Husband always overpacks!
May 19th, 2003, 03:12 PM
#21
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Men's underwear is SOOOOOO much bulkier than women's..if you could get him to switch to nylon thongs, your problem might be solved!
But like the others said..if he carries it, what is your worry!
But like the others said..if he carries it, what is your worry!
May 19th, 2003, 05:04 PM
#22
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One suitcase and one carry-on does not sound like too much, but going to Europe my suitcase is usually half empty (so I can fill it w/souvenirs!). Watch the weight carefully and make sure to get something that rolls easily, that you can place your carry-on on top of. That way you won't feel too weighed down on your shoulders/arms. If you don't feel comfortable handling the luggage yourself, see if you can find two pieces of luggage that your husband can roll himself. I travel with my daughter and I usually make sure that I can handle her stuff in case she is having trouble. I can pull two rolling duffles behind me pretty well, we hook our carry ons to the handles and do okay. Have fun! Amy
May 19th, 2003, 09:34 PM
#25
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I LOVE Sue's quiz!!
Like many other posters, we go by the "you pack it, you pack it around" rule.
You've obviously already told your husband that you think he's packing too much, so just pack your small bag, sit back, and enjoy the vacation. If there are hassles with the luggage, just smile - but try not to be smug!
- and let him handle them. You warned him, therefore if there are any problems, you shouldn't have to hear about it for the next 25 years!
Deep breaths . . . do what my husband does, and repeat this mantra to yourself: "It's my spouse's luggage, not mine. My spouse can carry it, and can ably handly any problems that may arise."
My husband and I USED to have this fight all the time (I'm the overpacker), until I reminded him that I am an adult who managed to travel to Europe on my own before I met him, and that if I want to pack a lot of stuff, I am perfectly capable of managing it on my own. He used to complain that it would stress HIM out that I'd overpacked, until I taught him the above mantra.
Deep breaths . . . "It's my spouse's luggage . . . "
Like many other posters, we go by the "you pack it, you pack it around" rule.
You've obviously already told your husband that you think he's packing too much, so just pack your small bag, sit back, and enjoy the vacation. If there are hassles with the luggage, just smile - but try not to be smug!
- and let him handle them. You warned him, therefore if there are any problems, you shouldn't have to hear about it for the next 25 years! Deep breaths . . . do what my husband does, and repeat this mantra to yourself: "It's my spouse's luggage, not mine. My spouse can carry it, and can ably handly any problems that may arise."
My husband and I USED to have this fight all the time (I'm the overpacker), until I reminded him that I am an adult who managed to travel to Europe on my own before I met him, and that if I want to pack a lot of stuff, I am perfectly capable of managing it on my own. He used to complain that it would stress HIM out that I'd overpacked, until I taught him the above mantra.
Deep breaths . . . "It's my spouse's luggage . . . "
May 19th, 2003, 10:30 PM
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I'd skip the Seine dinner cruise. There are just too many excellent restaurants in Paris where you can have an exceptional meal, not of the caliber they serve on these cruises. These cruises are for tourists and serve the most ordinary of food.
May 20th, 2003, 08:40 AM
#28
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Okay, all of you who are snickering at the Corderoy Jacket, according to my weather information London will be in the upper 60's to low 70's, probably cooler at night. That seems ok for Corderoy. We in So. California are used to much warmer weather, so this is chilly for us.
May 20th, 2003, 09:30 AM
#29
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Waterson Family
We are not snickering at the idea of a jacket in chilly Londontown, by all means, you should take one also!
It is the corduroy! It will be June, among those of us who are concerned about fashion and how we look at all times, vain creatures that we are, corduroy is just a little out of season.
But don't mind me, if you remember, I also made a lovely dress out of a pair of drapes~
We are not snickering at the idea of a jacket in chilly Londontown, by all means, you should take one also!
It is the corduroy! It will be June, among those of us who are concerned about fashion and how we look at all times, vain creatures that we are
, corduroy is just a little out of season.But don't mind me, if you remember, I also made a lovely dress out of a pair of drapes~
May 20th, 2003, 09:43 AM
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Aside from the issue of corduroy and just how fashionable it might or might not be, do consider the possibility of a heat wave. I was in London last June and it was uncomfortably warm, so warm that our upmarket hotel's air conditioning couldn't cope, and some railway lines were shut because the heat was affecting the rails. Of course it could also be freakishly cold.
May 20th, 2003, 09:57 AM
#31
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Would hubby agree to the purchase of a blue blazer????? It would beat the corderoy and he could wear it again (even in Southern California there is occasion when a jacket is needed.) I'm married to a true clothes-horse who has various blazers for the different seasons (and 20 other things to pick from!!) I'm not suggesting that level of excess but I've heard more than one person say that a man can almost never go wrong wearing a good blue blazer.
What ever you decide have a great time--Paris is soooo beautiful!!
What ever you decide have a great time--Paris is soooo beautiful!!
May 20th, 2003, 11:07 AM
#32
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WatersonFamily,
Maybe I missed it, but I can't believe someone hasn't brought up Ziploc bags. I have become a true believer. You can reduce the size of a pair of jeans to a large sandwich. Sweaters compress to about a third of the normal size. Plus when you go through customs it makes sorting through your things a breeze. And believe it or not, your clothes don't get all wrinkled. Packing and unpacking is a snap. Make sure that you get the one and two gallon size with the clasp closer. Don't waste your money with Hefty bags. Also you can get larger garment bags from Samsonite or American Tourister. These are available wherever luggage is sold) You can even fit your husband's blue blazer in one. (he is bringing a blue blazer right - he may be fifty but he doesn't have to look like a dork!)
