How do you explain a solo trip to an extrovert?

Hi all,

I love my solo trips.

It seems many on here do too!

I hate the funny looks i get and the 'by yourself?' comments i get when i say i am going solo.

How do you handle that? What is the best retort?

pbl

 

Tell them 1. I enjoy doing things as I want, that I have nobody to answer to if I want to stay up all night and just walk. 2. I tell them I'm never alone, I meet people easily

 

Technically even an introvert might look at you sideways. The assumption is that it is antisocial, unfulfilling or that maybe you are up to something!! How do you retort? Its the very best time of your life....and then you walk away because people just do not get it until they experience it.

 

#2 is the the most confusing one for people. I actually like hanging out at the bar, bullshitting with random people, getting to know the other players at the blackjack/craps tables, etc. So even though it's a "solo" trip in that I didn't travel there with anyone else, it's not like I'm sitting around by myself the entire time.

 

tell them to mind there own business

 

You know, that's it in a nutshell.

"Different" stuff sits oddly with folks. We all do it, in fact. I've had people here tell me I'm too obsessed with Hawaii or other places at the expense of Vegas.

My friends and family all travel, most gamble, and those who don't are quite fond of Vegas. So when we were going to Vegas every three, four weeks, when I was running up there solo all the time, no one batted an eye. If we went on a run of back-to-back-to-back trips to Scottsdale, no one batted an eye. Another trip to Oz or NZ, no one batted an eye. And if someone did, why would I care?

It's like that somewhat parallel thread here about someone's SO or family not "getting" Vegas, and what to do about it. The what to do about it is actually nada. I don't believe in coercion or convincing, though I believe big in compromise.

If more folks did what makes them happy without worrying about appearances or what not, there'd be a lot less unhappiness out there.

 

Simply ask them if they have suggestions on what you should do. Assuming they make some suggestions then ask if you can make suggestions on what they should do for vacation.


I don't bother trying to convince them honestly. Once I know they are going to respond that way I also try hard to never mention those trips again to them.

While I do enjoy solo trips a lot, I understand that it isn't for everyone. Due to that I'm not going to try very hard to convince people they should try it. If they don't even have a little idea on why they might enjoy such a trip, it seems like it would be hard to convince them I'm doing a good thing.

 

#1 is one of my reasons. When I'm with my wife, I can't take a nap in vegas. I nap every day on a solo trip.

#2 is not me at all. I'm friendly to people, but I'm not outgoing enough to carry on a conversation with a stranger.

I would add that I love dining alone. It costs half what it usually does. I've never felt awkward eating by myself.

Ill be going solo in a couple weeks because my wife has to work and all my friends and family are broke. I need rich friends.

 

Forgot this:

LOVE places with community tables, whether I'm solo or if Terri and I are out and about. Even more engaging than bartop dining. We've had some great experiences all over doing this. But is there much of any in Vegas? Might make a great punchlist if we had one.

(It's like one of our fave wineries here. There's a huge square table and everyone just plops down, does tastings and shoots the breeze. We've met people from across the states and even some foreign places like Germany and Australia and even Minnesota and Wisconsin!!)

 

Just smile. If they're friends, they get it (even if it's not their cuppa Joe, they know you). If they aren't friends, who cares whether or not they understand?

 

I've taken 2 solo trips and have a 3rd here in a few weeks. The normal conversation around my solo trips goes something like this:

"So where you going on your vacation MDLee3_46041?"

"Vegas"

"Again? Who's going with you?"

"Nobody, it's a solo trip"

"Oh ok. Have fun."

I may get asked from somebody else that's close enough to hear if I'm worried about my safety, to which I reply that i feel no less safe than I do walking down the street here in my hometown. I might also have somebody tell me that they could never go on a solo trip and I don't try to change their mind about that. It's been my experience that usually the ppl that say that are usually the ppl that haven't been to Vegas before or at the very least, not for many years.

 

I know what you're dealing with. My solo trips were really group trips where I'd stick around for a couple days after everyone else left. They'd ask dumb questions like "what're you gonna do for two days all alone?" I would think, "are you serious? I've been waiting for you guys to leave so I could just do my thing!" :evillaugh

 

haha yup! I find it strange that some people are so dependent on others that they can't even go on a vacation by themselves.

I've never been on a solo trip yet, but whenever I'm there I'll take a night or 2, break away from the group, and go do whatever I want.

 

Word!

 

For me it's not just the solo trips, it's why I like to go to Vegas so much, also that I take so many vacations a year. I'm 50, have a good job, no kids - so I can afford it. I've actually started to lie - not proud of it - but tired of trying to explain all of the above to people.

I'm going to Vegas solo over Thanksgiving, and if you think explaining a solo trip is hard, try explaining one over a holiday. We don't celebrate the holiday with either one of our families, my BF always has to work over the holiday - and is completely OK with me going. No one besides him knows that I'm going.

 

Could it be a birth order thing?

I'm firstborn and I enjoy solitude. Standing midstream on a pleasant day, working a lonely stretch, who cares if they bite? My wife is an only child and she also finds plenty to do when I am not around. We do most things together but are almost always glad when one of us gets the chance to do something fun without the other. We don't always do well at community tables, but if Ken were there we'd have a great time.

People should do what pleases them, so long as it hurts nobody and they can afford it.

 

I got back from my last solo trip last month and am looking forward to being alone the first three days of my eight day trip next week. This is also one of those few threads I've come across where I agree with all the replies, which I believe falls into the category of "if you have to ask the question – you probably wouldn't understand the answer!"

I think I'd fall back on a comment I heard a pit boss utter (actually scream) a few years ago. It was particularly noisy in the BJ area that afternoon with probably more obnoxious players than usual when she blurted out "I HATE PEOPLE!" I thought that was one of the better and more honest remarks I ever heard from a pit critter and I KNOW she was being sincere. I think that would also make a good comeback when asked why you're going solo. Unfortunately, the people I know also know me, so I'm never asked that question anymore.

 

Solo happy

I smile sweetly and say something like - yes, I am very fortunate to be able to do what I want. I try hard not to flaunt it as some of my friends tend to get a tad jealous.

 

I tell them it's the greatest act of selfishness in the world....

Nah. Just kidding, lol!

I just tell them that except for my Wife, I really don't want to go with anyone else.

If they still persist and still ask "why" I tell them because they ask too many questions.

 

I guess we all "get it!" I go to a trade show for a couple of days but go a few days early and stay a few days afterwards. I get to see friends I've made a the show but am solo the rest of the time. I never feel lonely or awkward. Often I sit at the counter if they have one. I do this at home too. Counter people always talk with each other; it's like another culture. Most people in LV are also tourists and having a good time; people are very friendly.

Another thing I hear a lot is when you tell people you are going to LV, they make the comment that it must be nice to have that kind of money. I usually don't try to explain anymore, I just respond "yes it is!" You could not visit my city of 15,000 for what I spend in LV. Cheap flights, cheap lodging and cheap eats with loads of things to do at all kind of price. Most motels here get clos to $100/night and if you go to Boston you can triple that.

Since I buy at my trade shows, I can often pay for most or all of my trip in savings and write the trip off as a business expense as well. That's one reason for lots of conventions in LV.

I took each of my 3 kids to LV during a school vacation. It was a big city experience and quality time together and I enjoyed every minute of it, but I also enjoy my solo trips as well. I sleep til I wake, eat when I am hungry and do stuff when I get motivated. Is it February yet?

Jimbo338