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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

+1
I don’t like to travel over this break, we don’t ski, and my kid has training for a winter sport. Nobody is judging you or bragging, OP, they are just making conversation. Super easy chit chat. I enjoy hearing about where people are going!

yes, this.
We're going to Europe on the 26th. I was recently at a school community party and was probably asked by 15 people: "what are you doing for the holidays?" I'm not going to lie (many of these are people I actually consider my friends) so I mentioned our travels. My good friends know it's because we got a super deal (under $500/person) on the tickets and bought them in July and also haven't traveled abroad since before Covid. The rest probably thought I was bragging. SIGH.
Oh well.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s bragging. These people are rich. This is what they do. To them - it’s just normal and so they talk about it.

[Anonymous]

Well, duh. That's the social group you signed up for. World's smallest violin playing for you right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, duh. That's the social group you signed up for. World's smallest violin playing for you right now.

This. You put your kids in a school that exists to cater to the elite and then are shocked that kids there have money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

Same. But I'm also the type that enjoys seeing everyone's get togethers and vacations or events on SM and I've found that's uncommon on this forum.

+1

[Anonymous]

This is the easiest casual conversation to have during this time of year. Some people visit family. Some go skiing. Some go to the beach.

I think everyone does something so it is hardly a brag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

+1
I don’t like to travel over this break, we don’t ski, and my kid has training for a winter sport. Nobody is judging you or bragging, OP, they are just making conversation. Super easy chit chat. I enjoy hearing about where people are going!

yes, this.
We're going to Europe on the 26th. I was recently at a school community party and was probably asked by 15 people: "what are you doing for the holidays?" I'm not going to lie (many of these are people I actually consider my friends) so I mentioned our travels. My good friends know it's because we got a super deal (under $500/person) on the tickets and bought them in July and also haven't traveled abroad since before Covid. The rest probably thought I was bragging. SIGH.
Oh well.

Why is it bragging?

We travel a lot. Some years we travel to NY to visit my family. Some years we do an international trip. I don’t think anyone is keeping tabs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

+1
I don’t like to travel over this break, we don’t ski, and my kid has training for a winter sport. Nobody is judging you or bragging, OP, they are just making conversation. Super easy chit chat. I enjoy hearing about where people are going!

+2. We have to use our time at christmas to visit family in very boring locations. I'd rather be at home, not traveling. I love to hear about trips people are taking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the easiest casual conversation to have during this time of year. Some people visit family. Some go skiing. Some go to the beach.

I think everyone does something so it is hardly a brag.

Come on, everyone knows the difference between going to the Midwest in cattle class to see family and jetting to a chalet in the Swiss Alps or a family's Deer Valley winter mansion. lol

[Anonymous]

People asked about holiday plans at our public school bus stop too. I thought it was really strange when our oldest first started school - why are so many people asking the same exact boring question? Some had extravagant plans, others like us, more modest. I don't think this is just a private school thing. Personally, I'd rather commiserate with the PP about their basement cleanout! It makes me want to come up with a very boring and socially awkward answer just to see the other person's reaction

[Anonymous]

I think you’re reading into it OP. We’re going skiing and I never thought it would be brag-worthy. Our family just likes to ski and there aren’t many opportunities to go because of school schedules so we always go Xmas week.

[Anonymous]

When you ask me and I say "oh we are going to Hawaii" it's not because I want to brag. I could give a shit if people are impressed with where we are going or not. And if I ask you, I promise you I am just making small talk and not because I am judging or care where you are going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the easiest casual conversation to have during this time of year. Some people visit family. Some go skiing. Some go to the beach.

I think everyone does something so it is hardly a brag.

Come on, everyone knows the difference between going to the Midwest in cattle class to see family and jetting to a chalet in the Swiss Alps or a family's Deer Valley winter mansion. lol

Well, only the insecure people--whether they are rich or poor--are actually keeping score.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a mix. For many it's just easy small talk around the holidays. Some people are clueless at how they sound. But every once in a while, there are people clearly bragging. So it's probably somewhere in the middle OP. Just do you.

Funny enough - we planned a significant trip over holiday break for the first time ever (my kids are older - a HS grad and HS freshman) and the younger said (with eyes rolling) "oh are we going to become one of THOSE families now? The ones that go on fancy trips over break". When I asked what they meant by that - they shared that there were kids at school that definitely bragged about such things. They are not super sensitive and have traveled plenty...just never at Winter Break when I prefer to relax...but we're still itching to travel a bit more post COVID .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. But I’m not jealous or insecure. We have the money to do something, we just choose not to. Maybe that makes it easier? I really like hearing about trips because I find it interesting. I don’t assume people are bragging, but making conversation.

+1
I don’t like to travel over this break, we don’t ski, and my kid has training for a winter sport. Nobody is judging you or bragging, OP, they are just making conversation. Super easy chit chat. I enjoy hearing about where people are going!

yes, this.
We're going to Europe on the 26th. I was recently at a school community party and was probably asked by 15 people: "what are you doing for the holidays?" I'm not going to lie (many of these are people I actually consider my friends) so I mentioned our travels. My good friends know it's because we got a super deal (under $500/person) on the tickets and bought them in July and also haven't traveled abroad since before Covid. The rest probably thought I was bragging. SIGH.
Oh well.

Why is it bragging?

We travel a lot. Some years we travel to NY to visit my family. Some years we do an international trip. I don’t think anyone is keeping tabs.

Did you read my post? I personally don't think it's bragging but clearly the OP does. When you ask me, "what are you doing over the break?" and you're my friend or at least a friendly acquaintance that I talk to all all school event I'm not going to lie and say "nothing" if we're traveling because then what is the point of the friendship if I have to lie or hide things about my life to make you comfortable (and vice versa)?