As we approach the end of a long and tiring August, many UAE residents will be looking forward to a relaxing Eid getaway.
And whether you’re young, free and single or just fancying a break from a grumpy husband and unruly kids, there’s nothing quite like a girly holiday. Or is there? Like doing your own pre-trip fake tan, experts say the results can be hit and miss. At best you’ll come back glowing. But at worst, you’ll return with a real dent in your confidence and vowing never to speak to another female again.
You may trust them with your secrets but make the wrong choice when it comes to your girlfriends and you’ll wish you hadn’t bothered splashing out on that five-star trip to Thailand.
7DAYS gives you the rundown on who to leave behind when you jet off on your Eid break…
Sarcastic sisters:
If your mate makes you the butt of all her jokes while on holiday, it might be time to cut the cord.
“Dodgy friends often use humour to try and get away with it,” says relationship counsellor Gladeana McMahon. “They’ll say, ‘Don’t give her a drink, you don’t know what she’s like when she’s had a few’, in front of a man, or make a cutting comment in a jokey way.” So if your mate’s always putting you down in front of others and it makes you feel uncomfortable, ditch her.
“Constant put-downs also affect how other people see you,” explains McMahon. “People may feel sorry for you or think you’re a pushover and want to shake you into standing up for yourself.”
Moaning minnies:
Despite the sunshine and lack of work, some friends will always find something to moan about while on their hols. If it’s not her mother-in-law, it’s mutual friends or health worries. Basically anything to stop you relaxing.
But friends who offload their problems while not bothering to ask about yours may not be worth keeping, according to McMahon. She says: “Friendship has to be a two-way process. It’s not only about what you give but also what you get back. We all offload our problems on to our friends from time to time, but are they there for you when you’re not so happy?”
Ego busters:
There’s always one friend who can make you feel bad. The sort who always shows up looking great and never has to stress about her house being a mess - because it never is.
While not every friend blessed with ‘perfection’ is out to get you, McMahon points out that some women do like to lord it over others.
“Some friends have a subtle way of criticising,” says McMahon. “Making you feel like you don’t look good enough, or they’ll use you to make themselves feel better. Often a pretty friend will go shopping with the not-so-pretty friend just to boost her own ego.”
Wild women:
Of course you want to have fun while away from work and family pressures - but most people don’t want to go out every night.
“Letting your hair down on a night out with the girls is one thing, but work out if the bigger social life your friend is wanting is going to be destructive for you,” says McMahon.
“If they’re out all the time getting drunk, how’s that going to affect your other relationships? Be more assertive and say no.
“Holidays are a time to recharge your batteries and relax.” Remember you need time for yourself - true friends will understand that.
If you agree to go partying all the time to keep your mate happy, then something’s got to give.
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