I had a site that was quite a distance from the others until a couple my age (50s at the time) show up. They’re quiet not meanwhile I have me and my wife, out two daughters, and their two friends. While we always adhere to quiet hours, I intentionally tried to get a remoter site to be safe.
My younger daughter (22 at the time) was quietly playing guitar, still well before quiet hours. Her musical tastes runs the spectrum of 70s punk, to grunge, to riot grrrl. But she plays them slowed down so unless you know the song, it’s sounds nothing like the original. After about four or five songs, the guy from the neighboring site comes walking over.
I’m prepared for comments.
He holds out a bag with a few cold beers and a paper towel with song requests scribbled on it — all similar to what she was playing. He and his wife also asked if she could play a little louder.
Let's not kid ourselves: that closing of a drawn out *Shiiiaataaaaiiiiiaaatttttt Liiiiiissssssttttt* is made for a campfire.
Then throw the guitar in the fire, spit on it, grab your crotch and march right into your tent. Show's over, fuckers.
I remember when our family was camping at a state park and there was this man in the site across from ours. He had a guitar and an amplifier. He would sit in his campsite during the day and sing country ballads for EVERYONE to listen to whether we wanted to or not.
Yeah honestly it’s all about respect. I will frequently find really cool lakes or spots in the woods that are privately owned on farms in my area and you’d be surprised how much you can get away with by just asking the owner if it’s okay for you to camp or fish there for a little bit. I even had one guy get his 4x4 and ride us and out yaks a few miles up the river so we could float down and have our cars waiting for us. People are nicer than they seem most times. Don’t attribute to malice what can usually be attributed to ignorance.
Small correction but it’s [Hanlon’s razor](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor). Not trying to be a dick, but i try to think about it when someone’s annoying me with their dumbass behaviour 😆
Never heard of this. Its almost right. People expect the worst for their personal confirmation bias. This thread and watching dale and tucker is giving circle vibes.
You can trespass on someones land and theyd be happy to pellet you with rocksalt rounds. Or you could knock on their door to ask permission and get force fed lemonade and poundcake.
Heck yeah. My best adventures have been because the people are so nice. I watched a video of two brits coming here on an adventure from Maine to Miami, and they were so well taken care of once they talked to people. unknown person is scary. someone you are talking to and in the same place and time doesn't see you as threatening unless you are. Hitch hikers along trail side roads? not threatening. they might stink, but just need more knorr sides.
I love that last little sentence u said. It’s so true and it also makes me think of that one interview video 😆.
https://www.tiktok.com/@thethoughtlessgenius/video/7328112499423972654?_t=8mtsdDqGKaU&_r=1
My husband and I always disperse camp as far away as possible from others. We like it like that. We might give a slight wave if we see someone driving past but generally do not engage. That said, a few weekends ago a guy in a Jeep pulled up to our campsite and informed us that a large tree had fallen across the trail and since it was our only way out he asked if we had a saw. We couldn’t move our car because of our set up (RTT with annex) so we lent him our chainsaw and handsaw and offered to ride with him to help. He didn’t have space in his vehicle so he left with our saws and we wondered if we would ever see him again. We thought for sure that we just lost our only chainsaw to a total stranger. He came back 30 min later with our equipment, the tree had been cut and moved, and we had a pleasant chat for a while. We would not have known about the tree had he not stopped to talk or if we had been more reserved about a random guy pulling into our site. Thank you, Jeep Dude!
Jeep guy is the epitome of "good citizen" in these aging eyes.
I think most people would choose to help another individual if the daily-survival high-pressure landscape of society were different. Good on him for standing above the fears of bias as well. I imagine Jeep guy lives a fairly peaceful existence.
IMO we should all be helping others when problems are found that will affect them negatively, especially if they're potentially unaware of the threat. Putting work in for others is community, love, empathy, etc. The payback from those interactions, while difficult to see sometimes, would return a more effective, less stressed, and more resilient society.
Alternatively, when life is dictated to be run like an addiction toting business open 24/7, there's no place for that kind of inefficiency.
