RVers are not as social as what you might glean from seeing Go RVing ads from the RV industry or on local TV commercials. If you believe the hype, then it might seem like RV parks are pretty much like Club Meds for RV enthusiasts, with everybody walking the grounds on the make for new chums.
We’re talking about older RVers here based on a recent poll of our readers, who are mostly in their mid-50s and older. We would likely have received different results if we’d queried RVers in their 20s and 30s. In our survey we asked, “How important to you is socializing with other RVers at campgrounds and RV parks?”
More than 2,000 of you participated, with nearly 60 percent responding that socializing with other campers was not important. Only 6 percent said socializing was very important. By socializing, we meant meeting new people.
We were not talking about socializing with other RVers who displayed pink flamingos and upside down pineapple signs at their campsites. No, not that kind of “socializing.”
Actually, the survey results were not surprising. A few years ago we asked readers if they were introverts or extroverts. Only 4 percent of the nearly 2,000 readers who responded said they thrived when “being with many people.” Ninety-six percent of them answered they either enjoyed being with a few close friends (60 percent), or that they were happiest “alone or with one other person” (36 percent).
In the recent survey, one reader was surprised by the results. “Wow! I thought I would be in the minority as someone who does not make an effort to socialize at campgrounds. I’m not antisocial but it seems most people we encounter these days on the road are too eager to share their politics, religion and personal baggage.”
Another reader commented: “I have all the friends and socialization I could ever need or want when I’m not in my RV. When I’m in the RV, I like being left to enjoy nature and some quiet time. People walking into my campsite to start a conversation will be interrupted with my ultra-cheerful “NO, THANK YOU!” Not everyone is looking for a party at campgrounds.”
And another: “I am with my very best friend and doggie, don’t need anyone else, and not interested in meeting anyone else.”
But then a reader named Phil offered some thoughts about how meeting new people can be rewarding. “It’s nice to meet people at the various campgrounds but not necessary to have an enjoyable time in whatever place we happen to be. Talking and swapping a few stories is a fun time and we have met very interesting people and made a few lasting friends. Just be friendly and who knows.”
Perhaps one of the best things about RVing is being able to choose to be social or stay to oneself. Most of the time, that’s easy to do.
##RVT1162
Hard for me to imagine someone walking into my campsite wanting to say hi or ask about our trailer and me saying an ultra-cheerful “NO, THANK YOU!”.
There’s a difference between being polite and friendly, and going out there to “socialize”. I talk to people, polite, friendly, and would be helpful to anybody that asked (sometimes, you don’t even need to ask!)
But I generally don’t go out there looking for long term relationships. But, *I* have always been a quiet person. My wife on the other hand wants to stop and talk to everybody.
From my experience, it seems the large Class A owners look down on those of us that have smaller, less expensive bumper pulls.
True.
Haha! Yep Bob, there’s snobs in every circle of life isn’t there? I think some of the worst are in the nautical community. I never allowed myself to think that way, my mantra was always “whatever gets you out on the water”… 🙂
Funny because I feel sorry for them having to maneuver that giant condo on wheels from one RV parking lot to the next. I notice that they tend to stay put for longer. I feel they’re missing out on the spontaneous aspect of RV’ng and are a lot more limited where they can camp.
We love to meet new people. Always have since my career in the military took us around the world. We’re happy to talk with people, but we wouldn’t ever try to force our way into a group conversation. We have found people campgrounds to be generally friendly though – far more so than in our own neighborhood back home! Many times the owners of other Class B vans like ours seem far more outgoing and open to striking up a conversation.
For me, the idea is to get away from people. I guess that’s why I don’t like RV parks.
I prefer the forest, the desert, and wide open spaces.
I also don’t need the company of strangers or the constant self-affirmation that many folks do.
We camp at many places – we had a vineyard and a former plantation all to ourselves this past week. We camped in a campground a few nights and chatted a bit (our dogs are interesting and many folks ask about them.) We had a fire-pit at a boon docking place and met interesting folks. My family has several types of RVS – pull behind, class A, etc. So we don’t “look down” on anyone. We all grew up as military kids so like the one poster, we learned to meet folks and have conversation. And if we’re alone, we enjoy the solace. The question asked for the survey and the results they try to indicate are two different things, Importance and enjoyment of conversation are not the same.
Thank you, Chuck! 🙂 Interesting results. Thank you for the overview and examples. Have a great day and SAFE travels! 🙂
I feel there is a distinction between being neighborly and socializing. I’ll offer help and friendly greetings to others, first name introductions, even ask advice. Socializing is sharing a meal, inviting into your home/RV, planning outings together and staying in contact after, this is once a year for us.
When I’m out and about, I see people that are seemingly desperate for (other) human contact. I say “other” because, *I* think, most people are cooped up with their spouse/family so much, they’re desperate to talk to other people for a change. Some people, just will not stop talking and let you be on your way. (Especially those sitting comfortably in their golf carts, they’re fine with you standing there talking for hours….)
I travel all over the US regularly, usually alone with a group of show dogs and I’ve found most places and most campgrounds , private or public owned, have friendly people who say hello, ask about the dogs and sometimes even invite me over for cocktail hour.
I do feel overall the RV experience is a welcoming and friendly one.
In my opinion people who own or travel in an Rv have that experience and interest in common with other campers. Being “on vacation”, even just a weekend, is relaxing and we are away from the home and work environment. It is like a sudden and sadly brief attitude re-adjustment – lasting only for the time we have available. Back home and at work the pressures are on – get the grass cut, painting, etc., and at work get the job done, get the reports out, etc., – the pressure changes attitude back to be less friendly. Time constraints in both environments differ as well. IMHO of course!
My husband is Mr. “Hail-fellow-well-met” and will talk to anyone. I sometimes have to drag him away! We’ve met several people on our travels that we’ve kept in touch with. But I don’t think it gets to the point very often where we invite people over for a beer or a meal. Most of our conversations take place in the pool or other public areas. I find people and their stories fascinating.
With me it’s typically just a wave or a few polite thoughts or comments. Although there has been times I/we just click with a person/couple and find many things we have in common, even exchanging cell numbers… but find we never talk to each other again. sigh…nomads.
We tend to stay at nudist or clothing optional (not swinger places!) when we travel. Folks are waayyy more social in these compared to ‘textile’ campgrounds. We’ve made friends and keep in touch with some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.