We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay: Tips, Tales, Travels

by Gary Janetti

In this hilarious and often touching collection, the New York Times bestselling author, television writer, and producer takes us with him on travels across the globe.

Gary Janetti has gained a devoted following, with a huge sudience on social media, and two bestselling collections of essays under his belt. His new collection will prompt laughter but also dedlighted recognition as Janetti tackles the absurdity and glory of travel.

In We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay, he shares stories of his varied trips around the world. Tag along as he enjoys an unexpectedly transformative stay at a rigorous Italian spa where he and his husband go from deep grumpiness to exaltation. Take a ride on the Orient Express to Venice and discover a surprising side of London, including a hilarious dinner with actress Maggie Smith. And pull up a deck chair to watch the entertainment as Gary embarks on a family cruise on the Queen Mary 2.

Interspersed with recollections of his trips are personal meditations on dining alone as well as journeys to such diverse destinations as Mykonos, Australia, a Noma pop-up, and other glamorous spots. Gary is unabashedly frank about his very exacting travel needs, and delivers practical advice on all aspects of the traveler’s life, from very precise packing instructions, suggestions on how to get upgrades, and restaurant and hotel recommendations in his favorite cities.

Aspirational, charmingly acerbic, and as diverting as the best vacation can be, delivering both laughs and moments of sharp recognition, Gary’s funny collection is the perfect getaway companion, for both seasoned nomads and curious armchair travelers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Humor, Audiobook, Memoir, Essays, Biography Memoir

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2024

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of this book was incredibly funny, while other chapters were just complaining about being lucky enough to travel the world.

[Natalie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of David Sedaris will love Janetti’s brand of snark as he humorously captures his first world problems jet setting across the globe. Fabulous recommendations.

[Andee DeVore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Gary Janetti’s humor and philosophy on traveling. This book is packed with fun travel tales and tips, some of which I aim to try out next time I travel. What I loved the most about the book, though, is how Gary writes about his husband, Brad. Their chance encounter and subsequent decades-long marriage is the stuff of romance novels.

[Sabelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, I admit: Gary Janetti’s humor is not my cup of tea, however, with our differing tastes considered, I had expected to laugh or at least smile while reading a book marketed as humorous. Having finished “We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay,” I can confidently say that this book is not funny, snarky, nor witty like Kelly Ripa and Seth MacFarland had promised. Rather, wit is confused for being mean; and humor confused for pitying a truly miserable human being.

I don’t find “We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay” funny in the slightest. On the contrary, I’m experiencing a bout of depression upon having finished this collection. I just feel so sorry for Mr. Janetti… How could it be that such a wealthy, successful, happily married, objectively attractive, professional writer and creative has so much to complain about.

Although not Janetti’s intention, this collection is the perfect example of how lonely it is at the top. This is the diary of a truly sad man. Janetti has everything one could ever want and has published a collection detailing his many luxury experiences—and yet, all he can do is detail his chronic dissatisfaction. Where is the self-awareness? At what point does traveling not fill the void? At what point should we pick up a journal instead of a book-deal? Not everything should be published, and certainly not the rich man’s list of hotel grievances. This was tone-deaf at best, and an insult to the working class at worst. I appreciate and thank Gary Janetti’s team at Harper Collins for extending a copy of this new release my way, but I can not in good conscious excuse the publication of this half-baked collection. I hope, for Janetti’s sake, that the majority of these “essays” were first drafts; as I truly can not fathom a man of his experience writing in such an apathetic fashion.

Seriously, there are so many instances throughout this collection where Janetti references an interesting experience in his life only for him to follow up with a sentence along the lines of: “but I won’t get into this right now… why don’t you Google it or read my other books instead”. On just page seven, Janetti—a professional writer—writes: “And it’s hard to express just what the criteria for that are. I can’t even put it into words…”. I can not stress enough how insulting this writing is to a reader, who has not only paid for a copy of your book, but a reader who has now wasted an hour of their life surviving your “essays”. —and I say “essays” because Janetti refers to his glorified 'Am I The Asshole' subreddit posts as “essays”. I’d be generous to call them diary entries or blog posts. Honestly, I’d rather read a shampoo bottle than ever read a Gary Janetti “essay” again.

