Friends of Dave #235: a sneaker for your beer
We all have friends like these....
No doubt you have seen buddy road trip films like The Hangover or Bridesmaids. They are silly and funny because there is so much in them that can be true and relatable.
I was reminded of this fact this week as me and my college roommates started planning our own long overdue buddy trip for later this Fall.
Even though we all may have gotten older, wiser, grayer (or balder) and softer in the decades that have passed since we first met, everyone quickly steps back into their old roles pretty quickly with just one group chat or email.
It got me thinking that every friend group really is pretty much the same. We all have friends like the ones below -- they may even be a combination of a few.
Here are 16 general types of friends we all have. See if you can spot your specific ones (or even see yourself on this list):
The Planner: they feel that it is THEIR JOB to organize the trip, manage and communicate the details, and ensure that everyone gets to the destination and there is a full agenda on the trip so EVERYONE has fun. Every good road trip has that point person who everyone knows will sweat the details when no one else will.
The Accountant: keeps track of every single penny spent on food and drinks to make sure everything is evenly distributed. Knows details of every order every person made on the trip and can recite them years later because they calculated it all in their head on the fly.
The Frequent Flyer: Sometimes they are also The Accountant. They are quick to offer to pay for things ON THEIR CARD under the guise of "it's cool, you can pay me back later." Make no mistake -- EVERYTHING is about maximizing the frequent flier miles or card benefits they can get as part of the trip. They may even go so far as send everyone their own actual invoice post trip detailing their "cut" of the expenses.
The Stiff: Always comes on a trip without the right amount of cash or has some "weird thing" with their phone and can't Venmo people money. They are usually fun to be around so people put up with it. Without fail will have at least one argument with The Accountant every trip.
The Big Spender: Opposite of The Stiff -- always suggests the group orders a bottle of Dom Perignon or Cristal or the lobster for no other reason than to say they ordered it.
The Parent: Sometimes they are also The Planner. This person worries about everyone's well being the entire time, checking in on those who may have drank too much or aren't feeling well or have gone AWOL.
The Ghost: No doubt at least once a trip, this person simply disappears for hours at a time without anyone knowing where they went. No apologies or explanation -- there one minute and then *POOF* gone the next. Drives The Parent crazy.
The Last Minute Arrival: No one hears from this person the entire time plans are being made and no one is entirely sure if they are coming or not. And then, without fail or fanfare, they show up at the final destination as if it was no big deal. Makes The Planner bonkers because it throws off their "system" for sleeping arrangements and table seating.
The Complainer: The one and only reason this person comes on the trip is to have a "safe place" to complain -- about the other people in friend group, about their significant other, about their work, about their kids, the people a the hotel, the accommodations, etc. Everything sucks for this person. Every time.
The Clown: Without fail the most obnoxious one of the bunch. Finds the opportunity to make wisecracks whenever possible and likes to make people laugh. Usually the foil of The Frequent Flyer. On any trip that lasts longer than three days, the majority are usually sick of them by the end. The one joke they made at the beginning of the trip that everyone thought was hilarious wears thin and people just want them to shut up.
The Passive Aggressive: They like to tell everyone "I'm easy" or "I'm down with whatever everyone else wants" but everyone knows they are not. They really have an opinion on everything, and it bothers them when it is no one goes along with the plans they are thinking in their head.
The A Type: Has work meetings and calls scheduled during the trip -- misses key events The Planner planned. Always checking their phone so they don't miss something important at work. Everyone wonders why they came in the first place.
The Coupon Clipper: From planning to being on the trip, this person always looks to cut corners on costs whenever possible. Makes a point of forwarding "special deals," "discount codes," and secret websites to The Planner, and cc'es everyone else. Will say things like "the trick is to stay at the Comfort Inn ACROSS from" such and such BIG NAME place to get all of the benefits but without any of the cost. They too have a "system" they like to use on these trips, that they proudly talk about whenever they can. They will ALWAYS ask to wrap up meal leftovers, and won't think twice about bringing your half eaten fish tacos back to the hotel room.
Rumpelstilskin: No matter where or when you go to find them, whether it be at the pool or the hotel room, they are always asleep or passed out. Can't understand why they missed out on the BIG THING that ends up being The Story of the trip. Like The Ghost, but at least you know where they are.
The Problem Child: Goes overboard on the fun EVERY TIME without fail. The Parent is always monitoring how much they drink and worries that they may go streaking, skinny dipping, or may be "talking a little too close" to that random person at the bar. Most likely to relieve themselves in a closet or wet a bed on the trip.
The Loyal Spouse: Has set times they need to "check-in" with home and/or their significant other throughout the trip. It usually results in everyone overhearing one argument, and a "you just go on without me, I have to handle this" comment being silently mouthed to the room (followed by everyone rolling their eyes)at least once during a trip. Very similar to The Type A in terms true commitment level to the trip.
The Wallpaper: This person does nothing but just hang around. They have been a part of the friend group for ever, but don't contribute much to the fun or the planning. They don't bother anyone. They are just there.
Isn't it funny that no matter how you and your wolfpack might fall into these roles, you still always look forward to getting together for a few days every once in a while?
Got any good ones I missed? Let me know!
In the meantime, enjoy the links below, Friends. And for all of you Dads out there, have a great Father's Day. You deserve it!
XOXO
Dave
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