why do people huddle?

[huntram]

Just a question.... Or maybe a rant! Lol...

We are in Palm Springs and because of the heat the campground is near empty. MANY empty sites! I am in a park where you drive around and pick your own site. Not assigned. I am in a site about 4 up from the end. There are 15 sites past me. I am here for 3 weeks. For some reason people keep pulling in RIGHT next to us. The sites that are all empty are all the same but within a day of someone leaving, here comes someone else crowding in next to us with empty sites all around (both sides)! What is with that? Someone suggested it is the "wagon train" mentality. I think people are just so darn used to living on top of each other in the city. What do you think?

:h

[2oldman]

huntram wrote:
I guess maybe it is this "herding" mentality. I just think unless the place is crowded you give some courtesy and leave at least a space between rigs.

It is, and they should. Could be many reasons: safety in numbers, make friends, they think they're 'supposed' to park together...etc. Drives me nuts because I don't do that.

[jfkmk]

We Cant Wait wrote:
People are for the most part almost (especially newer campers) totally ignorant of some of the basic campground etiquette procedures. One being, "park at least ONE site away from other campers if open sited permit".

Dude, you're making this up. I've been camping for more than 40 years and have never heard of such a thing. Folks need to use common sense. If I pulled into a park where there was an obvious gathering of friends I would not set up camp next to them. However, if there is someone camping near something that I desire to camp near, such as a lake, or is not near something I don't want to camp near, such as a dump station or dumpster, I'm not going to avoid camping at the next site over just because they may be a curmudgeon. As far as cutting through sites or having dogs, etc, well often there are written rules regarding these things, not just some perceived unwritten expectation.

[huntram]

mericksonjr wrote:
It actually has been studied and was found that humans just like other mammals have a herd mentality its the safety in numbers concept. So I guess its just something that we all have to get used to. Just be nice and get to know the people next door. You never know who you may meet and who knows you might even meet a new friend.

We have been full timing for over 2 years now and still haven't gotten used to the lack of courtesy! Having said that, we have meet 3 couples that we have become good friends with just in this park. We continue to stay in touch with friends we meet on the road! It is a great life and this certainly doesn't tarnish it, sometimes you just need to rant! LOL!

Brian

[mericksonjr]

It actually has been studied and was found that humans just like other mammals have a herd mentality its the safety in numbers concept. So I guess its just something that we all have to get used to. Just be nice and get to know the people next door. You never know who you may meet and who knows you might even meet a new friend.

[RoyF]

Opie431 wrote:
For years I have looked for tubas at garage sales. One sitting on the table should keep people more than a site away.

You would have to find a place in your rv for the tuba! We need something that is easier to store. How about a big sign, "Beware of pit bull."

[huntram]

jfkmk wrote:
So next time pick a place with larger sites if you can't deal with someone camping next to you.

I can DEAL with someone next to me, it just boggles the mind that with this many empty sites, and with so many on either side of me, people would keep picking the ones on either side of me.

One time we were boondocking out in the Mojave Desert with a bunch of dirt biking friends. About 14 rigs in all. We give each other space, at least 20-30 feet between rigs. The group was getting so big we didn't all know each other. A rig pulled next to one of our buddies and started setting up within about 5 feet! Nobody recognized him. We first wanted to make sure he was one of us, and then let him know to spread out. Turns out he was with a group about 1000 yards away! Just thought our area looked nicer! LOL

We gently asked him if he could at least give us some space between rigs. He said he was sorry and just wasn't thinking, and moved back to his group.

I guess maybe it is this "herding" mentality. I just think unless the place is crowded you give some courtesy and leave at least a space between rigs.

Maybe jfkmk is the one who just pulled in next to me! :S

Brian

[magnusfide]

Leftover ancient instinct to seek protection in new/strange places by clinging together. A modern expression that addresses this: safety in numbers.

It certainly reveals who is operating off of instinct and who is thinking for himself or herself.

Agree too that there are a lot of campers who are ignorant of common camping courtesy. If someone is parked away from others, then it should be a sign they want more quiet and privacy. Respecting campsite boundaries by not walking through them is also a given with the exception of emergencies.

[sammytoo]

We Cant Wait wrote:
People are for the most part almost (especially newer campers) totally ignorant of some of the basic campground etiquette procedures. One being, "park at least ONE site away from other campers if open sited permit". Kind of like not cutting thru occupied camp sites, cleaning up after your dog, etc. etc. etc.

From what I've seen you are the only one who knows these basic procedures. The last time I had an empty site next to me it was used as a shortcut. Kind of like living on the median. Had to wear an orange vest to go outside.

[Hondavalk]

Years ago I was tent camping in Northern Canada at a large Provincial park that no one else was in. Mine you it was three 20 something guys on motorcycles. A conversion van with a couple come in and with all the sights they could choose from pick the one right next to ours. Still would have been ok but around 9pm they came over and said we were to loud. Now understand we had no music playing, no yelling, just sitting around the camp fire shooting the breeze. Go figure

[Opie431]

For years I have looked for tubas at garage sales. One sitting on the table should keep people more than a site away.

[2012Coleman]

This topic was well covered in a previous thread. Here is the answer... wait for it.... The answer that came from there is that people are herd beasts. See the post in all 15 pages of it's glory here

Edit: Here is the actual post from that thread - I just couldn't resist:

wa8yxm wrote:
Let me see if I have your question right.

Assume a campground with 100 sites, 99 of them are empty, The 2nd camper to pull in parks right next to you... (Or very close in any case) why.

Because other than the odd hermit,, Man is a heard beast, (The term is Gregorius) we travel in heards or packs like Wolves or cows or Sheep, not loaners like Eagles or Bears.. We like to be near others of our kind (Human).

So say the professionals at least.

[mockturtle]

Happens to me all the time. Totally empty campground (except for me) and someone pulls in right next door. Is it my magnetic personality? :B

I know we have recently had this rant but it's worth ranting about again. Yes, you have the 'right' to park next to another RV in an empty campground. But please don't!

[newman_fulltime]

this is funny i had a customer come in requested two sites on for him one for his buddy.Well his buddy showed up and his first words i dont want by anybody

[We_Cant_Wait]

People are for the most part almost (especially newer campers) totally ignorant of some of the basic campground etiquette procedures. One being, "park at least ONE site away from other campers if open sited permit". Kind of like not cutting thru occupied camp sites, cleaning up after your dog, etc. etc. etc.

[NanciL]

Same thing as the parking lot at Wally World.
I hate to have any of my doors dinged, so I always park way out away from all the other vehicles.
Every time I come back out of the store, there will be cars all around me.

Same at the beach. You find a wide open space away from the crowd to put down your blanket or towel, and within a few minutes some one will be right next to you

Jack L