Be a good campsite neighbor and don’t do these four things. There are a number of simple etiquette things to do or not to do to be a good RVer that we all know … or at least should know. This week I learned some new things and these four things are now at the top of my not-to-do list. I found out you can be too nice of a campsite neighbor …
Don’t distract!
We love RV neighbors welcoming us, but, please … a simple “Hi” or wave is great until we are set up. It is too easy to get distracted and miss something like turning on the water, flipping the circuit breaker, putting pads under the jacks, or, worst for me, my husband not connecting the sewer hose!
Don’t be too neighborly!
We love to talk with folks. We have made some lifelong RV friends in our travels, some of whom were campsite neighbors. But, please, don’t be too neighborly and wander over every time you see us out. Give people a little space. Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
Don’t have it all about you
We love hearing about other people’s journeys, their kids, their stories—but not ALL of their life stories, problems, how much money they have or don’t have, illnesses, medicines and how much tax they pay or can avoid. Make the conversation a two-way street and don’t monopolize it.
Don’t talk politics with your new campsite neighbor!
In this climate, this should be a given. Politics are politically charged! Don’t assume you know where your campsite neighbor stands and don’t try to convert them to the “truth” if you do. You will only be met with uncomfortable silence or a heated discussion. If politics and religion can put a deep wedge in families, think how quickly they can ruin an otherwise amazing camping trip.
These four “don’ts” might seem obvious, but there are a lot of newcomers out there excited about their newfound freedom and wanting to connect with people. RVers, after all, are an amazing group of friendly folks.
And no, before the comments swirl, I am not a Scrooge (although I am a bit of an introvert). I really like people stopping by, pulling up a chair and chatting. But just like the in-laws visiting, I want them to go home sometime!
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In the words of Henny Youngman, “Take my wife. Please.”
She loves to socialize and doesn’t realize how long she is lingering in others spaces. Heaven help you if you are next to us. Many times I have to go try to gently nudge her back to the rv. She has no sense of time and has missed appointments and delayed our sightseeing plans because of “a few minutes” of chatting with the neighbors. I sincerely apologize in advance if you find yourselves in the same campground.
I do bring up a political issue in passing if I can naturally work it into the conversation. And then, I can either know I’m on the way to making a new friend, or I can politely excuse myself.
Can’t you have a friend that has an opinion that is different from yours? Agree to disagree, it is OK.
DON’T leave your dogs in your RV while you are gone for the day. You think they are fine but the truth is most of them bark and cry and whine. Take better care of your pets by taking them with you!!! If you can’t do that, then don’t take them camping.
I’d also add, “Don’t talk religion with your campsite neighbors, either.” Politics and religions are definite no-no’s.
Oy, politics! When I’m with folks I know well, I’ll cheerfully get into in-depth political conversations, but only if we agree. I’m very careful with people I don’t know well, especially in the RV’ing world, because I hold very different political and religious views from many RV’ers. I don’t know why RV’ers seem to belong more to one side of the spectrum than the other but I’ve observed it many times. I’m therefore circumspect in campgrounds. OTOH, if you want to debate about motorhomes versus towables or new versus used, argue away— I’m game.
Totally agree. I’m always flabbergasted by people who assume our political beliefs are the same as theirs, always resulting in awkward conversations and lots of changing the subject.
Yes!
Don’t come chat when setting up and taking down. That’s common sense…but many people don’t have it.
I ended up breaking one of my stabilizer legs when someone I knew came over to chat and wouldn’t shut up. And chatting when someone is trying to pack up and go, sets people back.
Good rules!
Not everyone wants to talk or visit when they camp. Many of us camp in order to get away from people.
Pet peeve! And it has happened to me dozens of times. I pull in, it’s pretty obvious I’m setting up by myself, I have to disconnect the car and do everything else, and somebody comes over and wants to chat me up. I always ask them, can you please give me 20 minutes to get set up and then come back over and I will give you all the time you want, but they never never come back! It’s all about them!
I’d add 2 more things….. Don’t leave your outside lights on all night ( nobody needs to see how “cool” they are) and Don’t leave a smoking fire pit going to fill your neighbors rig with smoke!
I totally agree
So right! I forgot about those. Thank you!
Are people afraid of the dark? I cannot understand. Turn off your exterior lights. Save some electric power. I feel for the people in tents. They have no blinds to pull down.
