What is a holiday romance?
A holiday romance is just that; a romance that you have on holiday that more often than not ends as soon as you, or they go home. A holiday romance might be the last thing on your mind when you go on holiday, but it can happen. A romance can happen with another holidaymaker, a local to your holiday destination, or perhaps someone who works within the resort you are visiting.
How can a holiday romance occur?
When on holiday people tend to act differently than at home. Being in a relaxed atmosphere away from your daily stresses and worries can make you do things you wouldn’t normally do. Once you feel physically and emotionally relaxed, you see things in a completely different light. That is when you might consider getting close to someone on holiday, even if it’s the last thing you thought you’d ever do.
Holiday Romances – The Positives
- Meeting someone and spending quality time with them in a relaxed atmosphere can seem perfect and make you very happy.
- As well as making you feel great, it can really boost your confidence.
- Spending a week or two with someone you really like can make your holiday extra special, one you will never forget.
- If you decide to sleep with someone, then it can be magical. The mix of sun, relaxation, bare flesh and sometimes alcohol can really put you in the mood.
- If it gets to the point where you don’t want to see them again, then you can be reassured that you won’t have to see them again once you are home.
Holiday Romances – The Negatives
- Often a holiday romance ends the minute you leave and you can be left feeling heartbroken.
- It is so easy to fall for someone quickly when you are relaxed and away from your daily stresses. This makes parting even harder to do.
- If a romance turns sour, even after a few days, it is possible that you will keep bumping into the other person, especially if you are staying in the same hotel or a small resort. This can make you feel very uncomfortable, which is not how you want to feel on holiday.
- It is possible that they will be keener on you than you are on them. This can get awkward especially if they declare their love to you.
- The people you go on holiday with could start to feel abandoned by you, creating tension. It can be even worse if they don’t like your new company.
- You might feel rushed into sleeping with them, as you are there for a limited time only. Sleeping with strangers can leave you feeling guilty and you could regret your actions.
- You might come home with more than you bargained for, especially if you didn’t practice safe sex.
- You might think you know them well, but it is possible they have a partner and children back at home.
- They may say they will call you in the future to meet up, but it is easy to say the words without actually meaning it.
- If your holiday fling is with a local working in the resort, then more often than not they meet someone new each week. They will have probably moved onto the next person by the time you have boarded your plane home.
Holiday Romances – The do’s
- Always make it clear from the start if you are simply looking for a week or two of fun, otherwise, you could end up hurting someone.
- Make sure you remember to spend time with the people you went on holiday with.
- Be safe. Always meet where others can see you and always make sure your fellow holidaymakers know where you are and who you are with.
- If you decide to sleep with someone, always use protection.
- Before you go home, or they go home, tell them you had a brilliant time. This will really help to boost their confidence.
- If you don’t wish to see them again, make sure they know that the romance ends there and then, but don’t be rude.
- If they start hassling you about spending more time with them, or if they start to make you feel uncomfortable, tell your fellow holidaymakers what is going on.
- It might be a good idea to cut back on the alcohol when you are with them. That way your judgement won’t be impaired and you will be in control of your actions.
Holiday Romances – The don’ts
- Don’t be scared to end a romance in the middle of your holiday, especially if you don’t like how things are turning out.
- Don’t feel pressurised into sleeping with them. If you don’t want to, then don’t.
- Don’t ignore signs that they have a partner back at home. If they are cagey about answering questions about their home life, then it is possible that they are not single. You will end up getting hurt if you choose to ignore these signs, especially if you have strong feelings for them.
- Try not to let your emotions get out of control. Falling for someone too quickly could end with you feeling miserable once you leave each other.
- Don’t lead someone on, especially if they say they are falling in love with you. If you don’t feel the same, don’t let them think that you do.
How to avoid getting hurt
The last thing you want is to return home feeling heartbroken. Holidays are to be enjoyed, not to make you feel miserable. If you do find yourself in a situation where a holiday romance could occur, it is important that you step back and really think about what you are going to do. Always be realistic. If you know deep down that you will never see them again, don’t kid yourself that you will. There is no harm in enjoying the time you have together, as long as you can handle the situation when you leave.
If your feelings for them seem to be getting stronger and you know a relationship could never work, then it might be an idea to slow things down. This is to protect yourself from heartache. Try to spend more time with your fellow holidaymakers who will help to get you through the situation.
If you notice that they seem to be falling for you, but you are just after a week of companionship, then it might be wise to slow down the friendship, or even put a stop to it. You don’t want to break someone else’s heart or end up having them stalk you for the rest of your holiday. If they don’t like your rejection, make sure your fellow holidaymakers know what is going on so they can look out for you and make sure you don’t get hassled.
Is there a future?
During a holiday romance, it is easy to get carried away and plan your future together, but you need to be realistic. Firstly you need to be sure of what you both want. If you discuss meeting up again in the future, you need to be realistic about the situation. If you both live in the same country then it can be possible, but if you are from completely different parts of the world, then it isn’t so likely.
If the person you meet is from the same country as you, then it can be possible to meet up once you are home. Be prepared for them to act differently back at home once the daily stresses and strains return. On holiday you may both seem like a relaxed fun person, but once home they could be the complete opposite. Once you meet up, you might realise that things aren’t working out as you’d hoped, as you will constantly be comparing to the fun you had on holiday. However, if your feelings are as strong as ever when you meet up, then it is possible that a relationship can develop. It all depends on how committed you are to making it work. You might even start a long-distance relationship with them. If your feelings are strong enough and you both make an effort to meet up whenever possible, then there is no reason why a holiday romance can’t develop into a relationship.