The Hidden Meaning of Their Summer Vacation

Everyone’s big on emotional intelligence now, because we’ve learned the hard way that a person’s people skills can make or break them in the workplace. If the person is highly exceptional in their field, it can be a close call, but all things being equal, we prefer to work and socialize with people who are pleasant and know how to get along.



The person with high EQ always tunes in to how the other person thinks and feels, in order to smooth the road for communication, instruction, sales, influence, leadership, or just plain congenial interface in the workplace. However, others tend to wear masks and not reveal too much, for protection, because they’re naturally reticent, because they’ve been taken advantage of, because they think it’s professional, or because their culture dictates blending in. Also from fear or ignorance.



So how can you find out more about someone in a non-invasive manner? Ask them about their vacation. Most people will let down their guard in this area. You might assume it’s a topic most people are excited about, but – and here begins the EQ lesson – that isn’t the case. We do everything like we do everything else, so listen and learn. Here are some things to listen for and process:



ATTITUDE

Not everyone’s enthusiastic about their vacation. Some will whine and complain because:



1. Once I take it, it’s gone for the year



2. It isn’t worth it. You have to do so much before you leave.



3. Two weeks isn’t nearly enough for what I have to go through here



4. US workers are cheated. The French get 6 weeks’ off.



5. The reservations always get screwed up, the hotel will be lousy, it always happens to me



6. I know I’m going to hate Montreal. We always end up going where she wants to go.



7. I can’t stand my brother-in-law/mother/his kids



Optimists will be gung-ho about every aspect. You can expect the person to approach work tasks or requests in the same manner – optimistic, pessimistic, or as the victim.



CONFIDENCE

In telling their plans, the worriers will say:



1. I don’t know if I’ve got the right clothes



2. It sounds like a good hotel, but I’m not sure it’s the best one



3. I hope my wife likes Cozumel



4. I hate to leave my car at the airport, but if you call a cab there’s no guarantee it will show up



5. I don’t know how I’ll get everything done – booking the kennel for the dog, getting a house-sitter, stopping the newspaper



6. What if there’s one of those virus outbreaks on the cruiseship?



If you have a worrier on your hands, they’ll need much reassurance before taking on an assignment, and hand-holding in the process. It’s their natural style to worry. On the StrengthsFinder they would have “deliberativeness” for a strength. You can discount by 50% their concerns about a work project and use them to outline the worst-case scenario and ferret out the loopholes for you.



INTROVERT/EXTRAVERT

In talking about their vacation, the introvert will say:



1. A 10-hour plane flight. Like I want to sit next to some insurance salesman and listen to his life story for 10 hours



2. The cabins are isolated. We like it that way.



3. It sounded great until I found out my girl-friend had invited her whole family



4. It’s a River cruise. Few people, no bar or gambling. You don’t have to sit with other people for meals.



5. I plan to read a lot



6. We get a balcony suite and watch the sunset, just the two of us



The extravert will say:



1. ClubMed! Think of all the other singles I’ll meet!



2. On the strip where all the action is. We love to mix and mingle.



3. It’s gonna be great. His whole family’s going to be there.



4. We like cruises, the bigger the ship the better. There’s always someone to talk to!



5. Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square! Total tourist trap, street shows and vendors, cheap souvenirs, everyone’s drinking, dancing, noisy! I love it!



You can use this information in planning committees, office space, work groups, and general interface with this person.



ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

Here are some replies to “Are you ready for your vacation?”



1. Sure am. I’ve got my books chosen.



2. I still need some dresses. I’m sure there will be people there in jeans, but I like to dress.



3. Yes. We were lucky enough to get orchestra seats for the opera.



4. This time I’ve convinced him to just get a tent and camp out.



5. Yes but I’m dreading it (hiking). My idea of a vacation is room-service in a 5-star resort.



6. A bathing suit and some shorts. I love these barefoot cruises. Very physical.



7. High and low. Gowns for the opera, and no bathing suits required for the hot tub at the spa.



8. I’m finally going to see the Louvre!



9. I love cruises. No car to hassle. Room-service. Food 24/7.



Someone who chooses to go camping or hiking for their vacation is likely more physical and casual than a person who wants to wear a tux and attend the opera. You can check out the assumption that the hikers and campers will prefer to be treated more casually and are more group-oriented and active than the culture and spa hounds, who may be more reserved, and either sensual (always concerned about the thermostat and the ergonomic chairs) or sedentary (ask someone else to run the errands).