Do try this idea - it really works.
JoeG
Maybe I missed it, but I can't believe someone hasn't brought up Ziploc bags. I have become a true believer. You can reduce the size of a pair of jeans to a large sandwich. Sweaters compress to about a third of the normal size. Plus when you go through customs it makes sorting through your things a breeze. And believe it or not, your clothes don't get all wrinkled. Packing and unpacking is a snap. Make sure that you get the one and two gallon size with the clasp closer. Don't waste your money with Hefty bags. Also you can get larger garment bags from Samsonite or American Tourister. These are available wherever luggage is sold) You can even fit your husband's blue blazer in one. (he is bringing a blue blazer right - he may be fifty but he doesn't have to look like a dork!)
Do try this idea - it really works.
JoeG
May 20th, 2003, 05:46 PM
#33
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Don't panic. I met a woman once who was taking a 12 day tour and wanted to pack 12 Cotton nightgowns. I figure she started dumping nightgowns after the first move! LOL!
My family had my Grandmother who packs to meet the queen, my Grandfather who carries on two or three scruffy looking bags (back in the old days first class travelers could carry on anything they wanted!) and wears the same clothes every day for two weeks and my Mom who was somewhere in between and they traveled together for years! (My all time favority picture of my grandparents sits on my desk. In front of the great wall of China, my Grandmother looks like a million bucks. My grandfathers has on a tennis shoes, an expensive suit that needs a pressing badly, a golf shirt that does NOT match the suit and a floopy golf hat. He looks a little better dressed then the homeless people I see downtown. He loved to travel however and met people everywhere!)
My family had my Grandmother who packs to meet the queen, my Grandfather who carries on two or three scruffy looking bags (back in the old days first class travelers could carry on anything they wanted!) and wears the same clothes every day for two weeks and my Mom who was somewhere in between and they traveled together for years! (My all time favority picture of my grandparents sits on my desk. In front of the great wall of China, my Grandmother looks like a million bucks. My grandfathers has on a tennis shoes, an expensive suit that needs a pressing badly, a golf shirt that does NOT match the suit and a floopy golf hat. He looks a little better dressed then the homeless people I see downtown. He loved to travel however and met people everywhere!)
May 21st, 2003, 06:41 AM
#34
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the mantra suggestion is a great one, imho. Give your opinion to hubby in the gentlest way then let him do what he will. Better to enjoy the experience of travel without bickering.
I personally believe in taking as little luggage as possible. He may find after one trip that that should be his policy as well, ha.
Have a great time, and I used the plastic zip lock bags--you'd be amazed how much space they save.
Marge
I personally believe in taking as little luggage as possible. He may find after one trip that that should be his policy as well, ha.
Have a great time, and I used the plastic zip lock bags--you'd be amazed how much space they save.
Marge
May 21st, 2003, 06:57 AM
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Just don't get a navy blazer with gold buttons -- yeesh!
Seriously, a navy blazer (in a "seasonless" fabric)is a great idea. Worsted wool is lighter and less bulky than corduroy. And I still haven't figured out: if he's a jeans & T-shirts guy, why does he need to pack so much?
Seriously, a navy blazer (in a "seasonless" fabric)is a great idea. Worsted wool is lighter and less bulky than corduroy. And I still haven't figured out: if he's a jeans & T-shirts guy, why does he need to pack so much?
May 21st, 2003, 10:59 AM
#36
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Is your husband related to my sister-in-law? She overpacks with a passion and doesn't understand how I can get everything into one 22" suitcase and my old school bookbag. I told her if she had to carry her own bags, she would pack less.
For a weekend visit she had three (yes 3) bags plus some stuff hanging in the backseat of the car. I looked at my brother and comment, "she does know she's leaving in two days?". I don't think our grandparents bruught as much when they immigrated to the USA as she brought on a weekend trip. I have electricity and running water and it's not like she would have to forage for food or start a campfire.
I will teach him Andrea expat's mantra.
For a weekend visit she had three (yes 3) bags plus some stuff hanging in the backseat of the car. I looked at my brother and comment, "she does know she's leaving in two days?". I don't think our grandparents bruught as much when they immigrated to the USA as she brought on a weekend trip. I have electricity and running water and it's not like she would have to forage for food or start a campfire.
I will teach him Andrea expat's mantra.
May 21st, 2003, 12:58 PM
#37
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Just once on threads like this (pun intended, I would enjoy hearing about someone that tried to look nice, or chic in Paris. As americans, do we always have to dress the same, wear tennis shoes, jeans and tee shirts? Or the old standby, bermuda shorts and tee shirts? I go to Europe to enjoy the country as their citizens do. Usually that means finding out where the tourists are going to be, and head in the opposite direction, away from the madding crowd. I for one, am tired of watching the woman across the Air France aisle change her clothes in flight right in her chair. We visit the "old country" and enjoy it because we are looking for the "old" morality and manners and craftsmanship. Why not pierce the veil of uglocity and take some decent clothing along with the same thing you wear to a soccer game? And it might just be good for our image.....nahhhhhhhh......that is engrained.....
