When others tell you to enjoy your vacation, they are excited for you and the upcoming plans.
It may be friends, family, or people you work with. Those sentiments are extended because they know you as a person and they feel you deserve to get away from the daily grind.
Respond to “Enjoy your vacation” with gratitude for the attention and share your anticipation with the other person. For example, “That’s so nice of you to remember. I am so looking forward to this vacation.”
While you may be focused on what you have to do before you head out of town, always acknowledge that kindness.
Thank Them and Keep It Simple
You don’t have to stumble or fumble with words or conversation when you plan to go on vacation. When someone tells you to enjoy it, you can thank them and keep it simple.
Be polite and show them you are impressed they remembered you will be traveling. This shows they pay attention to the details you shared with them!
What to Say:
“Thank you, I am really excited to go!”
“I appreciate that, it has been too long since I had a real vacation.”
“I have been counting down the days!”
“Thank you for remembering, it means a lot to me.”
“I am ready to make some memories with my family.”
Don’t feel guilty that you are about to embark on a vacation and that person isn’t. They are genuinely happy for you if they are sending such sentiments your way.
Don’t shy away from sharing your excitement.
What to Say:
“I have been saving for a year to go on this dream vacation, I can’t believe it is finally time to go!”
“It is on my bucket list and I am thrilled I can make that a reality.”
“Family and work have been so busy, that this vacation will give me and my spouse some time alone to focus on each other.”
“My agenda is packed but I want to make the most out of each day.”
“I haven’t been able to sleep the last few nights, I am too excited. I get up and look at pictures of where I am going.”
When they wish you a wonderful vacation, thank them and share one thing you are looking forward to.
This helps them understand what you are the most excited about and why. It is a great opportunity to further the conversation and take it beyond generic replies.
What to Say:
“It has been 10 years since I went to the beach. I want to hear the sound of the water and feel the sand between my toes. I also look forward to the beach at night for a moonlit walk with my husband.”
“I have never been on a boat before so the fishing excursion is something I am really looking forward to.”
“I love history and have read all about the area, now I can see the sights with my own eyes and it is going to be a unique experience.”
“I enjoy traveling very much, and this road trip is a first for me to spend time in a large city. I always see New York in the movies and I am ready for the adventure of it in person!”
“Seeing the Las Vegas strip will be a dream come true. I don’t care how long I have to stand in line to get my photo with that Welcome to Vegas sign either!”
Meet Up When You Return
Plan a time when you return to have lunch or coffee with that person.
Tell them you look forward to spending time with them and sharing the details of your vacation.
This is an ideal time to show them pictures and talk about the highlights of your vacation. Make sure you ask about them and give them ample time to talk about their life too so it isn’t all one-sided and about your travels.
What to Say:
“Thank you for asking, would you like to have lunch when I return and I can give you an update? I would also like to catch up with what is going on with you these days.”
“Let’s meet at our favorite coffee shop the Saturday after I get back. I will bring my vacation pictures. It will be fun to visit and share my trip highlights with you then.”
“I would love to learn more about your proposal, can we talk in 2 weeks about it? It doesn’t all have to be about work though, we can talk about your holiday plans and my vacation.”
Avoid Any Negativity
When someone trying to share a positive vibe with you, don’t put a dark cloud over it.
Avoid anything negative like complaining about the hotel staff, traffic, or the potential of a flight delay.
Keep it on a positive note so they don’t regret saying anything to you at all about your upcoming vacation.
What to Say:
“I love to travel and we have a great agenda planned, I know it will be a blast!”
“The time will fly by but we plan to make the most out of every day while we are there.”
“I have all my confirmations on my phone and everything packed. This is going to be the ultimate vacation!”
Show Appreciation for Their Comments
Let people know you appreciate them sharing those positive comments with you.
It makes a difference in your relationship with them. It also sets the tone for future interactions with them.
What to Say:
“It means a lot to me that you remembered I had this trip planned; I appreciate that very much.”
“Thank you, it is nice when people encourage you to go have fun!“
“I am happy to leave work and daily responsibilities in the wind for the next 2 weeks. I know you are picking up the slack at the office for me and I really appreciate that. I don’t have to be anxious about returning to stacks of work. Thanks for doing that and encouraging me to go have a good time.”
“You are the best, and I love the way you always remember the little things. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Sophie Hammond is a journalist, psychologist, and freelance speechwriter for people in politics and business. She lives on the edge of the Rocky Mountains with her dog and a lifetime supply of books. When she’s not writing, she can be found wandering through nature or journaling at a coffee shop.