To Share a Room or Not?

I wanted to talk a bit about the pros and cons of sharing a room when you travel.
I have been in both situations where I went alone and when I have shared a room.

PROS:
The pros of sharing a room with another person is of course, the most obvious, sharing the costs. This makes your trip a lot more affordable when you have someone to share half the costs of the hotel rooms as lets face it, it's fairly expensive to stay in a moderate hotel these days. You'll pay $100 at the bare minimum and if you are lucky or have discounts you can apply, AAA or Military...etc etc.

Also another pro is that you have someone there to talk to, share of your experience with right away, a nice travel companion as it always makes it nice to share your adventures with another person.

And who likes to eat alone? Always nicer to have a companion or friend to share dinner with.

CONS:
The cons of sharing a room is that if you do not know the person well you decide to share with, you can end up with someone who does not shut up and talk your ear off though you are so tired, all you want to do is collapse in bed and go to sleep.

You also have to worry about them dirtying up your bathroom or taking it over and leaving you no towels or cluttering up the sink with all of their tolietries and whatnot.

If you happen to have a small room, you will need to be mindful of how much luggage that not only you are taking but the person who is to share the room, how much luggage they will take.

There is also snoring, talking or even walking in their sleep that could very well be obstacles you may have to suffer through. I won't even talk about the 'gas' issue.

I have also not even touched on what if there is only one bed and you have to share? That brings a whole other issue as to the other person a bed hogger, cover stealer, roller, a blanket fluffer....the list goes on.

If there is a tv in the room, will the other person have to have it on to sleep? A light on to sleep?

Also, will they invade your privacy or invite others up to your room without even asking you and then you have to worry over your things being gone thru or items stolen.



As you can see, I can think of more cons than pros at this point. From all of my years and years of travelling, I do prefer to have my own room when I travel, unless travelling with my immediate family. Even eating alone, although that can be sad, I can get over it by just reminding myself of what I am avoiding by doing so. I know it sounds a bit sad, but I would still rather my own room unless travelling with someone you are either intimate with or family.

So, I would definitely recommend that when you travel to an event or going anywhere on your own, do not fall into the trap in thinking to save yourself some money by sharing. Instead, save yourself some aggravation and pay the extra if there is a cost, and get your own room. You will be glad you did so that you have your own space and privacy.


I think this clip from Trains, Planes, and Automobiles, starring John Candy and Steve Martin, shows exactly what I am talking about....!!!