Platonic

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82017363#Comment_82017363

I have male friends that I would not want to go on holiday with, a few hours in the pub is enough. Maybe I don't know enough people, I rarely go on holidays.

strawb_shortcake

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82017959#Comment_82017959

Out of curiosity, if things were ever to progress with this lady, she may want to continue holidaying with her friend, how would you feel about that?

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82018045#Comment_82018045

I would obviously know more at that time. Some older people prefer not to be in a relationship, but I don't know how that feels.

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82018158#Comment_82018158

"Older people"

Baldytyke, you make people in their early 60s sound like they, collectively, have one foot in the grave. Rather than, potentially, 20 good years ahead of them.

I too see nothing wrong with going on holiday with friends of the opposite gender.

MEM62

Not sure what being over 60 has to do with it. I am 64 and relationship-wise feel and act no differently to the the way I did when I was in my 20's. Romantic involvements with co-workers is a minefield though. Lot of cans, lots of worms.

Exodi

Mands

I too see nothing wrong with going on holiday with friends of the opposite gender.

I hate that I'm about to say this as I suspect it is controversial, particularly on this forum, but I think it is a bit odd where one of them is in a relationship (assuming matching sexual orientation). I am cynical at heart, and I have seen friends make passes at other friends partners in the past. I'm not sure I would wager on both of them having plain intentions.

Granted I'm not one of the 'older people' Baldytyke88 refers to, where relationships and intentions are more platonic and innocent.

I totally understand it where they both may be single though, I'd probably consider it, but mainly as I don't think I could go on holiday alone (but credit to the solo travellers out there). Unfortunately I don't have any true female friends.

strawb_shortcake

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82021692#Comment_82021692

I think a lot of it all depends on the context, I'd not be happy with my Husband going on holiday with just a female friend but that's because he doesn't have a female friend, he moans about me wanting too many holidays and I'm unlikely to ever say no to a holiday.

Though, we do have a female acquaintance, she's single loves motorbikes as much as my Husband, and if they wanted a biking holiday I'd happily step aside as that is not my idea of fun.

Easy to say when you aren't in the situation, but I imagine if you find yourself single at an older age then I think you may well find yourself having to compromise if you meet another older single on parts of their lives such as friends, hobbies and activities that perhaps you wouldn't have compromised on before. You are likely both stepping into and sharing a life with someone that's been living independently and happily before, I'm not sure it's would be anything like when I met my husband when I was 17. But then it's not just age when it comes to living independently as a single.

Mands

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022040#Comment_82022040

It seems I, and the people I know, are more open minded than appears to be the norm here :)

I have holidayed with a married couple who divorced when he realised he was attracted to men but stayed friends and continued to travel together even after their divorce. A good friend of mine still holidays with their ex.

I regularly travel solo but also arrange to meet up with friends, of either gender, if plans co-incide.

On solo travel: it is delicious. Do I go out for dinner at that cute spot by the harbour or shall I get a deli picnic and eat on my balcony watching the sunset tonight? I really fancy seeing that exhibition on ObscureSubject at the museum and … I can.

Wyndham

I sometimes go away without my husband, so understand what @Mands is saying! It is delicious!

Relationships come in all sorts of 'flavours'. I think they always did, but we talk about it all more now.

OP - if you were a little the worse for wear, and approached the colleague to ask about this, she may have been giving you the brush off and letting you know that she isn't as available as you think she might be - it was maybe easier than saying she wasn't interested in you, or maybe she did say that and you didn't want to hear it so she tried another tack? Or maybe I'm being unfair, but I've had a few drunk colleagues make suggestions after a night out!

BungalowBel

A friend of mine (in her 70s) has a male friend (in his 60s) who she sometimes goes on holiday with. Strictly platonic. Separate bedrooms at all times. They go on holiday together because they both love their dogs, so the dogs go too, both enjoy walking with the dogs, both like having a drink in the pub with the dogs. Shared interests.

If either of them met someone on a romantic basis,I assume the holidays would stop, but otherwise they are quite happy to carry on as they are..