By Gail Marsh
Dawn recently approached me as I folded clothes in the campground laundry room. Dawn is a lot like me—an RVing introvert. She’s single, so she doesn’t have an extrovert husband or travel buddy to coax and tease her out of her shell. She asked me, “Do you have some tactics for making friends while RVing?” I could relate and I knew that campfire friends would have some great suggestions. So, I convinced Dawn to join our evening campfire.
A pet?
Steve spoke up first: “Get yourself a dog. Other folks will usually stop and comment about your pooch and bam! You’ve made an acquaintance. Be sure to get the names of people you meet and greet them by name the next time you see them.”
Smile
“Wear a smile,” Chet offered. “A smile tells other folks that you are friendly and approachable.” If another camper speaks to you, be prepared to engage rather than dismiss them or continue on your way.
Darla advised, “Do more than just smile. Say, ‘Hello.’ Introduce yourself. Tell where you’re from originally. Ask where home is for the other person, too.” Darla and others went on to say that it’s important not to rush. If you’re walking, stop and talk. Don’t be in a rush to hurry on your way.
Ask questions
“Another way to meet your RVing neighbors is to ask questions,” Chet spoke up again. “Ask about their rig or RV gear. Not only will you get to know someone, but you may also pick up a few ideas or better ways to do things.”
Be outside
Jan said, “I think one of the very best ways to make friends while RVing is pretty simple. Be outside. It seems lately that I only see RVers when they first arrive in their RVs and then when they get ready to leave. You won’t meet anyone if you stay inside your rig all the time. Grab a book, hobby, or crossword puzzle and take it outside. Sit in your lawn chair or at the picnic table. Chances are someone will ask what you’re working on, and you can take the conversation from there.” Also, position your lawn chair so that you’re facing the campground path where folks often walk. That way, you can see them coming and offer a greeting.
Use amenities
I met Dawn in the campground laundry room. If you use the campground’s facilities, you’re sure to meet other campers. A swimming pool, camp store, or other campground amenity will likely be a spot where you can meet others. Once there, you can ask questions, introduce yourself, and begin to make connections.
Offer help
“Sometimes I offer to help,” Steve added. “If I see a camper struggling with something, I’ll offer to help. Even if they decline, they seem to remember me, and I can ask later if they were able to fix their problem.” Just don’t interrupt RVers as they park, set up, or get ready to depart. They need to concentrate to get the job done. However, building on a previous encounter is a good way to begin a second conversation.
Join in
Many campgrounds host ice cream socials, potluck dinners, and the like. Join in the festivities even though your introverted personality may chafe a bit. Simply sitting near other RVers opens the opportunity for conversations. Take advantage of them.
Groups
“Join a group,” Dan suggested. “Our local Airstream group sponsors rallies occasionally, and I know other RV brand owners do, too.” Dan’s suggestion is a good one to consider. You’ll immediately have something in common (RV brand/model) and may pick up some helpful RVing tips along the way.
Other groups like Escapees, RV Facebook groups, and even Instagram can help you connect with RVers like yourself. Give them a try.
Hobbies
Hobbies provide chances to find folks who share your interests. Check out the campground bulletin board or event calendar for hobby events, like crochet club, BBQ cookoff, scrapbooking group, etc. Don’t see your particular hobby? Post your own note inviting other campers to join you at the community building or the pavilion picnic table.
My husband and I like to go motorcycling with other bikers in the campground. We stop to eat lunch together and get to know one another, and then it’s back on the motorcycle again. This is great for us because it accommodates my husband’s extrovert personality (lunch with lots of conversation) and my own introverted self (riding with no pressure to interact).
I RV for this
John had been quiet throughout our conversation. He finally spoke up, “I’m the oddball out, I guess. I like RVing because I can escape the crowds and simply enjoy nature and my own great company.”
That’s okay, John. To each his/her own, right? Graciously respecting the introvert and extrovert campers will help you enjoy every RVing journey.
Note: If you travel or RV alone, you need to take reasonable precautions for your personal safety. If you sense something is “off” or feel uncomfortable around a person or situation, listen to your instincts and simply walk away. You may also carry personal protection (loud-sounding alarms, wasp spray, etc.) for additional protection and confidence.
How about you?
Do you sometimes feel lonely when RVing? What advice would you offer to Dawn?
##RVT1152
Being a 77 year old divorced man, I travel with my 90 lb yellow Lab Charlie. I’m a “member” of a couple of fiberglass trailer groups and attend their gatherings from year to year. I’m very aware of the couples picknick table gatherings. Husband and wife couples typically don’t invite single men to join them for dinner or conversation at their site. Single women are more likely to be invited to join a married couple. You are more likely to see two couples enjoying each other’s company. Talk about feeling left out!
Ron, you are right and it definitely would make one feel left out. Have you thought about reaching out ahead of time to the gathering’s organizer and asking them to give your name to other single participants? Perhaps you might be able to connect in advance of the gathering and then you would already have a friend to chat with upon arrival. After that, you and the other single/singles might continue to plan to attend further events.
It is unfair. Check out Loners on Wheels and the WIN group to meet up with other solos. There’s also a Solos group inside Escapees but I don’t think they are too active.
If all else fails, invite a couple or two over to your site. Grill or cook, hint that they could bring a side dish. Or ask them to drop by your fire in the evening to share a pitcher of margaritas, whatever.
Exactly and I totally like my own company especially in today’s america of indifference, hate, and meaness just my opinion only.
Take a walk around the campground. You’ll meet others also walking and be able to start a conversation.
If you cross paths with DH & myself expect to be invited …. at festivals always anybody walking by for coffee & conversation, at state parks in the evenings when the propane firepit is going. I have had musicians, lifetime trail walkers, authors, FT RVers, artists, CG hosts and everyone in between pull up for a bit with us. Drives my husband nuts sometimes but we have met some outstanding people along the way& learned so much from all of them. Many still crossing over on FB so we can cross paths out here camping.
Sure hope someone will invite me or DH should the day come that we end up alone in our travels ahead ….
My biggest suggestion is to have a smile on your face or at least smile when you see someone approaching. Nine times out of ten they will smile back and a possible conversation about anything, the weather, something interesting to see in or near the cg, etc. My second suggestion is to look at the license plate on other rigs when walking around. It’s an easy conversation starter to ask what part of that particular state they are from, especially if you have visited somewhere in their state. Most people are very happy to talk about their state and where they are from.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Over the years we have done most of those. We still have a dog and walk him through the campground loop 3 or 4 times daily. We do speak to those making eye contact. We have made “business cards” that we pass out to those with whom we have two or three conversations during our stay at a campground. The “business cards” have our names, phone numbers, and email addresses. They also have a picture of us with RV #2 the day we bought it. We hosted (and may again) a Boondockers Welcome site, so its name and address are there too. We tell people we had to take the site down because of county zoning laws, but may be able to restore it in future. Thanks again, safe travels! 🙂
Occasionally, I stop to talk. I must look mean, because they don’t stop. I do sit outside, cook outside, and read. When I walk my dog, people tend to want to get their hands on him. That, I do not allow because he was taught to ignore people and dogs. I never glom onto or pet someone else’s dog. So, I don’t worry about making conversation, but it’s ok if someone wants to talk.