How to endure a holiday with a friend I've drifted apart from?

Question

I’ve been friends with someone for a long while. We've taken a few trips together over the years.

I feel like we've drifted apart, although I may be the only one that feels this as I actually think they've ceased caring about much at all to do with me. Their attitude towards me is such that it reminds me of a yo-yo... one day they'll be the person I have grown accustomed to and can talk to for hours and comfortably spend time with, and the next they'll be someone who ignores my messages, stares at their phone during meals together and makes no attempt to socialise with me past the bare minimum. Even our conversations over instant messaging have drastically diminished. Furthermore, whilst some shared interests remain, others have steadily drifted apart, even down to something as inconsequential as music tastes. I will often try to indulge them in new interests, but the same courtesy isn't quite afforded to me so I prefer not to discuss my interests with them after one or two times, as a general rule of thumb.

Essentially, whilst I dedicate considerable time thinking about this friendship (truthfully my only close relationship, and theirs too, as far as I know), somewhat resentful that we don't socialise like we used to, and wondering about their well-being (is it personal struggles of some kind - i.e. depression? - that has so dramatically changed their personality or regard towards me?)... they don't seem to share the concern or make any move to act in any way that would redeem recent behaviour.

In short, I think it's time to move on, as I'm investing more in this friendship than they are and it's, I think, emotionally damaging to me. There are many many examples of situations and circumstances I could describe but the overall gist is that I feel taken for granted and underappreciated. I'm wasting my time trying to connect with someone who doesn't seem interested, but somehow, in certain capacities (like travelling together for a month to a foreign destination and leaving me to plan the trip that they suggested in its entirety!) they still expect some level of loyalty and consideration from me.

Cancelling the trip is not an option and I still very much want to go but I'm afraid of what attitude I might face during the trip. In our last trip together (a short holiday interstate), I felt that within a very short time, their attitude was that of someone who would rather be anywhere else. Petulant and reluctant, often expressing that they'd rather go back to the hotel than explore a new activity. It wasn't a pleasant experience and I'm somewhat fearful that the same might happen on this considerably larger trip.

How would I deal with this? If we find each other disagreeing on the day's activities, or if I want to do something but am getting the "vibe" from them that they would rather not - I don't want that to spoil my enjoyment or make me miss out on experiences that I could have, only because they have fallen into a sullen mood where they spend most of the time looking at their phone looking bored and disinterested in my company, let alone any scenery surrounding us. I'm unsure how to deal with this without causing hostility between us, which would be quite unfortunate when in a foreign country with nothing but ourselves for company!

I'm socially anxious as well, I've had situations in a previous recent small trip where they would refuse to do something as simple as take a photo at a landmark, either with me or even of me, and I lacked the confidence to feel comfortable using my selfie stick or to ask another person. These were isolated incidents, often in heavily crowded attractions (they're not a fan of crowds) but seeing as I never know what attitude to expect from them nowadays... that's a very likely scenario to happen. Personally, I have resigned myself to knowing that I have to build up the courage to get the outcomes I desire in these situations, but I don't want to do it in a way in which my frustration or unhappiness will be apparent to them, so as to not create animosity.

Basically I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place. I want to enjoy my trip but am going to be travelling with someone I don't feel I can necessarily rely on or draw any enjoyment from - in fact, there's the possibility they could taint certain aspects of it. How do I navigate this diplomatically so as to step on no toes, or the least amount of toes? I want to look forward to this trip but the uncertainty of our relationship is causing me anxiety instead.

Suggested TL;DR

How would I negotiate the situation when my long-term friend is acting sullen and uninterested in our activities or is exhibiting an attitude that is sullying the mood? I don't want to miss out on opportunities or experiences but also don't want to antagonise them or create an even more uncomfortable situation...

Answer 1

I have had some similar things happen to me in the past, but for my friend and me it (kinda) worked out in the end.

What I suggest for the trip is that you try to get the most out of it. I know this isn't an easy thing to do, especially if you never have done it before or are hotheaded, but when she does something that makes you feel bad, insecure, sad or angry, just try to let it wash off of you.

