By Chuck Woodbury
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last week I wrote about my evening walk around the RV park, and the warm and fuzzy feeling I had as I glanced into the open windows of RVs that I passed. The RVers inside were going about their lives, in their cozy little mini-homes, and it looked very appealing. I recalled, once again, what magic carpets our wheeled homes can be: They take us to wonderful places in comfort, and we get to sleep in our own beds.
Let me ask you: If you take an evening walk around your dark campground or RV park, do you sometimes look, intentionally or unintentionally, into the open windows of RVs, and in the process see the people inside? I believe we all do. It’s human nature. We’re curious creatures.
Well, one of the really swell people in our crowd (not!) thinks differently. He called me a pervert for doing that. He is one of the approximately 2 percent of our readers who have a big ol’ chip on their shoulders. They justify their miserable lives by attacking others via their computers or mobile devices, hidden inside their homes or RVs where they lash out, cowardly, without anyone seeing them.
Robert Olen could be the poster child for that group. He commented: “Please cancel my subscription. I don’t want to be a part of the bunch of lemmings that follow you off the edge of the cliff. You have no tact, diplomacy, or ethics; and you certainly have no skill in authoring a newsletter. Of course, this is your game and you make up the rules; most likely as you go along. So, have fun peeping in people’s windows at night under the guise of walking your dog. I am not sure which is worse, YOUR “I am right and everyone else is wrong attitude” or your peeping Tom perversion. Good-by and good riddance.”
Many other readers gladly bid him farewell: Beth, for example, wrote: “We, that like the newsletter, say ‘Good riddance’ to people like you. What a miserable life the people around you must have. I almost feel sorry for you.”
I trust Mr. Olen is gone and will never return. I mean, does looking in the window of an RV I walk by, with its windows and front door wide open, make me a pervert? Oh my goodness. I have to wonder what in the world is wrong with some people that they can be so nasty? If only I had a way of magically seeing Mr. Olen as he typed his message. Who is he? Where was he writing from? What happened in his life to make him so angry?
I feel sad for him.
I’ve been reading your articles for TWENTY YEARS. I love them. Look forward to them every week. And your happy, kind, helpful personality shines through. Its sad to read that mans comment and state of mind but over 10 years of running an online business where I help and teach others I have found that there is this 1-2% of the population out there that are called trolls. I once read an article by a doctor on 1,000 types of internet trolls. It was a REAL eye opener. Long read, over an hour long and covered the mentality and types. So, sadly no matter what good you do? There will always be people like that that are just odd. Even sometimes twisted. I have met my share that are flat out plum crazy online. Over time I just developed thick alligator skin and let insane comments like that roll off my back like water off the back of a duck. Please do the same if you can. Don’t waste any time thinking about it. After suffering years of this kind of thing I have personally just got to the point that I laugh, I shake my head, I block or delete them on twitter. Forget and move on. Please keep up the good work totally love reading all that you send. Amazing content. Fantastic work. God bless.
Michael, I would like to read that article about trolls, any link?
Me too, please.
Many articles, many studies… Just search, click & read, you will find your flavour.
Robert Olen is probably a far left liberal. They complain about everything, just so they can hear themselves talk! Very unhappy person.
…And things were moving along so nicely until…
Well, Olen sounds like a very crabby old crank who hates everything and everybody. Although his comments probably rolled off you like rain, I suspect it was initially like a thunderstorm with lots of water and wind! Sorry he did that and you had to endure it. You and Emily keep up the good work. We enjoy your newsletter and find it very helpful…. Keep On Keepin’ On Emily and Chuck!!
Coincidentally, a couple months ago BBC online had an article about how Dutch homes traditionally did not have window coverings in the main rooms, and that people enjoyed views, lights, and decorations thru all their neighbors windows as they strolled about the neighborhoods.
Every one has a story – when we traveled more, it was pleasant in campgrounds/rv parks to see the accumulation of rigs and the folks that inhabited them. The ones all closed up, shades drawn, lights out–that was their choice–the ones lit up, windows open, doors ajar seemed more relaxed perhaps wanting to share the edges of their lives with others — who knows. It can be as pleasant as we let it.
Good by Robert, Yes I am one of those that look at home and in Rv parks, I also see many others doing the same I just wave and smile. Chuck I guess we all do this I see nothing wrong many areas of the world do not have there front windows covered for this reason we like to see and be seen.
Thank you for your comments .
Chuck,
Misery loves company, Mr. Olen sounds like one such case. They are miserable, for whatever reason, and they get mad if others are happy.
People who live in glass houses complaining about someone seeing inside are self centered. Automatically people like your guy assumes you’re a pervert. If they can be easily seen from outside of their camping site too bad for them if they don’t like it.
Invest in curtains Mr. Olen, if you are so paranoid that people can see you! Duh!
If I’m taking an evening walk down the road and pass an RV with the lights on and shades open, yes I will look. I’m where I should be and I’m not peeping, I’m observing my surroundings and your rig and campsite are just a small part of my many observations on my evening walk. Leaving your shades up just makes it a tad more interesting. I agree, that person has a chip on their shoulder.
Totally shocked by such unwarranted comments. I really don’t see anything wrong with what you did. Mr. Olen is of course entitled to his opinions but I just don’t agree with his views. Increasing my subscription. Great job and many thanks for all the efforts all these years Chuck.
Thank you, George! We appreciate you! Take care, and stay healthy. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Wow. Chuck, I read this newsletter daily. I appreciate the work you and Emily and everyone else do. I guess I’m a pervert too because I look in when I see people moving around inside their RV and the shades are open. Oh well. Take a deep breath, look up at the sky and thank you again for all the good work you do and have done!
Pete
Thank you for your kind words, Pete! Have a great day, and stay healthy! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
We definitely observe people in their RV’s at night when we also take our dogs for their last evening stroll. It’s interesting and comforting to see the folks we’ve become familiar with. If we don’t see them for a couple days we wonder if they are ill and if someone should check on them. Anyone with a brain knows they can be seen in a lit Rv at night so we figure they are ok with it. When we don’t want to be seen we pull the shades down.
Well Chuck,welcome to the peep club. I too am one who walks around and checks out the area around me. Not only do I enjoy looking at the different setups in rigs and house’s at home for new ideas but enjoy waving hello to people as they wave to me. If that’s peeping at a distance of 25 feet or more, then I guess we’re guilty. To date I have not been arrested nor do I think you have either. Maybe Mr Olen is doing something illegal and doesn’t want to be seen. If you like privacy simply close your shades. The world is to unfriendly these days. But not campers. We all seem to like to stop and chat with one another. So like the song goes, don’t let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. Look in my window anytime and I’ll wave, may even invite you in for a drink if it’s not to late. Carry on young man. Stay safe.