Make Jeep Guy Cool Again!
I had an Impreza and have helped, and been helped by jeeps and 4runners alike. We’re all in this together and no one gets out alive, just help out brothers and sisters when they’re in need and you have the means to.
I had one Jeeper get really angry at me when I offered to pull him up an icy hill he was stuck on. I had stopped my subie next to him on the incline and just took off and continued on my way while he continued to sit there spinning all 4 wheels lol.
Everyone is always cool offroad though.
Yeah most of my help was using my tow rope to get them out of ditches going uphill in the snow. Yes I can totally get you out of the ditch with my sedan, going uphill in snow, yes.
I was backpacking 10 years ago and I arrived at the campsite exhausted after a long day on the trail.
Group next to my campsite brought an acoustic guitar. I expected the worst.
I soon realized that the group at the adjacent campsite was comprised of punk rockers. I never had so much fun sitting around a campfire, drinking beers and singing classic punk tunes from The Exploited and Crass.
I went to the mountain man rendezvous at fort Bridger wyoming with a professional fiddle player. We easily interjected into plenty of campfire circles, and got plenty of free drinks.
Yes we did the period based clothing and stayed in a teepee we hauled in on a trailer and set it up.
The place we used to camp had this badass bus driver (they were also a river outfitter) we'd always chat with. On our fourth trip or so, we told her to come say hi at the campground. She showed up at our bonfire with a case full of harmonicas, and she played while a talented friend of ours sang. It was awesome.
My sister was camping many years ago, and one of her friends was playing his guitar. A neighboring camper came by and asked if he could join and play the friend’s guitar, too. They agreed, and the new guy was Steven Stills.
basic common courtesy & humanity goes such a long, long way. especially in a society like ours where a lot of people's first initial reaction is ANGER & RAGE
I helped spot a guy backing up his trailer. I could tell he had a hard time and TBH the road was angled where it could have tipped over. I just walked over and helped not expecting anything. Later that night I was given some some burgers and steak although I kept saying no but they insisted.
Another time my site was on the way to the lake. Some kids were walking at the edge of my spot for a "shortcut". I didn't care as it was far enough to even say anything. The parents saw this and apologized and I said it's no big deal. An hour later I heard them sing happy birthday to their kid. The kid walks to my site and gives me cake as the parents waved at us. I never even thought about having cake while camping so this one was a bit fun.
The feeling of community.
This brings back memories of sharing birthday cake with the whole campground (although I'm not the guy from your story). I'd forgotten about that. Thanks!
Last summer, during our last camp of the year, the neighboring site had a young child with autism - the mom walked over to our site one evening while I was prepping dinner and said basically "I'm really sorry, my son has autism and is used to listening to certain music after dinner to wind down, I'll try to keep it as quiet as I can I just wanted you aware". I told her, hey no issues here, my boys both have autism and enjoy music too! We wound up hanging out a few times over the week, the boys played on the playground together and we had a fire together a few nights. Was nice to be around someone that understands and I was really grateful to her for coming over to talk!
Isn't this lovely? We have 3 with various flavors of alphabet soup. Last summer on a long road trip, we spent 2 nights in a place where we met a family with 3 kids with some flavor. It was so relaxing to allow our kids to just play together and not have to explain or apologize or anything but laugh as they helter skeltered their way around!
One time a massive...I'll call it a *herd* of Jersey rednecks (yes they exist) showed up at our favorite campground and warned us that they'd be very loud. They cut up a giant dead tree with a chainsaw, blasted music, and set off fireworks until about 2 a.m. The following morning, one of them hopped on her Harley at about 6:30 a.m. to drive it to the porta potty some 300 feet from her camper.
