Photo: jayjuice on Flickr

Dear Holiday Golightly,

What do you think is the ideal group size for a Girlfriend Getaway? Three people? Is ten people too many?

Sincerely,

Melanie

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Dear Melanie,

To give you the most annoying answer: It really depends! If the getaway you're planning is fairly "activity-heavy", then we think less is more.

If you're just planning to get a fab hotel, go shopping, and drink loads of wine and catch up with people you haven't seen in many moons, the more the merrier.

The focus should always be on spending time with your girlfriends, and doing what you enjoy.

Cheers!

Holiday Golightly

Not to be confused with "punctuation".,;"!?  Punctuality is more than just being on time.  It's also about respect.  Whether it's a lunch date, or a business appointment, being on time speaks volumes about how important you think your appointment/date is, versus how important you think you are.

If you are the person who is always late...  Chronically late;  irretrievably, unconscionably, inconceivably late, you need to make Being On Time a priority.

Set your watch ahead 15 minutes if you need to.  Or just leave 15 minutes earlier than you think you need to.  See what happens!  

If you know you won't be able to make the date/appointment/meeting/what-have-you, at least call your counterpart to let them know you won't be on time, so they are not stuck looking at their watch every five minutes, wondering if they got the date, time or place wrong.  They should not be penalized for being on time.  They should, actually, be rewarded!  So, as long as you're running late, stop off and pick up some chocolates for them!

Then, next time, when you're on time, you can get some chocolates for yourself too. 

This is one of those cherished activities that everyone loves.  Like a dental exam, or a bikini wax.

It can be awkward and uncomfortable and make everyone wonder if "dining and dashing" is really as unethical as it sounds...

Often, when dining with several friends, everyone will order nearly identical meals, and the issue of splitting the bill is a no-brainer.  You just split it evenly.  Those are happy times, indeed.

Then, there are the other times, when there are 8 girls, and 2 are pregnant and not drinking the outrageously expensive wine, and 3 are dieting and eating a small salad as their entree, and so on.  When the bill arrives, the drunk friends want the least amount of hassle, and just say "Letsh shplit the sheck".  Because alcohol makes the world seem like a fair and just place, and everything will all just even out.

But the pregnant girls, and salad girls probably owe a solid $20/each less than everyone else.  Even in our pseudo-recession, $20 can buy a lot!  A cheapie pedicure, a Bobbi Brown eyeshadow, the DVD of "The Pillow Book" (full-frontal Ewan MacGregor; you're welcome), and myriad other necessities.

It's not such a huge deal to divvy up the check by person, but it will take a few extra minutes.

Some people would whine "oh, it's so embarrassing - just split it evenly", but then you have to think:  why are you feeling more loyal to the waiter/waitress (in wanting to save them time) - than your own friends?

It is a bit of a chore to have to do math right after a large meal, and we here at Holiday Golightly, have actually created a fantastic tool to help with this (we will alert you when it's ready).

Until then, just grab a pen, and mark each girls' initials next to whatever items she ordered on the receipt, then run one total for each girl.  The girls who don't eat or drink as much will really appreciate it, and they are your girlfriends after all.

STAY TUNED FOR NEWS OF "DIVVY IT UP" (that's the name of the tool - easy no?).

With all the restrictions on what we can and cannot carry on the airplane when we fly, we have to be very selective when packing up our carry-on bag. The personal espresso machine and massaging jet foot spa will have to stay home.

These are the top 10 things we are always reaching for, after the cabin doors have been secured:

1) Band-aids - if you're having the same difficulty as we are in finding the ultimate travel shoe, you may have to prepare for blisters from schlepping through the airport. These are also useful if you happen to catch a finger in the seatbelt closure.

2) Book - for entertainment OR for the ideal "don't talk to me, I'm reading" message to your overly chatty seatmate. A magazine will work, but a book is more of a commitment, and it's not as easy for the seatmate to read over your shoulder.

3) iPod - also a good alternative to #2 - particularly if you have the video iPod.

4) Emery board - there are few things more annoying than a hangnail or the jagged edge of a fingernail when you're flying. If you've forgotten your book, the nail is almost all you can focus on.

5) Facial Wipes - especially for longer flights, where you just start feeling all goopy and greasy. The facial wipe will perk you right up.

6) Snack - it is always a good idea to carry something of nutritional value in your bag, or you're at the mercy of the trans-fat-peddling flight attendants. Granola bars, nuts, and those cute Babybel cheeses are all good, relatively healthy options. Peanut M&Ms have protein too...

7) Hair ties - even if you don't want the ponytail-with-outfit look, it is nice to have the option of tying up the hair to avoid getting it in the snacks.

8) Lip balm - Chapstick, Vaseline, Rose's balm, or our personal favorite, Aquaphor, whatever you use - bring it in the carry-on. The cabin air gets very dry, and you'll want to re-moisturize your lips after your snack.

9) Tide Stick - you will spill or smudge something. It's inevitable. Particularly if your snacks include chocolate.

10) Gum - preferably the kind that touts itself as a suitable alternative to brushing your teeth.

Oh the dreaded tipping dilemma!  For the girl who NEVER remembers to have cash on hand (why are you looking at me?), tipping is another reminder to perfect your sheepish face. OR a reminder to try to be prepared.

When you're on a girlfriend getaway, girlfriend weekend, or just regular-ole traveling, it's good to have a general idea of who gets what.

Start by having $20 in singles in your wallet when you leave for the trip.  Yes, you'll feel like you're going to a strip club.  Or like you just finished up your shift at Scores, but that is neither here nor there.  You need small bills.

AT THE AIRPORT

Parking shuttle driver:  $1 or $2

Sky Cap:  $1 per bag, $2 for very heavy bags.  Additional $1-$2 optional for curbside check in.

Gate agent who upgrades you to 1st Class, free of charge:  your firstborn.   
         
AT THE HOTEL
   
Bell Hop or Bell Captain:  $1 per bag; $2 per bag for very heavy bags.  You know, the ones you're hiding the bodies in.

Maids:  $1-$3 per day depending on the amount of mess and the grade of the hotel.  If you spent several nights in your room swinging from the chandeliers and doing God-knows-what with whipped cream, leave more ($5-$10 a day).

Room Service:  15%-18%, depending on service.  Gratuity is often already added.

Parking Attendant: $1-$2, when they bring you your car.

Doorman:  Tip $1 if the doorman hails you a cab.  More, if he gets you a cute cab-driver.

Concierge:  If he/she gives you advice, tipping is not necessary.  Particularly if that advice is that yellow really isn't your color.  If he/she does something out of the way, like securing difficult restaurant reservations or tickets, $5-$20 (or more) is the norm, depending on the difficulty.  You can tip at the time of service or at the end of your stay.

TOURING    
   
Tour Guides: If you thought the guide did a great job, you can tip them $2-$5 for a full day tour, $1-$2 to the driver.

Lather, rinse, repeat for the trip back home, and then you may go back to using your credit card to purchase a pack of gum.