unwritten rules

wiredgeorge · 07-20-2022, 03:24 PM

RVLife.com just had an article on things that annoy other campers and all were pretty much as expected but their "unwritten rules" for RVers were pretty on-point. I think the one thing that irritates me is when setting up, I actually have to concentrate on doing things in a set order and the nosy neighbor coming over to chat is NOT helpful. I try to be a gentleman but wish I could put up a sign; intro after set up, PLEASE! We seldom camp anywhere where any of the other unwritten rules are not observed.

Walk around, not through campsites

Don’t leave fires unattended (or create lots of smoke)

Clean up after yourself in public areas (pools, bathrooms, laundry rooms, central lodges)

Don’t leave food out and attract unwanted guests

Don’t leave trash at your site for the next unsuspecting RVer

Don’t interrupt RVers who are trying to set up camp (or trying to pack up to leave)

Do something about your continuous barking dog

Auto Parts Guy · 07-20-2022, 03:49 PM

Most of the unwritten rules are just common sense things that people should do anyway, at least out of respect for others. Fortunately we don't encounter too many people that dont follow them where we camp. Maybe we're just fortunate.

Buffettfan · 07-20-2022, 03:51 PM

Agreed!
Last year, leaving a CG, I was hooking up, trying to beat an approaching storm, and the older guy next to us wanted to chat.
Hooking up in a hurry is bad enough, but trying not to be rude to him at the same time was a bit much.
My wife steered him away and kept him occupied, but once I had everything done and needed her to help with the last few details, I'd finally had enough. I'd honestly say, I'm one of the nicer guys you're likely to meet.
I wasn't "rude", but I was blunt.
I could tell he was offended, but by that point, I didn't really care.
IMO, he should have known better.

jasin1 · 07-20-2022, 05:06 PM

in my line of business i always have customers that want to talk while i’m working…i’ve learned over the years to assign one of my employees as “crowd control”….all i have to do is give a blank look to him and they will take over the conversation and steer it towards hobby’s or how long they lived in the neighborhood etc…i’m a nice guy but i cant talk and work at the same time …and that goes for hooking up the fiver…i have to nicely delicately ask my wife to let me follow my “procedure” without talking

wiredgeorge · 07-20-2022, 08:15 PM

My missus departs the immediate area when I am setting up or unloading and walks the dogs. Am I the only one that has to concentrate because I have never figured out how to play a youtube video at the same time as setting or breaking camp?

RickV · 07-21-2022, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

My missus departs the immediate area when I am setting up or unloading and walks the dogs. Am I the only one that has to concentrate because I have never figured out how to play a youtube video at the same time as setting or breaking camp?

I don't know about playing a YT video but, anytime that I setting up or breaking down and someone "tries" to help me or is even talking to me is when I screw up something or forget something. One time it was a 50 amp surge protector, another time it was water pressure regulator.

notanlines · 07-21-2022, 04:11 AM

The term commonly used to describe your helpful neighbor is "That Guy." The most common phrases used by "That Guy" are as follows:
Let me guide you back.
Can I help you with that?
We don't do it like that.
Where are you from?

**flybouy** · 07-21-2022, 04:35 AM

George, ask Jasin1 about multitasking while watching YouTube.

Sorry, cheap shot jasin1

One time while packing up/hitching up a "freindly" was following me around like a lost puppy. I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I tried to accomondate him. When we got home I walked back to unhitch and there setting across the A frame was one of the WDH bars.

The thought of that falling off at highway speed was disturbing.

Two learnings from that experience. First, excuse yourself from the distraction. It's a lot better to apologize for being busy than it is to potentially need to apologize for the metal spear going thru someone's windshield. Second, double, triple check EVERYTHING before hitting the road. With age (both me and the equipment) I have "final" hitch check. That consists of me taking several pictures from different angles of the hitch connection points. To me, it accomplishes two things. 1. It forces me to take the time to look things over. 2. It gives me a point of refrence of what it looked like when we hit the highway. On longer trips I'll compare the setup to the pictures when we stop at a rest stop. On shorter trips I'll make the comparison when I unhitch.

Is this overkill? Maybe, but I'd rather take the very little time it takes to do this vs explaining my actions to an injured family or jury. JMO, YMMV.

dutchmensport · 07-21-2022, 04:48 AM

I have learned, the only time it's actually helpful to talk to someone when they are either first arriving or breaking camp to leave is if they are solo. No other person with them. And then, it's always a quick, "Do you want a spotter for backing in?" or, "Do you need a spotter for hitching?" And if the answer is "No, I've got it covered." Then I move on. If they want a spotter, I'll explain my hand motions and make sure we are both in agreement.

After that, I move on. I have done this a few times and the response has always been positive. However, if they have a second person, their response is usually more abrasive.

This is just an observation I've noticed after 25 (plus) years of camping.