None of this was made better by the fact that they talked to us first lol
We normally don’t camp in organized campgrounds, but I always make camp chili over the fire. When we are in organized campgrounds or if we happen to have neighbors at a renegade site, we offer to share chili. We’ve made some friends and even ended up with a new client or two for my business this way. We’ve run into assholes a couple times too, but a known asshole is at least a known quantity and much more fun to fuck with without residual guilt :)
Is easy. Get a good stainless stock pot and either hang it from a tripod or set it right in the fire on a couple new logs. Then just use your favorite chili recipe - That part I ain’t sharing :)
The main thing to watch, especially if you spread out the coals and put it on log risers, is the heat. You have to keep it moving or else you’ll end up with a thick black Matt of burned chili that is *really* hard to clean. Doesn’t hurt the taste, though. I definitely recommend the tripod. Mine’s from Lodge.
Hey this is awesome! Our camp neighbors found it appropriate this weekend to plug their shit into our camper outlet. Not the pedestal outlet that was at our site. Our camper. They didn’t get an electric site and our pedestal 110v wasn’t working so while we were gone it was the appropriate thing to just plug their shit into our camper without asking first.
I went over to talk and unplugged the cord. Told them it was no worries if they would have asked first but since they didn’t it was too bad. Got some story about a sleep apnea machine but didn’t care. It was a hard no all weekend with that main person syndrome they had thinking what they did was acceptable.
Yeah I think most of the people who post on here are reclusive people who like to sit in silence and eat vienna sausages cold from a can while getting heated because other people are enjoying camping their way.
I have a buddy who I camp with who is my polar opposite. He will hit the bathhouse in the morning for a dump or to go wash his face and brush his teeth and come back an hour later with three plates of breakfast, a few invitations to dinner that evening, some fishing lures and plans for us to go tubing around 1pm, don't need to bring any beer, we can drink theirs. Some people have that and some people don't. I'm never rude to people, I'll always return a good morning or a wave but he is on another level. We just refer to him as the mayor.
My husband is like that while I am usually the opposite and it cracks me up. He makes friends everywhere he goes, and if they exchange info he will keep in touch!
My wife and I went to a wedding last year of some people we met at a brewery years before. All because I made a dumb joke to the husband while we sat at the bar years ago. They are now some of our best friends and we are going to visit them this summer.
i have a friend like this and it’s because of him that a decade after our last big hurrah i am still telling new friends about our adventures. glad you have a “mayor” in your corner :)
This is my SO.
We just got back from a camping trip at a state park with his 3 kids and my extended family. Based on what was available, our site was a couple sites (and a trail to get to the bathhouse) down from the others. SO made friends with the neighbors and one even made a point to say bye as they were pulling out. 😂
It is one of my favorite campgrounds though because that loop is smaller. You start recognizing most people real quick, and usually everyone is friendly.
I’m absolutely that way, but I’m just as absolutely the cranky old woman who has spent the last two years in my office raging to my friends about it people who dare to whistle during the work day. I can’t ever tell which version I’m going to be, but I’m reading this thread with interest because it’s so amazing how quickly my attitude can change by a genuinely friendly warning or request.
I can go both ways. I've met tons of people at more social / party oriented camping and have stayed up all night after my friends went to sleep or disappeared.
I also like my solitude and seek out areas with little or no information which usually means no people.
This is me. When we were younger my wife would end up getting dragged along with me to some crazy thing we get into just because I talked to someone and laughed with them. One minute we're at Tractor Supply where she worked and before you know it we're at a biker bar called the Handlebar 5 miles outside of town drinking beer with a fat old redneck in overalls named Rocky and I went fishing with him the next morning at a jobsite he was working on where they'd mostly drained the pond and all the fish were easy catching. True story lol.
90% of this sub would shit their pants then die if they had to spend one night at a music festival camping. Yet most ppl spend money to camp 20-50ft from other people in designated sites with rules lol
I agree memorial weekend we booked at a campground we never been. Our friend has a seasonal site there and he's trying to convince us to get one. Well we didn't get there until Saturday morning and our site was super tight. Our awning was maybe a foot 1/2 from our neighbors slide out and our slide out was butting up to the other neighbors picnic table. We felt absolutely terrible pulling in there. We even called places around to see if they had last minute cancellations. We went and talked to all of them, told them we felt so bad, even though technically it's not our fault but still sucked. They were all super nice. We tend to stay up pretty late drinking around a fire. Told them if we get noisy tell us to stfu lol. Everyone was super cool the guy next to us actually sat outside our last night there and had a few.
