My husband and I regularly engage in friendly competitions. Who can work out more often and work out the hardest? Him. Who can lose the most weight in a day? He can. Who is funnier? Pretty sure it’s me but somehow he garnered my daughter’s vote and claimed victory. Who gives a better toast at a wedding or birthday? He does. Who orders better in restaurants? Obviously, him. Who knows where all of the random stuff is in our house? I’m winning this one but I think he is trying to lose. And, here is the big competition: Who is the better packer?
Last month, we were packing for a 5-day trip that involved Zion National Park and Las Vegas. I began my ritual pre-pack with piles for hiking & biking in Zion (casual) and then going out in Las Vegas (more dressy). My fit, self-deprecating husband came into the closet and assessed my work. With a judgemental look, he asked, “Are you going to be able to get in a carryon?”
That’s a loaded question. It means so many things. First, he’s asking whether or not I’m going to be a pain in the ass and check a bag. If I check a bag and he carries on, he’s won the day. By having to check a bag, I’ve slowed us down, made us less efficient and everyone in the airport will know that we are airport losers. Second, he’s judging me because he’s planning to pack in a carry-on and “beat the system” with no bag fees, waiting at the baggage claim or being worried about lost luggage.
The question is also a challenge. I see what he’s doing but am I going to take the challenge or walk away? Can I get hiking boots, wedges, running shoes, sandals, 6 to 8 outfits and all of my toiletries into a carry-on? I don’t believe I can. My best strategy is stand down and declare my intention to check a bag. I do love the freedom of checking a bag because it opens up my options for extra shoes, clothes and toiletries greater than 3 ounces (like spray sunscreen!)
On this particular trip, I took the early loss and conceded to the checked bag. When self-assured, procrastinating husband finally got to packing, he realized that a carry-on wasn’t going to happen for him either. Don’t get excited because, upon this realization, he did not concede the carry-on competition. Oh, no. He packed a checked bag and a carry-on. And then the unthinkable happened. He asked me if he could put shoes or his toiletries in MY bag!
Do you see what happened here? To me, it was a classic moment. Not only did he not make it into a carry-on but he thought that he could overflow into my checked bag. You can’t have it both ways in an unspoken, marital challenge. Since there was no concession forthcoming, I enjoyed my moral victory by making sure my son wouldn’t allow the overflow into his bag either (ironically, he successfully packed in a carry-on).
Once we were all packed up and ready to head to the airport, the challenge ended with professional, accomplished husband saying, “I could have fit in a carry-on but since you were checking a bag, the whole system broke down and I gave into checking a bag.” In my book, that’s a draw.
Here’s my tip in the marital packing competition—make sure the trip involves golf cuz then he HAS to check it. I then cannot only check a bag but put my extra stuff in his case with the clubs!
I have seen what John brings for a 3 night trip to AZ. We actually wondered & asked if he brought a dead body in his large, red, CHECKED roller bag. I think you win.
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