Poppy · 07-21-2022, 05:08 AM

Another unwritten rule is
Don’t burn plastic or styrofoam in your fire. Don’t be lazy and just throw that trash away.

The last 3 times we went camping, we ended up down wind of those toxic odors and was forced to go in the trailer.

**sourdough** · 07-21-2022, 07:32 AM

We are like most I figure. We have a set routine that each of us does and I always do the final walk around to check everything out....unless, "that guy" shows up and wants to shoot the breeze about anything and everything while he knows you're trying to either set up or get out. I've put the water hose/filter/regulator on backwards (wrong order from faucet) while trying to be nice, left chocks leaving, forgot to place chocks parking etc. - even forgot to plug the trailer in once; that was exciting when I got to the stop sign at the bottom of the hill leaving the park and didn't have brakes. Anymore I've got where I can get pretty short just so that sort of stuff doesn't happen.

On the other hand I'm probably "that guy" from time to time. Year before last I watched as 2 new trailers came in with new owners and they set their trailers up. One (across the road) did fine but the one in front of me was having heck. I watched him spend the better part of an hour messing with his sewer dumps, the hoses and the park sewer connection and just threw it all on the ground to go do something else. Hooked up his water, turned it on and water started running out from under the trailer. I just opened the door and told him water was running out and he said he knew but didn't know why. Told him to look at the drains and cap them...he did. Back he and his friend went to the sewer. After another 20 minutes of them messing with it I had to go out to see if I could help (being that guy). He had 2 dumps and they didn't know what to do with that. They didn't have anything to connect to the park sewer inlet and were trying to push the end of the sewer hose into the sewer connection and leave it open....I told them no. Told them what they needed (2nd sewer hose, Y, clear connector and fitting to go on the end of the sewer hose as well as the one in the sewer inlet) then gave him a generic donut adapter for the inlet until he could get to town. An hour later he came back out and was fiddling with the water heater and by now I felt sorry for him. Being "that guy" again I asked what the problem was; no hot water. Are you in bypass I asked? What's that? He was. Also burned out the heating element. By the end of the 2nd day he had gotten the things he needed, figured out how to hook them up and got it working.... He celebrated by running down to rent a cart and he and his friend ran out to get in a quick 9 holes with huge grins. They were like 2 kids for the next month.

**flybouy** · 07-21-2022, 08:16 AM

I forgot to mention my preemptive action after forgetting the one WDH bar. I enjoy smoking a good cigar from time to time. I buy cheap cigars for outdoor chores and they tend to smell unpleasant. I typically take 2 of these cheap cigars camping. I light one up when setting up and one when breaking camp. When I see "that guy" approach a couple of good puffs will likely hold them at bay.

I find the cigar smoke will hold off mosquitos as well. Is that redundant?

Tom-67X · 07-21-2022, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

I forgot to mention my preemptive action after forgetting the one WDH bar. I enjoy smoking a good cigar from time to time. I buy cheap cigars for outdoor chores and they tend to smell unpleasant. I typically take 2 of these cheap cigars camping. I light one up when setting up and one when breaking camp. When I see "that guy" approach a couple of good puffs will likely hold them at bay.

I find the cigar smoke will hold off mosquitos as well. Is that redundant?

Well...there you are brother!

I can easily go through 3 a day when I'm in leisure mode!

bsmith0404 · 07-21-2022, 09:02 AM

I don't talk much to people when setting up or packing up. If they want to come talk to me, so be it. I just stay focused on what I’m doing and pretty much ignore what they’re saying. I have a bad hearing loss anyway and don’t hear most of what people are saying unless I’m looking at them. When I’m packing up to leave, once I get everything done, I step way back so I can see the roof of the RV (still have old fashioned crank up tv antenna) and everything underneath. Then I start a walk around, first I inspect my hitch, then go around and check all storage doors to make sure they’re locked, finish with checking the hitch (yes that’s twice). Then it’s check lug nut torque followed by lights. I then pull out of the campsite, stop and go back to look over the site to make sure I didn’t leave anything. It’s a set routine for me, I could have 10 people trying to talk, doesn’t matter, I stay focused on what I’m doing. Some probably think I’m rude, others might actually learn something by watching me.

I will say the one thing I don’t understand though, is why someone can camp next to you for a week, never so much as say hi, but feel a need to suddenly be neighborly when you’re trying to pack up to leave.

jsb5717 · 07-21-2022, 10:00 AM

I'm generally less concerned about my setup/tear down routine. I'm more concerned with the time I'm in the park. We are old school campers and the "unwritten" rules have generally been followed by most/all old school campers over the many years we've been camping. There just always seemed to be a universal understanding of how all of this works. But no more...

