Just a little observation -recently returned from Le Clapas (lovely site- review now on ) The site was mainly French/Belgian regulars who'd been going there for years but recently the site appeared in Cool Camping France and was recommended by the Guardian thus attracting more British camper/glampers. We were quite shocked at how unfriendly these other Brits were- something that we have never experienced before. The French and Belgian folk were very friendly and we "bonjoured" our way around the site every day even getting into some conversations with lots of sign language on both sides.Try cracking a smile with our fellow countrymen and we were met with the stoney stare of someone who looked like they were carrying out a prison sentence rather than a holiday. We can understand that not everyone likes to socialise and be chummy with there own kind on hols. We ourselves love the colour of having different nationalities to camp with but the strange thing is - they didn't seem to interact with the locals either. Has anyone else experienced this or is this the new generation of campers ?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Yes we have noticed the same, I smile and nod my way around the site, and notice that a lot of the brits refuse to make eye contact or speak. To me that is the great thing about camping abroad is that the other campers are such a sociable lot, we have made a lot of good friends of many nationalities who still keep in touch after the holidays, and even arrange the following years holidays to meet again.
Partly I can sympathise. I'm happy enough to 'bonjour' my way around but when someone English approaches me I tend to go into, 'Je ne parle pas Anglais' mode! There are historical reasons for this, some bad experiences in the past of the English abroad. By and large I'm more tolerant now but I do see where they might be coming from!
We noticed exactly the same thing on a site that we've visited lots of times, and I've done very positive reviews for on this website. Perhaps not as a direct result, but this year it had definitely changed for the worse, was much busier, and people spoke and interacted much less. We shortened our planned stay there, and moved on!
In some earlier posts about Cool Camping, I mentioned that my sons had commented that being in the guide had changed sites that they have stayed on beyond recognition, and for the worse rather than for the better!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We're featured in the second edition of the guide and we've done very well this season with people finding us either by chance, or booking in advance to be sure of the dates they want. We've been nothing but pleased with the kind of guest we've had visit. No glamping, just people genuinely seeking (and finding) the kind of campsite they like. Have we changed because of it? Not at all.
When we stayed at Le Clapas I spoke to the two guys that run it about Cool Camping. I think they have been in since the 1st edition. They didn't feel then that it had made a huge difference to the number of UK visitors. They said that they asked to be sent copies of the books before they allowed their entry to be put in. I would think it was 25% British with the rest French/Dutch and one or two others when we were there (2009). The last thing I would want when holidaying in France is a campsite full of English people.
The problem (if it IS a problem) is in being such a small site of just ten pitches, we book up quite quickly. Mainly with Brits. The French & Dutch especially don't like to book so far in advance. That's fine, but what it means is that quite often, this is a site 'full of English people' in the main English summer holidays. Outside of high season, we do attract French, Germans and Belgians here. Often Dutch too, so different languages may be heard. It's easy to remind yourself you're in France though, listening to us babble in French with friends, neighbours and others quite often.
There are many reasons apart from the above why we're a mainly English destination, one being that as we're bi-lingual owners, we're a 'haven' for first-time campers, or for those with difficulties with the language. If they have a problem, we're usually able to sort it out. We do try to create a French atmosphere with our table d'hotes, signs around the place in French and English, but ultimately, we take bookings on a first come - first served basis, just the same as anyone else. And that happens to be mainly English bookings. Not everyone feels the need to feel 'isolated' by language. For many, it's a stress they can do without, prefering to holiday in this country for its obvious advantages (weather, food, wine etc.), but be able to 'escape' back to a mainly English-speaking environment after the day's sightseeing.
Finally, just as an observation, we've noticed just lately when out & about and encountering Brits in the village, that when we bid them 'bonjour', we're met with a stony silence. It's happened a few times now, so it wasn't just a one off, and we've been baffled by their reluctance to speak French, even just the one word of courteous reply. But when they find us speaking in English, they're gushing like waterfalls!
Strange, we found exactly the opposite on our trip to France in June - our neighbours were a mix of Brits and, mostly, Dutch. The only people we spoke to were the Brits because the Dutch just nodded their heads at us and that was it.
I assume this is all a language issue - if you can't speak the lingo at all, even saying 'Bonjour' or 'Hello' is difficult because you know you can't say or understand anything more. If the Dutch had said 'Hello' and then I started waffling on in English which they didn't understand, it would just be embarrassing...
I think it's pointless to generalise about nationalities being friendlier or unfriendlier than others. I've met lovely and obnoxious people of numerous nationalities and I seriously cannot find a pattern to any of it.
People are people, no matter where they happen to live.
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Strange, we found exactly the opposite on our trip to France in June - our neighbours were a mix of Brits and, mostly, Dutch. The only people we spoke to were the Brits because the Dutch just nodded their heads at us and that was it.
I assume this is all a language issue - if you can't speak the lingo at all, even saying 'Bonjour' or 'Hello' is difficult because you know you can't say or understand anything more. If the Dutch had said 'Hello' and then I started waffling on in English which they didn't understand, it would just be embarrassing...
I think it's pointless to generalise about nationalities being friendlier or unfriendlier than others. I've met lovely and obnoxious people of numerous nationalities and I seriously cannot find a pattern to any of it.
People are people, no matter where they happen to live.
Many dutch speak fluent English and most speak and understand the basics so doubt it was a language issue!
I'm not in any way generalising, just reacting to posts made elsewhere, and passing on my own observations.
I marvel constantly at the differences in all of us europeans. Some are quite willing to throw themselves into the language and culture, others very reluctant to do so.
We see them all here, as you'd probably expect, given what we do for a living.
Again - an observation; I worked all over Holland and without exception found someone that spoke English. Except in Friesland. The Dutch guy I was working with assured me that I shouldn't worry about this, and that they 'were strange people'!
One Dutch lady we had on site here, when asked why the Dutch spoke such good English, gave the answer "Because no-one else speaks Dutch!"
I'm not in any way generalising, just reacting to posts made elsewhere, and passing on my own observations.
I marvel constantly at the differences in all of us europeans. Some are quite willing to throw themselves into the language and culture, others very reluctant to do so.
We see them all here, as you'd probably expect, given what we do for a living.
Again - an observation; I worked all over Holland and without exception found someone that spoke English. Except in Friesland. The Dutch guy I was working with assured me that I shouldn't worry about this, and that they 'were strange people'!
One Dutch lady we had on site here, when asked why the Dutch spoke such good English, gave the answer "Because no-one else speaks Dutch!"
Well I'm English I'm not grumpy and I go on holiday to France .I've met many a English person on holiday and can say that most.are lovely .I'm sure there's many French grumpy people too .Im really pleased that Floydfan find that most English are lovely too .I try to speak French as much as poss but tend to get a bit Tongue tied .In fact I'll edit that very Tongue tied .
Lots of people are shy and this can come over as grumpy too .
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: "New Wave" Glampers in France
