8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 17.2005
Driving
Driving 21 hours with four friends to Florida in a less than midsize car, sharing a hotel room with two beds and five other people — these are some of the sacrifices college students are willing to make to have a perfect spring break. Unfortunately, this nine-day vacation can turn more into an inescapable nightmare when you and your travel companions become less than friendly with one another. Here are some tips on how to not kill your friends while traveling with them.
Pre-vacation check
Talking about the trip in detail beforehand can help prevent fights during the vacation, says Stephanie Coleman, branch manager of STA Travel in the Kansas Union. Coleman says being as organized as possible can help eliminate stress during break. This includes not only making a list of all the clothes you're bringing but making a document folder that holds your passport, vouchers, airline tickets and tineries. Once you have yourself organized, Coleman recommends having a group meeting about the trip. Discuss what you have a mutual interest in doing, Coleman says. Make sure everyone actually wants to go to the bars every night — don't just make the assumption. Another way to avoid tension during your trip is to discuss money beforehand. How will you handle cab fare? Will you split it each time? Will you take turns? What if one ride costs more than another? Coleman says knowing these things ahead of time can help avoid fights.
Vacation time
For Overland Park sophomore Chelsea Dutton, there weren't problems with the spring break organizing, her problems came while she was in Mexico last break. Dutton went with two of her friends, who were fighting with one another the majority of the time. Dutton says she felt as though she was constantly being put in the middle of the fight. What started out as constant bickering between them turned ugly when one friend said it was time to go out to dinner. Dutton says she got up to go, but the other girl just lay on the bed and said she wasn't hungry. From there they started arguing about whether or not they would all go to dinner, which eventually led to the nonhungry girl being dragged off the bed and out of the hotel room by Dutton's other friend, locking her out of the room. The entire incident was surreal, Dutton says, she tried not to take sides during the trip.
While it may be easier to not take sides or bottle up your feelings during a fight, Dana Williams, CAPS psychology intern, says that's not the best way to handle a fight. "Don't swallow your feelings — be honest with them." Williams says. If you're upset about anything, talk to your friends about it and don't antagonize it further, she says. Fights are common while traveling with friends for a variety of reasons, Williams says. Traveler's anxiety levels are higher because they are eating and sleeping differently, plus with large amounts of alcohol sometimes added in an unstable environment can be created.
What's the most annoying thing a friend can do while traveling with them?
"Change the radio station."
Chadd Elsen
Albert senior
"Getting too drunk and out of control and having to baby-sit them all the time."
Lawrence sophomore
"Smoking in the car."
Serina Hikes
Oberlin freshmen
Being a backseat driver
Melissa Farve
Lawrence freshmen
adoyle@kansan.com
"Talk too much about embarrassing topics." Dylan Manning Overland Park freshmen
03.17.05 Jayplay
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