Well, add me to the list of perverts. One of the Joy’s of rving is feeling the warmth and hospitality of others in the campground. I have had many wonderful visits through my open window as folks walk by and I say hi. So long Robert. Hopefully you will find something that will make your world a better place. You won’t be missed by us.
As I walk around and see open windows and gatherings outside I naturally look. Then I glance away not wanting to invade people’s privacy. I’m not being nosy. it’s just like you said , human nature. Guess that’s why we have blinds and such when we don’t want to be seen.
When we walk, be it in a campground or in our neighbourhood, we look. If you leave your blinds or curtains open and your lights on so we can clearly see you, know that we will look. If you don’t wish us to see into your life, close the darn blinds and curtains!!! Once, in an RV park in Daytona Beach, while out for our evening stroll, we stopped to look in the front window of a coach were very clearly, Wheel of Fortune was playing on their TV. We stopped to solve the puzzle….and another man passed us by, commenting “yes, it’s a real beauty, isn’t it?”…yup. But we laughed to ourselves, because it wasn’t the coach we were checking out, but the tv show! It is human nature to look. It is not peeping. Peeping is surreptitious and covert. Looking is a natural instinct. One of the first words a toddler learns to say is “Look!”. I, for one, am happy that that man is gone. Negativity breeds alot of other emotions and frankly, I get enough of that when I read the news, I surely don’t need more of it when I come to this newsletter!!
Makes you wonder what color the sky is in Robert Olens world?
Certainly not blue…
I read your article last week about walking at night and seeing what others are doing in their RV’s. I do the same thing whether in an RV park, campground, state park or my local neighborhood. I love to see what others are doing and often admire what I see. I talk to my dog Frankie along our walks and tell her about the “neighbors” enjoying their lives, or about the surroundings we see. It’s so much fun to enjoy my life and see how other’s are enjoying theirs. I feel sorry for those who choose to find the negative instead of seeing the positive! My glass is always half full or more!! Keep up the great work! Maureen & Frankie Anne (the dog) 🙂
This Robert Olen is a real treasure. It’s human nature to look. It’s also legal. As a photographer, the law is “if I can see it from the public right of way, I can shoot it” (more or less), so just looking is ok too, provided you’re not stopping and gawking, which I know you weren’t.
Boy, ol’ Robert must really hate the Hollies song “Look Through Any Window”, eh? 😉
Chuck, this guy Olen is a sad case indeed. It is unfortunate for all of us if he is an RVer because, as you say, 98% of us just love this life. I suppose some of us have had the misfortune to run into a miserable sod like him, and wonder why he even has an RV. He really doesn’t belong in this wonderful community. You just keep up the good work.
This Olen person is one sad individual who must have other issues. I would not want to be parked near him. Fortunately this type of person does not represent the RV community, however I do wish him the best in what must be a miserable life.
Funny, folks come over to my Aliner to look at the dormer window, I tend to leave it open so folks can look inside. “What a funny little trailer” and I welcome them to come inside.
Chuck, your articles are on point. They are open, fun, and enjoyable. My wife and I, when camping walk at night, we talk and enjoy seeing the new rigs. We comment on this or that and enjoy the sounds and sights of camping. If we see a unit with lights on and windows open, we say..hey we should do that or buy that or isn’t that fun. We continue and enjoy the evening. Life experiences are enjoyed when we share or observe others doing something we want to try. I guess I am guilty enjoying the summer night and being with my wife and enjoying seeing whats around us.
Windows were made like that, you can see out and you can see in, open or closed, kinda like our souls. Mr. Olen has a closed mind and a closed heart. We leave our blinds open so those who are walking around can look in as we look out, probably 99% of the time it generates the first smile and wave between two or more people whose connection May have started a new friendship or just another memory. The same thing happens when we sit outside. When my wife and I walk, we look inside smile and wave and talk about the beauty of the rig we just saw. Oh and of course when its time for privacy we close the blinds. I feel sad for Mr. Olen. Good evening, thank you for your writing and please have a wonderful life. Safe travels.
Well I will confess that I too look in on other RV’s as my wife and I walk around.
No, not because we are “perverts”, but because I like to gauge how do most people who are watching TV have their TV set up? Is it on adjustable pivot arm.? Is it fixed in place? Do they have to strain their necks to watch?
I can not believe anyone in a stable mental state would make such a claim. They must live under a rock. Whether you are in an RV or a tent, one of the pleasures of camping is walking in the evening and seeing your neighbors. Most just wave, others don’t respond at all being busy with chores and some love to chat for a bit. Its about the most normal activity I can think of.
As a child growing up in the city, not suburbs, of Detroit I fondly remember walking around the neighborhood with my grandparents. Greeting neighbors sitting on the porch and seeing the glow of those new fangled tv’s in windows is still a pleasant memory. If people mind others looking in their windows they can close their blinds.
Love to walk and visit while camping. We have made lifelong friendships. Those that share our joy and our pain. Who would think having a RV would give us such gifts. Window peeping no just walking around and enjoying a good life.
People that lash out like that have personal problems. We walk & look around & get waved at. Get to stop & visit. We love our RV families. Have had a traveling nurse next to us for the past two months & she’s a doll. Have a blessed weekend.😎
Pretty simple…..CLOSE YOUR CURTAINS OR BLINDS…….after all, it is dark outside so there is no sunlight to fill your rig. Think how stupid one would be and how dangerous it could be if one covered their eyes as the walked around the park covering your eyes so you didn’t see in someones wide open rig, I could hear it now……Honey look at this guy. He keeps covering the right side of his face and the switches and covers the left side of his face while he is walking. What the hell is wrong with him…..dork! He’s going to walk right in to someones truck…idiot! All because YOU Mr. Olen didn’t close your curtains.
“You cannot expect to live a positive life…..if you hang with negative people” Joel Osteen.
maxshaver@yahoo.com
Walking around the park after dinner is a facet of camping we enjoy most. We have met hundreds of super friendly people all over Canada and the United States as Full-Time Canadian Rver’s. We leave our blinds and doors open as an invitation for folks to drop in and say hello. At days end when we want to put our feet up and get comfortable, we close all our blinds and close our door as I think most people do.
In my mind, a pervert would be someone who goes out of their way to see into an RV when the door and blinds are closed with malice and forethought to do so. Maybe Mr. Olen is one of those perverts who just got found out. Shame on you and good riddance to bad rubbish. So glad you left with the rest of the trash.
We never know what another person is thinking; we can’t.
It’s entirely possible that Mr. Olen was picturing someone who inappropriately stopped walking to focus on the people in an RV for an extended period. Perhaps he was particularly grumpy that day. We just don’t know. After all, I think that we all do go for a walk around the RV park to see the people and the RVs.
