What do you think?
Rate this book
Traveling While Married
Ah travel! New scenery, exciting adventures, time alone with a loved one. Truth is, travel can make or break a relationship. Just negotiating when to leave for the airport can be she insists on arriving hours ahead of flight time, he likes the excitement of a photo finish. But as Mary-Lou Weisman sees it, "The inevitable rage with which we begin each trip only helps us to better appreciate the good times that lie ahead."
Or maybe not. When people have jet lag, can't speak the language, figure out the money, or maintain intestinal regularity, they get cranky. And since they don't know anybody else in Kyoto to take it out on, they take it out on each other. Alas, couples therapy is rarely available on vacation, which is why we need this hilarious and truthful take on travel and togetherness.
Using her own misadventures--from honeymoon through Elderhostel--Weisman exposes all the gender
He wants to outrun molten lava down a volcano, she prefers raking gravel in a Buddhist monastery.
She longs for a change of scenery, he hopes for a change of self.
She keeps a file of required sights, he won't be bullied by travel guides.
She divides every hotel room in half so he'll know on which side of the bed to throw his wet towel.
She shops a country, he eats it.
This is the real skinny on what happens when Mars and Venus hit the road. With a sly wink, a comic nod, and just the right amount of optimism, Weisman shows us that despite the shortcomings of one's beloved, harmonious travel is possible.
Or maybe not. When people have jet lag, can't speak the language, figure out the money, or maintain intestinal regularity, they get cranky. And since they don't know anybody else in Kyoto to take it out on, they take it out on each other. Alas, couples therapy is rarely available on vacation, which is why we need this hilarious and truthful take on travel and togetherness.
Using her own misadventures--from honeymoon through Elderhostel--Weisman exposes all the gender
He wants to outrun molten lava down a volcano, she prefers raking gravel in a Buddhist monastery.
She longs for a change of scenery, he hopes for a change of self.
She keeps a file of required sights, he won't be bullied by travel guides.
She divides every hotel room in half so he'll know on which side of the bed to throw his wet towel.
She shops a country, he eats it.
This is the real skinny on what happens when Mars and Venus hit the road. With a sly wink, a comic nod, and just the right amount of optimism, Weisman shows us that despite the shortcomings of one's beloved, harmonious travel is possible.
178 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
12 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Mary-Lou Weisman
12 books9 followersAuthor Mary-Lou Weisman began her career as a journalist and columnist for the New York Times, to which she contributed many travel essays. Between 1998 and 2004 she served as a contributing commentator on Public Radio International's “Savvy Traveler,” and wrote a feature length film for Paramount Pictures. Her first book, Intensive Care: A Family Love Story (Random House) was called “a classic” by New Republic reviewer Maggie Scarf and her best-selling second book, My (Middle Aged) Baby Book (Workman Publishing) was endorsed by Erma Bombeck as "A perfect gift for middle agers and those in denial." Mary-Lou's collected essays, Traveling While Married (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill) brought a comparison to Bombeck from The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Mary-Lou Weisman may just be the Erma Bombeck of travel writing. For, like Bombeck, she offers sage advice, generously laced with frequent dollops of humor.”
Most recently, Mary-Lou wrote a biography, Al Jaffee's Mad Life, generously illustrated by Al Jaffee, (HarperCollins). Art Spiegelman called the book, "An unnerving biography with a moving graphic novel hidden inside it." Her latest book, Playing House in Provence: How Two Americans Became a Little Bit French was released in October 2017.
Most recently, Mary-Lou wrote a biography, Al Jaffee's Mad Life, generously illustrated by Al Jaffee, (HarperCollins). Art Spiegelman called the book, "An unnerving biography with a moving graphic novel hidden inside it." Her latest book, Playing House in Provence: How Two Americans Became a Little Bit French was released in October 2017.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 23, 2018
This book was mildly humourous and very light reading. I didn't find it very engaging or even that interesting.
July 2, 2017
Very funny book! Here are some of my favorite passages from this book:
"All too often, when people don't know where they are, have jet lag, don't speak the language, and can't figure out the money, or maintain intestinal regularity, they get hostile."
"I carefully unpack, hang up my clothing in my half of the closet, and put the foldable items in my allotment of large and small bureau drawers. Then I go into the bathroom and line up my pharmaceuticals on my half of the glass shelf, most of which, it may come as no surprise, are prescription drugs meant to relieve anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors."
"For an entire year I was a California mountain woman. I went braless. I wore a black leotard and long paisley skirts that could double as tablecloths."
"All too often, when people don't know where they are, have jet lag, don't speak the language, and can't figure out the money, or maintain intestinal regularity, they get hostile."
