Is Socializing a Dying Thing in the RV Community?

[Powertour]

Was excited to get back into RVing in the last year as both the wife & I had done a lot of RVing in past lives going back a # of yrs. One of the things we were looking forward to was getting to meet new people along the way. So far in a 1/2 dozen trips or so back into it, with the exception of 1 trip we've only seen what I would call 'shut-ins'.

Understand not everyone wants to chit-chat with strangers / some might prefer peace & quiet, but it's really been kind of a drag not running into neat / interesting people while camping.

Never thought one would have to join a club in order to have some social interaction out on the road but I'm beginning to wonder if that's just the way it is nowadays....

[CavemanCharlie]

Powertour wrote:
Was excited to get back into RVing in the last year as both the wife & I had done a lot of RVing in past lives going back a # of yrs. One of the things we were looking forward to was getting to meet new people along the way. So far in a 1/2 dozen trips or so back into it, with the exception of 1 trip we've only seen what I would call 'shut-ins'.

Understand not everyone wants to chit-chat with strangers / some might prefer peace & quiet, but it's really been kind of a drag not running into neat / interesting people while camping.

Never thought one would have to join a club in order to have some social interaction out on the road but I'm beginning to wonder if that's just the way it is nowadays....

I didn't read all 8 pages of this thread.

I sometimes want to be left alone. I am just a weekend camper and if I have plans for the weekend I may spend my free time doing that and the only thing I do at the campground is sleep. I also prefer to be left alone after about 6 pm. I have a few beers, cook something to eat, and go to bed. I'm usually asleep by 9 unless I'm out and about doing something. (Concert, movie, show, etc.)

During the day I let the other campers decide it they want to talk. I will say Hi as I walk by and then leave them alone if they don't strike up a conversation with me.

[ppine]

My rig has no tv. I do not use a phone hardly at all.
Rving is a chance to see the country, see the critters and meet the people.
Otherwise it is just being at home with different scenery.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

ependydad wrote:


I’m a hugger, too! Makes for interesting pees.

OK - this was the best line in the whole thread!!! LOL!

Ed and I tend towards "somewhat reclusive" - we've always worked in businesses that have a lot of interaction with other folks, so when we're camping, we tend to enjoy the quiet. That being said - we recently met up with RobWNY (RV.net) and his lovely wife; and had a great lunch!

You DO meet nice people through camping (and RV.net!)

[lakeside013104]

CFerguson wrote:

lakeside013104 wrote:

Pangaea Ron wrote:
I also still open doors, and get nothing but thanks. . . what did you do to offend her?

Good question. Honestly, I am not sure what the problem was. All I did was hold the door open like I have done for decades. No conversation from me to her.

Maybe she was having a bad day, that happens to us all. From the jist of her tirade, I gather she has had a recent bad experience with a man.

Her statement went like this, but was much more detailed:
"I don't need no blank blank MAN to do nothing for me". ...
Lakeside

You should have assumed an indignant posture and said "How DARE you assume my gender!"

If my brain worked faster, that would have been a good one to respond with. I am old and slow and rely on years of life experiences when dealing with others. I try to give back 'twice' what I get. Show kindness toward me you get double the kindness back. Being ignorant to me, well you get the idea.........

Lakeside

[All_I_could_aff]

My wife considers me to be an antisocial person, and maybe she’s right, when we are home, but when I’m out in my favorite state park, I’m the most friendly, generous, helpful guy around.

[Jayco25E]

I like to talk. If you are setting outside I will say hi and sometimes start up a conversation. My wife on the other hand is not a talker and likes to set inside. But that is fine. And I get a lot of folks asking questions about the dogs when setting outside and I love to talk about my greyhounds. But is does depend on what park and what time of year you go. Socializing is part of the fun of camping. And you do meet some interesting folks along the way.

[Bears_Den]

DW and I have a TT. When we camp, we are always outside reading or playing games. I enjoy waving to people as they pass by and even talking to the ones that stop. We have the mind set that if we wanted to stay in the TT why have it, we can stay in at home. I have noticed over the years that there are more people who just want to be left alone to do their own thing, but it is nice to meet people from other parts of the country and hear their camping stories. I even got a few new places to go talking with one fella.

[AbdRahim]

Speaking of socializing. Think we can agree most of us are part of this club. Maybe we should start using this sign instead of waviing.

Truck Gang

Mike

Hey Mike. I think you are on to something. Maybe those of us who are social should put a "Welcome" sign on our campsite, and/or those not wanting to socialize could put an "N" sign on their site. That would make it easier to identify each other. Or 😄 (friendly), 😞 (leave me alone).

As for politics? Civility has disappeared. I am certainly willing to engage in civil discourse. We can agree to disagree, but lack of discourse and, education and exchange of viewpoints just leads to further division.