I suspect that he would agree with the definition of a pervert given above. He may just have had a picture of the person walking around the RV park in his mind, and it was different from my picture.
I did realize that it was my responsibility to not look into open windows. I always thought they didn’t mind, if I looked in, and that the the reason their curtains or blinds were not closed, so we could see each other. .
I wonder? Do people in campgrounds, in any type of structure expect complete privacy? If I leave my curtains open and door open anywhere, home or camper or tent, I feel I am inviting people to look. Or at least not discourage them. I have had total strangers walk up to the windows and look in, say hi, talk to the dogs etc. Most express interest in what the inside looks like. And usually I invite them in for a closer look. That’s the fun. I camp in some large groups of boondockers with all range of campers, home made to millions of $. We all take tours of each others set ups. I guess I have some great friends.
If you leave your shades open people will look in, that’s human nature. Now if you stand on the rear bumper, peering in through a crack in the curtains…you may be a “peeping Tom”.
Ignore him and good riddance he’s no longer part of this community. You were not being a peeping Tom – that’s someone who specifically targets looking in at someone for a thrill. You were simply enjoying the evening and noticing what was going on. Anyone would who is connected to other human beings. I would have done the same and I enjoyed your very humanizing post.
BTW, I have a degree in journalism and and you do a great job with this newsletter and I will miss your musings and reporting.
I think Chuck is planning on continuing to write and be involved with the newsletter, even as Emily takes on more responsibility. So I’m sure you’ll be hearing from Chuck for a long time to come. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Peeping Tom is a bit harsh ! Nosey Neighbor, maybe, Community Busy Body, Curious George, but Peeping Tom I don’t think so .
Peeping Tom as some have said congers up visions of someone looking into windows with closed curtains, with nefarious intentions, and there are ways to Deal with that situation, one involves a Slugger from Louisville, or in a worse case, the assistance of a couple of Famous men, Mr Smith & Wesson !
Max,
I hope that this is a little bravado and humor mixed in with a righteous dislike for someone peeping through your RV blinds. While an invasion of your privacy, I’m not sure that responding with violence is an appropriate response, let alone lethal force. Calling 911 is a justifiable response to having your privacy invaded. Nefarious intentions are difficult to discern, better to let law enforcement deal with it.
Responding to a peeping tom with a Louisville Slugger or Smith and Wesson will soon find you looking out from inside a barred cell for a long time. The only reasonable response is to call the local authorities.
I remember reading his response. He’s an idiot. Most newer RVs are great for day time privacy but as it gets dark and lights go on inside, we all know how easy it is to see inside! Day or night, I love walking my pupper and admiring/looking at set ups, trucks or toys around sites. Also meeting new friends. For Olen’s moronic response to be so negative, it was just easier fir me to not respond to his idiocy lol. Thanx for all of the work you and your compatriots do for the newsletter Chuck!
Wow, I read your article with fondness for the road ahead. I feel bad for Mr. Olen that he has to be so miserable in a world that is so wonderful. I have known too many Mr. Olen’s in my seventy years, and choose to avoid the spread of their hate. Your writings are not perverse, and brought back that feelings I had Camping in my youth, and even to date. Thank you.
But of course you are not and I am not weird. Curtains are open and we wave at folks. Ready to retire then we close curtains.
Keep up your good work.
You also have a moderator on one of your Facebook pages who is just as bad…
Maybe you could start there to clean your house!
John D. If you would supply more information as to who and what FB group you are referring to we could certainly check it out.
A profiler would put Robert Olen as a ex-con felon with voyeurism and pedophile tendencies. The FBI should raid his home and confiscate his electronic devices to see exactly what he is up to. Definitely a dangerous dude!
Eyes are voluntary, unlike ears. If I walk around the park naked, it’s your option to look. If I don’t draw the curtains, knock yourself out admiring my physique. I really don’t care. To think you’re a peeping tom, looking around normally from the roadside, is beyond absurd. Legally, the “reasonable expectation of privacy” only extends to your closed curtains.
Now if you carried binoculars, or a camera with a telephoto lens, and really worked to gaze at my incredibly hot body… nah, still don’t care…
Chuck. I am glad you are able to ignore such irrational comments from people who obviously are not involved in the social benefits of traveling in an RV. Sure we all glance into other peoples rigs when we are walking around the campground. As you say, it’s a natural action. But we do not stand or sit out there and prey on our neighbors . I think it is part of being in the social scene. We even on many occasions mention it to them the next day or so to generate conversation and fellowship. Keep it up. It’s the right way to be involved in camping.
Chuck was NOT able to ignore the comment. Rather, he has created a memorial to it and it is here that he allows nasty comments to remain instead of purging them like he does when they offend him.
PEEPING TOM?
While I was in law enforcement friends and family always asked me if I had funny stories to tell. One of those stories always made it to the party, the “peeping tom”. However, this one was with a twist;
A lady called in a complaint that her neighbor exposed himself totally naked to her every night around 10 pm. So we went over to her house one night to witness the exposure. While there, we asked where to look because we could not see him walking around in his house. She pointed to a chair and said you have to stand on it, look through the top window and then you can see him. Low and behold there he was but naked but it needed some effort to “catch” him. Now that woman was the peeping tom.
You, Chuck, are not a peeping tom its natural behavior to be drawn to light and movement without standing on a chair. LOL
I’d say this is apocryphal if I hadn’t met the type myself a few times…
“I had to walk 1/2 a mile, late at night, down this dark road, just to check whether you’re running your #&^#$)&*#$ generator!!!”
…at 7:15 at “night”, on a loop only I’m on, still well lit, to “check” on my inverter genny because they couldn’t hear it without walking up…
😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
We too walk around our campground at night and we too look into others Rvs if they leave their curtains open. That’s what curtains are for. Close them if you want privacy. Some people are just miserable people and misery LOVES company. Mr. Olen is such a person. Pray for him. He needs it. Desperately.
When we stayed in a resort for six months we never ever closed our front window that had a beautiful view of a lake …(well big pond) the golf course and snow capped mountains. Yes we knew people looked in our window but we also looked in RV windows too. Didn’t stand there and stare at them for a few minutes though. I wonder if he lives in his RV with all the window shades closed Night and day? Who knows what the guy might have been going through at the time he wrote those words and maybe just maybe NOW wishes he hadn’t hit the send button. Maybe he had a few too many. Poor fellow probably needs our prayers more than anything.
