Rude Campers

[lj2654]

We stayed at rainbow Springs State Park in Florida for a week from December 20th to 27th.

On the 27th Saturday we began to disconnect and put away some things prior to leaving before the 1 pm checkout time.

A man from 3 sites down came by our site and asked if we were leaving soon as he was reserving our site. I said yes, but not for a while(this was at 1030 am.

A bit later the work camper came by and said for us to stay till 12:55 before leaving as the man was very pushy towards her and the Ranger in the office.

We walked to the dumpsters, took the trash and then took a walk down to the river and back. I put the dogs in the Rv and walked up to the ranger Office to check on a refund I had coming.

Less than 2 minutes later in comes Mr. Rude and he just stands there listening to myself and the Ranger talk about the refund I had due.

He never spoke but was right next to me. I didn't say anything nor did the Ranger. I then told the ranger we would be leaving in a bit( it was 1230 then)...as I left I told the Ranger thanks for the help and said to Mr Rude, We are leaving soon , so you had better hurry and get back to your site so you can get over on mine. Never said a word back.

He had been standing at his RV for 2 hours looking our way like we were gonna rush off for him....not gonna happen!

[cyntdon2010]

One Action don't Require. A Reaction.

you played his game now your CRYING about it.

GROW A SET OF tennis BALLS. LOL

[mayo30]

And why would you allow yourself to get drawn down to his level.Quite honestly I think he may have not acted very mature,but pretty sure some of the reactions aren't any better.But if it rows your boat have at it.

[reubenray]

I also blame the campground host for aggravating the situation. In the defense of the other camper maybe he had to be off of his site by a certain time or maybe he had to go somewhere. To not leave on purpose is bad manners also.

[jwmII]

A lotta to do over nothing. Life is to short to let this stuff bother you.

[dewey02]

Some places allow the current occupant to re-up until 11 AM, but the daily check-out time is 1 PM. So the campground office will not book an occupied site (that day) until after 11 AM, because the current occupant can still reserve another day (or week for that matter) up until 11 AM. Once 11 AM passes, they know the current occupant is not staying longer and they can go ahead and give it to whomever gets to the office first.

If this was the case, all the new occupant needs to do is
1. politely ask the current occupant if they intend on leaving that day or staying another day, and
2. then wait at the office at 11 AM to book the site. They could actually skip step 1, but they might then wait at the office in vain if the current occupant comes in at 10:59 to re-book.

[J-Rooster]

If you paid to stay there until 1 PM then that is your right to stay there until that time, regardless of what anyone else says. It's in the contract you signed to rent that RV spot until you leave. If that guy asked you if you were leaving 1 PM, then all he has to do is reserve your site with the Park Ranger then leave you alone. There is no need for him to come back to your RV spot and encroach on your RV spot and ease drop on your conversation with the Ranger in your rented space.

[jplante4]

Wait a minute. Most of the places we stay have a 2 or 3:00 pm check-in time. If you show up before then and the site is ready - bonus. But if you show up not only before the normal check-in time but also before the normal checkout time, be ready to cool your heels.

[mowermech]

We encountered a similar situation in a Wyoming campground many years ago.
Our church group had the group campsite reserved until 12 noon.
At about 1030, the "Wagon Master" from the Good Sam group that had the group site reserved for the next couple of days came to our pastor and asked that we get out as soon as possible so they could move in and get set up for their rally.
Our pastor was willing (although pretty upset about the whole thing), but many of us were not. We were one of the last to get loaded up and move on, at about 1155. We waved and smiled at the "wagon master" as we left.
This all happened about 20 years ago, so you see it is nothing new, nor is it limited to any area of the country.

[skipnchar]

AllegroD wrote:

rexlion wrote:
The other camper may have been unpleasant, but the rangers' actions were unprofessional. Getting involved by staying on later than planned was not kind, either; although you were within your rights to stay until checkout time, you were participating in a scheme to yank the guy's chain. A poor showing by all concerned.

Well said.

X2. Still trying to figure out what the guy did wrong (to you)

[3oaks]

rexlion wrote:
The other camper may have been unpleasant, but the rangers' actions were unprofessional. Getting involved by staying on later than planned was not kind, either; although you were within your rights to stay until checkout time, you were participating in a scheme to yank the guy's chain. A poor showing by all concerned.

Have you thought about the possibility that you may have been dealing with a nutcase? How would you feel now if your purposeful lingering had pushed him over the edge and he had 'gone postal'? Egging someone on because you 'think he deserves it' can be risky. (I admit I've been there, done that, and hope to act more wisely next time.)

X2
When interacting with the public, especially today, you never know.
You can be right and still end up "dead right". Why take that chance!

skipnchar and a few others also made good points.

[hershey]

Sounds like everyone replying is all geared up for a fight. I blame the campground hosts for being an instigator of all the negative activity. If I were in the space, I'd leave when I got good and ready, for me thats normally 9:00 to 10:00 am. I'm not out to irritate the future tenant or the campground host. I just do as I please as long its withing the camping guidlines.

[AllegroD]

rexlion wrote:
The other camper may have been unpleasant, but the rangers' actions were unprofessional. Getting involved by staying on later than planned was not kind, either; although you were within your rights to stay until checkout time, you were participating in a scheme to yank the guy's chain. A poor showing by all concerned.

Well said.

[smacdiesel]

I always stay until the last minute, love to roll at the top of the hour.

[ksg5000]

In my youth I might have said something nasty ... as I grow older I realize that sometimes you just have to remind people that everyone doesn't jump when they say froggy - also - the only reason people recognize nice is because some people aren't.

[lap527]

I would of been on the site til 1:00. You paid for the site and I think it was rude of the guy to question you about your departure. He had no business pestering the Rangers either. I can only imagine what he would of thought if was reversed and someone was questioning him about his departure time. Geeze some folks nowadays....