Damn Facebook! Oops!

Updated on September 28, 2011
K.U. asks from Detroit, MI
22 answers

OK, I am on Facebook and I love it, I've never had a problem with stuff getting posted, or any drama stemming from it, because I just know better - I use it to keep in touch with friends and family from all over the country and that's it. (Just throwing that out there, since I know many people are anti-Facebook because of the garbage that some people post and the drama that ensues). So we are leaving on a trip to FL soon and my husband's sister posted on my FB wall, asking how were were doing and when were we leaving for FL. Then DH's and SIL's cousins that happen to live in FL see it and are saying we need to come visit them (SIL and I are friends with them on FB, but I've never met them or spoken with them in person, and DH is not on FB at all). Thing is, we have no plans to visit them. We are going down there to go to Disney World, our multi-day park passes are already purchased, plus we are going on the Disney Cruise, so there's really no time or days planned for us to drive an hour from Orlando to go spend a day with them. And that is how DH wants it - this is his family (an aunt and cousins and their families) that live there and he has zero interest in spending any time visiting with them. SIL sent me a private message on FB apologizing, she didn't think about their "redneck FL cousins" (her words, not mine) seeing that post and then wanting us to take time out from our vacation to visit with them.

So my question is, how can I politely let them know that it's just not going to be possible with the way things are scheduled for us?
I figure we'll be vacationing in FL again, multiple times, and we can always decide to make it more of a priority another time we go down there - just not this time. Thank you!

p.s. I have not posted anything myself on FB about going on vacation - just my SIL did!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to all those that have replied so far - much appreciated. I already took care of it, said thanks, and I am sorry we won't be able to get together this time because of our schedule, but would love to next time. Also, it was SIL that posted on my wall about us being gone, not me, but thank you to those who put that out there for anyone else who may not be aware of that potentially being a problem. I have the tightest security measures one can have on my FB account, so only people I am friends with can see what I post, but that doesn't mean they can't pass the word on to others (I don't have my address or any pics of our house on there either). Thank you again! You guys rock! :)

Featured Answers

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A.B.

answers from New York on

Just like you said at the end, you'll visit another time. Just say "we would love too, but we are on a cruise and fully scheduled the whole time we are at Disney, promise to come down again and would visit you then." Have fun in Disney

2 moms found this helpful
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K.A.

answers from Saginaw on

Just tell them you are going on a cruise and will not actually be in FL but that maybe another time.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

Just be honest and tell them that your park tickets are already purchased and that you will be going a cruise as well.

Thank them for their generosity and tell them that you will talk to them soon and look forward to seeing them in the future.

Done.

Peace.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I think just what you've said here is perfect. You simply don't have the time, and everything has already been planned and purchased. Assure them that the next time you come, you would love to take the time to see them.

Sounds like you have a fabulous vacation planned! Have a good time!

3 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Just as an aside-you should NEVER post vacation plans on Facebook. I just read an article on how people can use it to know that you are not home and rob you. You probably just let at least a thousand people know that your house would be vacant for a week.

3 moms found this helpful

A.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I don't see any problem with just sending them a message (via email or Facebook) or calling them and saying what you already said above" "It's just not going to be possible to visit you with the way things are scheduled for us". You could go a step further and say "thanks for thinking of us, and we hope all is going well for your family".

3 moms found this helpful
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L.A.

answers from Chattanooga on

Simply say what you said here...you have hotel reservations and tickets for Disney the whole time you will be down there and time will not allow for a visit. You just better hope and pray that they don't suggest that they come visit YOU where you are staying. I can relate...we have a very similar situation!

2 moms found this helpful
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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Is it your first time to Disney? Maybe mention that and tell them that you overbooked yourselves because of it being your first time, but you thought it was so nice that they wanted to see you and maybe next time.

