Private school parent small talk in December: EVERYONE bragging about upcoming ritzy trips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: :shock: Why are you so bothered? I can easily afford all such expensive trips but travel exhausts me and we only take one big trip in the summer, if anyone asks I tell them the same, whether they believe me or not is not my problem. I can’t fathom how people travel during the spring, summer and then winters :shock:

There are a lot of people who need down time.

Typical clueless response. You can afford to travel and choose not to. Do you not understand the difference between someone wanting to travel but can’t afford to and someone who can afford travel but chooses not to?

Let's say this again - you have one hell of a chip on your shoulder. Discussing upcoming and recent travel is normal small talk. Posting vacation photos is normal social media behavior. Regardless of whether the destination is St Moritz or the redneck rivieria.

DP
I love the judgement here. I’m currently writing this from my Breckenridge, where I’ve just completed my 14th day on the mountain according to my Epic app, so yeah, I take “ritzy” vacations. However, I am equally as likely to head to Orange Beach in the red neck riviera and have a great time, and sometimes I need a staycation too, which annoys my husband, but such is life. I don’t judge. And if someone says ‘no big plans’ or ‘just staying home’ I always think that sounds nice too - travel can be overwhelming too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:French Alp$$$$$$$

Yet, often far cheaper than Aspen or Vail.

Bullshit

Pretty aggressive and wrong. It's pretty well known in the skiing world that you can ski anywhere outside the US for far less than in the US. Just look at lift ticket prices. A family of 4 can get 7 days of lift tickets at Les 3 Vallees for €1300. A 7-day lift ticket at Aspen is $1300 per person. Lodging is far cheaper as well.

[Anonymous]

This thread may never end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Why are you so bothered? I can easily afford all such expensive trips but travel exhausts me and we only take one big trip in the summer, if anyone asks I tell them the same, whether they believe me or not is not my problem. I can’t fathom how people travel during the spring, summer and then winters

There are a lot of people who need down time.

I doubt you can really afford it. And even if you can and you don’t, you’re projecting you’re boring/weird shut-ins and you’re depriving your kids of something all of their wealthy peers do and thus making them feel like outsiders.

DP. You people are so tiring. You don’t have enough money to do these things and are so jealous that you can’t imagine someone would choose to live differently than you. It’s just such pathetic striver mentality. You also have no idea about what trips private school kids are making (or not). Most area privates have at least 20 percent on financial aid. Again, you’d know that, if you’d were actually part of the private school community. We have enough money to do expensive travel at the holidays, but I don’t want to and I’m not certainly not depriving my child of anything. You know what “expensive trips” kids are doing at her boarding school? Going home to China and Europe for the first time since they left their parents in August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Except us. We aren't poor but you can't help but feel a little on the prole side of upper middle class this time of year when you have to disclose, "No, no big trips. We're just staying home." It feels like every single private school parent you bump into is itching to sort of brag about and detail their vacation home or their upcoming ski trip or some ritzy beach destination. Anyone else feel this way this time of year?

No. Have you thought about switching to a public school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Why are you so bothered? I can easily afford all such expensive trips but travel exhausts me and we only take one big trip in the summer, if anyone asks I tell them the same, whether they believe me or not is not my problem. I can’t fathom how people travel during the spring, summer and then winters

There are a lot of people who need down time.

I doubt you can really afford it. And even if you can and you don’t, you’re projecting you’re boring/weird shut-ins and you’re depriving your kids of something all of their wealthy peers do and thus making them feel like outsiders.

DP. You people are so tiring. You don’t have enough money to do these things and are so jealous that you can’t imagine someone would choose to live differently than you. It’s just such pathetic striver mentality. You also have no idea about what trips private school kids are making (or not). Most area privates have at least 20 percent on financial aid. Again, you’d know that, if you’d were actually part of the private school community. We have enough money to do expensive travel at the holidays, but I don’t want to and I’m not certainly not depriving my child of anything. You know what “expensive trips” kids are doing at her boarding school? Going home to China and Europe for the first time since they left their parents in August.

Kiddos and most moms leave nothing to the imagination on social media. Plus parent Facebook groups and parent group chats. And obviously kids are hyper connected. And parents all talk this week at drop off and school events. Everyone knows where everyone went over break. And everyone is judging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Except us. We aren't poor but you can't help but feel a little on the prole side of upper middle class this time of year when you have to disclose, "No, no big trips. We're just staying home." It feels like every single private school parent you bump into is itching to sort of brag about and detail their vacation home or their upcoming ski trip or some ritzy beach destination. Anyone else feel this way this time of year?

I don’t think it is bragging. It is the culture to go on trips for many. We could afford any of these trips easily but choose to spend it with family and extended relatives so I have zero jealousy and it does not bother me in the least. I like hearing about their trips. It’s small talk to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: :shock: Why are you so bothered? I can easily afford all such expensive trips but travel exhausts me and we only take one big trip in the summer, if anyone asks I tell them the same, whether they believe me or not is not my problem. I can’t fathom how people travel during the spring, summer and then winters :shock:

There are a lot of people who need down time.

Typical clueless response. You can afford to travel and choose not to. Do you not understand the difference between someone wanting to travel but can’t afford to and someone who can afford travel but chooses not to?

If you want to talk about clueless, how about sending your kid to private school--a luxury that the vast majority of the world could not even fathom, especially at tuition costs in the DMV--and then complaining that other people can afford to go on fancy vacations when you can't.

Bingo. This.

[Anonymous]

People go different places. So what?

We flew to the Midwest on gifted air miles, slept on sofas, and had an absolutely wonderful time with relatives.

We have high financial aid. I don’t pretend we are part of the private-jet set.

Get over it.