Just Back...

[Grahamh]

Came back from the first trip of the season today. Great site down in St Just-in-Roseland. Absolutely stunning site with views to die for. Site owner really nice and the pitch great (grass with electric hook up). Facilities spotless, easy walk to great pub with open fire and lovely food. The weather was glorious. The only snag was no-one wanted to say hello. I don't mean they didn't want to stand and natter - they just didn't want to say hello. After a couple of days I started to get a bit paranoid about it. Last night(Friday) a whole gang of campers(tents) arrived and they all said hello. Weird.
Anyway shakedown complete. whale pump won't switch off (again) and toaster died.
Left about 10am and took almost 2 hours to get round/through Exeter. Sat in a jam talking to other drivers in opposite lane who all seemed to think it was quite normal for Exeter!

 

[JTQ]

Not even when you are trying to pack up and not forget anything; thats when I find they all start talking asking. "are you off?" When even the dumbest could be in little doubt as you try the hitch up and check the lights and they have seen you there all week.

 

[Jaydug]

thats when I find they all start talking asking. "are you off?" .

I keep my van parked behind double gates alongside the house. If I ever want to service it or do any other small jobs - even cleaning it, I need to mover it out onto the front drive. Inevitably neighbours start asking "Where are you going this time?"; "You off to Spain again?" By the time they've all stopped and had a chat, there's not much time left for the work.
Whenever I'm abroad I find that the fellow campers who are most reluctant to give you the time of day are a small minority of Brits.

 

[Grahamh]

When abroad we find that Brits tend to be clannish and talk to other Brits. The Dutch are very friendly as a rule and then the French. Germans are least likely to be friendly.
Over here tho we had found that most people will say hello. It was just strange that no-one wanted to speak this time. SWMBO remarked that 'if this was the way things were going to go she might not want to go much more'. I think it was just that group on that site. Lots of seasonal pitches with the largest twin axle I have ever seen.

 

[Thingy]

I must admit that i am finding people less sociable than they used to be. I wonder if partly we are getting away from club mentality and the feeling that we are sharing things.

I have always thought there was a difference between people with a caravan and caravanners. And dont get me started on motorhomers. I often feel that Hyacinth Bucket would be a suitable pinup for those with a m/h. ?

 

[ProfJohnL]

I must admit that i am finding people less sociable than they used to be. I wonder if partly we are getting away from club mentality and the feeling that we are sharing things.

I have always thought there was a difference between people with a caravan and caravanners. And dont get me started on motorhomers. I often feel that Hyacinth Bucket would be a suitable pinup for those with a m/h. ?

That is an unfair stereo type, there are good and bad in all sub groups.

 

[Raywood]

I agree all groups have a mix of people and there are those who stand and chat, those who say hello and some who just want to keep to themselves. As long as everyone is happy then so am I.

 

[Thingy]

Sorry prof but I dont feel that i am being unfair. I agree there are good and bad in all groups but i genuinely find motorhomers far less sociable and i believe that to emmanate from the differences in our hobby.

As for my other comment, having a caravan does not make you a caravanner. Caravanning is a state of mind.

 

[camel]

Just had a week in Peak District and when I was setting up I was looking for my Electric hook up, and a very nice lady who must of been in her sixties and Motorhoming on her own stuck her head out the door and said 'There it is' , I thought she can't be talking to me I have a caravan, I looked round again to make sure and she was,

 

[Hillbilly77]

Hi Camel
We know exactly what you mean, it seems to be happening more and more often. Been caravanning/camping for more than 50 years and it is not only some motorhomers who think they are better than us caravanners these days it seems carvanners themselves are getting a bit more 'unfriendly'.as time goes by. We say Hi to everyone and its very rare to get a reply. Campers in tents always seem to be the friendly ones these days.

 

[Grahamh]

over the years we have made friends with people of all groups. We've been agonising(wrong word really) over whether a MH would be easier - esp as SHMBO doesn't want to tow and she thinks I might fall off the perch and leave her stranded. I've never know a site like this one was tho. At least I know it's not just me ;-)
But enlighten me; why do some MH owners tow another car? I cannot for the life of me see why anyone would do that.

 

[JTQ]

But enlighten me; why do some MH owners tow another car? I cannot for the life of me see why anyone would do that.

Because subconsciously they want to be caravanners and enjoy the assets having a car brings, but they can't face with being thought of as caravanners?

 

[SteveW77]

Just because I own a caravan, does not mean I have to socialise with other owners,
Who I talk to is surely a matter for me alone.
If that makes me standoffish and unfriendly so be it. it is my holiday after all.

 

[Thingy]

When talking about sociable its more a point of a simple hello or good morning. People that stare at the floor as you pass each time in my book are odd. A simple hello or good morning doesnt hurt anybody.

Lets not confuse a lack of good manners with socializing.

 

[Dustydog]

I noticed last year in the wild north west Sutherland there were more mhs than tuggers.
Didn't make one iota of difference in sociability . Maybe it depends where you go B)