If you, like Janetti, are miserable and seeking to feel sorry for someone other than yourself, this is the book for you; as Gary Janetti is a man who considers “hotels are better than guesthouses” to be a wise anecdote, considers dining alone at a restaurant to be an embarrassing “struggle” one overcomes in their 40s… and at his grown and overwhelmingly successful age, still details his insecurity with Instagram posting.

“We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay” is a collection marketed as humorous travel essays, but what I got instead was the therapy transcripts of a rich white man… And honestly, I’m left feeling more sad than annoyed. I hope Janetti finds happiness; I can’t imagine still feeling so bitter and materialistic at his stage in life. Although each “essay” is meant to be focused on travel, there are more anecdotes about how “unattractive” it is to age. Aging is a blessing not awarded to many—as is maturity. Grow up Gary Janetti.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 5th * is for the recommendations at the end of the book.

[Kimberly Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started off okay, but the more I read, the more irritating he was.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Janetti once again dons his comfortable mantle as a loveable gay curmudgeon with brio and humor. The travel stories, lessons learned, admonitions for/against certain trends, and behaviors suit his writing voice and a genuine sense of good (and ill) humor.

If you liked Start Without Me: I'll Be There in a Minute or Do You Mind If I Cancel?:, you will like (and laugh with) We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay: Tips, Tales, Travels.

Recommended.

[MT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Every story is hilarious and often unexpectedly touching. Gary has the incredibly rare (and annoying) talent of being able to make you laugh out loud and then tear up a sentence later. One of my favorite stories centered around an alcohol, gluten, and caffeine-free wellness retreat in Italy, exactly where you want to have all three of those things (writes Gary - “It's like taking someone to Waikiki Beach and letting them enjoy it from inside a shipping container”). Other favorites: a trip on the Orient Express he compares unfavorably to riding the LIRR, a trip to Mykonos where he meets his eventual husband, and a chapter dedicated to eating at restaurants alone. I’m not taking a vacation this summer, but reading this book outside, with a glass of wine in my hand? Well, it felt like one.

[Steph CnAZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never heard of this guy but the jacket cover said funny & so I tried. I might have chuckled a few times but that was about it. Move on IMO.

[Lindsay Vlasak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gary Janetti’s humor, which is on full display in this book. Beyond the laughs, I found this to be surprisingly touching and sentimental, especially when Gary writes about his relationships with his father and Brad, his spouse.

[Nanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a slim notion of what this book was about, I was not close. I enjoyed the end of the book best where he mentioned places to see, eat, and stay should one travel to the aforementioned sites and cities. One thing he did write, “Pack only carry-on luggage. You don’t need all that sh…t. Come on, try it once, for me.” My response “NO WAY!!” I need to check bags!! I choose NOT to do laundry while on vacation, and how do I know what I may want to wear until I get there. It’s worked for me so far, knock wood :-)

[Aura]

I didnt like it. Period. I am not giving it any stars because I only read less than half. Funny is a very particular thing. What some people find funny, may not be funny to others. It is really a feat when humor transcend many barriers. I did not find this funny. Try it. It may be your cup of tea.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything this man writes! It’s like your most intrusive, snarky inner thoughts written on paper with a heartwarming twist. If you love to travel, or are interested in it and have a sense of humor, this book is for you.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun essay collection about Gary’s travels. It’s funny and sweet and would be a good plane read!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Gary Janetti can really do no wrong in my book, and I've really loved each of his.

I found this one to stand out in a different way from the others, because he does seem to give in a bit more to sentiment and nostalgia in a way I don't recall from his previous books. His humor is still biting and witty, but almost every story in the book circled back to an appreciation of places, people, and different times in his life. There was a sense of him realizing that he's no longer in the early half of his life, looking back and being grateful for the adventures and friendship and experiences he's had so far along the way.

He also seems to lean much more in to the Brad of it all in his life. Of course, Brad always comes up, and so does his love for Brad. But in this book, focused on his travels, so much of it comes back to his and Brad's chance meeting in Mykonos, how they never left one another after that first meeting, and how much they've been through together over the years. He highlights their independence as well, but the love he has for Brad and the magic of their relationship really shines through this entire book.

