… and nabbing hotel toiletries!
A study of a selection of UK adults revealed the top things people only typically do when abroad, with dining out daily coming top (47 per cent), followed by drinking at the airport (29 per cent) and not worrying about money (29 per cent).
Wearing swimwear as underwear (26 per cent), chatting to strangers (23 per cent), and taking a complete break from technology (21 per cent) also made the list. It also found nine in 10 (91 per cent) confess to having a ‘holiday alter-ego’, with 17 per cent claiming to have missed ‘holiday them’ during the pandemic. With travel set to boom again in 2022, the research was commissioned by Walkers, Doritos and easyJet Holidays to celebrate a new partnership, offering Brits the chance to win a holiday every hour.
Katherine Cook, a spokesperson for Walkers:
“After years of travel restrictions, we know the nation has missed having the freedom to travel and make memories with friends and family on holiday, and in turn missed their happier and more carefree holiday alter-egos. Our study shows just how much Brits enjoy being their holiday self – letting all their worries and self-consciousness go when abroad.
“The list of holiday moments features lots of food and fashion related scenarios which reflect how people become more carefree on their holidays, showing a positive behaviour change. So, what better way to celebrate the return of summer holidays than by reuniting our customers with their beloved holidays abroad?”
The study also found the good weather (43 per cent), anonymity (29 per cent) and increased confidence (17 per cent) experienced abroad cause people to act out of character. Those aged 18-24 are most likely to have a holiday alter-ego, with 97 per cent of this age group claiming to act differently while abroad.
However, while this decreases slightly with each generation, even 89 per cent of those over 65 admit to having a ‘vacation version’ of themselves. More than half of adults (53 per cent) prefer the holiday version of themselves – claiming they’re happier (57 per cent), carefree (52 per cent) and more fun (45 per cent) than their usual selves.
Among those with a ‘holiday alter-ego’, the shift in personality is most likely to come into play at the airport (33 per cent), while for some it emerges while they’re packing (17 per cent) or the moment their out of office goes on (17 per cent). Alongside adopting holiday alter-egos, many also give their image an overhaul while abroad, with 20 per cent opting to ‘express’ themselves with bolder fashion choices.
When it comes to crimes against holiday fashion, men are the guiltier party, with a tenth claiming socks and sandals look good, versus four per cent of women. A further 12 per cent favour a holiday bum bag, compared to seven per cent of women, while more than one in 20 men (six per cent) even go all out and don a mankini when abroad.
Other bold holiday fashion choices worn overseas include straw fedoras (17 per cent), kaftans (11 per cent) and Hawaiian shirts (11 per cent). Additionally, despite a quarter (26 per cent) insisting on wearing swimwear in place of underwear while abroad, a third always take way more underwear than they need, packing an additional five pairs on average.
Fashion choices aside, newly sun-kissed skin proves a bonus for couples, with almost one in 10 (eight per cent) claiming to fancy their partner more with a tan. And the same number (eight per cent) of those polled via OnePoll even claim to like the dreaded t-shirt tan – 12 per cent of men versus five per cent of women.
Top Ten Holiday Happenings:
1. Dining out everyday
2. Drinking alcohol at the airport
3. Not worrying about money
4. Drinking alcohol before midday
5. Staying up later than usual
6. Having dessert everyday
7. Eating cheese and cold meats for breakfast
8. Wearing swimwear instead of underwear
9. “Stealing” the toiletries from the hotel
10. Making ‘holiday friends’ with random people
