Say you’re sitting outside around your picnic table at the campground. It’s just after dinner time, still light out (those days in the not-too-distant future!), and your neighbors are out on their evening walks. Picture it? Okay, good. Would you like it if those neighbors stopped to say hello and chat for a moment, or would you prefer that they moved on and continued walking? Maybe they’ll give you a wave, but that’s it.
Have we become more isolated in campgrounds? Are we still just as friendly as “the good ol’ days”? What do you think? After you vote in the poll below, please leave a comment and explain your answer. We’re curious to hear what you have to say. Thank you!
Actually, I am between answer #2 & #3. I like the ocassional chat, but I don’t want it to last for hours, maybe 10-15 minutes max. Come back a few hours later or the next day and i would enjoy that.
Most generally enjoy the chats, but had one guy, with his red cap and political flag, who was going around saying he was trying to catch Covid. That was a bit much and he was told to leave the park..
I won’t approach anyone with a confederate flag, a Trump flag, or any kind of angry political bumper sticker. Leave your politics at home.
I love to meet other people but my wife hates the small talk. I am definitely on board with short stints over long hauls. I am curious but not writing your biography. 😀
More the merrier!
If in a few minutes of chatting we don’t find some thing(s) we have in common or interests, please move on to someone who does,.or wants to.
Keep your opinions, politics, whiney attitude, medical miseries, and cigarettes in your pocket and we can have pleasant visit.
yep
Wife is much better at small talk than me, totally agree with Dan
I don’t mind it most of the time. Particularly if it’s a fishing trip we are on. You might get a tip or two on what the fish are biting on.
If I’m dressed, yes. If I am still in my jammies drinking my coffee, move on!!
It’s pretty easy to tell if someone wants to engage or not. While walking up and down the campground road I see someone and there is eye contact it worth at least a hello. If they are reading a paper or doing a crossword puzzle I generally walk on by.
We enjoy meeting others all the time. Question: How come no one stops by when setting up, but everyone stops to chat when breaking down trying to leave?
LOL.. that is odd.
Yes I do enjoy a brief chat. People are always so friendly and seem very relaxed when RVing.
I don’t mind meeting new people and a quick visit. Our overall goal in camping is to reconnect with each other, and disconnect with everyday life. I would prefer to meet and chat it up with others at a designated group function and leave my site out of it.
We end up talking to people while walking our Dalmatians, they seem to get a lot of attraction. But not while we are in our spot. We are never outside much other than to get in the car to go shopping, or eat.
We have always felt one of the big differences between staying in a motel and staying where other RVs are located is that, if you say “Hello” to someone in the RV area, they usually nod, return the greeting and engage in a short conversation. If you say “Hello” to someone in a motel, they usually duck their head and hurry past.
this answer has to be unanimous… of course we love to meet and greet.
We spend a lot time outside our Motorhome. Sitting around the fire, listening to the radio and the like with our 2 dogs.
Some people stop and talk for a bit and stuff, we enjoy meeting and talking to other people.
We make friends quite easy and try to leave politics and religion out of the mix, if possible.
We are FT also.
Enjoy just about everyone.
Its basically like neighbors in a neighborhood.
Like the days when we were kids!
Sure, stop to talk for a minute or two. And then go away.
Best answer.
As long as they don’t snowflake about how the election was stolen
I’ve never run into that, but I have heard people say they moved from somewhere because of the politics. I never respond to any of that.
A little harmless chit chat is fine, but some people are deep questioners, like they want to get into your private life.
I’ve had people ask my age, specifically what town I’m from, how long we’re planning to be on the road and exactly where we are going. I’ve even had people ask how much we paid for our motorhome! Please…not on our first date! 😉
Unfortunately now-a days you never know one’s intentions when they want to know your life specifics.
Nothing like making new friends! A good cup of coffee or cold beer and good conversation are always a plus!
I’m an introvert and I have social anxiety so most of the time I prefer not to have long conversations. A wave is fine. Most people don’t realize how uncomfortable it can be for an introvert and just write me off as unfriendly.
I love to meet people but try to take a cue from their response to my wave or “good morning”. If they respond with wave only, I leave it at that. If verbal, I will somewhat cautiously enter into generic conversation and try to watch for signs of willingness to continue or distraction. Hopefully successful most of the time.
+1
It’s usually easy to tell by their seating position, face and body language if they want to engage. If they’re facing the road, wave and say Hi and wait for a response. If their back is to the road, leave them alone.
I wish everyone was as observant as the second half of your reply. Some people quickly latch on and are hard to get rid of.