Anyway it would be interesting to survey your readers to see how many leave their blinds closed during the day (beyond the reason of keeping the hot sun from streaming into the RV) or for that matter for the night. It has always amazed us when we and others have a beautiful view out our front window and another RV is always closed up all the time. Then we wonder aha what are they up to inside? 😂
A lot of the newer RVs are equipped with ‘all or nothing’ shades, the pleated ones where they are either down, or up, there is no partially open option like with standard blinds. So, if your rig is low to the ground and you don’t like being stared at at all hours of the day, you kind of have to go with ‘closed’ much of the time. I can’t speak for the ‘all the time closed’ crowd, but I don’t blame them if they are seeking privacy on their weekend getaway.
It would be nice if the pleated ones started at the bottom and allowed you to screen your jammies or messy kitchen table from view while still getting most of the outdoor surroundings visible.
Ever hear the expression “the best defense is a good offense”? So, maybe HE’S the pervert and you are, in his warped mind, taking away all his fun? Food for thought!
People you should just pray for him God would not want you to be hateful towards him he would want you to console remember you need to show him how to be nice
I don’t believe I was hateful.
Well thank god our motor home is 13 feet 4 inches tall. I had no idea so many peeping people existed. JUST KIDDING!! We only use ours for vacations so we are not in the resorts, parks for more than a week. We do walk the dogs at night and you can clearly see in RVs at night. I always comment on the glued down lamps to my husband. We travel with three Dalmatians and so our neighbors do stay a distance away from our motor home. You come across all kinds of people while traveling. We stayed in the Motorcoach Resort near Palm Springs once and I think one person said hi to us, but we were not in a Prevost so maybe that’s why?? Hahaaa . I think some people look at your state plates a lot of time and determine if they want to be nice or not, they will affiliate you with a certain political party depending what state your from. Just my thoughts.. and giving up FB and all that other social media will be the best health advise I can give. I did it over two years ago and my BP is 117/69.
When my wife and I walk an RV park at night with our dogs, you can’t help but look inside an RV. It’s like a car accident on the road, you can’t help but look. We comment on different decorations of an RV, but we aren’t looking for anything else and have never seen anything else except for what they may be watching on tv. I don’t think we are peeping toms………..
We lived in marinas for many years very close to one another, there was a kind of artificial privacy where you didn’t look down hatches or broadcast something you may have overheard. That got transferred to RVing for us. That said, we have come to expect the pass by looker and even the occasional rude gawker. I think that’s why they invented curtains, that and the sun blasting in!
You’re paragraph on the topic was rather nice and brought to me a Norman Rockwell kind of summer eve feel, Thank-you!
One of the things I love about my Alpenlite was the mirrored, two way windows that allowed me privacy yet allowed me to see out. I could do anything I wanted with the curtains wide open! Unfortunately, at night, with the interior lights on, the mirrored effect was lost. They won’t let me come back to that campground anymore………
😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Dear Mr. Olen,
Please keep your facemask on especially after the epidemic has subsided so we don’t have to hear or see you should you be trolling our newletters, our campgrounds, and our good will. You, sir, are just one of the reasons we choose freedom over confinement and hit the road.
The more distance we can create between you and us, as America-loving Patriot RVers, the better. The problem you have, Mr. Olen, is not with our kind and generous Editor, it is with your own repulsive thoughts: the criticism with which people like you so vehemently bestow upon the goodness of others is merely a reflection of some kind of private perversion. The accuser in this case fears only himself; and I fear not him, but fear for him.
Good riddance? I think not; this is a Sign of the Times to come. Gird up your loins, RVtravelers, this means war.
Of course you look, more to see the interior than the people. If you don’t want some one walking by looking in close the curtains real simple.
When we have camped at any campground and it has been warm enough to walk around at night I usually have to hold my wife’s hand so she won’t run into something as she is so busy watching people and looking at insides of coaches. So you aren’t unique.
That is an odd complaint, I have noticed over the years that those who have doors and windows open and curtains pulled back are the outgoing ones, friendly and eager to strike up conversations. Someone that paranoid should keep their curtains drawn or find sites that are more secluded.
Glancing into a lighted RV with the shades open when you’re out walking doesn’t make you a peeping Tom. It is a natural action. If someone doesn’t want to be seen, they should close their shades!
One of the funniest things ever, but pretty sad too. I guess that we all need to keep eyes forward as we march around the campground.
Maybe he thought you were going right up to the window and looking in.
Absolutely agree that if someone is in their RV and wants complete privacy, they need to close their shades. I too like to see the homey atmosphere of RV’s when I walk at night with the puppies. Chuck is the farthest thing from a Peeping Tom Pervert. What a joke!!!! Some day I hope I can have the privilege of meeting him and Gail. Safe travels!
It’s just like glancing into hospital rooms when you walk pass, car accidents as you drive by, police activity, walking your dog and glancing into RVs. I believe it is just human nature. I bet if Mr. Olen walks the campground at night he would also find he can’t help glancing in himself. It’s hard not to look out at the people looking in and giving a wave.
Maybe Mr. Olen should just get back into the cave he came from.
Chuck, there are a bunch of idiots out there. You have every right to just delete their comments and even block them (at least until they change their name and email address). And personally, I would welcome that. ITS YOUR PRIVATE WEBSITE that YOU put together! You invite the public to participate. You could easily stop that as well. And as you have pointed out, 98% or more ENJOY it every week. I’m so tired of political correctness. If it does not have anything to do with RV’ing, PLEASE remove it!
My wife and I used to go for walks on a star lite night in the snow. We enjoyed getting glimpse of some homes and how they were decorated and allowed us in our dreams of having something like it in our university days. Years later we go for walks around RV parks and see what people show in there windows. If they did not want us to see, they drew their blinds. I remember on Class rig had on their front dash a bust of Jesus Christ and looking at we saw that his eyes followed us as we walked by. Sure is a conversation piece.
I’m stunned at his vitriol. No one can have an expectation of privacy with window shades open, at night, in a campground. And looking at RVs as you’re out on a walk certainly doesn’t meet the definition of being a pervert or peeping tom. My Mom always used to say anyone that angry about something must have a guilty conscience.
Keep up the good work, please.
Oh dear. When I saw what you had written about your walk I thought, “Oh no, someone will complain,” and I was right! I often glance in people’s rigs. And I don’t think most people care OR they would use their blinds/curtains once a person could see inside in the evening. We do. We don’t look to see what people are doing or to even see them, but to notice how their rig is laid out, or we notice the decor. It’s hard to miss when you are walking only a few feet from someone’s home. Where do you put your eyes? On the ground? Boring. In the sky? Seen it. Your eyes have to go somewhere and to an open window or door is natural. I don’t consider it perverse if you don’t. You are welcome to look at my TT any time. You won’t see much, but look any way.