"I carefully unpack, hang up my clothing in my half of the closet, and put the foldable items in my allotment of large and small bureau drawers. Then I go into the bathroom and line up my pharmaceuticals on my half of the glass shelf, most of which, it may come as no surprise, are prescription drugs meant to relieve anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors."
"For an entire year I was a California mountain woman. I went braless. I wore a black leotard and long paisley skirts that could double as tablecloths."
June 11, 2010
I didn't have high expectations for this book, just picked it up in the travel section of the library while browsing, looking for a light read. And it was amusing at times (particularly the author's letter to the folks renting the converted mill after her in Tuscany). However, I also felt like there were some sexist assumptions made, along the lines of women wanting to shop on vacation while men want to eat. Also, overall it felt like a lot of whining by wealthy folks. Ah, if only I had their travel travails at a spa in Mexico, a beachhouse in Cape Cod, etc.
June 24, 2016
This is one of those books you know is going to be awful, and I was not disappointed. Rich people trying to one-up each other in their extravagant travels. The humor wasn't humorous, the stories weren't interesting, and these people want to complain about trips that most people will never get to have. The advice part of the book is over quickly, and slips simply to lazy stories about how great these people's travels were.
Besides that. The people themselves seem awful. He's a lawyer specializing in divorce. They sound like horrible American travelers. This was just terrible.
Besides that. The people themselves seem awful. He's a lawyer specializing in divorce. They sound like horrible American travelers. This was just terrible.
December 22, 2011
I really enjoyed this book especially after reading so many travel books by people who think they're funny but aren't. This woman is hilarious!! I cracked up more times than I could tell you over just one little thing she'd say....like that's exactly what I would WANT to say or do. It was a quick read, especially since I had trouble putting it down.
February 20, 2012
A humorous book about traveling, however at one point it makes fun of Elderhostel trips. Actually,the author's assessment of Elderhostel trips is extremely unfair, and for this reason I
really didn't care for the book. Humor does not have to be mean spirited or make fun of something.
really didn't care for the book. Humor does not have to be mean spirited or make fun of something.
September 21, 2008
Some funny stuff, and some very true stuff here. I especially enjoyed the segments on traveling with friends, and the one on HIS vacation.
December 3, 2008
This book is a quick read and a hoot to boot. If your spouse is very different from you and you've learned to co-exist, this book is for you. I loved it. A great escape book.
May 4, 2013
I was just expecting it to be helpful tips, not just amusing anecdotes.
September 9, 2013
Amusing and an easy read, but nothing particularly engaging.
January 19, 2016
Ok book. I just did not get her issues. I liked him.
February 20, 2023
An entertaining read, which I devoured on the first day of a holiday travelling while married and in the company of another couple.
Weisman chronicles the four decades or so of matrimonial excursions spanning from teh 1960s int the start of the twenty-first century.
Perhaps it is the focus of the book, but I did wonder that there were no records/accounts of holidaying with children despite the fact that Weisman and her husband (Larry) had two children quite early in their marriage. Possibly that's to do with the American summer camp tradition? A kind of holiday boarding school for kids to allow a parental escape to the Caribbean - where it took Weisman and spouse three holidays to discover they didn't actually like the Caribbean.
I did feel a certain kinship for Larry with his obsessive interest in the career of Horatio Lord Nelson and one holiday designed entirely around visiting H.M.S.Victory at Portsmouth. I also enjoyed the observations on travelling as two couples and words to the effect that "If the other couple join you for dinner you have someone to talk to, if they decline you have someone to talk about."
Weisman chronicles the four decades or so of matrimonial excursions spanning from teh 1960s int the start of the twenty-first century.
Perhaps it is the focus of the book, but I did wonder that there were no records/accounts of holidaying with children despite the fact that Weisman and her husband (Larry) had two children quite early in their marriage. Possibly that's to do with the American summer camp tradition? A kind of holiday boarding school for kids to allow a parental escape to the Caribbean - where it took Weisman and spouse three holidays to discover they didn't actually like the Caribbean.
I did feel a certain kinship for Larry with his obsessive interest in the career of Horatio Lord Nelson and one holiday designed entirely around visiting H.M.S.Victory at Portsmouth. I also enjoyed the observations on travelling as two couples and words to the effect that "If the other couple join you for dinner you have someone to talk to, if they decline you have someone to talk about."
June 12, 2018
Funny expose on Mary-Lou and Larry and their exploits traveling for 40+ years. It makes fun of the obvious: that a couple is different at home and those differences stay there while on the road. But if you absorb this quick read, it might help you from getting angry at your mate for what we all have, that being different. This difference is what makes us great but also can be the scourge of our existence, especially when we want to vacation. She also talks on how vacations change as we age.
