Is this a guy thing? Some men I have known, specifically two brothers-in-law

[raccoon]

and an ex-boyfriend were like this.

Whenever the family or the couple, or whoever, was going on a long trip, the brother-in-law (or whoever) would keep hurrying everybody and rushing everybody along, even when there was no need to hurry, in the cases I’m thinking about, it wasn’t like we were punching a time clock or had to be there by a certain time.

Your experience?

Disclaimer big time: Not to dis you guys—I did say, “Some men I have known.”

[Patiod]

1. My SO's dad did that

My SO is a delight to travel with. He vowed that if he ever had a family, he would NEVER do that to them (he has three sisters, and dad wouldn't stop to let them use a bathroom).

So the combination of tiny bladder, cigarette addiction (he doesn't smoke in the car) and this vow makes him amenable to stopping whenever and wherever I want. Bathroom breaks, snack breaks, junk/"antique" stores (as long as they look like they might have a few used books or CDs). And any and all roadside food stands, particularly those smoking barrels set up as fundraisers by churches in the South.

[noamnety]

11. Nobody tells you when you get married

That bladder size is a better predictor of compatibility than income. Why is that?

[Bunny]

2. I don't know if it's a guy thing. I tend to be a little like that myself, and I'm not a guy.

If I know I have to drive somewhere, particularly a long distance, I'm usually pretty anxious to get the show on the road. I always hurried my kids along when we were going somewhere, much to their aggravation. I just like to get moving and get on with it, basically.

[freshwest]

12. Same here, but not pushing other people. I like to relax when I get there.

[Iggo]

3. I ain't that way.

But I also don't think it's a tragedy to be early. I like getting up early, leaving early, arriving early, paying early, whatever. (That doesn't apply to writing assignments, for some reason. I actually do my best work when I'm up against a deadline.)

But I like having time-to-kill when I reach my destination. I've never seen anyone get an award for herding the kids into the car, speeding to the theater, and walking in just as the movie starts. Who needs that kind of stress? Not me, that's who.

The people I know who are always rushing are also the people who normally do everything at the last second. So even when they have time, I guess they're just used to hurrying.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. I don't think it is a guy thing. depending on whether or not it is a business

or a trip for pleasure I can be the same way.

I do know that I did not appreciate the 5 hour trip in May that turned into a 15 hour trip through no fault of my own. It was not pleasurable at all and I really don't care to travel with this person again and will not ever make that particular trip with them ever again.

[raccoon]

5. Would you share your experience with us? nt

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. hmmm...kind of boring but, OK

my best friend asked me to accompany her on an ill-advised "mission" trip. From point A to point B should have taken a generous 5 hours. We left at noon. At 3:00am (the next day)we checked into a room. She stopped to shop many, many times using the "mission" as an excuse. I had some idea of what I was in for, knowing her focus ahead of time was "her mission" but, . . . my god.

There is more to the story but, nothing that I am willing to share on a public message board.

Suffice it to say that the whole situation is a mess.

Thing is, I could have dealt with it turning into a 7-8 hour trip but, my god, 15 fucking hours?!

I just googled the 2 destinations:

first suggested route = 193 mi, 3 hours 21 mins

second suggested route = 212 mi, 3 hours 30 mins

third suggested rout = 181 mi, 3 hours 33 mins

so, really it is worse than I realized. sheesh, it was miserable.

[pitohui]

6. some parents i have known does that too

and since one of the parents in question is female i can say for a fact that it is NOT a guy thing

i don't know what kind of "thing" it is other than damned annoying, but some people (and some couples) are just like that i guess

[femmocrat]

8. My SO is "one of those" guys.

We have to leave at 5 am to drive anywhere. He won't stop to eat so we have to take a lunch. We do get potty-breaks but only at rest stops that can be seen from the road. Once we get to our destination, we have to check in to the hotel FIRST.

I don't travel much anymore. More relaxing at home where I can use my own kitchen and bathroom.

[dr.strangelove]

9. I don't think its a guy thing

I think its just a personality type. I have always been one who hates wasting time. But my wife is worse than me. When we leave for a long road trip, we have a schedule and we stick to it. The need to hurry is just that, the longer we take, the less time that we have at where ever we are going.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. My dad was like that.

But I don't think it was necessarily a guy thing; that was just his personality. If we were going anywhere by plane, we'd have to be at the airport hours in advance (this was long before you had to wait in line at security checkpoints), and we'd tease him about how we were so early, the airplane was still in Seattle at the Boeing factory. Car trips were the same way. Everybody had to be organized and packed and ready to go. Early.

[petronius]

13. I think it's more of a guy thing than a gal thing, but not exclusive or universal

I admit I'm a bit susceptible to it myself, although I'm working on it... :)

[RedCloud]

14. To get as far as possible in one day! Yeah baby!

[Arugula Latte]

15. Usually the woman is rushing around, making sure the kids packed their underwear

or the pets have water or the light timers are set, etc., while the man sits in the car honking because he's impatient to go.

That's my stereotype and I'm sticking with it.

[AngryAmish]

16. I do this

Getthereitis.

Just want to get to where we are going. Especially if you are driving it is nice to get the stress of driving over with.

[MerryBlooms]

17. It's not a 'guy' thing

I'm the most laid back person you'd ever meet, until it comes to work commitments or travel, then I turn into a Type A list making lunatic. Lists are made to the minute (including toilet time) and I try to whip everyone into schedule - it can get pretty ugly. =(