As long as the conversation is not about sex, politics, religion or race.
Or constant complaining.
We like meeting others so we don’t mind walkers who want to chat. What we don’t like are those people who walk right in to our site, instead of staying at the entrance until waved in.
Meeting people from different locations and different walks of life are one of the biggest reasons we enjoy RVing
I’m an introvert so I don’t walk to someone and start talking, but if someone starts the conversation I can respond and talking back with them and carry on a conversation.
I am the same.
Ditto
My wife and I have pretty much the same position as most, we enjoy some short conversations about just about anything. . It’s like living in the Northeast when Spring arrives, neighbors are out working on their yards to rid it of winter and taking walks around the block after dinner. Rarely have we found people that sort of invite themselves into your campsite to spend the day.
Yes, as long as they accept bed head and PJs.
I especially like folks who stop to chat that have a friendly dog or 2. That way I get my “pet therapy”!
Vic,
I agree with everything, except for the (bleep, Don’t know what it was). A wise man once said opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one. We just shake our head or say “OHH”. Keep safe.
We meet and makes friends while walking our dog. A dog and a cute puppy such as ours is a magnet for many people.
We enjoy meeting others especially if we are not sitting down to a meal. Happy hour time or campfire time are good times to meet others.
I have found, after 7 years of full timing, that people act the same way and live pretty much as they did in a sticks and bricks home. If you are outgoing and open then that is how you are RVing. If you are quiet and keep to yourself then that is how you are on the road.
I didn’t know how to answer this question. While I am happy to engage people in conversation, we never sit outside the RV in a campground. We are either walking around or sitting on the sofa inside.
Poll is missing an option: I enjoy it some of the time.
As long as they’re not wearing a political hat or flying political flags l’m fine with it.
We have been Rv camping for 23 years, find people don’t sit outside as much as they used to and you don’t get much more than good morning from anyone. I meet people at the pool more than not, water aerobics.
Meeting and visiting with people is my favorite part of RV travel. I travel alone except for my 10 lb dog who loves everybody. I have met so many wonderful, interesting and fun friends. Please keep visiting!
Yes, really wish more would stop by and visit. As I worked as a Farmer and a traveling sales person, there is an unbelievable amount of history you may be able to obtain from people who are there regularly.
I put my New Zealand flags up so that people know where I’m from. A great way to start a conversation.
I always have an extra chair should someone want to stop and talk for a while. As long as the conversation doesn’t involve politics or religion, I enjoy meeting other campers.
Indeed! It’s a good policy to avoid politics and religion. These two topics can stop a pleasant conversation cold.
We had one couple that used to cruise the park carrying their own chairs come right over to our campfire one evening and invite themselves in for an extended chat. A bit bold??? Yes. But we had a great and memorable evening getting to know new people.
We love it, we’ve made so many new friends just by others and us doing that! We cherish all the memories and have gained many long term friends!
Lake of the woods Oregon
May I was sitting in my red kayak with my little dog blue sky green Lilly pads everywhere this guy asked me if he could take my picture I asked why then he told me that he was a photographer was a stunning picture so I let him we became great friends
The fallowing weekend crater lake opened he asked if I wanted to go see it is sure my coworkers said watch out he might take you out cut you up leave you in the woods for the bears I laughed I went so may places talking pictures I learned so much from him
I think my favorite was all the water falls
The Stein’s Mountain range was high desert we rented a tv to travel around for a few days
In October my dear friend meeting on a camping trip went to Florida to live with his daughter shortly after being there he passed away
I still hear his voice calling his dog best friend ever!
When I’m doing anything, I hate getting interrupted by other people! And then some of them will continue talking forever until I have to flat out tell them I have other things to do and do not have time to talk to them. Let me do my own thing. Please!
I agree!
Not really means sometimes; don’t bother me when I’m not settled yet or when I’m cooking or packing up to go. Unfortunately, that’s when most people come to talk at me. I don’t want to burn my dinner, I need to get the dog’s stuff out, get him a drink, let him wet down some bushes after the trip, and tie him out–and don’t touch my dog! When I’m getting ready to leave, I’m probably trying to stick to a time for a reason. The ones who want to talk, have only made comments like, how do you fit in there, where do you go to the bathroom, try to allow their dog to pester mine (who minds his own business), or wet on my wheels or the fire pit or something where I don’t want to smell it.
If they wish to talk about something besides being nosey or rude, and at a good time, I don’t mind at all. Common sense is appreciated.
