We'll always say hello and make a bit of small talk about the weather or whatever, but tbh we don't really go away to make new friends. We go for real quiet chill-out time, away from work, noise, phones, tv and people. We both have a bit of a horror of people who want to be your new best friend especially when they're not really our cup of tea (not being snobby or anything, it's just that some people get right on my threepennies). In fact, the idea of a cruise is horrendous to us, as if someone you can't stand latches on to you for the duration, there's no escape.
We're probably a bit more inclined to get proper chatty with people who clearly share some of our interests - motorbikes, classic cars and dogs, mostly - but I can see that some people might think we're a bit stand-offish when we don't want to go and join them and all their extended family for beers and barbecue.
We'll always help out anyone who seems to be struggling though, and often offer a cuppa to new arrivals while they get set up. We've lent pumps and so on, jump-started cars and OH has changed a wheel for someone onsite who got a flat tyre. I've dispensed plasters, wasp-eze and aftersun and kept an eye on people's kids while they've popped to the loo (and that's really big of me, because I don't "do" children" ).
So if you're ever camping near a bald bloke and a fat, 50-something blonde with 2 lakeland terriers and an Icarus, we're not really being snooty or anything, we just enjoy our own company.
BryanMitch, you had me in stitches with the phonecall from Mr Goodbod, it nearly had me rolling off my chair and thinking (dare I say) CCC Club sites? You should do a video of that!
We are all different and as much as everywhere we go, a hotel, a cafe, a holiday destination, we're thrown together in a mixed bag and we can't help it but try to get on with each other.
I've been to some trips whilst feeling stressed and grumpy, probably not talked to others enough. But now I really chat to everyone and anyone and that has become one of the joys of camping, as in whose campfire are we going to find ourselves next to? Having a 4 year old breaks the barriers from about 30 seconds from opening car door. But even if he wasn't there, I'd still talk to anyone.
I think the key is to watch people's faces when you talk to them, and first time they're often a bit set back and sometimes surprised, try second time they've warmed up.
And never judge anyone by appearance - it's the tattooed types with crates of beer that invariably will help you kindly whilst the perfect expensive tent and gear type sits on their bum. Generalisations I know but true often enough. Not that I've needed any help but I know which type asks me if I do!
Don't even want to say anything about people in expensive new caravans driven by Range Rovers looking down on us tenters!
------------- My OH is convinced that a permanent raincloud follows my tent where ever it is pitched. Apparently, I could end all drought and famine in Africa simply by pitching my tent there!
Quote: And never judge anyone by appearance - it's the tattooed types with crates of beer that invariably will help you kindly whilst the perfect expensive tent and gear type sits on their bum.
Very true. Some of the nicest and most helpful campers I've ever met were big hairy bikers with loads of tatts. I was solo camping with the dogs and they were really sweet. They looked after the dogs while I had a shower and shared their sausages with them, invited me to join their barbecue, and came along in the morning to see if I needed a hand packing up and lifted the heavier stuff into the car for me.
Real gentlemen, but the average Mr Goodbod would have had apoplexy at the sight of them.
We'll always say hello and make a bit of small talk about the weather or whatever, but tbh we don't really go away to make new friends. We go for real quiet chill-out time, away from work, noise, phones, tv and people. We both have a bit of a horror of people who want to be your new best friend especially when they're not really our cup of tea (not being snobby or anything, it's just that some people get right on my threepennies). In fact, the idea of a cruise is horrendous to us, as if someone you can't stand latches on to you for the duration, there's no escape.
We're probably a bit more inclined to get proper chatty with people who clearly share some of our interests - motorbikes, classic cars and dogs, mostly - but I can see that some people might think we're a bit stand-offish when we don't want to go and join them and all their extended family for beers and barbecue.
We'll always help out anyone who seems to be struggling though, and often offer a cuppa to new arrivals while they get set up. We've lent pumps and so on, jump-started cars and OH has changed a wheel for someone onsite who got a flat tyre. I've dispensed plasters, wasp-eze and aftersun and kept an eye on people's kids while they've popped to the loo (and that's really big of me, because I don't "do" children" ).
