A body language expert has identified the six main sunbathing styles – including the “space invader” who sets their alarm for 5am to sneak out and reserve a sunbed.
Other holidaymakers include the “sleeping beauty”, who will nod off under an umbrella for hours at a time, and the “workaholic”, who finds it difficult to take a break.
And body language expert Judi James has also revealed what your personality type says about you – with the “chill and refill” type likely to have a more stressful life at home, and therefore use their holiday to relax.
The “fidgeter” – who will try everything on holidays including impulsive activities – is likely to have a chaotic, but lovable personality.
And the “sun-worshipping pro” typically sees their holiday as an opportunity to make the best of themselves.
Emma Tagg, spokeswoman for Hotels.com, which commissioned Judi James for her insight, said: “Sunbathing is a great way to really switch off from your daily worries and focus on relaxing.
“There are so many different types of sunbather, and I’m sure we can all relate to at least one of the personalities.
“After two years of restricted travel, Brits are finally ready to get abroad and lounge around that pool – with searches up 25% for July and August compared to 2021.
“Popular spots such as Spain, USA, France, and Italy remain the most searched-for this summer – however, we found that Turkey is rocketing in popularity, with searches up 260% compared to last year.”
The hotel brand also ran a study of 2,000 adults who go abroad – which found 45% think they look immeasurably better with a tan.
It emerged the average person is spending more than two hours a day sunbathing while they are on holiday – with more than half (56%) considering it important to come back from a trip away with a sun-kissed glow.
And eight in ten think basking in the sun on holiday, or lounging around the pool, is a great way to relax and escape reality.
Two-thirds (67%) are the “chill and refill” type, considering it important to have a conveniently placed bar in the hotel, supplying drinks as and when they need them.
And a further six in ten like falling asleep while sunbathing, matching the “sleeping beauty” type.
But 64% come back from their holiday with a tan without putting much effort in – causing jealousy among the “sun worshipping pro” types.
The top sunbathing essentials include sun-cream and a bottle of cold water – although the more seasoned bathers also love to bring a pillow along with them (17%).
And the top sunbathing set-ups include quietness, an epic view and a good amount of shade.
On the flipside, things that are most annoying to sun worshippers include other people getting drunk and rowdy, loud music, and sunbed hoggers.
But as many as four in ten admit to being a “sunbed space invader”, having reserved a sunbed with their towel before – even though 84% find this annoying.
And seven in ten polled, via OnePoll, admit they would like to be paid to lounge around in the sun all day – with 22% saying their dream job would be a professional sunbed tester.
Emma Tagg added: “It’s no surprise to see so many people dream of being paid to sunbathe, as it would be the most relaxing job.”
Hotels.com is opening up a “Sun-lounger” position, where you will be given £15,000 to travel around Europe's hotspots to seek out the best, and most unique, lounging set ups.
To find out more about the role, visit here.
THE MAIN SUNBATHING STYLES:
- THE CHILL-AND-REFILL – Loves to lie back with a cocktail in one hand and an airport-bought novel in the other. Indulgent self-treaters, they see this as a reward for months of hard work – but watch out, they can turn into a party animal at night.
- THE SUNBED SPACE INVADER – The sunbed hoggers, setting their alarms for 5am to sneak down to the pool and claim the best loungers with their towel. Competitive planners and schemers, they love to feel superior – even if it does mean annoying other holiday-makers.
- THE HERMIT/SLEEPING BEAUTY – They ensure everyone knows they are switched off and solitary, rather than open to socialising or flirting, by wearing huge shades and a large-brimmed sun hat, or a baseball cap with the brim pulled down. Their body language will be partly-closed or barriered, and you disturb them at your peril because they’re all about peace and quiet.
- THE FIDGETER – They have a very short time limit on how long they can stretch out on a sunbed without getting bored or needing to move. Fun and impulsive, their fidgeting means they’re also the ones most likely to tilt the sunbed over backwards while they’re trying to get on it.
- THE SUN-WORSHIPPING PRO – The forensic tanner, the one who knows exactly where to position and re-position their sunbed, at what angle and which time of day, to ensure they get the best golden glow. They are meticulous about their sun creams and will sunbathe topless where possible to ensure they get even coverage.
- THE WORKAHOLIC – They will pitch their sunshade over their sunbed and sit down to get on with work, with barely a glance at the view or the infinity pool. Arriving loaded with laptops, phones, and paperwork, they’ll sit putting in a full day of work while their family is off having fun.
