Has caravanning changed?

Sep 23, 2010
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As a young couple with little children and a baby we headed off green as grass with a relatives Abbey in tow,
Arriving at a wet and windy Cornish site other caravanner's were quickly on hand to help site the van and give advice on putting the Awning up and getting the fridge, gas and water problems sorted.
When we gave up caravanning 4 years ago we were thought then that caravanning was changing. Less help and not so chatty friendly folk.
People tucked away in their vans goggle boxing at 1 of a 1001 sat channels or tucked away in the awning with wind break defenses signaling this is 'my domain / b&&&&& off'
We stayed at Leeds for a few days in September, we said hello to others who seemed hard pressed to even respond. My wife and I went to the assistance of a couple hitching up, it was their 3rd year caravannning and they said no one apart from some CC wardens had ever helped them.
Even on arrival at a CC site in reception other caravanners looked in disdain when we said we didn't have tv or sat set-up, we got the impression that we were looked on as poor outsiders.
Commenting that a motor mover isn't a necessity for all caravanner's seems to have riled a few people here.
Have caravanners changed? In the past people mucked in and helped and offered advice. Now it seems more like it's how much of our homely des res gismo's and gadget's can we bring to a site and look down others who don't do bling and god forbid that strangers actually try to converse
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May be we've just used the wrong sites this year, but then again the reception and response here after pointing out that many people can actually cope fine without a mover seems to be the same as caravan site "look at what I've got" attitude.
Easyvanner
 
Aug 12, 2007
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Well, I have to say we've almost always found, wherever we've gone, that most fellow caravanners are friendly and helpful, as we try to be. And we've never come across a 'look down their noses' attitude (and nor do we have satellite tv). I think you get back pretty much what you give so, without meaning to be at all rude (after all, I don't know you), perhaps there might be something you may be doing that puts people off? I've always smiled and said hello when passing fellow campers, and they almost always respond in the same way. As for my husband, he goes off to fetch the water or take the dishes to the washing up area and is always gone for about an hour, he's so busy gassing! lol
 
Mar 14, 2005
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It sounds as though there could be chip on the shoulder here
The posting on movers was about the relative merits of A frame amd underslung movers and not having a mover was raised when it wasn't on topic
Most people seem to me to have answered patiently and in an informed manner
Anyway at least if its a chip on one shoulder about movers and one on the other about Satellite then balance should be maintained
Tongue firmly in cheek
Take it Easyvanner
 
Sep 23, 2010
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Soozeeg were the same as you and we haven't grown a second head or changed in to monsters over the years,
When we started caravanning we had a family and less time to chat and chew over the thought of the day or caravanning experiences with others.
If you are deciding between which movers to choose between somewhere in the equation I bet most people work out the cost factors between the various types and brands.
Pointing out to actually carefully assess if YOU do actually need the outlay is wrong is it?
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You night as well go and buy an Aircon unit because a salesman says they're caravanning necessity and two others out of a 150 brit vans on a site in Bordeaux said they wouldn't be without one for their 10 days in the sun each year
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Aug 12, 2007
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Easyvanner said:
Pointing out to actually carefully assess if YOU do actually need the outlay is wrong is it?
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I would have thought most people do, since a mover is hardly inexpensive. I'm sorry to say this, Easyvanner, but you do seem to be belabouring the movers thing somewhat. So maybe it is your attitude that puts people off. My apologies if I'm wrong.
 

PR

Aug 19, 2010
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Well we are very new to caravaning, but every body we have met so far on sites has been most helpful and made us thoroughly welcome.
 
Apr 26, 2010
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We have a mover, sat, awning even wind breakers and not one of them stops us talking to the other campers or helping them if they did I would return them to where I bought them

John
 
Sep 23, 2010
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Only "belaboured" Soozeeg due to the silly responses to an innocent post.
Last year we used borrowed vans on the continent and did a trip from Holland via UK to Ireland, Ireland and the continental tourers, Brits included seemed to be different to what we've found this year in the UK.
Some people are fine, but we have noted also that far far more people seem to shut the curtains and sit in front of the Flat Screen
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Sorry, can only say what we've found!
We've been motorhoming in NZ. AUS and USA and Canada and we had no like issues with people chatting or passing the time of day.
 
