16 Aug First Dad’s Club launched by easyJet Holidays in Costa Del Sol
54 per cent of British teenagers agree that dads embarrass them on family holidays – by telling bad jokes, snoring by the pool and cringeworthy dancing.
A study of 1,000 British teenagers found fathers leave them red-faced by wearing socks with sandals, complaining loudly, causing frisbee accidents and constantly taking photos.
Other ways they inflict holiday embarrassment include wearing age-inappropriate clothing, being greedy at the buffet, using selfie sticks and getting up early to bag sun loungers.
The study was commissioned by easyJet Holidays, who have today launched the world’s first in-hotel ‘Dad’s Club’ in the Spanish hotspot of Benalmádena, in partnership with comedian Omid
Djalili.
Opening on the 24th and 25th of August at
Holiday
World Polynesia on the Costa del Sol, the unique club hopes to provide some cringe-free respite for teens, as well as a safe space for gaffe-prone dads to connect
with their kind without being judged.
An hilarious promo video starring Omid Djalili showcases the various activities on offer at the ‘school of cool’. With complimentary dad dancing lessons, frisbee and air guitar tuition
as well as a joke workshop.
Comedian Omid Djalili and self-confessed embarrassing parent, said: “It’s a rite of passage for us Dads to
embarrass our kids. It comes with the job. So I’m very proud to have teamed up with easyJet Holidays to unveil a new club JUST for Dads. A safe space to learn how to throw a frisbee, dance without pulling a muscle and crafting brilliant jokes for the 21st
century.”
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of teens admit to trying get out of a holiday to avoid these cringe-worthy moments. 43 per cent can’t remember a holiday without a humiliating moment caused
by their father.
But when polling the dads themselves, 53 per cent claimed they think they are ‘cool’ on holiday. Although 34 per cent admit to purposely humiliating their kids – and 49 per cent believe
it’s their duty to do this.
Sarah Ockwell-Smith, a parenting expert, who is working with the brand said: “Holidays are a perfect time to reconnect with teens, but sometimes all the extra time spent together can
cause friction. Not to mention the excitement and freedom of holiday-mode causing some pretty cringey (according to the kids) behaviour, which can lead to embarrassment. Disco dancing, air guitar and socks and sandals? Definite trigger points.”
International beach holidays (51 per cent) top the list of vacation types where ‘dadbarrassment’ is most likely to occur, followed by staycations (29 per cent) and city breaks (22 per
cent).
However, fathers have responded well to Dad’s Club concept with 44 per cent saying they’d like to attend.
Matt Callaghan, Customer Director at easyJet Holidays said: “Evidently, embarrassment is a part of the holiday package when Dad’s around. We offer some incredible resorts for the whole
family, but now we’re upping our offer for Dads. At Dad’s Club our customers will get a unique opportunity to hone their cool skills while making new friends and memories to last a lifetime. But remember, cringe-worthy or not, we love our Dads to bits.”
THE TOP 20 DAD CRINGE LIST
Telling bad jokes
Dad dancing
Comparing prices to everything back home
Complaining loudly
Trying to make friends with the locals
Loud conversations with strangers
Trying to join in with teen slang and getting it wrong
Falling asleep by the pool and snoring
Using pet nicknames in front of strangers
Being greedy at the buffet
Telling embarrassing anecdotes
Constantly taking photos
Wearing socks with sandals
Wearing his team’s football shirt
Wearing inappropriate clothes for their age
Failing to be understood while speaking the local language
Getting up early to reserve sun loungers
Showing off in the pool – e.g. cannonballs
Attempting TikTok memes/dances
Wearing tiny swimming trunks
