Where do we stand on …

Oblications

Isn’t it lovely having all these bank holiday weekends so close to each other? A proper chance to relax, pop off on a mini break and see the family at that big lunch. That is, unless you’re the one organising it, when these supposedly fun group events become “oblications”.

Nine in 10 Brits rely on the remaining one in 10 to organise all the fun, according to research from hotel company Hampton by Hilton. If you’re that one you will know how tricky it is to book a holiday that will please the pickiest in the group, while trying to find a date that works for eight different people with 12 different dietary requirements.

As if putting in all those hours of unpaid work for other people’s fun wasn’t bad enough, the oblicater of the group inevitably ends up paying for it up front, and nagging for weeks on end for everyone to send through their share. Apparently, oblicaters in the UK are out of pocket to the tune of

£197 million because of this.

On the flip side, what about the people asking us on these ambitious trips in the first place? Why does a hen party have to be a four-day affair abroad with matching swimming costumes? The bride can hardly complain about the effort of organising, when her friends have spent money and used their annual leave to do what she wants. If you wanted a hassle-free do, you could have just had some drinks in the pub.

But let’s all say thank you to the oblicaters who organise the family parties and group holidays that everyone wants to go on.

However, there is no reason it needs to be the same person every year: a rotating duty would sort the problem out. Delegating tasks could work well – if someone has booked the flights, why not offer to sort out the hotel, or hire the cars? At the very least, pay up on time.