my suitcase like a mini-conditioner hoarding squirrel, right?”
What you say:
“This coconut water is delicious.”
What you mean:
“I’m holding a coconut with a straw stuck into it, but this guy is looking at me like I am supposed to be losing my mind over it. The Instagram selfie of me drinking it is going to be fire though.”
What you say:
“Is it too early to get a drink?”
What you mean:
“This is a rhetorical question. It’s always 5 o’ clock on vacation. But I will pose this statement and hope for a group consensus in order to feel like a team player.”
What you say:
“Let’s just be total beach bums today. It’s nice to get some relaxing in on vacation.”
What you mean:
“I’m hungover, and this beach blanket is about as far from the hotel as I am going to get in the next eight hours. Cool?”
What do you always say when you travel (and what do you really mean?) Let us know in the comments.
Main image: istockphoto/AleksandarNakic
