The Rudest Things You Can Do On A Group Trip

Group trips are a great opportunity to explore a new place while bonding with old and new friends. But with so many different personalities at play, tense moments may arise every now and then.

Still, there are ways to make the experience more pleasant for everyone. As etiquette experts know, it mainly boils down to showing consideration for your travel companions.

“Etiquette is all about being mindful of other people, and group trips are no exception,” Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the “Were You Raised by Wolves?” podcast, told HuffPost.

To help make group trips more enjoyable and cut down on negative experiences, HuffPost asked Leighton and other etiquette experts to share some common missteps ― and advice for avoiding them. Here are six rude behaviors to avoid on a group trip:

Assuming everyone is always on the same page

“Etiquette crimes often happen when expectations are vague and people make assumptions, so best to have lots of clear communication before and during the trip to make sure everyone’s on the same page,” Leighton said.

Rather than booking lots of things yourself or declaring where everyone will go and what they’ll do, have a candid conversation with your travel companions about wants and needs. Make sure you know everyone’s dietary restrictions and driving abilities, for instance.

“Don’t assume that everyone likes the same thing and make decisions for the group without consulting the group,” said etiquette expert Juliet Mitchell, also known as Ms. J.

This is particularly important when it comes to expenses. Have an honest discussion about how much people are able to spend on accommodations, then use that to choose a destination and type of lodging.

“You can ask in advance about