Two Cents : Archetype of a Travel Group
- Winston Street
- Nov 3, 2018
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2018
Write up by Sir Cheapskate.
I enjoy going places with a group of friends. In fact I have been doing just that until I embarked on solo trip just before I left Europe to come home to Kuala Lumpur.
Tripping with a group of friends is definitely a fun thought and also a fun do, but also a pain to manage and usually involves a few quarrels. You may like to differ by saying, "then why aren't you going with people of like minds?", in which I will say that you probably haven't been traveling with friends as much, do you.
Going on a trip with like minded group is worse. Actually, THE WORST.
Tripping with a group of friends may sound like walking around together, taking photos and then posting on Instagram, until you are actually doing it and got stuck on answering the question "Where to eat?"
A few group trips down the road, I realised that I have learned a lot about my friends and mostly myself. Group tripping involves work and some preps and also polared opinions.
If you are not familiar with Archetypes, I would describe it simply as the different behaviours and egos of different people. Therefore saying that I'm discussing on the different type of people's within a travel group.
Tripping in a group means that decisions are to be shared unless you wish to split up. Even spending is sometimes shared especially when paying for the dinner as most find it quite rude and troublesome to do the splitting on the spot, so better to have one member to cover it first.
Then, as you move in a group, there will be pit-stops, someone slowing you down, one who suddenly vanishes inside a gift shop and one who is easily tired from walking too much. Don't let me get started on the one that takes long shower before going out.
The Photographer
This dude is the one that is slowing everyone down because he wants to have a group picture somewhere. By somewhere, it means every 200 meters of walking.
The Follower
Always disappears when it calls for decision-making. Puts the least thoughts on where to go next or where to eat. Prefers the back seat. A Yes man.
The Suggestor
He gives suggestions but no one follows. This is due to his lack of knowledge about everybody else's taste, preference and behavior in the group.
The Decider
He gives suggestions and everyone follows. This is due to his awareness of everybody else's taste, preference and behavior in the group.
The Decider is also The Hero because he will ultimately be the one to decide "Where to Eat?" after all the shitty suggestions from The Suggestor.
The Extra
One who loves being extra when traveling. Clothes for all occasions, wheeled check in luggage for short trips. This person would also consider fancy booking regardless of price because being fancy is life.
The Caretaker
A considerate version of The Extra, in terms of being the one who has all the emergency part covered. Medicine? Here you go. Travel Insurance? All covered. Could be the one who is alert if there's pickpocketing happening.
The Sleeper
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Anywhere.
The Approacher
One who naturally becomes or is tasked to be the one to approach strangers to ask around.
The Cheapskate
Never offers to cover the bills, goes to dinner with group but goes for cheapest option in menu (be it just plain water) and then asks for small bite of what others are having.
When the group decided to go into some place that requires paying tickets like a museum, The Cheapskate would wait outside. Settles for Enough.
The Translator
Often the one who is able to converse in foreign language or at least has some knowledge in the local language.
The Navigator
He who is excellent at way-finding.
The Admirer
Always in awe with what he sees - buildings, flowers, food, people. Like... is there anything that's not great here?
The Complainer
Always something bad to say on things he had total control of if only he suggested something proper for everyone or actually does something about it.
The Shopper
Just someone who does a lot of shopping while traveling. I'm fine with this kind of person but don't ask me to carry your stuff or beg me to spare some space in my luggage for the 1-liter Sake that you bought.
The Timekeeper
One who keeps track of time for all while visiting a place or catching trains or flights. Most in power while in transit or when the group decides to split up and then meet at a decided location. Keeping things to schedule.
The Dictator
Decides everything for everyone without asking. Others will just follow.
The Friendly
Social member who easily get along with strangers, even offer help to them.
The Friendly has no problems when striking conversations with other travelers (out of the group).
The Spouse
One who needs to report everything to their partner. Most of the time having to explain himself for not able to contact the partner while in transit.
The Foodie.
Tries anything, even bugs. Also, usually comes to the destination with a list of cafes and restaurant to visit.
The Labour
Even when out of the office on holiday, The Labour still has to settle shits happening at workplace.
The Labour had to sacrifice the fun of traveling because his boss is a baby that keeps promising Clients things that even he cannot execute.
Which one are you? I'm a combination of a few.
-Sir Cheapskate
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