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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I liked “You Can Be TOO Nice of a Neighbor.”. A note concerning #4: Please, PLEASE leave the politics at home! So many times we’ve pulled into a site at a campground to see the adjacent site covered in political signs and preferences. If we are not in agreement it makes us quite hesitant to speak to our neighbor and we end up walking on eggshells in fear they’ll find out our views somehow and we’ll get at best a barbed challenge and at worse spewed rhetoric. (It’s happened.). We’re on vacation, for crying out loud. We’re trying to get away from this nonsense. Shut up, leave it at home, and stifle your political views. We don’t care.
I’d add religion to the politics ban!
True that.
All good advice. I have been guilty of some of these. Fortunately, my husband is there to rein me in.
Strange days when common etiquette is no longer common. IMO, this issue is most frequent among newbies that likely don’t have a routine established yet or have not had a BIG OOPS brought on by distraction YET. If I’m sitting my lawn chair, say hi. If I’m unhooking the toad, or hooking up services, back off. I bet I’m the same as 95% of RVers that have more than 2 years of experience.
We say hello or wave to walkers passing by if they give a hello, but other than that we prefer our solitude.
most of whatever we experience from others is via the kids. the kids generate all the socialization from other campers. lol
All good, solid points! Thank you for the reminders and for spreading the word
‘Moderation in all things!’
Amen!
” or, worst for me, my husband not connecting the sewer hose!”
You don’t need your sewer hose connected until your ready to dump. In fact you shouldn’t have your sewer hose open until your tank has a lot of liquid in it to help dump it. Flushing your toilet does not supply enough water to push solids out of the black tank so they just pile up in your tank or sewer hose.
I hook up everything unless its just an overnighter. Most RVs share the same “sewer” hose for black AND gray tanks. I don’t know about you, but we take showers daily, wash dishes constantly. That gray water needs for flow!
Great advice! Thank you, Nanci!
I have on more than one occasion told a “helping” neighbor “ I’m sorry for interrupting you but I need to setup/breakdown camp right now. As soon as I finish I’ll be glad to talk with you.” Or “please don’t help unless I ask as I tend to be forgetful if I break my routine.”