Aug 6, 2008
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Hi,we feel the same we were caravaning for fourteen years when kids were young packed it in for 5 years,started back jan 2009 ,we still find people very friendly and helpful.we just come from spain all the people was friendly except for the germans. All The Best Alan P/T

kia sorento
abbey 620 gts twin axle
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Zero tolerance ?
You seem to be looking for things to take offence over
Caravanning has changed and the equipment now used reflects that available in the home
Caravanners in the main haven't changed and most are receptive to approaches from reasonable unbiased people
 

Parksy

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Nov 12, 2009
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Easyvanner said:
Soozeeg were the same as you and we haven't grown a second head or changed in to monsters over the years,
When we started caravanning we had a family and less time to chat and chew over the thought of the day or caravanning experiences with others.
If you are deciding between which movers to choose between somewhere in the equation I bet most people work out the cost factors between the various types and brands.
Pointing out to actually carefully assess if YOU do actually need the outlay is wrong is it?
smiley-smile.gif

You night as well go and buy an Aircon unit because a salesman says they're caravanning necessity and two others out of a 150 brit vans on a site in Bordeaux said they wouldn't be without one for their 10 days in the sun each year
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I've already written a reply to some of your points in the motor movers thread Easyvanner, hang on and I'll just try to get my patient look adjusted properly.
"Pointing out to actually carefully asses it You need the outlay" (of a motor mover) is not wrong, of course not.
Hijacking somebody elses topic isn't too polite though
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I've re read the motor mover topic which seems to concern you and members debated the issue that you raised reasonably and politely. The fact that some of them disagreed fairly strongly with you may have led you to wonder if caravanning has changed but you started that particular off topic debate.
Going back to THIS topic yes, there's no doubt that caravanning has changed in many ways. People do tend to watch tv and it could be said that they are more insular but that's true of society as a whole.
We regularly attend rallies which is as close to 'back to the old days' caravanning as it's possible to get now. No hook ups, people sit outside chatting in fine weather and they are extremely friendly and helpful, even the kids who ask if they can fill up your aquaroll while you are pitching up. I'd recommend that everybody tries a couple of rallies if they miss the old 'community spirit'.
 
Jul 31, 2010
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Some people are fine, but we have noted also that far far more people seem to shut the curtains and sit in front of the Flat Screen
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So what is wrong with that? Surely people can pick how they spend their time without having to consider if it is going to upset some one.
I for one have no interest in "chatting" to perfect strangers, just because they happen to be in a caravan like me, does not mean they instantly become interesting or some one I would choose to spend time with.

Steve W
 
Aug 12, 2007
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Yes, some people do choose to sit in their vans and watch TV......it's their holiday, they can choose to spend it how they want, that doesn't necessarily make them any less friendly. They might not get the chance to relax and watch TV at home, or it might simply be their favourite occupation. And in which rule book does it say that people have to sit outside of their vans and converse with everyone else? Everyone's different, we can't all like the same things. And I still maintain, you get back what you give. Treat people in a friendly way, and they'll respond in kind - at least, that's what we've always found.
 
Oct 22, 2009
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Oh dear it is such a shame to get bogged down with the "whose got what" theme. People are all different, thats why there is such a wide choice of caravans and caravan equipment.Each and everyone of us is an individual with our own wants and needs.It is coincidental that we have caravans because we all use them differently and go to different places.Our experience has been that where and whenever help was needed it was offered at once.When we first started out we learned by example from the more experienced and have bought items when seen them being used on site eg:easy positioning of big caravan"now thats a good idea" motor mover!!!! Some folks keep themselves to themselves and others like to mingle.Himself is a chatterbox and is not good at recognising that he is holding people up,I have to point out that not everybody is retired and has loads of time to spare!! Bless him! I can promise Easyvanner a big HELLO if we ever meet and promise to drag Himself away so you can get going before dark!!!
Thursdays Child
 
