They’re not packing a lot of common sense.
A new survey unveiled the shocking amount of Americans who forget travel essentials — including their phones — before a trip, along with the surprising number of those who won’t go back to grab their ever-so-important items.
OnePoll, which surveyed 2,000 Americans on behalf of DoorDash, found that 39% of people forget more than five items each month and the average person has to return home to retrieve four forgotten items in that same period, Talker reported.
Most of all, 31% of adults accidentally leave their cellular device at home, 28% forget water bottles or drinks, whereas 25% get rolling without items like deodorant, body lotion and makeup.
A scorched 21% also forget to pack sunscreen and 26% confessed they would go on without oiling up in that case.
Most times, people will carry on without their essentials as only 19% will go back for their left behind items — if they’re only one street away. Just 15% will go if they’re multiple blocks over and 14% said they would never go back.
Of those forgetful Freddies, only about one in five would be able to travel without their phone, according to the survey.
Only 20% of respondents said they could manage without their phone, 30% would leave behind forgotten beauty products and 26% would press on without their sunscreen.
One-fifth of respondents said they didn’t even realize what they had forgotten until opening their suitcases on vacation.
Learning about left-behinds can spoil a vacation, the numbers show. About 56% of people said they stress when trying to replace their forgotten items while on a trip and 62% said their relaxation is ruined when they have to replace or retrieve something they forgot.
One respondent said they had “discomfort from lack of sunglasses” and two others “had to eat a snack that upset [their] stomach.”
Midwesterners and northeasters experience this anxiety the most, at 76% and 75%, respectively.
When it comes to forgetful packing, many are experiencing summertime sadness as 41% say that’s the toughest season to ensure they’ve loaded up all that they need before leaving home.
An estimated 59% say it’s due to needing several different items during the summer, 51% say they’re too focused on other things and 45% say they don’t have as many pockets during tank top and shorts season.
Though many respondents did admit they’ll stuff about four different items in their pockets during the summertime — only 15% hold the line at one or two.
It was also found that 28% of men compared to 17% of women are more inclined “to forgo getting up to get something in order to stay relaxed.”
As for relaxing during summer, many seem to have simple pleasures: 41% sip on water, 40% try new foods, 36% have juice and another 36% eat fruit, while 35% have ice cream, popsicles and chips in addition to 32% who prefer popcorn.
Others like to splurge during the warm weather as well as 34% like buying new beach towels and 33% get new toys for their children.
The survey also addressed what are considered to be top beach-side essentials. Beach towels and cold drinks took the top at 38% apiece and sunscreen was just below at 36%.
These were found to be the biggest beach essentials.
Top beach-side essentials
- Beach towel — 38%
- Cold drinks — 38%
- Sunscreen — 36%
- A comfortable chair — 34%
- An umbrella — 32%
- A sun hat — 32%
- A cooler — 31%
- Snacks — 30%
- Small fan — 26%
- Beach toys — 26%
