Feed Me readers on surviving summer travel.
Road head, trips with new friends, and houseguest etiquette.
Good morning everyone, happy 4th of July. Today we have a special edition of Feed Me written by all of you. I asked readers a few questions yesterday about summer travel (how to survive a group trip with new friends, ideal New York City staycations, should you risk a vacation hookup) and hundreds of you answered. I’m publishing some of the best answers.
“Is road head all it’s cracked up to be? My friend totaled her car in high school giving road head. Well, actually it was the dude's car, but she took the fall for it.” - Anonymous
“Ideal New York City staycation with an unlimited budget? In my apartment, dead-bolted shut, no light coming through the windows, every meal delivered via Uber Eats, no one talking to me.” - Anonymous
Tell me how to survive a plane and international vacation with a carry on.
The most popular answers for this were Xanax, packing cubes (hard defenders, and naysayers), and the idea of “capsule” or single-color wardrobes. Most surprising answers were cashmere (a lot of you are cashmere pushers!), laundry detergent, and ice rollers.
“Issey Miyake and thin silk dresses pack well and always look good (just hang the silk garment in the bathroom while you shower to de-wrinkle). Arcteryx makes good quick-dry dresses for sweaty workouts and beach days that also don't look crazy at a museum or restaurant. A small bag of Turkish apricots is definitely chicer than ex-lax and serves the same function. A travel size pack of Wet Ones brand wipes in a Ziploc bag -- many uses, but best as stain removers on most fibers (sadly, not the silk dresses). Talenti pint full of cherry tomatoes, radishes, almonds, cucumber slices, apples, grapes (whatever you've got) -- eat them before the border and you will feel so much better. Half an Ambien on the flight with herbal tea; melatonin for the rest of the time. If you have a long layover, see if there are any bathhouses nearby. Laundry wash bags for delicates make great packing cubes. Perfume samples instead of deodorant. Small cashmere scarf better than an eye mask with many other uses. Oxford very short introduction series and some NYRB books fit in your pocket. Temperature is unpredictable -- thin wool socks and a nice folding fan are worth the space. If you require high SPF sunscreen, bring it with you -- it's pretty expensive and scarce in many places.”
“I feel like I prioritize things for my physical well being over the clothes, I'd rather have my ice roller and Xanax than an extra pair of heels I won't wear or whatever.”
“I survive a plane with NyQuil and alcohol.”
“Rosehip Oil, probiotics & laxatives, zero alcohol before or during plane ride.”
“Reduced skincare routine: oil cleanser, serum, moisturizer, SPF. Don't be afraid to hand wash clothes on vacation; I take a block of Savon de Marseille or a small bottle of Soak laundry detergent.”
“Just check a bag!”
“Plane essentials and travel essentials are different and I like to keep them separate. One pouch for all plane items (Liquid IV, charger, ear plugs, moisturizer, iPad, etc., etc.). I like to slightly under-pack clothing and relish the experience of wearing in certain items. I experience travel as an opportunity to hang and explore somewhere, going back to places I liked, not insisting on seeing everything and being constantly on the go. I think clothes that range from loose/casual to sexy/odd mix together well. Bring what you WEAR. If you're uncomfortable in something fancy/edgy/statement-y, and you don't wear it at home, will you wear it on vacation. Well, actually, maybe. But it's a genuine question to ask oneself! You'll still be you wherever you go.”