Traveling in Social Style

Well, socials, I've been negligent. I've ignored this blog as much as I did the snaggle-toothed kid with bad breath who asked me out in college with the pick-up line: "Do you like beef?"

I've since become a vegetarian.

Summer is winding down (and the City entered its hottest month yet), so I thought I'd sum(mer) up with some Social Butterfly traveling tips. Hopefully this encourages you to be your fabulous and social self no matter where your summer -- and future travel -- takes you.

1. I like to rack up my number. Of points, that is. Southwest, United, American...they all have rewards programs so you can fly free. Hotels, like Hilton and Marriot, also have rewards programs, which give you points every time you stay at one of their hotels. I traveled at the beginning of the month, and thanks to my family's excessive Marriot points, we were able to stay in a three-room, Presidential suite for five nights. FOR FREE. The only thing I like better than a suite is a free suite.

2. When on the plane, choose a seat next to someone who looks like they'll be entertaining. Younger or older, plane conversation has the potential to be interesting/awkwardly amusing. (ex: [plane mate to me]: "I hate when people clap when the plane lands. I mean, come on! The pilot's just doing his job. Do I clap for the barista every time he makes my drink right? Hell no. It's their damn job.")

AND BONUS FOR YOU: If you meet someone around your age that's cute, single, and seemingly not a will-follow-you-back-to-your-hotel-room-and-murder-you psycho who happens to be staying in the same city as you, make plans to meet at the hotel bar or near by restaurant. What happens in [location], stays in [location].


However, banter can sometimes get you into trouble. I have a friend who, no matter where she flies, always gets hit on, mistaken as married to the person next to her in the terminal, or even worse, mistaken as the mother of the children she has just met. In order to halt conversation, she should really perfect the stop, drop, and roll: STOP talking. DROP your gaze. The next time he/she says something, ROLL your eyes.

For emergencies only.

3. However, when choosing plane seats, avoid over-sharers. Usually aisle-sitters (this is strategic. aisle seats have the most people surrounding them aka more people within hearing range) are *extreme* over-sharers. An overshare includes, but is not limited to, those delightful tidbits such as: "I just broke-up/got divorced/came out of the closet." or "I have [some terrible STD]/H1N1/IBS and forgot to take my medication today." or "I'm a three-time platinum member of the mile-high club."

TMI calls for another drink.

4. Lost luggage = tragedy for all involved. Make sure you always carry-on the essentials: Clinique all about eyes for reducing those puffs after the flight, any glasses or contacts, toothbrush, change of clothes, swimsuit. That way, even if you have to wait for your luggage, you have at least three outfits. (the one you're wearing, the change, and most importantly -- the swimsuit.) If you can fit a floppy hat in your carry on, then extra two points for you.

5. Be kind and courteous to all hotel staff. Aside from being gracious, this good behavior may score you a free drink/breakfast/pool-side cabana.

If staying in someone's home and not at a hotel, charm your hosts. They're putting you up with room and board. Make sure they don't leave the room, bored. Share your interesting travel stories and overheard over-shares from the plane. And before you leave, make sure you write a small thank you note and be sure to leave a host or hostess gift. Social graces, people.

6. A good Social Butterfly always has social engagements during travel. Be it drinks with your business travel partner or a trip to the museum on your hour off, the SB knows how to handle her (or his?) free time in a new place. If you have friends in the area -- even better. Locals can usually come to you if you're hotel-bound, and probably know the area hot-spots. Make plans before you leave and enjoy a night on the town with friends!

Any more tips from our readers? All...eight of you?? :) (Who I dearly love.)