Good additions to the list. And keep pets under control. But, really, it’s all just being thoughtful and courteous. 🤗
Yes on lights!! Nothing like an LED flood-light strength beam shining in the bedroom window all night.
I think the guys whining about politics, on this feed, must be the guys who we all hate to have in the campground.
Also the Campers that are advertising their political affiliation all over their camper like they are running for office. When we get away we want to get away and enjoy nature not huge flags flapping in the wind. That’s fine on your own property not where other’s are trying to get away from it all, I’m now working on getting solar for my rig so I can camp further off the beaten path.
“Don’t talk politics,” is the way they keep us oppressed. “Talk away,” I say. Just be polite and willing to have a real discussion where everyone learns something.
Its fine to talk about differences. But it is impossible to have a meaningful talk if you don’t have a common set of “Fact” to discuss.
Oppressed? Dave…I just do not like learning anything, I guess. In Nature, I learn enough simply by watching, listening, breathing clean air and wondering where my headache went. Likely it went away when the last fellow who wanted to teach me something dissolved into the horizon. I go camping for this type of enrichment….far away from the Maddening crowd…
Cool! I’m doing it right then! I don’t want anyone to talk to me and I have no desire to talk to anyone, especially when I see them doing something. I don’t mind someone coming over to tell me I’m on fire…just get to the point and let me work the fire issue though.
I agree.
We have three dogs. One, a Saint Bernard, is people and kid friendly, but he’s a 200 pound dog. Teach your kids to keep a safe distance and ask politely, “Can I pet your dog?” I have two mix breed pointer mixes who lived their entire first year of life in a shelter. They are two of the best dogs I have ever had, but they are timid around people. When someone rushes up to them and says, “Oh, cute dog!” they don’t know what reaction they will get. They don’t bite, but they will bark insanely until they move off. Likewise if you have a dog, keep it leashed! Just because your dog is friendly with you does not mean it is friendly with other dogs. A German Shepherd attacked my Saint two weeks ago. He only got minor scratches. The Shepherd got stitches. The owner will be sitting across from me in court in another month!
This has got to go in the record books, only 3 comments before the politics started.
Excellent advice! 🙂
We love talking with folks but would appreciate you did not start a conversation when we are packing up to leave and even set up. It is too easy to overlook a critical task. You’re more than welcome to stop by when we are sitting out.
The Red/Black Poster got my attention. As the sayin’ goes > K.I.S.S.!!
Great Reminder!!
I find that number four is generally understood in the real world. Sure wish people would figure it out on the Internet.
Most people are affected by the price of fuel and that subject will come up in the campground, there by starting a discussion about politics.
Which is silly because politicians have little to nothing to do with the price of fuel.
Like canceling Keystone pipeline (million barrels a day), banning fracking, canceling leases on federal land that had wells on them so they couldn’t pump from them plus no new leases for exploration. Yeah no politics were involved in any of that.
Keystone Pipeline oil comes from Canada and is exported to other countries.
Prices of oil is in Canada also. How is Keystone pipeline going to bring down the price?
Keystone pipeline was never completed, never pumped a single barrel of anything. The controversy was all over the construction permits.
Yep. Its all sent by train. And U.S. Refineries can’t handle that thick stuff.
Even if all that oil was available, how much would the price be affected? Probably much less than you think.
It is all still sold on the world market, we don’t keep it to ourselves. As we move to ELectric vehicles and renewables I suspect the price will rise just because they will be shutting down wells or at least reducing production. I’m done. Sorry for the rant,
Wrong. Policies, regulations, leasing rights, subsidies, etc. have LOTS to do with the price of fuel. Study up. Vote.
no not them personally, just their actions. Which always speak louder than words. Sorry I like this string but that comment just got to me.
Especially “Don’t Distract “. That goes for setting up and breaking camp.
When setting up, I may be cordial. When breaking camp, not so much. An error when breaking camp can spell disaster on the road.
One of our friends got distracted while hooking up their toad and left the toad keys on the motorhome bumper. You can see how this becomes a problem.
I always had to leave the toad key in the ignition for the steering wheel to be unlocked. Or were you referring to a toad on a dolly which should’ve been in his pocket or like mine hanging on my side.
We all should’ve, would’ve, or could’ve at one time except that guy stopped to chat while we were hooking up. Dont ask how I know