This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
It's a holiday experience that many of us can relate to, but one that should be avoided at all costs: going on holiday with other couples. I learned this the hard way a few years ago, when I agreed to join my then-girlfriend and her friends on a trip to an island with sandy beaches and not much else to do.
The trip was a disaster from the start. We were a group of five couples, but with some unfortunate coincidences, three of the men were not football fans, and two didn't drink alcohol. As soon as we met at the airport, I knew it was going to be a long and awkward trip.
Things only got worse as the night wore on. The teetotaller proved to be a classless individual, flirting with my girlfriend and pulling her a little too close while they danced. I had a feeling that things were going to end badly, and I was right.
That night, we had an argument that ran into the morning, and things were never the same again. The randy fellow turned his attention to another man's wife and was not attentive to his own wife. The wife was one of those shy, naive, and careless types who couldn't put a leash on him.
So, when my girlfriend told me about the get-together idea that she and her friends were planning for Christmas, my answer was a firm 'no'. I had learned my lesson, and I wasn't about to risk losing another woman.
As I look back on that disastrous holiday, I realize that there are some fundamental rules of male relations that were broken that trip. Mixing people who don't drink with those who do is a recipe for disaster, and understanding the libido ranges of your friends is crucial. And, of course, men get bored easily, and a holiday setup is one of the most boring environments for men.
