Campers love to be patronised. That's why we camp, isn't it?
I would have said to the caravan owner in France "How sad for you that you can't afford a proper hotel and have to drag that great thing with you all the way across Europe!"
I really like caravans and always wanted one as a child. But we love the freedom of our tent. The towing, maintenance and storage of vans are all issues which put us off. For many caravanners the extra responsibilities are part and parcel of the interest of owning one. It's a whole different lifestyle, and not to be compared with canvas camping, IMHO.
Going back to the etiquette issue, though, I wouldn't dream of commenting on the camping choices of others. It's the pits of bad form!
Quote: Originally posted by FriendOfOwls on 04/9/2013
For many caravanners the extra responsibilities are part and parcel of the interest of owning one. It's a whole different lifestyle, and not to be compared with canvas camping, IMHO.
Not for me it ain't, I got fed up with putting up a tent so I bought a £300 80s Monza off ebay. Just a cooker & sink but no tap so I use a water can, no fridge & I don't plug into ehu so like a tent on wheels really & does for draggin down to southern France for a couple of months in't summer.
I doubt some of the bizarre camping equipment you see on French campsites would even be allowed onto UK sites. We all do it a bit different but tbf it was the op who made the 'tin shed' reference.
Some folk do need to lighten up though, if I was sitting drinking & chatting with friends I doubt I would even notice anybody dragging a hose across the back of my pitch, let alone worry about it...
Quote: Originally posted by wendle on 04/9/2013
Totally agree. People with tents aren't working their way up to a caravan. It's what we prefer.
Indeed. Furthermore, some of us tent campers have used caravans or other units in the past and made an active choice to go with tents. And if for any reason we can't use our tent, we stay in a hotel.
How has this got from a discussion on etiquette and manners to a debate about tents v caravans?
I personally don't like the rather derogatory term 'tin tent' that was used but this thread seems to have descended by a few people's posts into criticising others camping choices, which is unhelpful and not really going to achieve anything.
We all make our choices for our lifestyles and preferences, so tent or caravan is up to the individual. That has nothing to do with etiquette on site at all.
To answer the OP's original post, I would have been a little annoyed at someone dragging a hose along the back of my pitch and picking their way through my guy ropes to do it, but not at all if they had asked beforehand politely rather than simply going ahead, and then being rude when challenged. I might possibly have suggested that he use an alternative tap next time to avoid him doing it again, but in a friendly and helpful way.
I don't think it is really a question of whether or not it was necessary to take the hose that way, but it should be simple good manners to let the occupants of that pitch know that he was considering them by checking that they were ok with what he was doing, if it had been me, I would have said something along the lines of 'would you mind if I just connected my hose to the tap for a few minutes, don't worry I will be very careful behind your tent' and then made sure to thank them once I had finished.
I think that the chap who did this is clearly a bit of an inadequate individual in the manners department, and certainly should have asked, but the OP's level of annoyance does seem slightly excessive given the relatively minor nature of the incident.
That said, I think they were right to say something, because he didn't do it again.
Jane.
------------- Enjoying life beyond kids, new love, living on a boat and a new lease of life in my mid 50s! Never too old to reinvent yourself.....
Mum to five - 4 girls, 31,28,25 and 22 and one boy, 20
Engaged! Wedding June 2020!
Im sorry, my 'level of annoyance'seems slightly excessive?!
I state in my OP that i was 'a little bit annoyed'...I dont see how that can be construed as 'over the top'- we had a quiet word, we didn't burn his camper down!
I certainly was not 'spoiling for a fight', nor am I an intolerant fool with no regard to anybody else's situation/camping setup, as has been insinuated. I called it a 'tin shed' because that was MY opinion of it, and I really am still entitled to that.
I'm not going to defend myself any further, because it isn't necessary, and for those of you who have opinions different to mine, that's fine. I have broad shoulders, and if I am indeed this intolerant, highly strung moron with absolutely no sense of 'old school camping etiquette' then so be it!
Thanks for your help.
------------- March 2015 Aberford 1 night
April 2015 Skipton 3 nights
May 2015 Aberford 3 nights
July 2015 Lake District 7 nights
August 2015 Aberford 3 nights
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Another `etiquette` question (
Topic Closed)
