easyJet Holidays launches the world’s first in-hotel ‘Dad’s Club’.

Imagery free for editorial use > here

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 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