Poll - Would you be disappointed

[Deleted]

Your significant other plans a surprise trip for the two of you in honor of a special occasion.  You won't know where you are going until a few hours before you depart.  There is a lot of lead up to this, will you need a swimming suite or snow gear, they won't tell, they are very into the surprise aspect of it.  

Surprise you are going to Chicago!  You live in the Midwest, so this is a very short trip for you.  You have each been there before, but not together, Chicago holds no significance to the two of you.

Would you be disappointed?

[monsterz]

No. I think planning a surprise trip is sweet, it doesn't matter where you are going. And if the city currently holds no significance it likely will after the trip.

[sproutmd]

Nothing against Chicago, but I would be very disappointed.

[pinkdutchtulips]

playing tourist in a city you're already familiar w/ is sweet ... especially if that person is familiar w/ it too but for completely different reasons.

[LoveTrains]

I would be a little disappointed. It was made to sound to be a much more far away trip from the description - like needing snow gear or a bathing suit - so if it was just to the closest city I would absolutely be disappointed. Especially if it is just a drive into the city.

That being said, it's still a totally romantic and thoughtful gesture, so that is why I picked only a little. While I would initially be a little disappointed, I wouldn't let it get the best of me and I would be happy and excited and into it during the trip.

[Pom]

I'll chime in here and say that Mr. P isn't a very good surprise planner (Rod Stewart tickets for our LV trip as an example). After some crash and burn moments, we've agreed not to do this "surprise thing" going forward. My expectations are too high (yes) and his planning skills and attention to my likes and dislikes need work.

I hope you have a great time and I'm sorry you are disappointed.

[shaynaatl]

The part about never going there together would make it fun for me.

[atlas]

No, I would not be disappointed. I live 3 hours away from Seattle, but a surprise trip to Seattle would be awesome. I like surprise trips.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 13:08:40 GMT -5 Pom said:

I'll chime in here and say that Mr. P isn't a very good surprise planner (Rod Stewart tickets for our LV trip as an example). After some crash and burn moments, we've agreed not to do this "surprise thing" going forward. My expectations are too high (yes) and his planning skills and attention to my likes and dislikes need work.

I hope you have a great time and I'm sorry you are disappointed.

I'm sorry, I should have stated it's not about me.  A coworker of mine had this happen.  I'm blissfully single.  Unless you know a nice guy that's 30-45? 

[Ashley&Scott]

Chicago can be fun. Is it a short trip? If it's just a 2-3 day trip I wouldn't really have expected to go very far away.

Did SO plan any special things to do in Chicago? I would be more upset if they just said "oh we're going to Chicago" but had no plans for things to see/do.

[tacosforlife]

It depends - where am I eating while I'm there?

Not even joking.

But I will die of shock if my H ever plans a surprise anything, so there's that.

[tine]

This is why I hate surprises! I'm pretty sure I would be disappointed if I was imagining lying on a beach somewhere warm and instead was taken to Chicago lol

[iheartbanjos]

I lived in Chicago for 11 years and go back 2-3x year. It's always a great time, but certainly not my idea of an awesome weekend away.

At least you can eat/drink your way through the city?!

[Pom]

Mar 30, 2015 13:12:40 GMT -5 @ruralrabbit1 said:

Mar 30, 2015 13:08:40 GMT -5 Pom said:

I'll chime in here and say that Mr. P isn't a very good surprise planner (Rod Stewart tickets for our LV trip as an example). After some crash and burn moments, we've agreed not to do this "surprise thing" going forward. My expectations are too high (yes) and his planning skills and attention to my likes and dislikes need work.

I hope you have a great time and I'm sorry you are disappointed.

I'm sorry, I should have stated it's not about me.  A coworker of mine had this happen.  I'm blissfully single.  Unless you know a nice guy that's 30-45? 

Ugh, sorry.  I keep thinking you are too awesome not to have a new fella. If I knew a good hearted, single guy, I'd sure send him your way

I hope your friend has a wonderful weekend.

[crashgizmo]

I picked "a little bit", but I think it would depend on what the plan was while we were in Chicago. The first trip my DH and I took together was to Denver, which we've both been to several times. However, he picked the coolest things to do- a horse/carriage ride, a VIP tour at the Coors Brewery, and a hike in Estes Park in the snow. I was totally surprised by the thoughtfulness of it all.

However, it the SO was just said "We're going to Chicago" and had no real plan, I would be a little bummed.

[jillboston]

lots of great food in Chicago! But I'd be annoyed that he told me to bring a swim suit to Chicago..

[v]

My husband does not do surprises, so I think I'd be excited about any surprise trip. Also, I'd like to go to Chicago for the weekend -- or let's say Boston or Philly or DC if we're keeping it closer to where I currently live (and I'm saying that as someone who has lived in Philly and has been to DC approximately 900 times so it isn't like those places would be novel to me). Getting away is fun.

