A summer holiday is supposed to be a time to switch off from the real world, relaxing in the sun and letting life’s little inconveniences drift away.
But it seems some of us are just as irritable as at home, with many finding it hard to stop the bad behaviour of others grinding our gears.
In a recent survey of 2,000 UK holidaymakers, peeing in the pool topped the list of annoying habits. Almost two thirds said they were ticked off by others having a mid-swim wee, despite a separate poll revealing that 46% are guilty of it themselves (and that’s just the ones who admit it).
People don’t have much patience for noise either, as over half of those surveyed (53%) admitted uncontrollable children make them angry, along with similar numbers who prefer the poolside to be free from shouting or music.
Vices typically associated with Brits abroad – smoking and excessive drinking – came in at fifth and sixth, ranked as annoying by 46% and 45% of respondents respectively.
Somewhat surprisingly, reserving sun loungers with towels were at number eight. Given how frowned upon it is in our nation’s collective consciousness, you’d think it’d be higher up, but apparently the tactic is now less aggravating than eating in the pool.
Proving some things never change, though, 27% voted topless sunbathing as a beach break bugbear. Other cultures’ liberated attitudes to nudity and years of #freethenipple have done little to impact our characteristic prudishness, so perhaps consider keeping your bikini top on to avoid antagonising those with more Victorian views.
That said, if your hotel allows it and you don’t mind the odd disapproving stare, who are they to say you need to cover up? It’s your vacation too – and tan lines aren’t always a welcome souvenir to bring home.
As long as you’re not hurting anyone, live your holiday dreams; once the week is out, you’ll probably never see these people again.
Top poolside pet peeves for UK holidaymakers
- Having a wee in the pool – 64%
- Not controlling the kids – 53%
- Shouting – 51%
- Playing music – 49%
- Smoking – 46%
- Excessive drinking – 45%
- Eating food in the pool – 45%
- Saving sun loungers with towels – 36%
- Vaping – 33%
- Sunbathing topless – 27%
Via Northerner.
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