Making new friends is child's play if you follow these tips...
Ever noticed how quickly kids connect in the playground? “Wanna be my friend?” is all it takes and suddenly they’re best friends for life. Damn if it isn’t a whole lot harder as an adult!
But it doesn’t need to be, and a small group women’s adventure is an ideal ‘playground’ for the big kid in all of us to branch out and make new friends.
We’ve learned (through years of chatting to Australian and New Zealand women with our sister brand Patch Adventures), that many women in their 40-60s have never traveled with a small group before and through life’s twists and turns, it’s now something that sits very highly on their wish list.
Here’s why:
- Because they want to travel to destinations they don’t have the confidence to go to on their own
- They want to meet other like minded women that share the same interests and hobbies so they can have shared experiences like participating in arts, crafts and cooking workshops
- They’re newly separated/divorced or have recently lost their husband/partner through illness and want to form new friendships of their own
- They’ve experienced domestic violence and feel more comfortable in the company of women
- They’re the primary carer for their partner/husband and need a break themselves
- Their partner/husband can’t travel any more, or doesn’t want to travel to the same destinations as them
- They’ve dedicated their lives to being a mom, and with children fully grown, they now have time to spend on themselves
We might live oceans apart but we share so much in common with our southern hemisphere sisters–wouldn’t you agree?
And some of these are really BIG life altering events that can leave a person feeling nervous, vulnerable and downright unsure about stepping out into the world again. Which is exactly why joining a small group adventure with other like-minded women makes perfect sense!
Just like a kids playground, you’ll meet a whole gamut of different personalities on your adventure; introverts, extroverts, experienced group travelers, friends or relatives traveling together, solo travelers and of course, other first timers too. It’s okay to be nervous!
And you know what?
They’re all nervous too!
Letting people know that you’re a first-timer on a small group adventure usually only leads to people taking you under their wing and showing you the ropes. I’ll share some tips for breaking the ice in a minute, but first–here are some things to consider to help you choose the right trip for your first adventure…
1. Consider booking a private room for your first trip
This is a great way to ease into group travel if you’ve never done it before, as you get the best of both worlds–the joy of social interaction with the group during the day, plus the space and solitude of your own room at night. It’s an ideal introduction to see how you think you might go in a twin-share on your next adventure. (Insider alert: I’ll be sharing some tips on room sharing in the coming weeks so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox and our blog page for those).
2. Think about the destination itself
Consider choosing a trip that isn’t going to WHAM you in the face with an onslaught of culture shock from the moment you step off the plane. We love how ‘next level’ India is, but having all of your senses assaulted at once AND getting your head around traveling with strangers can be a lot to deal with for some first timers.
3. Consider the logistics of getting to your destination
Are you comfortable on your own navigating different airports with multiple plane changes to get to the start of your adventure (e.g. a South-East Asia based trip), or would you be happier experiencing a culture closer to home (e.g. a European adventure) that gets you there and back directly on one flight?
4. Consider the trip duration
Shorter trips of around 10-12 days are a great choice for finding your feet the first time and can be a building block to help you find the confidence to try a longer one the next time round. On the flipside, a longer trip offers more time for you to settle into the adventure and flow along with the support and ease of traveling in a group.
5. Think about your fitness level and really consider the activities you’ll be participating in
Are you up for a Level 2 adventure that involves more strenuous walks, squat toilets and/or lots of stairs and do you have the right fitness to do those activities confidently? Or, would a Level 1 adventure that focuses more on arts, crafts and cooking workshops be something that would make your heart happy first-time round?
6. Give some thought to the climate/time of year at your chosen destination
Choosing a trip with a milder climate means you don’t need to be adjusting/coping with extreme hot or cold temperatures or wearing (and carrying!) layers upon layers of clothing. Both of which can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being over time.
7. Think about the cuisine
So much of your time on your adventure will involve eating (it’s a way to truly experience the heart of a country’s hospitality!) so it’s important to consider your meal preferences:
Are you a vegetarian?
Are you comfortable visiting a destination with a heavily meat-based culture?
Do you like spicy food?
Do you have allergies or intolerances?
Giving some thought to everything I’ve mentioned will help you feel confident in choosing the right adventure that best matches your interests, fitness level and travel preferences.
And, now that you’ve chosen your perfect trip for your first Harriet adventure, get excited because you’re about to meet a bunch of other women that are just as excited to meet you!
Here’s a few things you can do to help ease you into meeting your fellow Hatties…
Tips for breaking the ice on your adventure:
1. Post a photo and a line or two introducing yourself in your trip’s Whatsapp chat a few days before your adventure starts. Sharing a couple of fun facts about yourself is a wonderful way for others to be able to get to know you even before your adventure has begun and provides touch points for other nervous or shy guests to raise in conversation when they get to meet you in person.(Secret tip): if you forget someone’s name in all the excitement of those first few days, it’s a SUPER handy way to save yourself the embarrassment of having to ask them, as you can simply scroll back to their pic for a reminder. #winning!
2. Share your flight details in your Whatsapp chat.
Chances are someone else might also be on the same flight as you and you can meet up at the airport before your trip begins to kick start your adventure together. Or at the very least, grab a meal and a refreshing beverage in the departure lounge.
3. Be the first to say, ‘Hello!’
Trust me, this isn’t nearly as scary as it seems. Being the first to say ‘hello’ and introduce yourself when you meet your group for the first time really is the simplest icebreaker, as it opens the doorway to let others know you’d like to get to know them too!
4. Make an effort to sit next to a different person in the car/bus or at mealtimes in those first few days on your adventure.
You’ll get to know everyone very quickly as you chat side by side watching the world go by, or elbow-to-elbow bonding over delicious local cuisine and it’s waaay less awkward or intimidating sharing things about yourself if you’ve something else to focus on.
5. Come prepared with a game in mind that everyone can play!
Starting up a round of, ‘I went to the bazaar and bought a….’ (for example) will have the whole group and your guide giggling like schoolgirls as you all try to remember the growing list of imaginary items everyone bought.Or pull out a deck of cards and my bet is you’ll have a bunch of willing participants sneaking peeks and trading life stories with you in no time. Both are super social icebreakers that get conversations and friendships flowing.
See, no nervousness needed!
So, what do you think? Ready to dip your toes into your first small group adventure?
Let’s get chatting!
You can book a time with me here and I’ll happily answer all your burning questions.
In fact, to save you asking, seven is my answer to how many pairs of underpants I recommend you bring on your trip. Just be prepared to do a little handwashing along the way–this is adventure travel after all!
And if you have a great tip for breaking the ice in a group social setting – I’m all ears. Give me a call on 971-258-0516 or send me an email to contact@harrietadventures.com
I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Janie