Reader Lisa Adcox sent this to us and we thought it deserved its own post. Thank you, Lisa, for this great reminder!
Lisa writes:
How do you fit in? Did we not learn how to not do that in our school years?
We recently decided to sit down for a bit. Have been workamping and will continue but staying put in an RV Park for a bit.
We settled on a place in RGV [Rio Grande Valley] in TX. Many people have been coming here year after year for 10 to 20 years. They all know each other and seems like they do not let new people in. How sad this happens today when we are no longer teenagers who joined up in groups. The sport-minded, the ‘brainies,’ and the nerds or outcasts.
Well, it lives today in RV Parks where people 60 and up live and play as snowbirds and full-timers.
My question above on how you fit in may be a simple answer. Be here long enough to become an old-timer or ‘longtimer,’ as I have heard some calling themselves.
The reason I am saying all this is maybe if you see someone new pull in, take a moment to say hello, tell them what may be going on in the park and how to sign up for things. Do not assume they know. Maybe invite them in case they are not one to just show up. Some are leaders, some are followers.
Think back to when you were new. It can get lonely and you can feel left out.
Just a brief little note from someone who has been there and is still there learning to fit in.
Don’t forget the single RVers. It gets lonely if the people all around us won’t visit!
I can tell you it pays to get to know some of your fellow campers or workampers. My husband just had a stroke Sunday night. Many of the Winter Texans as we call them and other workampers have stepped up and been helping me with things he would normally do. They also have all been praying for him. It took awhile to get to know some but they have been there for us.
Wow! Thanks for letting us know, Lisa. Best wishes for your husband’s speedy recovery. And it’s great to hear about your fellow campers and workampers helping out. Good luck, and take care. 🙂 –Diane
We stayed at Seven Feathers in Ore. (for the 2nd time) a year or so ago. We were situated among a bunch of Oregonians (lic. plates) in 5th wheels. Not even one bothered to say hi or anything else to us for the 2 days we spent there. Maybe they felt our Calif plates labeled us as invaders. It really didn’t matter to us- the resort is a beautiful spot and we always enjoy it…but when some people just stare- it’s a drag.
thank you for the article. Sometimes it seems like 95% of RV’ers are married couples. We singles would appreciate being invited to the activities .
Good advice to welcome everyone. Having been the one that has been sitting alone at a social gathering, I know how it feels. Sadly this kind of thing exists from high school reunions to nursing homes.
It’s sad that as adults many do not even try to get to know each other.. My husband always says to get a friend you have to be a friend..
We have stayed in the same little rv park in the RGV for the last 3 winters. No pool, no activities director, but very welcoming to all, mostly. We stay in the same site, mostly the same neighbors, and when there is a group activity, we all know about it and are welcome to join. Sometimes we, as newbies, need to take the first step.
As a very newbie, we have tried to engage with people out side of their RV by just saying hello, which a couple of times has led to further conversation, but I can’t imagine ‘inviting myself’ into a group gathering. It would be like someone having a party at their S&B home and a stranger knocks on the door and asks to join in……seems quite awkward. Is this what you’re supposed to do, to be included? I’m a bit lost with this.
Not so much just joining in at a cookout or such but find out about the events in park that has sign in sheets. Many have Happy Hour or hamster night. Some have game nights. See what may be going on. If you are around awhile,have a happy hour at your site. Everyone brings a snack or bottle of wine. Put info at office. We found many enjoy that.
Yes! Good article. It would also be nice if the park had a welcoming committee to introduce newbies to the park and make sure it is explained how to sign up for activities.
I totally agree with that idea. Many do not know where to get info.
Thank you for the well timed reminder.
It seems like dogs are great ice breakers in campgrounds. Sometimes it’s our dog, sometimes it’s others. Dogs are great, cigarettes are not. A couple of weeks ago we were at a really nice but crowded campground and struck up a conversation with someone with whom our dog was unusually friendly. Nice, pleasant conversation until he lit up a Marlboro(?). I didn’t say a word, just went back inside with my dog. If you smoke, you stink., so go downwind. And yes, I am an ex smoker.
From one ex-smoker to another; It’s not easy for everyone to give it up and some have no desire to quit. But to write people off because they smoke isn’t good either. Yes, sometimes you have to remind smokers that their smoke is invading YOUR space. But even this can be done nicely with tact and understanding. I always position myself up wind from anyone I know that smokes. I do this without even thinking about it anymore. Always be humble and kind. You were once a chimney too.
I don’t care to be around smokers. It’s not just the smoke that bothers me. But smokers stink from smoking. It’s in their clothes, and on their body. I’ve been in stores waiting to go thru the checkout and would have to back away because of the stink. It would almost make me vomit. Don’t know what chemicals they put in the cigarettes, Don’t remember them stinking this bad when I was younger.
I am not RVing at present, but enjoy reading of others’ adventures.