If I see a tent I like I tell the owner. They usually are happy to talk about it too and most of the time show me round, as i do for anyone interested too. As for a windbreak. I use ours to shield the cooker and table . Other than that its used as a shield against the wind.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
For most dog owners windbreaks become an essential bit of kit - mainly for the reason that inspired the original post.
Inquisitive children + excitable dog = accident waiting to happen!
Nosying at other peoples set-ups and getting to know your fellow campers is part of the fun. But as most other people have said, its polite to ask first and kids should definitely not be allowed to wander into strangers' tents.
Quote: Originally posted by natsandjasper on 09/2/2009
its polite to ask first
I think it would be more polite to wait to be invited. No way would I have the cheek ask another camper for a look round their outfit, and I wouldn't be too happy about being asked either.
Don't get me wrong, we're not unfriendly people - quite the opposite in fact, we will chat to anyone on site. More than once, during a conversation, we have invited someone into our tt or caravan, and other people have invited us into theirs, but we have never asked anyone if we could look round. We wouldn't knock on the door of a stranger's house and ask if we could look round so why should we do it with a tent or caravan?
On the subject of windbreaks we have two which we use to make an enclosed area outside the awning for the dogs to wander about without being constantly fastened up. They are only beach-type ones and not very tall - we can quite easily see and be seen, and we've enjoyed many a chat over the 'garden fence' with other campers.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Quote: Originally posted by natsandjasper on 09/2/2009
But as most other people have said, its polite to ask first and kids should definitely not be allowed to wander into strangers' tents.
have not posted again because it has been interesting seeing everyones different opinions but I do feel it is important to make one thing clear, my son did not go into a strangers awning or tent, there is no way in this day & age I would allow this, never mind good manners there is a safety aspect also!
He was standing on the road looking in when the lady in question shooed him like a dog. Now as far as I was and am concerned he was a 4yr old boy doing what children do being curious.
I just wondered if somehow he had breached an unwritted rule of camping. I was also just curious as to what was considered proper camping conduct, I wouldn't and I don't expect many other people would peer in someones tent unless invited. I just wondered if everyone had a quick nosy or if it was a bit like walking down the street you look forward and don't check out the wallpaper!!
------------- Elaine
Easter Southerness
Jubilee TBA-
July - Blue Dolphin
He was standing on the road looking in when the lady in question shooed him like a dog. Now as far as I was and am concerned he was a 4yr old boy doing what children do being curious.
The penetrating stare of an interested four year old can be a bit unnerving, but as you say it's normal! And if he was on the road then she couldn't complain about "tresspassing". Perhaps she just wasn't used to kids and thought (wrongly) he was being rude?
As to whether it broke one of the unwritten "rules", well no. There will always be a few uberfussy folk but 99.99% of campers won't turn a hair at a four year old staring at their tent. They're more likely to say hello to him.
And you're allowed to look at other tents, yup. You can even stand on the roadway and point interesting bits out to your son and most folk would just smile too. Loudly criticising their pegging style to your spouse would not be quite so acceptable though!
Tisk..Tisk...pointing..and criticising pegging styles is just not cricket old bean!! Deffo one of the unwritten rules..Throwing bread on the roof of the van next to you..whos owners antics have been annoying you all w/end..is a strict no no..Unless done at 3am on the way to the toilets...
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
I think it's great fun looking at all the other tents. Tent displays/showrooms just aren't the same. We had this one chap who wanted to have a look inside ours. I didn't mind, until he got his pipe out. Yuk!
------------- The true test of fairness is how fair you are to those who are not
We were camping at Pentewan sands in our wee four man tent and on other side of field was this huge fab looking tent, so I wandered across and just said to the lady that I liked the look of her tent and if it would be possible to take a peek, she was delighted to show me around and I was gobsmacked, you could not believe the size, inside you could walk about no stooping or crouching and space for everything, so when we got home I bought the Lichfield, same size as the one I had looked at just different make and we love it. So message is most campers will let you look at their set-up if you ask nicely.
some people are miserable and mind
some are nice and accomadating
some are nice but relaxing and can't be bothered
some can't be bothered but will give u the time
some are suspicious !!!
some arn't
some are a bit scared
some are a bit bolshy
hmmmmm!! some have a dog or dogs and don't want a problem arising from child wondering in and being set on
or licked to death
n'lots n'lots of reasons
on reflection we all differ in mood from time to time
and here endeth the philosophy for today
We have a dog who is allways on a long lead and loves to say hi so we do putup wind breaks.
We allways say hi to enyone who walks past as when we 1st got our Neptune not a lot of people have see one up, and if they show an interest we would quite happily show them around, as long as everyone is up and dressed.
------------- Does a full 140g bar of Dairy Milk count as part of my 5 a day??
Cabanon Neptune DL TT.. Wet Wet Wet Wet Wet Wet.
Carlyon bay,St Austell 25th July - 3rd August
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Nosy Neighbours
