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4 Reasons My Husband Hates To Travel With Me

By March 8, 2018August 29th, 20243 Comments

Ever since we were married seven years ago, travel has always been a part of our relationship. Whether we saved up to jet off to the Caribbean or did a weekend away at a nearby destination, our love for exploration is one thing that truly links us as a couple. Over the years, however, we continue to learn more about one another, and there are a few solid reasons why my husband hates to travel with me.

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1. Momma Doesn’t Check Bags

My husband’s family spent a decent amount of their vacations in the Caribbean when he was growing up. They took everything they needed and didn’t think twice about it. My first big trip was to Egypt with my college class when I was 18. We were to be constantly on the move and to make sure no one had issues with lost bags, we were only allowed to take a personal item and a carry one—for three weeks. After that I became a pro at packing light, and I definitely carried that skill into my marriage. Now you can get charged up the ass to check your bags, which makes carry-ons all that much more important when we travel.

So this is how it goes: my husband puts all the things he needs out on the bed and I pack it into the suitcases. Once he leaves the room, I put half of his stuff back into the closet and pack the suitcases. Everything gets carried on and he rarely notices that he only has one pair of sneakers instead of three. (Rarely.)

2. Toiletries Are For Amateurs

I’m not a fan of going out and buying itty bitty versions of my favorite products at stupid prices (because novelty) before I hit the road. I’ve got too much to do pre-paradise to worry about that nonsense. Plus, because I refuse to check bags, my husband’s straight razor raises some red flags when we’re trying to zoom through security. Naturally, we’re running late, so anything that might hold us up is a no-no as momma is getting on that plane.

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Guess what? Hotels supply things like shampoo and soap and toothpaste and lotion—the list goes on and on—complimentary. Not staying at a hotel? Chances are that wherever you are going, there’s going to be a shop nearby to grab the supplies you need.

Truth be told, if my husband didn’t shave for the entire week, I wouldn’t complain. (He probably feels differently with the tables turned.)

3. Planning Is Important

Travel is expensive and it’s not something we can do as often as we’d like. That being said, I’m not interested in winging it and hoping for the best. My hubby is a pretty chill guy and I’m a bit of a control freak, so you better believe that my fanatic itinerary making isn’t his favorite part about travel. I’ve got not only tours planned, but I’ve even picked out shops to visit, restaurants to eat at and even landmarks to walk past. For real.

4. I Like What I Like

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Speaking of places to eat, my picky eating habits could rival those of my toddler. (Basically, I like fried food and things slathered in cheese.) When we went to Puerto Rico, my husband requested that I hand planning over to him for one night. He made reservations at this gorgeous, romantic, upscale restaurant in Old San Juan. I was seriously impressed—until I opened the menu. It scared me. I couldn’t imagine putting any of those things into my mouth. While my husband gleefully scanned the menu, I was plotting where I was going to eat when we left. Luckily for me, there’s a Burger King around the corner. Poor hubster.

And Yet We Travel On!

I am the first to admit that I might be a pain-in-the-ass travel partner, but for some reason my husband loves me—and wants to travel with me anyway! The passion we share for travel is a force that binds us and every trip we take creates more memories together and strengthens our bond. I’ll continue to make our trips more complicated than he thinks they need to be, and he’ll continue to secretly adore my passion for each adventure we share.

Eileen Cotter Wright

Author Eileen Cotter Wright

Eileen Cotter is a freelance travel journalist and owner of Pure Wander. She's our resident expat extraordinaire and falls down a lot in yoga class. Follow her on Instagram @Pure_Wander.

More posts by Eileen Cotter Wright

Join the discussion 3 Comments

  • Lynn says:

    I am right there with you on the planning and the picky eating!! And they both drive my husband nuts! 🙂

  • Shauna Armitage says:

    It’s amazing they still travel with us, isn’t it Lynn?

  • Megan Welty says:

    “I’ve got not only tours planned, but I’ve even picked out shops to visit, restaurants to eat at and even landmarks to walk past. For real.” You mean there are people out there that don’t do this? They might miss out on something!

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