leftnav

leftnav
leftnav

leftnav
leftnav

leftnav

What's Your Vacationing Style?
The average American now takes just 10 days off per year, and they're often doled out as three- or four-day weekends. Take our quiz to find out your vacation patterns.

TOP PICKS
Email This Article Email Article
Printer Friendly Printer Friendly
Digg!
reddit


Squeezing in a bit of relaxation can be downright stressful. The average American now takes just 10 days off per year, and they're often doled out as three- or four-day weekends. Some 20 percent of workers don't take the vacation time allotted to them.

So what type of getaway helps you relax? Print out a copy of PT's quiz and find out how you measure up.


Choose Your Own Adventure

Answer each question and tally up your score.

Yes = 5 | Sometimes = 3 | No = 1

_____I am always thinking about future vacations.

_____Nostalgia often plays a large part in my vacation decisions.

_____I own vacation property.

_____I avoid touristy outings.

_____If I want to visit Greece, but the airfare skyrockets, I will still go.

_____I book trips through multiple travel agencies.

_____My job prevents me from taking much time off.

_____I prefer to be spontaneous rather than plan extensively.

_____The first destination I consider is not where I usually end up.

_____Trips often stem from a friend's invitation or a special deal.

_____I plan my getaways several months, even years, in advance.

_____I purchase souvenirs.

_____I visit a different destination on each vacation.

_____I avoid organized tours.

_____Other than a few must-see sights, my plans are flexible.

_____ TOTAL


SCORING:


15-30

Habitual Traveler

You want to feel at home on vacation and encounter few surprises. Long-term planning is difficult, but you know yourself and are a loyal consumer.


31-40

Rational Tourist

A conscientious and early planner, you won't just vacation at any cost. You usually have a great trip, but if your plans go awry, you may become perturbed.


41-50

Opportunistic Wanderer

You often take a passive "wait and see" approach to vacationing. Once there, you have a great time trying new things.


51-60

Hedonic Vacationer

You delight in daydreaming about your trip, but your proposed destination is likely to change as your plans become more realistic.


61-75

Adaptable Globetrotter

Whether solo or with others, you're always thinking about future getaways. Your flexibility ensures the trips are often realized.


Psychology Today Magazine, May/Jun 2006
Last Reviewed 14 May 2008
Article ID: 4063


Related Articles
Ten tips to getting on with what's important.
We all drag our feet, just a little.
Taboos that are perfectly normal.

Find a Therapist
Choose the best match from
thousands of profiles.