Dec 14, 2006
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We've found caravanners to be almost without exception, the friendliest and most helpful people you could meet. A couple of years ago OH hurt his back, and was quite incapacitated for several days, so we had to stay away for an extra week. Everyone around us was so helpful - anything that could have been considered 'mans work' was done - aquaroll filled, waste emptied, shopping carried to the van, and all our neighbours rallied around when we were finally able to go home, by helping us get hitched up and off.
This year, we stayed on a largely Dutch site in the Dordogne, and met the most wonderful friendly people you could ever hope to meet. Our nearest neighbour realised by our walking back and forth to the hook-up that there must be a problem, and was immediately at our door helping with some advice about the hook-up bollards, and had his circuit tester with him! Our neighbour on the other side came around for a chat at the same time, and we then a drink with both couples outside our van. We were made a place at the (wholly) Dutch table for the Moules and Frites night, and I actually reviewed the site saying it had the friendlist clientele we'd ever met. Our next site was mostly French people, but again everyone was very friendly, and we managed to have a complete conversation with the French couple next door about the beautiful butterflies, without them speaking a word of English and our French not being 'biology' A level standard.
In this country people are perhaps a little more reserved, but in general I'd say that caravanners are more friendly and more approachable than people who might be on the next table to you in a hotel.
We've been camping and caravanning every year for over thirty years and I can't say that I've noticed any real difference over those years. I loved camping or caravanning as a child when we stayed in a little Bluebird on a site near Filey. I loved it as a teenager, but had a period away from camping in my twenties - when I saw more of the world, and went back to it in my thirties. We both love our caravan and love meeting other caravanners.
 
Oct 30, 2009
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hi all.
Easyvanner of course caravanning has changed over the years but then so as society the mix of people on site reflects this.some go away to have a wail of a time others just to chill out.
time was when there was allways the communial sunday afternoon 20 a side game of football with grandad in goal because he could no longer chase the ball. most sites these days including club sites have "no ball games" signs in case someones pride and joy gets hit with a ball and who can blame them with vans costing 20grand each.
vans did not have all the mod cons in the old days so the communial washroom was a place to meet new people now vans are so well equipped you need never leave the van if you dont want to exept to fetch the water and with service pitches you do not even have to do that.
people are far more secular these days everywhere, can you recall everyones name that lives in your street.eh;. I can't and I have lived in the same village 60 years.
the only way to enjoy your van is to do your own thing thats what caravanning is all about and if you are not happy on a site MOVE. I am sure with practice you will find sites that cater to your individual needs in that way you will find yourselves amongst like minded people and feel much happier.
as for movers and satellite tv the truth is it is NOT a status thing it is a requirement thing a tool a piece of equipmet that makes vanning more bearable or possible. If you dont need a mover dont have one. I have seen 20yo 2 berth 10ft tourers with movers and brand new 20ft t/a's without. The same goes for sat dishes it may supprise you to know that some people acctually like to watch TV and if you are used to watching sky or cable with your favorite channels on tap then freeview "if you can get it at all" just does not cut it anyone who has spent 3 hours trying to get a signal in order to watch the football on sunday afternoon instead of spending it in the pub because it is the only place with a telly knows how frustrating it is. so a £50 dish from lidl and the box from home and bingo order is restored.

just dont be so critical of others who dont share your interests or point of view
live and let live peace brother and all that.
colin
 
Feb 27, 2010
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reading between the lines i do sort of agree with the OP. We can spend a great deal of money on our camping equipment so we can go out and joy the great outdoors and all that it can offer.... we then switch on the telly , close the door, draw the curtains and dont come out to play... Which of course we could do at home for a lot less money.

I am guilty of this as i arrive at my pitch, get the legs down, awning up , kettle on , telly on and ....... send the kids outside to annoy somone who dares to have the cheek to actually sit outside in the fresh air.... i mean come on... its a caravan for gawds sake, whats the point in having fixed beds, a microwave, hotwater, tv and radio if you are going to sit outside.. in the rain and wind and if thats what you want to do..... GET A TENT.

And instead of complaining about my kids making a noise and driving you inside , you should be thanking me..... at least you are now using the facillities you paid a lot for....you know, the tv, radio, hotwater, comfortable seats.

At least i am getting some peace and quiet.
 
Dec 11, 2009
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I could be considered by some to be “stand offish” or “unsociable” when on site. After spending most of my life constantly being harassed by the speed of life in the south east I want to sit outside my van in peace and quiet. I will say hello and lend a hand if required but don’t really want to discuss the world with a complete stranger. For this reason I tend to use CL’s, at least then there is a finite number of people for me to upset with my miserable old git attitude.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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Easyvanner
I really wonder if you have been on the same planet as me. Everything you say seems so out of the norm from what I experience. This year alone I can only say I have met a great bunch of people , some who want a chat some who just want to say "good morning". Some who welcome an offer of help and plenty who seem to be keen to offer.
I agree with everything Colin & Parksy have said.
Maybe it's you wanting to escape the family and have a a free drink at my pad while we watch Coronation Street!
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As the old yanks say. Have a nice day mate.
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