LIFESTYLE & VALUES

Sometimes just a sentence or two will reveal things about their lifestyle and values you didn’t know. For example:



1. We’re just hanging out at home. I never get to see enough of my family. Besides, money’s tight right now.



2. Santa Fe. Love the art, the spas, the opera. Just having trouble getting a room for less than $350 a night.



3. We’ve booked an affordable resort in Iowa. All the kids and grandkids will be there.



4. It’s our annual family holiday. Mary’s rich brother has a condo at the beach.

We all bring food and take turns cooking.



5. Going to see Anne’s mother. She probably won’t live another 6 months.



6. He always takes me to Paris for my birthday. It costs a fortune, but he can afford it.



7. Jim wanted to take that Mexican train trip. I always let him choose.



8. Missionary trip to Belize. I’ve organized a group from church.



9. Seattle. And man I hope we get along this time.



In inquiring about a vacation, you can find out who’s a leader and who’s a follower, and idea of their financial situation, who the person chooses to be with, who’s an introvert and who’s an extravert, who might be having marital problems, what their interests are – a whole range of information. And remember, while you’re observing, you’re being observed. I’ve sat with work groups where the top brass quizzed one another about vacations, and acted as if the support staff didn’t have a life. Remember that the person who isn’t nice to the waiter, isn’t a nice person and respeto means having respect for all people, regardless of their fit in the workplace hierarchy. It’s a team, isn’t it?



Whether it’s two weeks on their own yacht, day trips to the lake and public parks, babysitting the grandchildren, staying home and painting the house, or catching all the art museums in NYC, the person with character, manners and high EQ is inclusive, and listens and responds positively.

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Aitutaki Honeymoon

The Pacific Resort Aitutaki

An Aitutaki Honeymoon, is the best of Cook Island Honeymoon destinations. The Pacific Resort Aitutaki is one of the few luxury small hotels on Aitutaki, and is absolutely ideal spot for a Cook Island Aitutaki honeymoon. Aitutaki is the most beautiful part of the Cook Islands, and is a remote paradise, almost untouched by the 21st century.

The Pacific Resort Aitutaki is a fairly typical Polynesian hideaway with beach front bungalows, suites, villas, and a restaurant where you will eat top class Polynesian cuisine. This means fresh seafood caught daily and fruit from the garden at the hotel.

There are a number of things to do, and sunbathing and snorkelling in crystal clear warm water over the reef right by the hotel comes top of the list. The reef is inhabited by thousands of brightly coloured fish. This is a great place to relax in luxury and isolation after the pressures of a wedding.

The Pacific Resort Aitutaki is over 250 kms north of Rarotonga, and you can get there in 40 minutes by plane, and is the only full-service luxury resort in the Cook Islands. It is on an island atoll, and lies in one of the world’s largest lagoons. This is paradise, a secret hideaway, which is why an Aitutaki honeymoon can’t be beaten.

When you arrive at Aitutaki on your Cook Island honeymoon you’ll be met and given a flower necklace, driven the short distance to the hotel, and greeted in person by the manager.

Choose a beachfront suite, which is in a self contained thatched unit. They are a very good size, airconditioned, furnished in dark wood, with one wall a sliding window opening onto a veranda, then you are a few steps to the powder white sand beach next to a sea that is an unbelievable blue/turquoise/green colour.

The Pacific resort is very clean, well maintained, the staff are very friendly and helpful. Meals are taken in the restaurant which overlooks the small pool, mind you who needs a pool when you have a beach to end all beaches outside!! The views of the lagoon, and the reef are almost beyond description, sufficient to say they more than justify choosing an Aitutaki honeymoon!!

The sheer isolation of the Pacific resort means that food is very dependent on local produce, which really means chicken, goat, and fish. The chef does introduce as much variety as possible, but you don’t come to such a beautifully isolated and unspoilt part of the world for the food. It’s worth eating out and the reception staff are always willing and able to help.

Aitutataki is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Pacific Resort is a fantastic Aitutaki Honeymoon choice. This is by South Pacific standards probably the top small luxury hotel.

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The Art of Buying Travel Luggage

Travel Luggage

all luggage is created equal. There is a wide variety of prices and quality between manufacturers. Before you purchase luggage you should consider what your actual luggage usage will be. There is no need for you to purchase the most expensive luggage if you only travel once or twice a year or if you never plan to fly.

