- Published: December 18, 2021
- Updated: December 18, 2021
- University / College: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Level: Intermediate School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 34
1 Hanson is 39 years old, has been married for twelve years, and has two children. Like his wife, he graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business
Administration. He works at a large printing company as a sales executive. Hanson
works approximately six hours per day, six days per week. The stress level can be quite
high at times because his base salary is low but commission is high. Therefore, the
paychecks are mainly dependent on the number of deals he closes.
His wife Kim is self employed and is a distributor for a jewelry company. Their
children are seven years apart in age and rarely agree on anything! Therefore, when
planning for his hard-earned vacation, which he looks forward to all year since it is an
escape from the everyday routine, he has lots to consider. The family’s needs are of top
priority when Hanson and his wife sit down to plan a trip since the children are so far
apart in age. The older child does not want to do ” baby things”, as Hanson and his wife
are reminded on an almost-daily basis. Travel plans are also influenced by his own
desires versus his wife’s desires. He is a busy body and likes to be on the go even when
on holiday. His wife prefers to lounge by the pool, read several good novels, and gaze at
many sunsets.
Although budget is a factor, time is more crucial in the vacation planning since he
and his wife’s work schedules hardly agree. Three weeks’ vacation per year is a
short amount of time compared to the amount of hours in which they work so they savor
each moment as they should. 1The American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language states the meaning of vacation is ” a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or
relaxation” and that is devoting time to pleasure, rest, and relaxation is exactly what
Hanson and his family does on each vacation!
Hanson and his wife usually take their children on all of their trips because it is
rare for all of them to be home at the same time in their daily lives. Hanson grew up in a
very close-knit family where his entire family did most things together. He can still
recall in full details their many trips. However, Kim’s family was not so
close and they did not take many vacations together.
Husband and wife talk about how they both grew up in large cities but have
amazingly different backgrounds. Hanson was exposed to all the culture that the city has
to offer. Their parents not only took them to local parks for day trips but also privileged
them with holidays to other countries. Kim, on the other hand, spent her childhood
traveling via armchair. Her parents did not have the income that Hanson’s did but she
enjoyed her childhood and the stories she read as a young girl took her to many exotic
places.
Due to the varying factors mentioned, the family usually chooses a cruise for their
vacation. This gives Hanson the opportunity to visit different locations and to explore
their culture and activities while allowing Kim to laze by the pool on the ship if
she wishes. The children needs are tended to by the childcare programs and youth
activities available on board. Cruising gives them the opportunity to do their own thing
or plan activities together. Finally, the cruise option fits into their budget because
everything is included in one price and there are no hidden costs.