While camping, we take walks around the campgrounds especially after watching the nightly National News. If a door is open or window shades are up we will look in as we walk by admiring all the trimmings people add to their RV’s while parked. So gladly add us to the list of Peeping Toms who will continue to enjoy campground walks and enjoying the handy works of other RVers who leave their doors open and their window shades up.
Robert Olen was projecting. His comments were more telling about his character than Chuck’s.
RVing is sort of like living in a glass house, that’s why they come with window shades and doors
Sorry to hear how someone presumed to judge you and your motives. I am wondering if someone will be taking over when you retire? I have appreciated this newsletter and share it with other campers whenever I can. I know it is not something to do until death do you part. I had a similar newsletter and realized at 67, I had to cut back. I found someone to take over and was willing to let go and trust in their desire and skill to continue it. Not the happiest time to make such a big change, but we have to do what we need to stay healthy, mentally and physically.
If we’re in our RV and someone walks by we usually wave to them. RVers are friendly people.
Oh Chuck. We do the same. Even though you know that Robert has a stick in the neth’r regions and you are the most wonderful, intelligent, kind, highly skilled writer ever, it is hard for us to kick these comments out of our brains when they occur. Grrr. Been reading since the early paper version.
If people leave their window shades a/or doors open, it’s human nature to casually look in. It’s not like you’re standing there, concealed, and staring into the RV. As a retired police officer, I see no wrong doing here. I’ve followed your newsletters for almost a decade, and enjoy its content. It brings this old former full-timer/workamper pleasure to see how the RV lifestyle has evolved and issues related to the life style. Keep up the good work, Peace to you and those close to you, my friend.
I feel so sorry for Robert Olen’s of this world. They miss out on so much because they cannot see behind the presumed wrongs wrought upon them. I am an old white lady that has seen so much hatred, I find solace in places like your newsletter, Chuck and I choose the RV life because I can simply move my rig away from the Robert Olen’s of the world.
Back in the 1950’s (a long time ago) when “Picture Windows” were becoming a architectural wonder. My mother would call them “Window Pictures” when people would leave the curtains open in the evening with the lights on. Motor homes with open blinds are much the same — “Window Pictures”
My childhood home was built in 1956, the year I was born. At Christmastime my father would drive us around the neighborhood to look at all the Christmas lights and decorations. I loved looking in those picture windows! Good memories, thanks!
It is the 2% that highlight the worth of the 98%
Me thinks Robert Olen doeth protest too much. Keep doin’ what you’re doin’ Chuck. We all do the same!
We have met many fine people through our open windows. We open them so we can see the world around us as we explore our great country. And invite them to see us as we go about our day to day lives. If we want privacy we close our blinds and settle into our recliners and read or watch the boob tube.
We meet a lot of very fine people through our little cocker spaniel puppy who contentedly sits inside our fifth wheel looking through the screen door at the people as they stroll by, some stop by and ask her name, Maisy, and usually ask if they can pet her which leads to good conversations and phone numbers exchanged to keep up with where they are and what they have seen.
So if sometime you see a white ford shortened pickup pulling an older Wilderness 5th wheel with a little blonde cocker spaniel in the doorway or window, please stop and say hello!
HI Chuck. Its hard to ignore hateful comments, but you have to in today’s world or spend all day irritated. As a cancer survivor I choose to see every day as a blessing. Sadly, I’m not sure your 2%/98% hater numbers are correct anymore. The news last night proves there are many Olen’s in America.
Seems like maybe Mr. Olen has something to hide. I wonder what nefarious activity he’s up to?
I enjoyed reading your comments about the peacefulness of walking around the campground in the evening and marveling at our little homes on wheels. It is mind boggling to think that someone would actually find a sinister motive behind your kind words. My 2 cents on this. There are a few malcontented folks who seem to derive their sense of purpose by wallowing in negativity. They are unhappy by nature and want to do their best to make others unhappy too. The other sad fact is that people say unkind things behind the anonymity and distance of the cyber world. I know that this guy got under your skin, and I’d be annoyed too. The good thing is that 98% of your readers appreciate the countless hours that you spend each week to bring some positivity to our laptops while most of us are sheltering in place. Thanks.
Actually, last week’s newsletter was the very first that I have actually been able to read. I am not new at RVing, but it’s been several years since I was into it last, and am returning. So you can imagine my thoughts when I read that article about you looking into campers as you walked by. My thoughts sort of paralleled Mr. Olen’s at first. Then I realized that if people wanted/needed privacy, they have only to pull the curtains and shades. I have no problems with it now. I hope I do not become his neighbor anytime soon.
Wow. What an interesting and sad response to your article. I will say, however, that I wish people would close their blinds at night. There have been several times when I am trying to enjoy a campfire or sit quietly outside by our RV and cannot help but be distracted by the light and motion in the open window of a nearby neighbor.
Well I am just the plain weird one here. I did not agree with the guys tone, but we are also the ones that close our blinds. Our neighbors right now, (who we get along well with and enjoy them being our neighbors) love their blinds open 24/7, no problem their rv their choice, but we go out of our way when outside not to be nosy and look in. I like to sit outside on our patio and I go out of my way not to look up into their windows and do a lot of looking at the streets, the ground, tree tops, anywhere but in. I have tried rearranging our chairs/patio but I also have really bad claustrophobia and it did not work because even in the wide open outside I felt like the “walls” were coming in on me. We have zero problem walking and not looking into people homes, rv’s etc. We don’t feel like we are “marching” down the road/sidewalk when we are taking a stroll. I don’t think Chuck was being a peeping Tom, but I would not be looking into people’s rv’s either. I was taught as a child, that was rude, so was my husband. We did not know each other as children, grew up in different states, different parts of the US, his town was a suburban setting, mine a more rural but grew up with the same type of ethics. What I see here, is we have a difference of opinion, a different set or morals and ethics. So now I’m curious, when you see our blinds drawn, do you find us rude? Do you find us unhappy and sad little people? Do you think we have chips on our shoulders? Well, I can assure you none of that is the case and I add this we feel, cry and bleed red just like you.
Cheryl, I think you misunderstood what Chuck said. He doesn’t stand there looking into people’s homes, he glances in there as he passes by. When we want privacy, we close our blinds and doors. But if we leave everything open, then we expect that people can see us. No worries, no problem .
Hi Cheryl – I think it depends on lots of different ways we were each brought up. I love the blinds open all the time and my DH could live with them down more. Just like I am an extrovert and he is an introvert.
Chuck’s point wasn’t about those who keep the blinds open or closed or what anyone thinks of such people. It was about the way Mr. Olen responded In such an abusive and accusatory manner.
Sorry to hear Mr Olen has such a negative attitude that he cannot see the innocence of casually watching others. The people who leave their doors and blinds open are watching you and know others will see them and do not care. Enjoy your walks and the insight you gain into life on the road.