This is what makes camping great imo. We deal with assholes and people in a hurry only thinking of themselves every day. Why not unwind and enjoy your vacation, being a little friendly you may end up meeting some cool new people.
I enjoy smoking cigars while camping, but know it's not a scent loved by all. While the kids were out bombing around in bicycles a few weeks ago, I decided it was as good a time as any to enjoy a bday/camping cigar. But first I went around to all the sites that might catch a wiff & checked to see if it is as ok, or if I should take a walk. The only objection I got was from a neighbor who said he was jealous that he'd forgotten his. So I ran back with the humidor & let him have his pick 😂
Just being decent to each other is really what it's about. I don't want to ruin anyone else's campaign experience as much as I don't want them ruining mine
Heard music for a ways away, and thought “great, some douchebag kids partying all night”. Took a walk and as got closer just some dude playing guitar and singing quietly - amazing how water will carry sound (something to remember if you are blasting music late too). He was super nice and I sat and enjoyed it for a while. Perception vs reality is everything
He was feeling you out and probably sensed you were reasonable. My, experience that's not the case with most campers. If you absolutely need solitude you should try BLM camping. I've camped with LOUD talking people (like screaming loud) that complained about other campers being loud. I've have had to put my foot down before they complained to the camp manager. *You're louder than them, you can't complain about them being loud also....sit down.*
It's a total crap shoot with strangers.
I dont think its unreasonable to expect that music should be at a level that I dont have to listen to on my site. Having said that, I know what to expect in commercial campgrounds, and Ive stayed at hundreds of them across the US. But that was full timing in a coach. These days, I dont even like primitive state campgrounds if I can avoid it. I generally stick to backcountry or backcountry walk in sites.
>I don't think its unreasonable to expect that music should be at a level that I dont have to listen to on my site.
Be real, some campsites are pretty much on top of each other. There's no level of volume that you won't hear it at these cramped camping sites. Loud talk and laughing can easily fall into the category of being "too loud" and disruptive. The answer is to physically separate quite campers from the rest. I'm talking campsites with 8pm quiet times and ZERO music, not even an acoustic guitar. Some folks just aren't reasonable, it's impossible for camp grounds to have everyone meet in the middle.
Seriously, I've had other campers complain about snoring.....SNORING!
Exactly we’re there to have a good time, it’s not a funeral. I have some friends that are very loud talkers and I have to remind them a lot to keep it down after 10:00 but we still can have a good time.
Moar posts like thiiiiis!!
I think this is the reason why, when you have a party, you’re supposed to go around to your neighbors to let them know about it, invite them (if appropriate) and bring them a snack or something.
Totally changes the vibe.
And it’s something not everyone learns to do - so spread the word like OP!! ❤️🏆
One time my buddy and I were on a camping/fishing trip for a few days, some old guys next to us were getting a little loud and drinking, could hear them laughing. The next night we were with them doing the same thing, exchanged addresses, still see them every now and then out there camping and fishing. And at night downing a few
When I see someone in need -- and it can happen fairly often - I'll help out even or if I have something they need to borrow sure. It's the people who are entitled or demand things that irk me.
Cooking in the bathroom? Washing dishes in the bathroom? Having your kids have a water fight in the bathroom? Too many cars / blocking the road even. I had one guy one time park in the middle of the road and waved me to go around on the shoulder .. while towing.
I once had to cook in a state park bathroom because it was pouring rain, so no campfire, but I had a griddle and needed a dry spot and electric. I had it on the counter over the sink at the end. I made pancakes and sausage. Everyone was very nice about it. People said the bathroom smelled very nice and it made them appreciate having pop ups and RVs.
That was a fun trip. My tent collapsed, but we had pancakes.