August 1, 2018
This book started out with great promise, drawing comparisons between contrasting styles of vacationing .... not that anyone in OUR family would ever see us in these 2 married-but-different folks. But it lost a bit of its zing as it turned into something of a collection of travel tales. And the gender stereotyping was a little over the top (she likes to shop, he likes to adventure and to eat?).
But a good chuckle and the occasional "that's ME all over!" moment make it worth the very quick read that it is.
But a good chuckle and the occasional "that's ME all over!" moment make it worth the very quick read that it is.
October 11, 2019
What a writer!! This was laugh-out-loud-at-inappropriate times funny, touching, and insightful. Part marriage therapy (from a couple amarried forever) and part travel advice. It only took about two hours (maybe) to read and was worth every second. Witty, concise -- the month-long rental in Italy chapter was worth it all by itself! Hah!
January 9, 2018
More biographical than a travel log. Okay read.
September 22, 2018
Hilarious!
October 15, 2019
Funny and hilariously accurate. I feel like my interest slowly went downhill the further along I read but overall a good read.
May 9, 2020
A good short, humorous read. Perfect for a pandemic. Watch Jerry Seinfeld’s newest special first!
July 31, 2022
Delightful book. Not a literary read but hit the spot nonetheless!
September 16, 2023
Laugh out loud funny!
March 21, 2016
After reading this book I felt relieved to finally hear another woman describe travel adventures with her husband that were similar to some I have had with my spouse. I couldn't stop laughing when she described her trip down the Colorado River for her husband's birthday, as it reminded me of boat camping vacations I've been talked into.
Mary-Lou Weisman hits upon many good points in this book about how men and women plan, pack, and travel differently from each other. Her most valid point though was that each spouse also has different expectations for what a "vacation" constitutes.
My favorite chapter had to do with how so many of us enjoy our vacations so much we don't want to leave, so we start invisioning ourselves settling down in a home in the vacation city/country. Even going so far as figuring out how much our home could be sold for and looking at prospective homes in our dream location.
My only criticism of this book is that she needed to go more into depth in some of her chapters as she seemed to just skim through some vacation adventures.
Mary-Lou Weisman hits upon many good points in this book about how men and women plan, pack, and travel differently from each other. Her most valid point though was that each spouse also has different expectations for what a "vacation" constitutes.
My favorite chapter had to do with how so many of us enjoy our vacations so much we don't want to leave, so we start invisioning ourselves settling down in a home in the vacation city/country. Even going so far as figuring out how much our home could be sold for and looking at prospective homes in our dream location.
My only criticism of this book is that she needed to go more into depth in some of her chapters as she seemed to just skim through some vacation adventures.
August 16, 2010
A fun and quick read from an author who has traveled extensively with her husband. The differences in the way they approach travel make for interesting adventures. One of the best chapters was a set of rules she developed for houseguests who visit them when they rent summer places abroad. An excerpt: "What to Bring: You will need a bathing suit, a toothbrush, dental floss in case of native corn, your own sunblock, and proof of passage back to where you came from. Travel lightly. Steamer trunks will be confiscated. I am not Jane Austen. Yours is not to be a visit of nineteenth-century duration."
July 5, 2012
Happened to pick this up at the library when I was grabbing another book. Of course the title caught my eye and the stories did not disappoint. As I prepare to head out with my husband, travelling the country via RV for as long as we can stand it, and/or each other, I hope to remember the wit and humor that Weisman uses in her book. So much of it has hit home already (moving into the RV I've already made room for the 2 dresses I HAD to keep even though I've only worn them once in 3 years). Great read...I think I'll look for her other books now!
March 30, 2009
This book was exactly what I expected. Light reading, couple of chuckles and on to the next book. It's a book good to read if you're in an airport terminal, airplane or somewhere where you're just bored
February 26, 2013
Cute, light, witty book told in a series of anecdotes. (As a serious travel writer who's been to more countries than I can name in 60 years, she has a lot of material to pull from.) took me just 72 minutes to read. I laughed out loud a few times, and read several passages to my husband.
May 1, 2014
A short, funny read. Picked this up along with some travel guides as we're starting to plan our annual summer road trip. You have to laugh at the gender differences that go into traveling. Just wish I had the kind of money that the author does!
November 2, 2016
Very Humerus
The book is written in conversation narrative. It's as if we're having a cup of tea and telling war stories about vacations past.
I love the easy going nature of the vignettes and think I'd totally love going on vacation with this pair.
The book is written in conversation narrative. It's as if we're having a cup of tea and telling war stories about vacations past.
I love the easy going nature of the vignettes and think I'd totally love going on vacation with this pair.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews