Window Blind Etiquette

[JTQ]

Colin I agree, but all is not lost that spirit is still alive in rally & holiday meets in both clubs. The steadfast insularity is much more a main sites issue and has been for many years. Unfortunately, even the rallying environment is it seems a generational thing with for whatever reason that passing with the latest in their later life, 60 plus. But this seems true everywhere, those younger than us rarely pass polite conversation in queues or when passing or thank you if you hold a door for them; something we can't comprehend.
Main sites though always seemed to invoke a more insular environment, but it gets worse. This is typified by the first socialising being "are I see you are off" when a neighbour catches you taking the awning down, having steadfastly avoided any courteous interface for the duration of the stay.

We first encounter this many years ago with relocating from the North West down to the south, human interfacing outside of "your circle" is not the done thing anymore.
Probably it is the new social order of things?

 

[Martin24]

When I was a child caravanner it could take us a couple of hours to get water, why? Because we children all went off playing while the men were around the tap having a chat. It could take an hour to get to a dog walk as everyone else was stopping for a chat or sat outside waiting for someone to pass by. Many friendships were formed whatever site you stayed on. Each and every site, council run, club sites, CL's CS's rally fields and the like were all the same. The odd warden could be a bit of a jobs worth but that was the only issue we ever came across.

Okay so we have a windbreak or two up, to save others from the barking brats that are with us but we have where possible stopped going to club sites because the whole atmosphere when we have been is akin to a funeral or seemingly anti social. The CL/CS atmosphere seems much friendlier but all to often we are very much the youngest and only ones with children. We used to enjoy a lot of rallying but it's not easy at the moment to get out on the rally field. Hopefully that will change over the next few years.

What the answer is I don't know because yes it's the way society is going. People really are a funny lot. I don't like it but not much we can do about it. We have our name plaque in the window and our welcome bunting just inside the door much more I don't know. You can't make people speak and the body language at the tap these days doesn't encourage conversation.

Another observation is people are now in much more of a hurry to go and do things away from the van whereas I always think the jobs and a chat are as much part of the holiday as the going out and doing. So many people needing all the facilities that simply didn't exist 40 years ago. So many unable to make their own entertainment for their children and them selves.

Reading back I can't believe how much things have changed in my beloved caravanning holidays over just 40 short years.

 

[Dustydog]

Sadly there is a lot of truth in what Colin says. We used three CLs last year and ended up sharing a glass or two with two lots of caravanners. We swap Christmas cards and by a twist of fate will be seeing one couple at our Easter break site.

Anyone who has been to a Woosiefest will know how much friendly chatter and banter goes . Last time a number helped a Woosie repair his toilet so we were truly bogside :cheer:

 

[Surfer]

A quick chat about something in common can be okay, but how often have you come across someone who wants to chat about something that is totally uninteresting and invariably they do this when you are in a hurry to go somewhere like the loo? The other issue is as you hitching up they come across and ask if you are leaving. One day I will come up with a smart answer.
Anyway always thought that going out in the caravan was to enjoy the peace and quiet and not have some one babbling away about nothing in particuliar. Generally we prefer to keep to ourselves as that way we don't annoy or upset any one else.

 

[Raywood]

We have never let other peoples use of their blinds bother us. We open them when we get up and shut them a bit after it gets dark and we need the lights. Other people may have other ideas and we leave them to it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

ok.....so etiquette was perhaps a poor choice of topic wording....I didn't think it would be taken so literally...it was meant as a figure of speech......people need to loosen up a bit an enjoy forum 'banter'....

Hello Buzz,

You have fallen into the trap that swallows up many unsuspecting posters on forums. The reader cannot see the smile on your face when you write a witty remark, so it can all too easily be interpreted quite differently. Witticism's through to tongue in cheek criticism's can all back fire, especially when used in a title.

 

[Keefanmaxx]

Blinds? .... Our 'van has blinds?
That could explain the strange looks we keep getting while parading round half naked!!

Seriously, we tend to use the curtains (purely for ease of twitching!! ) rather than the blinds at night and open them as soon as we're up and about. The blinds do get used to keep the glare of the sun off, although during the summer months, we prefer to sit outside. or in the awning.

As for the social and helpful aspect, we met some really nice people last year and spent time chatting and have been offered help when setting up or getting ready to leave site ..... (a big thanks to the gent at Sandringham that pointed out the TV aerial was still up as we hitched the 'van to the car!)
We like to chat but respect others privacy too ..... each to their own!!
:cheer:

 

[00buzz]

Blinds? .... Our 'van has blinds?
That could explain the strange looks we keep getting while parading round half naked!!

only half naked..... B)

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Ah!! -- but which half???

 

[Keefanmaxx]

Can't say .....

 

[Hutch]

Must admit it can get cold ,(Without a Wonsie, on) to get another bottle of wine from the awning, so keep the blinds closed on that side. So folks can't see through, Just our preference.
H.

 

[RayS]

All far too complicated. If the blinds are down then we don't want to be disturbed if they are up we are happy to talk, chat, drink, help, whatever.

Spending most of our touring time in Europe this "code" seems to be internationally understood and accepted.

 

[Hutch]

Thats true Ray, we tend to leave the awning light on and after a week or so the new friends we meet, learn "Signs" wish the old thing of " If the caravans rocking dont come Knocking" but nowadays thats imeans the dogs are running around. !!!.
H.

 

[Gafferbill]

Can't say I have ever heard of Etiquette..........I knew a Bert Quette once. :huh:

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Was his wife Eti?

 

[Gafferbill]

I think her Christian name was 'Quick'........but not too sure as Bert had a speech impediment. :S

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I think her Christian name was 'Quick'........but not too sure as Bert had a speech impediment. :S

Is it then that the blinds show you're In when you're Out and you're Out when you're In? :silly:

 

[crazyguider]

The blinds go up in the morning, usually when we're dressed! They stay up until we remember to put them down again!! :silly:

 

[Mel]

I think her Christian name was 'Quick'........but not too sure as Bert had a speech impediment. :S

Is it then that the blinds show you're In when you're Out and you're Out when you're In? :silly:

No, that's Cricket.
Mel

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

No, that's Cricket.
Mel

Well done Mel, with the speech impediment 'Cricket' = 'Quick Quette' rather than Eti Quette or her husband Bert Quette.

 

[Mel]

Hope your "well done Mel "was meant ironically as I didn't get the speech impediment reference at all. Duh! How thick am I? In my defence I have been staring at budget returns in work all afternoon and my brain is addled.
Mel

 

[Gafferbill]

Ironically as I sit in my caravan writing this drivel the glare of intense sunshine is preventing me from seeing my computer screen
I have had to pull a blind down.......I do hope Eti doesn't mind :lol:

 

[Gabsgrandad]

"Drivel" - lovely word that, -- sums it up a treat!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Hope your "well done Mel "was meant ironically as I didn't get the speech impediment reference at all. Duh! How thick am I? In my defence I have been staring at budget returns in work all afternoon and my brain is addled.
Mel

The "well done" was for you correctly associating in/out and out/in with cricket. I guessed you hadn't got the speech impediment link. :lol:

 

[Craigyoung]

Must admit it can get cold ,(Without a Wonsie, on) to get another bottle of wine from the awning, so keep the blinds closed on that side. So folks can't see through, Just our preference.
H.

The thought off Hutch in his Wonsie !
Our blinds go up in the morning and back down on a night .