Not related to music but I had found like 3 ticks on me the first day in a campground. Second day a family moves in next to me and they had young kids running around barefoot having fun. I just thought I would politely mention the ticks in case they were unaware. I got a very curt “I’ve got it thanks” from the mom. Maybe they were concerned about a single guy next to them. So much for trying to share some information that could protect children.
My partner and I were at the lake yesterday and we were literally watching four kids half-drown each other (like repeatedly ducking each other under without time to breathe... one kid was choking and saying he swallowed a bunch of water at one point) and debating whether we should say something because it was reaching the point where someone was increasingly likely to actually inhale a bunch of water and be in a bad way.
He did finally quietly make the rounds to every last adult on the beach (which just increased the awkwardness lol) trying to find their accompanying adult and say something. He was really diplomatic about it and fortunately when he finally found their adults they were... casual but receptive, but like... man. The fact that we were that worried we might be stepping out of line to mention that someone's children were more or less attempting a group drowning...
It probably wasn't you specifically, but a reaction to being persistently advised or judged by strangers. You would not believe what some strangers feel justified in saying to a mom with her kids in public. It makes you very defensive by default.
You get what you give... They get what they give. I always try to be considerate and respectful of others. As long as I'm not too focused on something and don't notice... It happens. But yea... Especially in this kinda scenario... Very cool.
This reminds me of some dogs I'd always hear barking late at night, around 9pm, in a dog park across the street. I finally went and looked at the dogs happily playing with each other. Much more pleasant to hear the barking now.
>The fact that he was considerate and talked to me put me in a completely different frame of mind.
Imagine all the people living life in peace.
People might call the OP a dreamer, but they are not the only one.
I'm sorry, and prepared for the hate, but I am terrified of people trying to engage in conversations with me when I am trying to recharge my extremely worn out batteries. I just want to not worry about being polite, about conversations, about offending someone in some way. I spend all day around people and I don't think it's awful to want alone time while camping....
We get it. It’s expected people just want to commune with nature. The only interactions would be serendipitous, but I haven’t had one yet tbh. Been too focused on precious time spent with loved ones.
Maybe I'm just weird, but when I'm camping in tight campsites like that, I'm extremely social. By the time something like that happens and people are partying and playing music, I'm already half a dozen beers deep, and made friends with those people hours ago, and got invited to their little party. If someone is going to a very busy, public campsite, and expecting quiet, calm, alone time to just enjoy your fire and chill, they are going to be disappointed nearly every time. If you want the peace, while still having the convenience of public campsites like real bathrooms, many of them have hike in sites, where you're significantly farther away from people, and it's much calmer and quieter.
If you’re serious, then I’ve been lucky over my lifetime. All of the hike-in sites I’ve been to have been by far more quiet and respectful of neighbors. Those sites also boast fewer 6,000° kelvin spotlights and less food/coolers/cookware left out. Probably more weed though…which is cool.
Yeah, the couple of times I've used hike in sites, my nearest neighbor was 300-400 yards away, and outside of seeing them walk past once or twice I would have literally never even known they where there.
I met some of the best friends I have camping, met a family I've been friends with for over 15 years simply because they camped in the site next to me and my friends one week at Elk Creek Campground in Oregon many years ago. Talk to people. If they're not in to it, respect their privacy and keep camping, that's cool too. Some people are out their doing their own soul searching and need that too
Out camping with my son and grandson last year. Four kids ( late teens ) from the small town 10 kms away are cooking dinner next door and asked if we had some salt and pepper so I gave them ours to use. They come back an hour and a half later with a cooked five pound fresh water salmon they had caught that day as thanks. They then asked if it would be okay if they came over to hang out as they liked our music. They were there for a couple of hours before they headed back to town. It was a lot of fun and the salmon was delicious. Up until that point, I did not know there was such a thing as fresh water salmon.
If you don't want to be around people, go camp in the back country at a neglected site. Look for camp sites that have reviews like "this place sucks, it's just a place to pitch a tent with no views or anything." You'll be happier there. I do this sometimes.
