To Eric, Next year, I intend to travel to the opposite side of the nation. I’m traveling for a few days to a nearby major city to see the sights and connect with friends, and I’m also spending some time with an elderly cousin.
Several of my relatives reside in the region, and I am planning to see them all. However, because we don’t get to see each other often enough, one family member seems to believe that they will be traveling with me the entire time, including to that big metropolis.
They relocated to this part of the nation decades ago, so it’s true that we don’t. I’m not seeking for a traveling buddy, therefore it’s also pointless. Do you have any suggestions on how to convey this information without causing harm?
A lone traveler
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To Solo, please: Direct communication is, in my opinion, the best way to travel throughout the nation. Telling your relative that you have a packed schedule and want to see a number of different people—some of whom the relative doesn’t know—and that you intend to go alone is not rude. You can clearly communicate your expectations and capabilities by being straightforward when you say, “I’ll see you at [X] place and [X] time, and then I’m going to the next stop on my itinerary.”
What would happen if your relative chose to ignore it and said something like, “I don’t mind just hanging out at the hotel while you see your friends?” Then you need to be even more explicit.
That won’t work, sorry. Although I’m excited to visit you at [X] place, I’ll be traveling alone for the remainder of the journey. You can provide a different time for the two of you to spend more time together if you’re game. However, it was not your intention, and you are not responsible for handling that throughout this trip. Even if your relative might be letting their excitement get the better of them, you are not to blame if your plan is hurting them.
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