We once had a neighbor in an RV park that we never saw. The car would appear and disappear but the shades were always drawn tight, door shut, no equipment or chairs outside. Wonder if that was Mr. Olen? We close our shades when we want privacy – with the large windows in our RV, we call it closing up the fishbowl. If our shades are up, feel free to look. I’m pretty proud of my coach and the artwork.
I would say that with the departure of Mr. Robert Olen, this already excellent newsletter just got even better! Good riddance and bless your lil’ o heart, Mr. Olen … I don’t think you will but I truly hope you find happiness in all that misery you have found yourself caught up in. I too am sad for you.
Chuck, hopefully you are able to fluff off remarks like Mr. Olens and stay focused on the members like me who appreciate all your work to publish something that is informative and interesting. You don’t need to respond to spiteful comments like that because it only feeds their “righteous “ (not) anger.
Hello RV Travel family,
I have been a reader for many years starting in 2007. I have been blessed by your wonderful articles on rving.
At this time in our world your website is a breath of fresh air! Rvers are usually a very friendly and helpful group of wonderful people! I have been blessed in my soon to be 70 years of life to be a part of that group of people! The other day I was enlighten to donate to your cause!
Thank you and your team for the wonderful reading experience!
God Bless you and your family!
Stephen Durrett
stephendurrett@sbcglobal.net
Good riddance to Mr. Olen, he obviously has never walked a dog or maybe even RV”d, because if he had he would have understood where you were coming from Chuck, his sort will definitely not be missed.
Good riddance. I love to look at all the many types, classes, and sizes of RV’s. Sometimes windows are open and you glance inside. Doesn’t make me a peeping Tom or a pervert. Just curious. He can haunt other websites and spew hatred. Poor lost soul.
It has long been acknowledged that once someone puts himself or herself “out there,” the “putter-downers” will come out of the woodwork, spread their poison around, then sit back and feel justified for all the vitriol they have produced. I dare say it has happened to many of us who are unafraid to voice (or write) our opinions in a public venue. Take heart, Chuck. There are many of your faithful readers like I am who appreciate your hard work and willingness to “tell it like it is.”
Years ago we came to a park campground after closing hours. We walked down to the manager’s trailer to ask permission to stay. As we approached, we could see through the window that he was at dinner. So we waited until he finished so as not to disturb his meal. Did that make us Peeping Toms? (It didn’t do much good, he was still grouchy.)
We often like to walk around the campground in the evening and check out the neighbors. We look at the license plate to see what state they are from. We like to look at their camping set up and sometimes get good ideas. We have a “solar chandelier” that the design came from a neighbor camper in St. Augustine. When we commented on theirs they were very happy to share how they made it from a ceiling fixture from a garage sale and solar patio torches. The following year my wife found a dining room fixture at Good Will and the rest is history. Once while in FL our site was right next to an older mobile home that was converted to the park laundromat. We met many friendly folks coming to and fro and a couple even stopped and sat right down to visit. I find 99% of RV’rs are warm and friendly and enjoy meeting new people from other parts of the country. It is common to have one or two neighbors offer help backing into a site. This past Feb, before I finished setting up at a park, I had met three of my seasonal neighbors who offered their assistance with anything that may crop up in our stay. Shortly after we were invited to join in for a surprise birthday party for the park manager. How friendly is that.
Let that 1% of grumps just sit in the corner and pout if they want. The rest of us will enjoy life.
People are always free to close their curtains and doors if they don’t want anyone looking in. Simple as that because it is natural for people to look around, especially in the RV world.
Sometimes you see things you wish you never did. When we were workampers we were managing a members only RV park in Nevada. We usually had to wait until late to walk – after it got below 100. One light we were walking checking on things as we did when we took our walks plus visiting when we looked up at the bedroom in a 5th wheel where the old guy was stark naked! We were surprised but later found out this was common for the old guy to walk around naked and curtains open.
We all glance in at times when out and about, I think the fact that Mr. Olen saw it as something else makes me wonder about why his mind went way beyond the subject .. he took it to another level, and not good! We appreciate time and effort that goes into creating this newsletter, enjoy it immensely.
It’s not always pleasant. I was in a park in Florida a while back where the next door neighbor would leave his door wide open after dark with his lights on and not wear clothes. He didn’t look good naked. If you’re gonna do that, at least keep yourself in good enough shape to look good. I’m not a prude, I’ve seen a lot of things in my 66 years but sometimes you kind of wish you could unsee something.
Same thing happened to us at an SKP park of all places! Except it was the missus who liked to undress in front of the open picture window and stay that way!!
Sounds like you’ve seen/met Mr. Olen
Wow…it took you 950 issues to find him…He must have really been hiding!!!! lmao…
I too enjoy walking around the park and thinking of the people who are my neighbors in their traveling homes. Those that live in them permanently, not moving down the road, those that travel wherever and whenever, and those that travel for vacations. Where are they from, where are they going, why did they choose this life and when?
But then I also do the same thing with sticks and bricks when I walk around a neighborhood. If blinds are open you get a glimpse of their life. If they aren’t you can make up a story about them from what you see outside.
Not much different from people watching in the mall (if you ever get to go into one again).
I’m quite sure Mr. Olen was probably one of the individuals I saw on the news last night in downtown Atlanta.
Every park I visit, which is what I’m doing at this very moment in Fredericksburg Tx, I’ll always look at the other RV’s as I walk the park. I”ll talk to those outside enjoying their day, or wave to those looking out their window. This is called enjoying life.
oh my goodness. If I leave a window open after the sun gets low it is so I can see the folks who walk by. If they look in I wave! Glass usually works two ways. When the day is done I close my blinds and turn off the lights.
So if you are walking your dog and glance our way, expect me to wave. Feel free to wave back
Well, this one sure brought us out of the ‘woodwork’.
Nothing intended or perceived when neighbors glance our way: curtains open we wave to show our friendliness. Curtains closed we are probably not receiving guests. But if you knock we might very well say howdy.
Keep up the good work Chuck. No doubt this is not the first ‘one’ that chose to throw darts at an article.
Robert Olen is the type who (in my estimation) pushes politically correct to the max. To walk thru the park at night and get a glimpse of people enjoying life is a gratifying sensation. To know that amid all the confusion going on these days, life is somewhat normal people are doing things as they always were before Coronavirus, life is good. More people do the looking (in innocence and admiration) than would care to admit due to people like Robert Olen. There is nothing wrong with it. People who would be worried will close the door and pull the curtains if concerned. Chuck, do not let the Robert Olens of the world faze you. For everyone of them there are hundreds who feel like you, I for one. It is the loss of respect and trust for one’s fellow man that creates the Robert Olens of the world. They look at only the worst in any situation, it is far more satisfying to see the good in your fellow man.