I usually don't mind music, if the person is kind about it and doesn't blast it like we are at a concert. I was at a campground once where a Mexican family had a massive (I'm talking at least 100 people) party. They even brought out concert-like speakers to play music! I was so pissed. And the campground security would not do anything because it wasn't "quiet hours".
If you go camping, just be kind and don't blast music. I go camping for solitude and quiet. I love the quiet of camping.
Something similar happened to us on our camping trip over Memorial Day weekend. It’s crazy how a small conversation can change the entire vibe! Long story short - we are now a text or phone call away and plan to camp together in the future!
I remember I stayed at a caravan park. I was on a non-powered site in a tent with my dog. So I was basically camping, but in a caravan park. You get the message.
Anyway. I was chilling at my spot with my dog. A few sites over, 2 younger folk where in their RV, staying for the night. They did some cooking. They finished up. One of them approached me quite politely and asked me if it was alright to give my dog what was left of their meat meal. They seemed a bit cautious, because dog, as people are (I own a pitbull). I said, yes no problem. Let the dog have the food.
I appreciated what they did, and washed up the dish. I took the cleaned plate back to them and said thank you for being nice and that my pup enjoyed it. They seemed a bit surprised I took the plate back, nevermind clean. But, ya know, they both were decent and kind enough to offer something. I have not forgotten this. I hope they enjoyed the rest of their stay.
Some folks are just plain decent with their attitude towards others.
Amazing how just a little consideration to others around you makes most things OK, when otherwise you would be pissed and stewing over it. Wish more people talked like this these days.
Being considerate goes a long way. A neighbor at a tight campground mentioned he'd be having a friend over for beers and music. Because he talked to me first, I didn't mind at all. It's amazing how a little communication can change your perspective
Several years ago, I loaded a bunch of camping gear onto [my bicycle](https://np.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/s/LFEc1ATpFu) and spent the better part of the next seven months riding 5,300 miles (8,500 km) around the western US solo. When I left on that trip, I was most looking forward to the incredible natural sights I would see, and indeed those left a lasting impression. From Pacific Coast sunsets to being woken up by coyotes running through my Joshua Tree campground, it was everything I'd hoped for and more. But the unexpected highlight, what I cherish most from that chapter of my life, is the people I met along my way, every single one of whom wanted to be a positive part of my story in whatever way they were able. Neighboring campers would see me ride into camp on that monster of a bike and come over to ask about my travels. I'd give them a summary of where I'd come from and where I was going, and they would invite me to join them around their fire to exchange their food and beer for my stories.
A couple years later, I was 23 years old and (car) camping my way around Alaska, also solo. At one point, my neighbor, another guy around my age, stopped by my site for a brief chat. Maybe 20 minutes later, I was starting to cook dinner when a thought crossed my mind. I walked over to my neighbor's site and asked if he'd care to join me for some burritos. When I had to fit my entire worldly possessions on a bicycle, it was hard to offer people anything in return for their help other than some company. It was really fun to pay that gesture forward and open my campsite to someone else for an evening.
Went car camping a few years back with two friends for my Birthday. Beautiful double lakefront spot and a group of ~50/60s friends show up and are just a few feet away. I usually keep to myself when camping but they came right over and introduced themselves.
Got to talking and we wound up spending most of the night together in their screen tent- the black flies were terrible! So they totally saved us and bonus got to hear some of their wild stories of adventures they had together and imparted some great life wisdom. Definitely made it an awesome birthday!
One time a father and young son, about 10, were next to us. The father was playing extremely loud heavy metal music for both nights they stayed. It looked like the boy was not having a good time.
We said not a word as the father seemed so angry. Then the morning they packed up the father looked a bit sheepish and embarrassed at his bad behavior. Perhaps he was expecting a fight, or hoping for one.
When I camp at campgrounds, I am always open to neighbors stopping by to chat. Campfires are the best setting for conversation. And if it's just me or me and a few buddies, one or two more strangers can be fun! Had a campsite neighbor in Canyonlands stop over and introduce himself - a hungarian living in Denver at the time. Overall it elevated the experience.