So if you're ever camping near a bald bloke and a fat, 50-something blonde with 2 lakeland terriers and an Icarus, we're not really being snooty or anything, we just enjoy our own company.
Snap on the cruise, my husband keeps slipping the idea in but I know I'd get the boat bore
------------- 2013
Easter - Thorpe park tin tent
May bank - Saxdale
Whitsun - Nantcol
June - Studfold
July - Priests house, Barden's back garden ;-)
July- 4 vents Paris for euro Disney
Aug - Saxdale
Aug- high straggleton farm
Aug BH - Studfold
Sept - Stratford
Oct - Masons
NYE -saxdale (eeeek)
I like to be friendly with people in the public bits of the campsite, when we congregate at the wash-up area or round a communal camp fire, but to be honest I'm like fran 1000 and go away to get a peaceful break from a very busy life.
I don't get nearly enough time to myself at home, so when I go away I don't really want to socialise. I just want to share a bit of peace and quiet with OH. We're pretty quiet people, and it's lovely just to be together in the country and be chilled out by the scenery and the birdsong and the wine...
Quote: And never judge anyone by appearance - it's the tattooed types with crates of beer that invariably will help you kindly whilst the perfect expensive tent and gear type sits on their bum.
Very true. Some of the nicest and most helpful campers I've ever met were big hairy bikers with loads of tatts. I was solo camping with the dogs and they were really sweet. They looked after the dogs while I had a shower and shared their sausages with them, invited me to join their barbecue, and came along in the morning to see if I needed a hand packing up and lifted the heavier stuff into the car for me.
Real gentlemen, but the average Mr Goodbod would have had apoplexy at the sight of them.
I have told the story before on here about the time we had an empty field to ourselves when we pitched up...Went for a walk with the kids....Came back and heard and saw about 30 hairy tattooed bikers and their ladies revving their engines and pulling up in convoy and pitching up all around us!!!
Wont bore you with the details again....But our 1st reaction was Oooer!!
Me...The wife...and four kids had a fantastic time in those peoples company...My family was incorporated into their activities....And treated with the utmost respect...Youngest daughter about 4-5yrs at the time cried when they left....
Absolute salt of the earth those people...Nuff said!!!
Jelboy
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
We have been camping for a long time, to begin with as a young couple, then as a young family and now as middle aged parents with teenagers!
When we started camping you only went camping if you were a certain type of person who loved the great outdoors and didnt mind roughing it a bit. Equipment was limited and fairly basic and sites were a field with a loo and a shower.
Now camping has a much wider appeal. You can take a heater and a telly if you want so its accessible to people who would have never dreamed of camping 10 or 15 years ago. Camping is a way of having a cheap family holiday and doing pretty much all the things you would do if you were staying in a holiday cottage but for far less money.
For me, so long as there are still reasonably priced basic sites, and so long as everyone is considerate to each other then I dont have a problem with anyone who wants to camp. I do wonder if this current camping fashion will wane or if it will continue to be as popular in another 10 years. Hopefully I will still be camping by then!
Just got back from a cracking weekend at Beadnell c+cc site.Very nice site this year ..usual high standards with toilets and showers etc.Even managed to set up our own "mini-camp" with gazebo and windbreaks! Drank beer..ate meat...contributed to the local economy(pubs and chippy mainly)Only had one inspection from the warden who wanted to know what we were burning in the bbq...peat logs.Fed the family of four newbie campers travelling by bus!Respect to them for trying...but always going to be hard with one single gas stove for mam,dad and 2 kids.Never seen a bbq so greatly appreciated..and a lot of pleasure gained from seeing it. Helped with an emergency de-camp late into the evening...sick child involved(different family) and back to drinking beer quietly hidden behind our stripey windbreak! lovely weekend with friends.Questions....when does a few tent-loads of like -minded friends who like camping and sharing everything become a group? are they the same thing? Are we un-desirables?
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: Has camping changed?
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