I have observed an inflation of expectations towards men in relationships since around 2000-2003, particularly when it comes to vacations.
Before 2000, the women I knew were content with vacationing at relatively nearby destinations. Today, these same women prefer to take flights or ask their husbands to drive to remote locations.
Some may argue that the cost of flight tickets has significantly dropped. However, in my region, the closest airport is 125 km (77 miles) away. This means one has to drive to the airport, pay for parking, and then proceed with the journey. While flight tickets may be cheaper, the cost of gas and parking should also be taken into account. I have noticed that women often expect men to take charge of vacation planning.
Upon examining the chosen vacation destinations, it became clear to me that something had changed. They all opted for expensive locations. Twenty years ago, people typically vacationed at affordable destinations. Now, they prefer to visit pricey cities or regions.
For instance, in my home country of France, twenty years ago, some women enjoyed going to the nearby ocean shore, located no more than five hours away. Now, they encourage their partners to drive for 10 to 13 hours to reach Spain from Paris. Additionally, I’ve noticed that more and more women are interested in the most expensive vacation destinations in my country.
In the nineties, I remember some women vacationing in the countryside. Today, many women prefer to visit the French Riviera, which is one of the most expensive regions in France, along with Paris.
For example, I know a mother of two who spent two weeks in Cambodia, spending 5500 euros (6100 US dollars) on the trip due to the cost of flying from France to Cambodia. In Western Europe, women often request to fly to Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), which can be prohibitively expensive for middle-class households in any country.
It seems as though there are no constraints for this new generation of women, whether it be money, time, or energy. They watch a documentary about Vietnam and immediately want to fly there, as if it’s as simple as pushing a button. In these cases, the man (husband or boyfriend) is expected to work hard to fulfill the request of his “princess,” or risk causing drama.
Unfortunately, I’ve observed that few men are strong enough to say no. Men should be rational and consider the financial consequences before agreeing to such requests.