NEW YORK — After a tumultuous year of quarantines and working from home, a new study finds one week off just isn’t going to cut it for most vacationers. Seven in 10 Americans will do absolutely anything to go on a two-week vacation — even take an ice cold bath or a pay cut.
A survey of 2,000 Americans over 21 finds that in order to escape their homes and jobs for a while, 45 percent would endure a bath in ice-cold water. Meanwhile, 43 percent would work on every weekend for a year and 38 percent would willingly give up celebrating every holiday for one year.
Commissioned by Crystal Head Vodka and conducted by OnePoll, researchers also find a third of Americans feel their absolute happiest when they’re on vacation.
The vacation mindset
In the right social situation, like at a party or on vacation, 64 percent of people say they’re more outgoing than they otherwise would be. More than half (52%) don’t even recognize themselves when they’re in these happier settings.
When they’re on vacation, people are more likely to eat exotic foods (57%), spend more money (54%) and laugh more (53%) than they would at home. Half of the poll adds they embrace these personality changes because they can finally let themselves relax and enjoy being in a new environment.
Kicking back with a cold one
Three in five Americans consider vacations to be the best time to have a few cocktails. While 45 percent of people have an alcohol budget, 64 percent will spend more on alcohol while on vacation than at any other time in their lives.
“After the past year, we all, understandably, could use a vacation or at least a few days out of the house to relax, and more importantly, reset, escape, and recharge our imaginations,” says Dan Aykroyd, the founder of Crystal Head Vodka, in a statement. “We believe in the creative spirit; fully embracing taking a beat to recharge our innovative capacities while sipping a refreshing cocktail.”
The study also finds 65 percent of people will drink according to the situation they’re in, while nearly as many (61%) say their drinking preferences change seasonally. At home, respondents tend to go for the more simple cocktails, including gin and tonics (32%), vodka sodas (29%), and vodka cranberries (26%).
At social gatherings and parties, people lean more towards “classic” beverages, like martinis (30%), French 75s (24%), and an old fashioned (23%). When they’re on vacation however, people go for exotic drinks such as Moscow mules (32%), tequila sunrises (28%), and daiquiris (15%).
“If consumed responsibly and under the right circumstances, having the right beverage can be a game-changer for so many different occasions,” Aykroyd continues. “They can help set the right mood — especially on vacation.”
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