Gas station pet peeves

DiskDoctr wrote:

fulltimedaniel wrote:
I am afraid to tell you this but the entire "RV Community", look what happy campers we are, arent we all wonderful? notion is a figment of marketing.

Although you may be more demographically correct, we consider that those who camp (for whatever reason) all have to deal with "stuff" the average non-camper will never understand.

Water systems, electrical systems, even towing systems that are very foreign to most. Neighbors, pets, traffic, breakdowns, very limited refrigeration.

Whether it is to survive or for adventure, we all want the same thing- a smooth and stress free trail.

And whether it is short term vacation or a long term lifestyle, we all have to co-habitate parks, CGs, or parking lots- at least for a while.

I think that makes us a "community," a group with shared interests or goals, inhabiting the same spaces ;)

Our expectation is to help each other with information, examples, and support. It's not a competition to see who is the "Grand Camper Champion" LOL.

If a guy needs to get to a diesel pump, let him. Once you've pumped, move so others can use it. If a long vehicle needs a wide turning radius, yield the outside pump. Give extra room to merge. Don't slow them on a hill and get out of the way downhill to avoid burning brakes.

Whether it's gas, diesel, popup or motorhome, it really isn't that hard to show some courtesy. Manners when discussing such things make the forum much more enjoyable, too ;)

I agree with your sentiments completely. And I agree with your definition of Community...and I do run in to many many good folks out here. But "we" if we can be grouped together at all given our incredible heterogeneity just are not what is so often pictured in articles, advertising and promotional materials.

I was of course alluding to the marketing myth that is perpetrated upon all of us to think of ourselves as one group of like minded participants in some wonderful escapade while endowed with saintly intent. It is just fallacy. Of course I do think it does help to sell a lot of needless stuff.

And yes I agree also that there could be a great deal more civility not only on this forum but out here in the Real RV world. But lets not conflate civility, which can be present even when folks are disagreeing mightily over an issue, with agreement. Or for that matter confuse it with the just plain boring, mundane and intellectually vacant that so often passes for discussion not only here on this site but in many other venues as well.

That is why I so appreciated your thoughtful response.