Would you be willing to see any of them if they came to Orlando to dinner one night? Maybe throw that out there as a suggestion and leave the getting back and forth in their hands.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.Y.

answers from Lansing on

I would just say almost exactly what you said here: "Unfortunately, our schedule is already set for this trip and the money has been laid out. This won't be our last trip to FL so we'll catch you on another trip."

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would just say....
"Oh my gosh I didn't realize we're only going to be an hour away, but we've already got a pretty busy schedule! We are already planning to visit again soon, and we would love to see you then. Sorry we can't make it this time around, hopefully soon!"
Simple, and it's basically the truth...atleast based on what you wrote in your post. =)
PS....I love FB too, and have never had any drama on there. =)

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

that's a tough one. i recently went back home to bermuda for a family reunion, and chose not to get in touch with my old school and horse friends because our time was so very short and precious, and i wanted to spend it all on nostalgia trips with my brothers and parents, and showing off my beautiful childhood home to my dh and kids. when friends found out i'd been there and didn't get in touch there were some hurt feelings, but i just told the truth as honestly and simply as possible. that i would truly have loved to be able to fit *everything* in but there just wasn't time. they're still speaking to me so i guess it didn't get held against me forever!
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

This is why I really dislike FB (I'm on it to keep track of my older teenager)!

I've never had any drama either but boy has it kicked up some gossip in our family. Now I know when my cousin in North Carolina is going to Walmart, and when another cousin breaks up with a girlfriend. It's just too much information.

I go out of my way to not post comments about friend's or family travel plans on their walls for that very reason.

There really wasn't anything you could have done and it sounds like you handled the subsequent inquiries just fine.

FB - grrrr. . . (in my best tiny dog snarl DVMMOM). :P

PS: Hope you guys have a GREAT time in Florida and on the cruise!

1 mom found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

First, don't post the dates of your trip in response because if their privacy settings aren't what they should be who knows who could find out your home is unattended.

Second, send them a private message or post reply to their request that unfortunately you will not be able to visit with them because your time in FL is already scheduled to the max...tickets purchased and no free time. Say something like "maybe next time".

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Detroit on

You just say it in a very sweet, gracious way and state the facts as you stated them in your letter - no time, maybe someday in the future, plans already set etc. No need to be concerned. You don't owe them anything.

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M.D.

answers from New York on

I don't have an answer but don't use that darn word at all. At least not intensionally.

Updated

I don't have an answer but don't use that darn word at all. At least not intensionally.

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M.W.

answers from Detroit on

Thank them for the invitation and let them know your schedule is packed with pre-purchased tickets. Keep it to the point. Don't promise to visit later if your DH is not wanting to do that.

Good luck! :)

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C.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Tell them you would love to get together but you have tight vacation schedule. However if they would like to drive down and have dinner with you near your hotel that would work.

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

Well I see two oprions. Don't post anything keep the mouth shut and go have fun and don't woray about. Or 2nd post that this is a family vacation and that its not a visiting vacation and we don't want to hurt any feelings and the next time we are in we will make a point to stop and see peoples. If anyone has issues with this( because its your hubbies side) have them call him. Have fun

C.A.

answers from New York on

Just come out and tell them exactly what you said here. That you have a set time schedule and there won't be time for a visit this time. Hopefully they will be very understanding. Good Luck and enjoy your vacation!

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

I am confused about something. Since you have never met these Florida relatives of your husband, I assume they are not FB friends with you, right? I assume they must be FB friends with your SIL, then. So they are able to see your SIL's posts to you, even though you and them are not FB friends?

Anyway, have your husband email them (or send them a FB message) that you guys have a jam-packed vacation and simply do not have time to see them, but maybe you can get together for a future Florida vacation (and in the future, do NOT tell your SIL when you plan on going back to Florida)!

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E.B.

answers from Denver on

I would just say something like "since we purchased a Disney package, our plans and schedules are not our own. We are participating in a trip planned by the Disney cruise line and don't have the liberty to deviate from the itinerary. However, sometime when we are on our own timeline in the future, we would enjoy visiting with you".

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