Some of these comments I find disturbing. One of the best things about camping is not only being outside but meeting people with the same interest. Like the childhood neighborhood I grew up in, the campgrounds are today the closest thing to it. We knew all the neighbors and their children and enjoyed when they came over to chat. I use to always go over to other campers with an empty cup and ask ” could I please borrow a cup of fire”. That always started a conversation with an invitation to sit by the fire and chat
I don’t mind someone stopping in and visiting and I enjoy it. However, keep your dog from licking me or jumping on me.
If “strolling by” visitors didn’t resort to asking personal questions, I wouldn’t mind so much.
In my experience too many ask too many personal questions which I prefer not to answer. Too many people in these days of social media seem to have no boundaries.
I prefer to just spend time with my wife and dog, not with other people
I usually prefer to say hello and leave it at that.
Yes I do enjoy meeting people whether I am The one greeting or they are greeting me but when I’m eating people love to stand and talk and I don’t like being disturbed while I am eating
I noticed that when we stay at a park traveling and we are amongst long-term visitors we receive better greetings so if you have never stayed in a long-term area at an RV park try it sometime you might like it
Yes, of course. You learn so much about sites to see, other rv parks etc. Thats what makes camping so fun
Depends on the time of day. If I’m cooking keep on walking. Can’t tell people that but that’s what I prefer. Had a couple a few yrs. ago that hung around to the point I thought they were going to ask to come into the trailer and eat my steak. 🤣🤣🤣
When camping everyone is friendly and in a good mood , we need more of that
Hi. I am not an RVer. I am a motorcycle camper. I have a small tent trailer I tow behind my bike. It generates a lot of discussion. People always stopping by to ask questions and comment on it. Have met a lot of other riders and some locals that always tell me about other places they have visited. Have learned about lots of places to go. And from other riders of some great roads to ride.
I just don’t like people
Ha!!! Me either!!! 😂
Of course, it’s your job as a human being.
The wife and I have been on the road 5yrs. We both enjoy talking to people that stop by. We don’t go out of our way or their way but enjoy the chats. It’s good for the soul
I love meeting new folks. Most of the time I’m up for a bit of friendly conversation. Some nites it’s a bit of a quiet time.
I love for people to stop and talk. I love to do the same, but I usually don’t stay long unless they keep the conversation going. For the most part, people are pleasant and willing to take a few minutes to visit.
I love it when people stop to talk. We have met some great people from around America, Canada and England. Some we have continued friendship thanks to the internet. One couple from England took a year to camp America with their children. What a wonderful educational experience for those children. The campground can be a wonderful neighborhood with neighbors helping neighbors.
You lost me at sitting at the picnic table. If I am still sitting at the dinner table with my family, keep walking!! Do not interrupt that precious family time. Other times, sure stop by and visit- drinking around the campfire, play yard/board/card games, folding up beach towels fresh off the line, sipping my morning coffee, it’s all good stop and chat about how I’m “roughing it” and really should invest in a trailer. Tell me all the places youve experienced thanks to your trailer. I will smile politely and give you some great (TENT) camping spot recommendations. Yes he’s friendly, no he’s not neutered, no I don’t hunt, no his energy is motivating not exhausting. The longer you visit, the more you might notice that my toaster popped, or my laptop chimed (I work from “home”), or my blender is full of margaritas. Just bc I’m in a tent, does not mean I am roughing anything. I’ve got this down to a science, etiquette included. Let’s drink by the fire and watch people park their campers! 🙂
Yes I love it when folks stop to talk. It’s a treat to learn about where others are from and their travels. I especially like the full timers. Oh and meet the dogs too. Once someone stopped by and he’d been crabbing all day and gave me 5 cooked crabs 😋. I learn trailer troubles and solutions which is very helpful. Camping is the best.
I enjoy those people who walk past, wave, maybe ask “how are you?”….then move on. I work in a extremely busy, extremely stressful field that is constantly noisy. When I am on vacation, I want to spend time with my husband, my immediate family. I am not a person who enjoys chit chat conversations with strangers simply because I have to do it constantly at work. Vacation time is for me to get away from that, decompress, slow down and just enjoy those moments of peace and quiet. I also don’t enjoy being interrupted during mealtimes for the same reason…I am constantly having to stop eating at work to take care of other people so it is a pleasure for me to sit quietly at a meal, talking with my family and enjoying the solitude
Lol, exactly, also we might be in a similar line of work.
Depends on the entire picture.. I don’t like being bothered when I am trying to get something done… I’ve had up to 15 people at my site at once… arg!!! I’m trying to relax!!!!
Having morning cofee outside I enjoy peace and quiet. Any other time come on by