Most people probably remember the old Samsonite commercial with gorillas throwing the luggage around their cage. While this was hilarious it was close to the truth. Checked luggage takes a beating. If you never plan to fly you don't need super expensive luggage. Of course, we'd never recommend buying the cheapest either. You will still need luggage that will hold up under some abuse.

We'd also recommend you pay close attention to how luggage is priced. Most manufacturers highly over inflate the price of their luggage then bring the prices down claiming they are on sale or are deeply discounted. Don't believe this. This is what the jewelry industry does. When you're looking at luggage always start with the final price.

One thing you'll find is hundreds of different brands of luggage. From the expensive high end Ricardo luggage which has a built in digital scale, to lesser priced American Flyer luggage and many in between. Some luggage manufacturers try to reach a young audience with their styles and patterns. JanSport luggage does this. Some companies make children's luggage with smaller sizes and adorable prints. Liz Claiborne luggage is sophisticated and stylish for the fashionable woman traveler.

You're lucky if your luggage is only beat up and not lost. What about lost airline luggage? Do you have any idea what happens to it? Did you know that you can buy articles from lost airline luggage?

Were you aware that if you don't want to both with your luggage at all when you travel you can use a luggage delivery service? It isn't cheap, but you can have your luggage picked up from your home and have it waiting for you at your destination. Again, be aware of prices. Some have up front pricing. Some are a bit more difficult to figure out. Some charge extra for Saturday delivery and add pick up and fuel surcharges to the price. Make sure that you are fully aware of all charges when it comes to a luggage delivery service, and be aware that they generally quote one-way prices only.

The choice of luggage can make or break your vacation. The last thing you need to have happen is to have a zipper break, or a seam split or have a handle break as you're walking out the door to the airport. Experts will say don't overload your suitcase. This causes undue stress on zippers and seams. Examine your suitcase when you take it off the airline carousel. Check it to make sure there has been no damage done to your luggage. If there is obvious damage done to your luggage immediately take it to the airline customer service center to report it.

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Purchasing Insurance For Travel Tours Abroad

To purchase or not to purchase travel insurance, that is the question. If you have done some research or talked to a travel agent, you might have been told that insurance is absolutely necessary. After all, you have put a lot of money into airfare and booking your hotel. But does that mean you need to spend more on insurance?

Travel insurance was created to make sure your money is refunded should something go wrong at the last second. This includes many circumstances that would prevent you from traveling, like illness or a flight being canceled due to inclimate weather. If your plans are put on hold, at least you will get your money back. But there are ways this insurance can help you while you are on vacation as well.

When taking travel tours abroad, check and see if your normal health insurance will cover you in a foreign country. Often, plans either do not cover you, or are just not accepted abroad. Should this be the case for you, then invest in travel insurance. This way, you are sure to be covered if you need medical attention while on vacation. Unfortunately, travelers these days need to be aware of terrorism when they travel abroad. Should terrorist activity occur where you are about to vacation, your airline is not necessarily required to refund the cost of your ticket. However, if you have travel insurance, you will be covered.

Flight cancellation is another eventuality covered by travel insurance. Any number of things could prevent you from leaving the ground. You might have scheduled your vacation during the worst snow storm in twenty years, or maybe you airline just goes out of business. Travel insurance protects the money you have invested in your ticket. Perhaps circumstances in your life prevent you from taking advantage of vacation deals. Should somebody in your family die or become ill, you can cancel your plans without penalty. Whatever may happen to prevent you from leaving, you are covered.

If you loose your luggage, you will also be covered by travel insurance. Usually, the baggage is returned by the airline; though, sometimes, it is simply misplaced and never found. Or, your luggage might be returned with items missing. Travel insurance gives you the money to replace anything that can’t be found so you can enjoy your trip as planned.

When deciding on a specific insurance company, it is a good idea to research your options before choosing. Different plans work best for specific vacations. Perhaps you are not buying a plane ticket, but taking a cruise. If you travel often for business or pleasure, you can even purchase a policy that covers you for extended periods of time. These plans save you the hassle of buying a policy for each individual trip. Ask questions before you make a final decision to be sure that you are getting all the coverage you need. You wouldn’t want to insure yourself, only to find that your particular vacation disaster is not covered under your policy.

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