It is a sort of mental click you need to make, but it gets easier to do the more you do it.

The picture example you give. I would recommend to stay positive and give her the benefit of the doubt, and ask her if she wants to take the picture, after all, sometimes she is the "old" her. If she takes it, nice. If not, then just smile and use your selfie stick. There is no issue with using a selfie stick for one picture, or ask somebody else, I find that most strangers will gladly help you out.

Do this for everything on the trip. Try to enjoy it as most as you can and every time she doesn't want to do something just accept it and try to make the best of it. If she wants to stay in the hotel room all day, I would even go out alone and give her the choice to come along or stay inside all day. It is a trip that took time to plan and money to book after all, so don't let it go to waste.

After the trip I suggest you talk to her. One on one, after work when you both have the time for it. You clearly are fed up with her by now and don't want to continue the friendship but at the same time I get the message that you have not really talked to her about this.

A friendship is a sort of relationship and a relationship is built on trust, mutual respect and communication. So talk to her. Tell her what you feel, what you think about her attitude for the last year and that it is getting to a point where you are getting ready to let the friendship die off.

See what she has to say about it. Perhaps she is indeed depressed, or struggling with something in another way. Perhaps she was oblivious to it all and is sorry for it. Perhaps she truly doesn't give a damn anymore about your friendship. You won't know unless you talk. And your friendship sounds like it has been good and long enough for you to make that effort I think.

Also, go into that talk with no prejudice or sense of "She is in the wrong". Things like this are complicated and to point somebody as the culprit is simplifying it. There is no good and bad side in this, sometimes friendships break or bifurcate and wither away. but sometimes there are things you both sense but are only clear when you talk about it, and these things can often be fixed as well. It would be a shame to let a good friendship go to waste because of that, we all know how hard it is to find good friends.

Answer 2

I appreciate you've already selected an answer but felt that I had something small to add. Rather than just making suggestions while you are away and having possible disagreements, maybe sit down and plan some activities before you go away - so you have a plan of key things that you would like to do.

This would allow you to at least have a rough idea of things you are going to do while abroad, and you can discuss this in a relaxed environment, with no pressure to make sudden decisions, unlike on holiday where you might have to decide to do something right now. Focus on what you definitely want to do, and what you might want to do.

When you're on the trip, it should be easier to achieve the things you want, don't be afraid to do them by yourself if you have to, but hopefully discussing and arranging things first will help minimize this risk.

The other answer covers discussions you might have after the trip adequately - I have nothing to add to that - only that maybe if this holiday goes well, maybe your friend will open up more about the situation (either on holiday or after it) and this will provide greater understanding to both parties.

Hope it goes well!

Answer 3

I would suggest doing a lot of things to keep the interaction going. You don't need to talk about anything much, as the awkwardness is still there. Talking about stuff comes later. The more things you do together the more the bond that you had before starts to emerge. Just pick things that you both will enjoy. Doesn't need to be perfect just need to keep moving. Over time the talk will start too. Don't rush/force it. Nostalgia hits are powerful and they will give a boost too. Things that let you compete with each other are really good. Hope it works out.

tl;dr Do things together and then do some more, talk less at the start, don't force it. The bond will grow by itself.

Cheers

Answer 4

Foreword

My suggestion is going to be more about handling the trip than fixing the underlying problem. Clearly the underlying issue needs to be discussed, but you asked "how do I endure the trip?", not "how do I fix our friendship?", so I'll answer the question that was asked.

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Answer

You say that she doesn't seem to be interested in doing some of the things you want to do, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying them.

Instead of spending the whole day together, why not split up from time to time so you can each do things that the other doesn't want to do?

Sometimes I find that spending an entire day with the same person can get a bit tedious and I tend to loose my enthusiasm after a while, especially if I feel like I'm following the other person or I'm not getting chance to see the things I want to see. Splitting up for a while to do different things gives you both a chance to explore things without having to accomodate the other person.

As an added bonus, you'll have something to talk about on the trip back - you can tell each other what you did without the other person. Perhaps you or the other person will even think "actually, I might have enjoyed that" and want to do the same next time.