It’s time to pull into your new campsite. You find your spot, and your partner gets out to help you back into it. Voila! You’re officially home for the night!
Since it’s only 4 p.m., you decide to take a walk to stretch your legs after the drive. You see a few of your neighbors are outside. Do you… stop and say “Hi” and introduce yourself? Wave and keep walking? Ignore them and pretend like you didn’t see them?
The choice might depend on how social you’re feeling or the vibe you’re getting from the folks next door.
Some RVers enjoy the camaraderie of meeting new people, sharing travel stories, or swapping tips about local attractions. Others prefer to keep to themselves, treating their campsite as a peaceful retreat. After all, one of the beauties of RVing is the freedom to choose your level of interaction.
On the other hand, striking up a quick conversation could be the start of a lasting friendship. Many RVers form bonds with fellow travelers that extend beyond the campground, connecting over shared experiences and mutual interests. Then again, waving and continuing your walk might feel like the perfect balance—acknowledging your neighbors without committing to a conversation.
Do you always introduce yourself to your campsite neighbors? Always? Sometimes? Rarely? Never? After you vote, please leave a comment. Thank you!
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RVDT2828
I do not go to someone in a RV park and introduce myself just like I would not do that in a hotel or at a motel. I don’t introduce myself in a store or a restaurant. Why would a campground be any different?
Same here.
Will always say hello if they are out and looking in our direction, but to exchange names is seldom done.
My hello method is generally a male type nod of the head. Exchanging that nod is the equivalent to saying “hello, how’s life treating you, nice day out here isn’t it…” You know, all the pleasantries that the distaff side might take 15 or 20 minutes to accomplish.
We only greet our neighbors if we are both outside our rigs and we notice the neighbor is looking at us. We don’t introduce ourselves with names but say a few pleasantries.
Always wave and say hello as we walk past a neighbor’s campsite. That opens the opportunity for future interaction. Sometimes that happens, sometimes not. But at least you demonstrate that you are a friendly neighbor. Doesn’t cost a thing to be nice.
Sometimes there’s a need to borrow a tool. There may be questions that a more experienced RVer can help a newbie with. And sometimes just respect that your neighbors came camping to get away from big city problems, where neighbors may not be friendly.
I will exchange pleasantries if I see someone out and about or have a brief conversation if they show signs of wanting one; but will not go over there and inject myself into their world.
I don’t go out of my way to approach a neighbor. I will give them a friendly wave or nod of my head if they are looking my way. And a good morning, afternoon or evening.
Same when walking through the campground.
Almost always, but far less often on overnight stops where we arrive near dusk and hit the road after breakfast in the morning. Walking our goofy golden retriever is often the ice breaker.
If I see them outside then yes. Many times you never see many people outside though.
Just an overnight stop, rarely. Longer stay, maybe.
The one time we introduced ourselves and struck up a conversation with a camper beside us, he soon became an annoyance, coming over often and staying too long, and talking about things we didn’t want to hear about. Ever since, we avoid our neighbors except for a friendly nod and wave.
Unfortunately sometimes we gotta learn another kinda way and move on it’s ok live in learn especially in today’s America.
While my husband has a genius for striking up conversations with people, I don’t. He isn’t pushy, and we’ve met many wonderful people and been incredibly blessed over the years by interactions we’ve had through his friendliness. It’s very rare not to have a positive experience.