I literally laughed out loud multiple times reading this book, and I also appreciated Janetti giving in a bit more to sentimentality (though not TOO much).

[Jennifer Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Gary Janetti’s new collection of essays, We Are Experiencing A Slight Delay, on a recent flight, and it was the perfect book to take on vacation! Gary shares essays about his travels and tips delivered with his signature humor and wit.

I enjoyed reading this and particularly enjoyed Gary��s essays on the time he had dinner with Dame Maggie Smith in London, his thoughts on wellness retreats, his advice on how to eat alone in a restaurant (as a frequent solo traveler, I loved this one), and his many helpful travel tips sprinkled throughout the book.

This is one of those books you can devour while on a long flight or savor essay by essay at the resort pool. No matter when you read it, it will surely bring a smile to your face (even if you are experiencing a slight delay).

Thank you, Harper, for the gifted copy of this book!

[chadd hennig · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8🌟

I didn’t like it at first cause I felt like I had a completely different mindset than the author, but he did have a sense of humour and gave some good travel advice! nothing like super revolutionary but definitely made me wanna travel more✈️

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend with a fantastic sense of humor recommended this book, and I’m thankful I gave it a listen. Gary is absolutely hilarious- laugh out loud funny in many parts and I loved how the entire book was about his travels around the country and world. I’ll be checking out his other work for sure!

[Tom Holehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can expect wit and breezy conversation whenever the delightful Gary Janetti releases a new book. His latest is specifically about travel, it's joys and annoyances, and Janetti makes every adventure he details often very funny and then, at times, unexpectedly moving. He's a guy you'd love to have a drink with and then settle back in your chair and listen. Intently. A contemporary Oscar Wilde, Janetti never disappoints.

[Jane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious. I think it’s the funniest of his 3 books.

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5 my kind of humor

[Jane Wiewora · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Sedaris-esque

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun one by Gary Janetti - I laughed out loud many times, his Noma chapter had me in tears. A fun, quick read for any time but especially while traveling.

[Rosaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary’s books are always a good time!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 🌟

We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay by Gary Janetti is a hilarious collection of essays that captures the hilarity of life’s everyday absurdities. With his signature wit and biting humor, Janetti offers readers a series of essays that span travel topics from pop culture to personal anecdotes, each packed with his unfiltered take on the world. Whether he’s exploring the challenges of modern life or dishing out opinions on celebrities, Janetti’s perspective is both refreshing and endlessly entertaining.

This book is also a selection for RuPaul’s book club and it’s easy to see why. The humor is sharp, the insights are spot-on, and it’s absolutely worth the read for anyone in need of a good laugh. Narrated by Janetti himself, the audiobook version takes the humor up a notch, as listeners can feel his playful satire and the unapologetic edge of his delivery, making the experience even more enjoyable. The personal touch of hearing Janetti tell these stories, with all his nuances and comedic timing, makes for an unforgettable ride that will keep you smiling from start to finish.

[Tam📖 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Gary Janetti’s best yet! I loved every story and wanted to start the audiobook over as soon as I’d finished it to relive them all and spend more time with him. So funny, smart, and insightful. I especially loved his essays on the evolution of eating alone and on his experience at Noma’s Mexico pop-up. He perfectly and hilariously encapsulates why I – like him – hate tasting menus. (The one exception has been COURSE, which I still need to post about!) His travel tips and recommendations are also truly helpful, and I will be employing many of them in my future travels.

Gary was on Bitch Sesh recently to promote this, and Casey and Danielle said they loved that the whole book is a love letter to Brad, Gary’s husband. Completely agree. You can feel the love in every description and retelling, even when he’s being sassy about Brad. Their love is so comfortable and matter-of-fact, and I could relate to it so much.

Gary has always had an incredibly strong writer’s voice, but in this audiobook his speaking voice and narration were finally dialed in, after some odd slam poet-like delivery in his first two audiobooks that took me out of the stories. I could read ten more books like this.

[Amy Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book.

[Allyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook. Funny but felt repetitive / too similar to his first two books.

[Meghann Kenkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s short it’s fun it’s light. It is the perfect book to read on a beach while on vacation. I found myself laughing out loud as the crazy person on the beach a couple times! I loved it.