Buddy-up and Keep Travelling Part 3

Buddy-up and Keep Travelling – because two is better than one! Part 3: Who’s your best travel buddy?

Welcome back to our travel buddy series, where we explore the art of travelling with a specifically chosen other – one who isn’t your partner, or even a close friend, but who loves travel as much as you! In this article we take a look at just who makes your best travel buddy, and why.

A complimentary character

To know what you want in a travel buddy, you first have to know yourself. That’s because your best travel buddy will be someone whose skills and personality compliment your own. If you’re level headed 90% of the time but prone to panicking when the stress comes on, look for a companion who may not be a planner, but who’s unflappable when things look like they’re about to turn to custard. If you’re a digital whizz, co-opt a travel buddy who may not be able to manage a screen, but who has a great sense of direction should your phone battery die! By choosing a complimentary travel buddy, you’ll be the best for each other.

A forgiver

We all make mistakes, and in the sometimes high pressured environment travel can be, we often make them more easily. The best travel buddy doesn’t hold a grudge; instead, they’re the sort who can forgive without being patronising, and who will quickly help restore your sense of self-esteem.

The silent appreciator

A travel buddy is a 24/7 companion, which is why it’s important they don’t feel they need fill in all the gaps in conversation. Sitting or resting in companionable silence is sometimes the best way to take a break and appreciate your surroundings as well as each other. Constant chatter can be overwhelming.

No offence taken

The ability to communicate wishes, and to, in turn, appreciate honest communication without feeling offended or slighted is so essential in a travel buddy. You don’t want to be walking on egg shells while you travel together.

A compromiser

Just because you’re travelling together, doesn’t mean you and your travel buddy will agree on everything. Which is why it’s essential they are as willing to compromise as you are. For instance, you may be happy to go on a scenic walk with them, but not for the whole day. Would they be comfortable with that, or with having you turn back early while they continue on? Are they happy to join you on a trip to an art gallery even though it’s not top of their list, and will you accompany them to the museum they’ve always wanted to visit?

Financially friendly

Your buddy should have similar travel budget expectations to your own – at least where it comes to booking seats, eating out, and accommodation. Their spending on personal items (such as clothing) won’t be an issue, but if they want to travel first-class reserve and you’re happy with a second class carriage for a hundred dollars less, you’re going to have problems…

Timely

If rushing to the bus stop, or showing up late for a show is your idea of stress, choose a travel buddy who has good time management skills and considers punctuality a politeness. Even having to wait for them for an extra 10 minutes each time you head out together, will quickly pall.

Culturally sensitive

You may think you know a person well enough to travel with them – until it comes to issues of cultural sensitivity. Racism, lack of compassion, and an unwillingness to behave in ways that don’t offend can come as a shock. Choose a buddy who shares your sense of    respect for others, wherever you are in the world.

A sense of adventure

Safety is paramount when travelling, yet you don’t want a travel buddy who’s afraid to step out the door without a guide (unless, of course, the situation requires it). Look for a travel companion who exhibits common sense while still having a sense of adventure.

Similar sleep patterns

You and your travel buddy will often (if not always) be sharing a room, so it’s best if you both share relatively similar sleeping hours. If they don’t want to turn out the light until 1am, while you like to turn in at 10pm, you have problems. If they’re banging about at 5am when you usually sleep until 8, it’s going to cause friction. Some problems can be overcome with an ergonomic sleep mask, but it won’t block out noise.

While you’re checking out sleep patterns, it also pays to ask about snoring!!

While no travel buddy will meet all your expectations, finding someone who shares the same basics as you do will go a long way toward companionable travel for you both!