Keep up the good work! Your (and the others in the newsletter) writing is always interesting and informative, not to mention entertaining. No where else do we have someone with our (RV”ers) best interest at heart the way you do.
If you don’t want someone looking into your RV, close your shades, etc. Enough said.
Yes, good riddance to Robert , the coward. As you’re well aware, Chuck, there are many people who’ve been emotionally damaged by any number of factors in life. Just living in our high-stress society where consumerism is prized above spirituality is stressful enough. The man is big-time damaged goods. If ran a blog, I’d have blocked him after his first b.s. comment. Eliminate toxic people! In response to your question: yes, if people leave their blinds or curtains open, of course I intentionally look inside. As you said: human nature. Anyone beyond the age of 7 knows how to pull a shade down if they want privacy. ‘Nuff said. Move beyond the emotional wreckage known as Robert.
A Peeping Tom????? Oh brother! I dare anyone to walk by an RV in a campground with its blinds or door open and not glance over and take a little peek! I know I would 🙂
Uhm really who cares what that idiot thinks ? Close it out of your head , one way of doing just that might be with a technique called Tapping – Google Dr Mercola for info. A normal human being is going to walk and look around , someone that doesn’t do that has issues
Chuck,
You are a man after my own means! Ever since I was introduced to your newsletter I have been in awe of the things I have learned. I am a serious DIY guy and my wife as well and we got into RVing about 47 years ago with a pickup truck and a slide in camper. It was our escape to enjoy our new life together as newlyweds. We have been at it and enjoying when ever we could to get away. We are rebuilding our 2000 Flagstaff 5th wheel trailer after 4 years of use and finding out it wasn’t built as good as we thought. I have emailed you about its progress a little while ago and hopefully I can get back on it to try and get it done! I will send some pics later. I am a subscriber and will be for as long as I can! Keep up the good work and your daughter sounds like a perfect fit for the editor job! We are redoing the inside of the trailer with low maintenance, ease of upgrades, and sound construction techniques. Being retired is a plus as I have the freedom to research and try out ideas for the RV and I am documenting every step of the way. Time will tell and we get to camp in our own backyard to prove it out! Take care, be safe, and stay healthy! Safe travels to you and your family! 🙏👵🧓👍
What a jerk Mr. Olen is. We leave our doors and windows open for a fresh breeze and if folks look in it’s fine with us. They often wave and we wave back. We are not sitting around in our underwear or less. RV spots are usually pretty close together and it takes less work to be friendly. So be sure to keep all your doors and windows closed, pull the shades and get over yourself, Mr O. Some people always are angry and I certainly feel for his wife. Maybe he should RV in his garage.
I like reading your Newsletter and have learned so much. Thank you so much for all your tips, etc.
I did not see the exchange referenced here, but certainly the unfounded and rude accusations reflect someone who is angry and confused. The reasons why could be as simple as having a bad day to something more difficult to cope with like substance abuse, dementia, or prior traumatic experience. I would not take it personally or engage with someone who is having a hard time relating to others. I would simply block the person from commenting/accessing RVTravel.com – and trust he can find other web sites that he does not find perverted or offensive. Sounds like a cloistered individual if his idea of deviant Internet Porn is commentary on RVTravel.com.
I never expected to add a “peeping Tom” to the list of people I thoroughly respect in the RV world! I shared all this with my wife who laughed and suggested, she too, had that affliction. One of her joys is walking at dusk to see how homey other RVs are, colors, decorating or just how people begin their evening around a campfire. Thanks for sharing another pressing issue!
That is just crazy … I’m sorry, but when you wrote what this individual commented, I had a laugh, not at you, but at the writer; so sad, to be that suspicious of people. Of course as you go for a walk, you automatically look around at all the trailers and if campers leave their lights on, how can you not help but see inside. If they don’t want people seeing inside, they should close their blinds.
That guy is a jerk. I think your newsletter is the best RV one I know! There’s too many negative people like him in this world. Let him go hang with them! I’m sticking with your group!
He probably didn’t have a paid subscription anyway!
” do you sometimes look, intentionally or unintentionally, into the open windows of RVs, and in the process see the people inside?”
Absolutely! Everybody else does too. Nothing weird or perverted about it. If you were standing next to the RV peeking in the window, that would be a different thing.
Once again, I’m with you all the way on this one.
Dont let the idiots get to you. There are far, far more who are with you.
Chuck. I agree viewing the RV in the park I am in as we walk around and wave to fellow RVs. and I am a Tom In more ways then just peeking. Lol
I have always used that example of what a true camper is. using the same synerio where looking inside open door or windows of neighbors when walking my dogs and commenting to those you saw the next day, a city person would state ” Why are you looking in my windows anyways ” where as a true camper would state “So you like what you saw , come on in and have a drink while I show you more “
Mr Olen is definitely “out there.” If RVers were concerned about pedestrians seeing them in their RV’s then they pull their shades or curtains. I don’t believe anyone expects that you must walk starring straight ahead. For myself, I enjoy looking at all the different types of RV’s and their assorted paint jobs.
Look ‘at’ an rv is not the same as looking ‘into’ an rv.
Methinks, Friz, that you might not feel the same way if those remarks had been directed at YOU and not at Chuck. As the kids say “easy for you to say”.
One would think that with all of the angst and confusion we are living in we would put it down a while as we enjoy being among like minded people. While I agree with your comments, we must be patient and understanding of those narrow minded people who are so bitter, as they can’t see the opportunities available to them as we walk around, wave to each other, smile, say a word or two and perhaps make a friend. While they are rude and inconsiderate, they are entitled to their opinion. I wait for them to speak, or not, show their ignorance, and then decide to leave them be. No need to lower myself to their level.
As for Mr. Olen, does he have any friends to walk with him?? Probably not.
I enjoy early evening walks, saying hi or just waving as we stroll by.
One other quirk I have, if the curtains/shades open is where did the maker of said RV put the TV?? Some are in purely ridiculous places that I’m sure your neck is twisted after watching it for just a few minutes.
Keep up the excellent words of wisdom that we all need in these days.
I’m looking to see what’s on TV as we take our evening walk. There’s no lingering, that would be impolite. I never thought of myself as a peeping pervert. Only a real pervert would come to that conclusion. I hope you seek help and find peace Mr. Olen.
Mr. Olen needs to boondock. He sounds more like a hermit than an RVer.
Hermits can be very nice people just wanting a little privacy and quientess, which is why many people boondock.