I hate (or very much dislike):
- when other campers seem to think it's OK to use my camping space as a pathway to wherever
- when other campers think that they are the only ones that matter in the whole park...mostly evident long after it's supposed to be quiet time.
- when other campers let their dogs bark on and on and on
- when other campers think that their dog is the exception to all leash laws
- when other campers don't pick up their dog's...you know
- when other campers allow their kids to be overly loud and unruly in close proximity to other campers

Now, I try to be tolerant and am usually very polite. I do understand that everyone is there to have a good time with friends and family. I make extra allowances for unruly kids since they're just being kids and poor behavior is generally the parent's fault.

The newer generation of campers seems to have missed out on the "unwritten rules" training session. It seems to me that the "unwritten rules" should be written rules and parks should enforce them. I've seen enforcement done well at some parks and ignored at others. I've witnessed a park ranger at a State Park gently, but firmly, inform a late night group of loud, rude folks that if they didn't be quiet immediately that they would be leaving the camp with police escort. They shut up for the rest of the week. It can be done.

I don't like to generalize, but in my experience State Parks and County Parks tend to invite the entitled, self-absorbed crowd more than the nicer private parks. I love our State Parks but I do get a little tired of loud, rude people.

Am I showing my age?

bsmith0404 · 07-21-2022, 10:10 AM

My wife’s uncle is a “new” camper. They’re basically the same age as we are. They’ve started coming along, but tend to only stay a couple days because of work. He always brings his stereo and plus it loud enough to make it difficult to sit around and have a conversation. Granted, he has good taste in music, but for me, it’s not what I want to hear while camping. I go to get away and have peace and quiet. Since he’s family, I’m not shy about it, I just go and turn it down to an acceptable level. I think he’s finally starting to get it.

Of course, since we’re retired, we have the ability to stay after they all leave and really enjoy quiet time.

wiredgeorge · 07-21-2022, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsb5717

I'm generally less concerned about my setup/tear down routine. I'm more concerned with the time I'm in the park. We are old school campers and the "unwritten" rules have generally been followed by most/all old school campers over the many years we've been camping. There just always seemed to be a universal understanding of how all of this works. But no more...

I hate (or very much dislike):
- when other campers seem to think it's OK to use my camping space as a pathway to wherever
- when other campers think that they are the only ones that matter in the whole park...mostly evident long after it's supposed to be quiet time.
- when other campers let their dogs bark on and on and on
- when other campers think that their dog is the exception to all leash laws
- when other campers don't pick up their dog's...you know
- when other campers allow their kids to be overly loud and unruly in close proximity to other campers

Now, I try to be tolerant and am usually very polite. I do understand that everyone is there to have a good time with friends and family. I make extra allowances for unruly kids since they're just being kids and poor behavior is generally the parent's fault.

The newer generation of campers seems to have missed out on the "unwritten rules" training session. It seems to me that the "unwritten rules" should be written rules and parks should enforce them. I've seen enforcement done well at some parks and ignored at others. I've witnessed a park ranger at a State Park gently, but firmly, inform a late night group of loud, rude folks that if they didn't be quiet immediately that they would be leaving the camp with police escort. They shut up for the rest of the week. It can be done.

I don't like to generalize, but in my experience State Parks and County Parks tend to invite the entitled, self-absorbed crowd more than the nicer private parks. I love our State Parks but I do get a little tired of loud, rude people.

Am I showing my age?

Jeff, most of your peeves were covered in the other issues laid out; I just emphasized my own single pet peeve which is being social when I am hooking up or setting up. I only camp in traditional private RV parks or resorts, btw and have never had an issue with "too loud" fellow campers. Once in my camper with the A/C on and the TV/soundbar turning my brain into mush, well, don't hear anything outside.

wiredgeorge · 07-21-2022, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

I forgot to mention my preemptive action after forgetting the one WDH bar. I enjoy smoking a good cigar from time to time. I buy cheap cigars for outdoor chores and they tend to smell unpleasant. I typically take 2 of these cheap cigars camping. I light one up when setting up and one when breaking camp. When I see "that guy" approach a couple of good puffs will likely hold them at bay.

I find the cigar smoke will hold off mosquitos as well. Is that redundant?

You appear to be a Swisher Sweet kinda guy!

I smoked MANY years ago and bought Bull Durham in the little bags and rolled my own or smoke Swisher Sweets. I am still not sure if they used tobacco or not or just garden weeds but they were CHEEEEEEP.

Tom-67X · 07-21-2022, 10:24 AM

With my cigar habit blowing past $200 a month like a monsoon wind, I've been forced to focus on the cheapos and just a few of the good ones when I place an order.

Them cheapos are not half bad!

But to stay on topic, got nothing but agreement for the unwritten rules, aka "being a good neighbor", aka being a considerate human.

Gr8bawana · 07-21-2022, 10:34 AM

How about a written rule that is ALWAYS posted at campgrounds and rv parks but is frequently ignored?
Like "pets MUST be on leash at all times". I've lost track of how many people believe their dog is special and let their dog wander around loose.
If the dog barks at you the owner says "oh it won't bite it's friendly".
A rule is a rule, if you don't like it tough tamales.

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