[rikki]

Even though I live here, I would be thrilled if my husband planned a night at a hotel downtown and dinner. I'd be equally happy with a quick getaway to a nearby city. This will never happen because I plan everything.

[dexteroni]

The hype and mystery would have partially ruined it for me, but not the destination itself. If he just said out of nowhere one day "hey we've never been to Chicago together; let's go for our anniversary!" I would be way into it and looking forward to it.

But yes, I would be disappointed after allll the hype and then it's someplace I've been before that's just a short drive away. I would also not be into the refusal to share any info that would help me plan/pack for the trip, at ALL. That's not a fun surprise; that's someone who IMO has the potential to be controlling and/or kind of a dick.

[shamrockshake]

I might be a little disappointed because of the build up but honestly, in my case, if just be fucking thrilled H planned something, anything, I'm pretty sure he's never planned any dinner/ trip/ date at all, it's not his wheelhouse

[cheezer]

I'd be thrilled. Chicago is a fun city full of great restaurants. Although I may have been annoyed at a surprise trip to Chicago in January after the weather they've had this winter.

[tacosforlife]

If anything, I think the guy just oversold it a bit.

"Bring a swimsuit and snow gear!" = OMG, maybe we're going to the beach or the mountains!

"Pack stretchy pants" = We're eating at awesome restaurants in one of the best cities in the country!

[girlscout]

Mar 30, 2015 13:34:58 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

If anything, I think the guy just oversold it a bit.

"Bring a swimsuit and snow gear!" = OMG, maybe we're going to the beach or the mountains!

"Pack stretchy pants" = We're eating at awesome restaurants in one of the best cities in the country!

Love that part!!!!

[mbcdefg]

I'd be a bit peeved if MH kept hyping up a big surprise trip, and then we wound up going to NYC or Philadelphia (because those are regular day trips for us). 

It wouldn't even be an "I deserve MOAR!" type of frustration ... it'd be all, "Why the hell did you make such a big deal out of this? We go there all the time." 

[thebulldog]

Were you expecting like an international trip or a cruise or something like that?

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[ESF]

Mar 30, 2015 13:23:50 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

The hype and mystery would have partially ruined it for me, but not the destination itself. If he just said out of nowhere one day "hey we've never been to Chicago together; let's go for our anniversary!" I would be way into it and looking forward to it.

But yes, I would be disappointed after allll the hype and then it's someplace I've been before that's just a short drive away. I would also not be into the refusal to share any info that would help me plan/pack for the trip, at ALL. That's not a fun surprise; that's someone who IMO has the potential to be controlling and/or kind of a dick.

I agree.  It's not that the gesture is disappointing, it's that it was overhyped.

If the person had said, "clear the weekend, I have a surprise for you," or "let's go to Chicago together for our anniversary" then a weekend trip to a nearby locale would be awesome.

If the person says, "I have a surprise trip planned! Ooooh you might need a bathing suit but I can't say!" and we wind up an hour from home, I'd be pretty disappointed.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 13:55:57 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Were you expecting like an international trip or a cruise or something like that?

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My coworker wasn't expecting international, but more exotic than Chicago.

[anna7602]

Mar 30, 2015 13:19:41 GMT -5 v said:

Also, I'd like to go to Chicago for the weekend -- or let's say Boston or Philly or DC if we're keeping it closer to where I currently live (and I'm saying that as someone who has lived in Philly and has been to DC approximately 900 times so it isn't like those places would be novel to me). Getting away is fun.

This. DH took me to Philly as a surprise weekend many years ago to see a traveling art exhibit. No swimsuits or passports or anything required, but it was fun. 

He also took me to Coney Island as a surprise another time and got us a hotel room, even though we're just one super long subway ride away. 

I give props to DH whenever he plans anything. 

[Deleted]

I'd do cartwheels if DH planned anything ever.

But if he were the planning type, I'd probably be a tiny bit disappointed if he hyped it up and then took me to Chicago. I'd still have fun and quickly get over it though. I'd never mention it to him, as I think a sincere gesture should always be appreciated.

[LoveTrains]

Mar 30, 2015 13:34:58 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

If anything, I think the guy just oversold it a bit.

"Bring a swimsuit and snow gear!" = OMG, maybe we're going to the beach or the mountains!

"Pack stretchy pants" = We're eating at awesome restaurants in one of the best cities in the country!

I agree with you on this. The description of not knowing if you need snow pants or a swimsuit makes me think mountains or beach, and its a city. If the description had been - pack comfortable shoes for the city and a beautiful dress for a dinner out, I would not have been disappointed at all. It's all in the delivery, kwim?