Oh, my goodness. I read that response to your article and was astonished at how nasty it was. Who doesn’t walk around the campground with their pups (or no pups) and enjoy looking at the gorgeous rigs that are out there? My husband and I would always walk around campgrounds to see what rigs that we would put on our wish list. . . Who owns an RV that doesn’t know when the shades are up the inside lights are on that you are in a goldfish bowl?? These rigs have shades if you don’t want to be seen, and we all know it. We own a beautiful rig and enjoy when people walk by and compliment it – we worked hard to get this rig. And, as I said – if we don’t want people to look in, we just pull the shades. It’s a no brainer. I totally enjoy your website since I saw you on the NERVDA show with John DiPietro and Bob Zagami! Don’t let the haters detract you and your daughter! PS – loved her idea of the RVing pets segment, that was fun.
Chuck,
I have been reading your newsletters for several years now and enjoy them very much.
You and your staff have done a tremendous job of getting the latest and greatest RV news and information into our hands. Congratulations on the 950 milestone. Because this business is you passion, you will always have new ideas pop into your brain at all hours of the day and night.
There will always be the 1 or 2% that march to a different drummer, and you cant let them get to you!
As you can see by the comments, the 98% of us appreciate what you do
Keep up the good work my friend!
I love your newsletter and see nothing wrong with a look at an open window or door as you walk by. Afterall, if the inhabitants want privacy they should close the door and blinds! Which is the same thing they should do in a stick house! Good grief!
It has become a tradition for my wife and me to take a walk around the campground at night, checking out campfires, movie nights under the stars, great conversations, and yeah, peering into people’s wide open campers! It folks wanted privacy, or to hide, all they have to do is draw the curtains, blinds, shades, or whatever they use to cover their window openings at night. This is exactly what we practice in our motor home. If it’s early we are just reading, making a meal, conversing at the dinette or whatever, we leave all windows un-covered. Near bedtime, or TV watching we’ll button up the rig. Same process in the morning. We can’t wait to raise the shades and day & night blinds to let the morning in and all it brings, including chirping birds, or early risers taking a moring walk.
We’ve had people see us in the window and wave. I guess that means that they were looking too. Nothing better than friendly campers!
Thank you for all your work on the newsletters. Great info!
You put yourself in the position of telling the person in the other home or rv how to live their life. I’m sure you would not accept such direction easily.
You’re right, Chuck. He’s just a bitter person lashing out in the likely hopes that he’ll make someone else feel as bad about his life as Olen feels about his own. Good riddance indeed!
He probably leaves his windows open and goes around “unclothed” in his RV. I say if you don’t want people looking in, close the blinds or curtains, just as you would at home! What a goofball!
So here’s my take – and this goes for RVs, tents, houses, offices – you are permitted to look at the building, but not stare. You are never permitted to look into the structures. So if a curtain is open and you look at a camper, you must immediately look away. No if, and, or buts. A specific invitation is always required for you to look into a camper (etc.) whether through a window, door, or crack in the wall.
If you don’t follow my preferred behavior, are you a pervert (or something else)? Not necessarily. You just don’t have the same sense of societal behavior that, as a Southerner, I was brought up with. However, it does make my skin crawl thinking that I can’t leave my curtains open without someone standing and staring in.
As a lonely Senior who lives alone I often have an impulse on a dark lonely walk to look into the bright cheeriness of someone’s uncurtained window BUT I always resists because I know even a brief glance can EASILY be misconstrued as criminal intent or at the least as invasion of privacy. I became aware that it IS an invasion of privacy as a younger lonely person out for a lonely walk on a dark night when my glance was met by the glance of the homeowner, and I saw the suspicion on his face even in the brief time our eyes met. If we are told ‘close your curtains or blinds’ that restricts our freedom to view the scenery. In daylight if a person is sitting on their step or in a lawn chair yes of course I’ll say hello. Our eyes are naturally attracted to light .. but a burned moth should give us a clear warning. Not many of us live in close communities where we know each person as a friend.
Sorry, Charlie, but I can’t help feel sorry for Mr. Olen. I just wondered why he was reading the newsletter anyway with his comment. Open windows are just that, open. Therefore, free to look into.
I can only guess he hasn’t worked through the trauma of walking in on his Grandmother as a child…
Americans are such prudes.
(Yes, born American, served 20 years in the Navy, been stationed all over the world, not worried about nor offended by nudity.)
Chuck, allow me to share a different perspective. I’d bet that the vast majority of your commenters are supportive of you and your newsletter or, at minimum, civil in their responses. Now isn’t that something to celebrate! But by writing at length about Mr. Olen, you elevated that single, (likely) rare commenter and magnified his thoughts. In any public profession, such as editor, it pays to be Teflon, and to remember the ol’ “sticks n stones… “. As someone who advocates against censorship, I prefer reading ALL comments — those I agree with, those I disagree with, those that cause me to think, and yes, even those that make me shake my head or roll my eyes. Thanks.
Hi ITW, Your right, I do support and enjoy the staff’s reporting.
In this case I disagree that Chuck is promoting division. I think his article is using an example to teach us all to be better humans.
If you don’t like the lesson or the method thats just a preference, but is hard to disagree with the premise.
BTW, when I make eye contact with a neighbor (outside or thru a window) I wave and keep moving…
I know if we are in our RV and the shades are up and lights on, that people can see in. Plain and simple. It is my choice to pull the shades or leave them up. There is something comforting walking around at night and seeing lights inside a home .
Open doors or windows, you give anyone walking by permission to look in. When studying professional photography learned that the eye is automatically attracted to light so when walking at night you will inadvertently glace towards a lighted area. We are also attracted to movement. Pervert, seems like a very extreme reaction. Whether at home or in a RV park I am always glancing around for my own safety. Often, while walking by an RV showing a movie we always take a guess as to which movie. Frankly, I enjoy when a bully or someone who “attacks” is called out and exposed. It seems the only way that decent people can try and shape the social media environment into one that we can safely enjoy.
Some people just like to be miserable!
seems like most of the complainers are women as usual. If you don’t want people to look at you close your blinds, simple but seems to escape them. Wife and I walk the campgrounds we stay at, she’s looking at the scenery I`m looking at how other people do things and get the best solutions to common problems of camping. All my modifications are born from this. I have had people stop and ask how I came up with this or that, last one was a pin box modification. But they had to look in “my space” to start the conversation, the Horror.
Up next is the Drone issue, everyone of them is a Peeping Tom trying to see me (wife) in some degree of undress, right.
Curtains and doors close as well as open. If they leave the curtains or doors open, Most people don’t care. (Some do..we call them exhibitionists. If you’re one of those…PM me… 😉 As long as they’re not doing anything ‘offensive’ and you’re not walking right up and trying to spy on them… Part of life is looking around and getting ideas on things you can do to fix your rig or stix-&-brix.
Stare, wave and smile… it is great fun.