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

[Anonymous]

I don't really care, being one of the 'prole' myself. I can ask questions or pivot the conversation. NBD, really.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if I am just naturally more excited for other people to have new things, go on trips or if it's just easier since I *could* do those things if I wanted. Maybe if that stuff was out of reach I'd be resentful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if I am just naturally more excited for other people to have new things, go on trips or if it's just easier since I *could* do those things if I wanted. Maybe if that stuff was out of reach I'd be resentful.

No, I think it is a personality trait to be happy and excited for others. I can't afford much but I love hearing about the trips other people take.

[Anonymous]

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.

Very insightful of you…yes, having money does indeed make it easier. Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re on the west coast and when my DD was in preschool, kids got pulled to go to their houses in Big Sky, Sun Valley and Hawaii so frequently that she thought her friends were on trips when they were out sick. But some classmates did go to Hawaii as often as the normal 3 year old has the sniffles.

I especially like when people detail their get-togethers with other school families in distant locations. Ok, we get it, you are all having fun without us.

We travel a ton but no way do I talk about it. I hate how fancy travel talk has somehow become acceptable small talk just because it sounds more worldly than talking about your job or your house hunt. The people going to their grandma’s house 2 hours away never bring it up first, which is a sign that only the braggers think it’s small talk.

Absolutely agree. We aren’t huge travelers…maybe 1-2 trips a year…and on a budget! But even so, this thread has made me more self aware and to be more conscientious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if I am just naturally more excited for other people to have new things, go on trips or if it's just easier since I *could* do those things if I wanted. Maybe if that stuff was out of reach I'd be resentful.

Oh another wise insight 😂

[Anonymous]

We're going skiing because we "always" do at this time of year and my husband and kids expect it at this point. But honestly it is a hassle and I kind of hate it. Because we have to leave the day after Christmas, that means getting the house cleaned up from hosting Christmas, pack everyone up for skiing (which is a lot more packing then normal with all the gear and clothing you have to bring), then come home to the tree still being up, etc.

I'd rather just stay home and enjoy being warm and cozy in my own house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's that deep. They're excited about their travel plans, and want to talk about it. We don't have the money to travel for winter break, and we just say we stay in town/drive to my in laws. I don't think anyone actually cares haha.

If you were "excited" about your new Range Rover, would it be tactful to bring it up or dance around it every time you have small talk?

I have yet to see a car person fail to talk ad nauseum about their new car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if I am just naturally more excited for other people to have new things, go on trips or if it's just easier since I *could* do those things if I wanted. Maybe if that stuff was out of reach I'd be resentful.

No, I think it is a personality trait to be happy and excited for others. I can't afford much but I love hearing about the trips other people take.

My kid was invited to a trip to the Bahamas on a private plane out out of Signature at Dulles. I'm an old man and have never traveled on a private plane. I was excited that my kid was invited on this trip.

We don't have the money to do these kind of things. Still excited that my kid had the opportunity to experience it.

[Anonymous]

For those of you thinking it's bragging--

If you ask me "what are you guys doing over break?" and I'm a friend of yours and I say "oh nothing really, staying around here" and then you find out 2 weeks later than I actually went to Dublin or Paris with my 3 kids, wouldn't you find it odd or pretty much dishonest that I gave one answer but then went on a trip that was obviously not planned the last minute?

[Anonymous]

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 assume they are excited…

[Anonymous]

I have no issue with anyone talking to me about their fancy trip or anything else indicating their wealthy lifestyle… IF it’s interesting to me. Otherwise, I will pivot the conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re on the west coast and when my DD was in preschool, kids got pulled to go to their houses in Big Sky, Sun Valley and Hawaii so frequently that she thought her friends were on trips when they were out sick. But some classmates did go to Hawaii as often as the normal 3 year old has the sniffles.

I especially like when people detail their get-togethers with other school families in distant locations. Ok, we get it, you are all having fun without us.

We travel a ton but no way do I talk about it. I hate how fancy travel talk has somehow become acceptable small talk just because it sounds more worldly than talking about your job or your house hunt. The people going to their grandma’s house 2 hours away never bring it up first, which is a sign that only the braggers think it’s small talk.

Haha this ^

[Anonymous]

It's just small talk. Nobody cares or remembers. The same question gets asked repeatedly as a filler question.

[Anonymous]

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 here! We are visiting family which for us is special. What is more important than seeing your cousins and grandparentsts?