[ependydad]

Mr.Mark wrote:

ependydad wrote:

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

ependydad wrote:


This is 100% the opposite of our experience. We wave and almost always get waves back.

I'm not good at talking to strangers so I won't instigate a discussion unless you have something specific that I have questions about.

I'm OK with talking back if someone else talks to me.

This describes me exactly. I am not antisocial, I am just not good at making conversation.

I also have ZERO ability to end a conversation.

ependydad, wow, that was you!

I thought I was never going to get away from that urinal! LOL!

Jus Kid'n. :B

Some people can talk the horns off a billy goat, I fit kinda in the middle. 😛

Safe travels,
MM.

I’m a hugger, too! Makes for interesting pees.

[Mr_Mark1]

ependydad wrote:

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

ependydad wrote:


This is 100% the opposite of our experience. We wave and almost always get waves back.

I'm not good at talking to strangers so I won't instigate a discussion unless you have something specific that I have questions about.

I'm OK with talking back if someone else talks to me.

This describes me exactly. I am not antisocial, I am just not good at making conversation.

I also have ZERO ability to end a conversation.

ependydad, wow, that was you!

I thought I was never going to get away from that urinal! LOL!

Jus Kid'n. :B

Some people can talk the horns off a billy goat, I fit kinda in the middle. 😛

Safe travels,
MM.

[ependydad]

dieseltruckdriver wrote:

ependydad wrote:


This is 100% the opposite of our experience. We wave and almost always get waves back.

I'm not good at talking to strangers so I won't instigate a discussion unless you have something specific that I have questions about.

I'm OK with talking back if someone else talks to me.

This describes me exactly. I am not antisocial, I am just not good at making conversation.

I also have ZERO ability to end a conversation.

[GDS-3950BH]

JimK-NY wrote:
This thread has been very interesting to me. I never understood why anyone would want to camp in an RV park or the equivalent. Now I guess I understand.

BTW, that is also the reason I do not want to stay in them unless absolutely necessary. I do not visit National Parks and other scenic areas to meet the neighbors, tell stories and play cards.

I'm with you.

How could you stay in a place such as below and not have any socializing? You should be able to socialize without ever leaving the rig when your window is 6' from the neighbor. I bet the person who is leaving or arriving was having some colorful socialization going on with the folks across the road and beside his site when the shot was taken.

[CFerguson]

lakeside013104 wrote:

Pangaea Ron wrote:
I also still open doors, and get nothing but thanks. . . what did you do to offend her?

Good question. Honestly, I am not sure what the problem was. All I did was hold the door open like I have done for decades. No conversation from me to her.

Maybe she was having a bad day, that happens to us all. From the jist of her tirade, I gather she has had a recent bad experience with a man.

Her statement went like this, but was much more detailed:
"I don't need no blank blank MAN to do nothing for me". ...
Lakeside

You should have assumed an indignant posture and said "How DARE you assume my gender!"

[JimK-NY]

This thread has been very interesting to me. I never understood why anyone would want to camp in an RV park or the equivalent. Now I guess I understand.

BTW, that is also the reason I do not want to stay in them unless absolutely necessary. I do not visit National Parks and other scenic areas to meet the neighbors, tell stories and play cards.

[Veebyes]

We have over 1800 nights, all of the states, all of the provinces literally 100s of CGs behind us. A big part of the travelling joy is the meeting of people along the way.

Like anything else meeting people depends on many things. There are the hermits who park, setup, go inside, never to be seen again. There are the weekend warrior families who keep to themselves. There are those who simply do not want to be bothered with anyone else.

Then there are those who are quick to startup a conversation. It seems like in a far from full CG people are more likely to be chatty. Sunday to Thursday when there are no weekend crowds people seem to wander around more & are quick to yack for a bit.

If there is something different about you it might spark a conversation. We have a one of a kind Bermuda beach scene poster on the front cap of our 5er. We also fly a small Bermuda flag on the pinbox. Every RVer notices the BBQ grill, especially if it is different. Ours is. You don't see a marine grill normally at home clamped to a boat rail clamped to a picnic table very often. The most common conversation starter is the out of state tag. The further the more likely to get a comment.

Then there are the special events where everyone is there for the same purpose. You often get to meet neighbours pretty quick at things like bluegrass festivals, airshows or similar.

A trip to Alaska is always a great mixer. Everyone is on the same road headed for the same adventure. Coming across the same people multiple times is not unusual & most are only too willing to swap stories to give & get advice on where to go & what to do. Those who have time & a flexible itinerary are good for this. The people who are on a mad dash, arrive late, leave early, never to be seen, miss out on the social Northern experience.

Meeting people is much of what you make it. A little eye contact & a smile goes a long way.