For those of you that camp frequently
Especially when you and your spouse have jobs and you have kids, do you ever feel that you aren't supported by your friends and family? I don't particularly care what other people think of how I ra...
Forum Discussion
You have to understand human nature, especially the nature of people today. Everyone is living for "themselves" (yes, even you and me). And face it, people really do not care what you or I are doing as long as it does not interfere with their world. When your lifestyle encroaches in their world, then they'll take notice! That's number 1, and the reason so many are simply not enthusiastic or as supportive as you may want them to. Basically, people don't care about you or what you're doing, so they give a "ho-hum" response to your dreams!
Second, there is jealousy - a lot of it! People (even family) who misappropriate their personal finances (you know what I mean, they'd rather go to a drink-fest any day rather than the grocery store, and usually do!) They do not have the self-control to use their own finances where it's most important. But... their "drink fest" lifestyle (whatever that may be) is most important to them. Oh, they'd like to do the camping-traveling "thing" but they are not willing to pay the cost, so they just get jealous because they think YOU have money and they do not.
Third are those poor souls that REALLY are concerned about us. My mother is a perfect example. She just doesn't understand why we spend money on this lifestyle when we should be saving our money for our kids when we die! (And I'm not kidding either). So every time we go camping, she complains about how much it's costing us. Like you, we have a very balanced budget and plan for our trips. And if I die before my time, my kids can inherit my bills! not MY savings!
I have found its best to relate to folks that are truly interested. These forums (and the folks here) are probably the best to vocalize with. In the real world, only the people who have a "need to know" really know what we are doing and when we are going. At work, I showed off the new Outback, and then I clamped up about it and unless someone actually asks me about it, I never mention our camper or any of our plans.
It's funny though, those who have campers at work are not very interested either. You see, it's all about "them". They aren't interested in anything else except themselves, so why even bother!
I live in the country, but do have a next door neighbor (our properties adjoin). Our drive ways are within shouting distance of each other, and we visit each other often and have chit-chat conversations. When we moved in, we had a 31 foot Springdale TT. They were OK with that because the previous owner had a 5er parked in the drive way. But when we drove in last September with the Outback (35 feet) and all those slides, brand spankin' new, they were interested, but after seeing it, gave us bad glares for several weeks. It actually hasn't been until just a couple weeks ago the glares have stopped! I guess they finally go use to the monster sitting there! Did I say, they have frequent parties at their house which includes an excessive amount of alcohol, they enjoy their tobacco products WAY too much, when not having parties on the week-end, they spend their time in a bar in the next town over? Now, when they put in an above ground swimming pool, I was glad for them. But I think they're jealous because of the appropriation of our personal finances!
Second, there is jealousy - a lot of it! People (even family) who misappropriate their personal finances (you know what I mean, they'd rather go to a drink-fest any day rather than the grocery store, and usually do!) They do not have the self-control to use their own finances where it's most important. But... their "drink fest" lifestyle (whatever that may be) is most important to them. Oh, they'd like to do the camping-traveling "thing" but they are not willing to pay the cost, so they just get jealous because they think YOU have money and they do not.
Third are those poor souls that REALLY are concerned about us. My mother is a perfect example. She just doesn't understand why we spend money on this lifestyle when we should be saving our money for our kids when we die! (And I'm not kidding either). So every time we go camping, she complains about how much it's costing us. Like you, we have a very balanced budget and plan for our trips. And if I die before my time, my kids can inherit my bills! not MY savings!
I have found its best to relate to folks that are truly interested. These forums (and the folks here) are probably the best to vocalize with. In the real world, only the people who have a "need to know" really know what we are doing and when we are going. At work, I showed off the new Outback, and then I clamped up about it and unless someone actually asks me about it, I never mention our camper or any of our plans.
It's funny though, those who have campers at work are not very interested either. You see, it's all about "them". They aren't interested in anything else except themselves, so why even bother!
I live in the country, but do have a next door neighbor (our properties adjoin). Our drive ways are within shouting distance of each other, and we visit each other often and have chit-chat conversations. When we moved in, we had a 31 foot Springdale TT. They were OK with that because the previous owner had a 5er parked in the drive way. But when we drove in last September with the Outback (35 feet) and all those slides, brand spankin' new, they were interested, but after seeing it, gave us bad glares for several weeks. It actually hasn't been until just a couple weeks ago the glares have stopped! I guess they finally go use to the monster sitting there! Did I say, they have frequent parties at their house which includes an excessive amount of alcohol, they enjoy their tobacco products WAY too much, when not having parties on the week-end, they spend their time in a bar in the next town over? Now, when they put in an above ground swimming pool, I was glad for them. But I think they're jealous because of the appropriation of our personal finances!