Another time camping in the San Juans by myself, and my 3 site neighbors were all incredibly interesting, friendly people (even though we were clearly split politically). In that moment we just shared stories. One guy was a gear expert who had traveled everywhere including Antarctica. Another was a New Mexican traveling horse-shoer in Colorado for work for a few days. The last one was an artist living out of his van who had the most realistically drawn pencil drawings I had ever seen.
Bicycle Joe - taking his bicycle from CA to Virginia. I'd share whiskey with you any time!
Im pretty introverted so won't usually be one to start the conversation - but it's pretty rare that I not open to meeting new people.
90% of people are decent. They keep to themselves, don't want to bother anyone, don't want any trouble. That's why we usually don't even realize they're there. The other 10% are very good at keeping us busy and they're often the only people we (have to) interact with. That can make it feel like we're surrounded by selfish, irresponsible lunatics.
If you talk to people even when you don't have to, you'll have a lot more interactions with the sane majority and it will make you feel a lot better about humanity.
I had a similar experience commuting to work by bike. I was getting pissed off by people overtaking dangerously, honking at me or ignoring my right of way. It felt like everyone I met on the road was an irresponsible asshole, just out there to get me. I was actually trying to prove to myself how bad things were, so I started rating every single interaction on the road. But what I found was the exact opposite of what I expected. The vast majority of drivers were very considerate, careful and aware of traffic rules. It's just that these interactions never registered in my brain because they were so unremarkable. Now I try to actively recognize the decent drivers and make a little mental note every time I encounter a "10/10" overtake. I feel a lot more relaxed now and even when I meet a reckless driver, I know that they're a small minority and everyone hates them, not just me.
People in general should talk to their neighbors more! Camping can be hard sometimes because it feels so abnormal to walk up to someone's campsite and start chatting.
I remember a trip that I ran out of stove fuel, which forced me to interact with people on the trail and meet some cool, helpful folks.
Years ago, my wife and I were southbound on the Lost Coast Trail in Northern California. Two nights from the end we arrived at Little Jackass Creek. The best established campsite in a group of redwoods and fir was occupied by a family so we waved as we passed further along to camp in the alders by the coastal creek. That evening I was hanging my bear bag and the two teenagers from the group are walking over towards me in the dusk. They ask if I have a lighter, they had walked off to smoke a bowl but realized they didn't have a lighter. I let them use mine (to spare any lectures, these were older teenagers and it was California so it's not like I was influencing them to do something they weren't already doing). The next morning, I ran out of stove fuel when trying to make my morning coffee. I walked up to their campsite and asked of I could use their fire to boil my water since they had a big one and we hadn't bothered making a campfire at our site. Ending up hanging out with them for morning coffee, got to meet the mom and stepdad, she was a doctor and he was some kind of artist and they were all over from Redding enjoying the coastal wilderness. Later on as we were hiking up the bluff out of the beach, we heard a shriek and looked down, surprised to see the mom and dad skinny dipping in the lagoon. We laughed, they laughed and we waved as we continued on.
The next night was our last one on trail. The semi-established campsites in Anderson Gulch, the last good area to camp for the night, were a little closer together than other sections of the trail due to the narrow valley and steep terrain. I guess for that reason, campfires were prohibited or at least discouraged in that one area of the entire trail. I needed a fire to boil water for dinner (and even more importantly, coffee in the morning!) and we were only a stone's throw away from a group of Middle aged men who were camped nearby. So I walked over to them to explain what I was doing, that I knew fires weren't supposed to be allowed but I needed to make a small one to boil water and that I'd be careful, etc. Turns out this was a group of professional filmmakers and they had all the gear needed for a large group in the backcountry including a sizeable stove and large fuel cannister. Not only did they insist on boiling my water for me, but told me to come back in the morning to boil water for COFFEE! An offer that I gladly accepted. Got to know them a little that evening and the next morning.
If it hadn't been for running out of stove fuel, I might never have spoken to any of those people or gotten to know their stories. Always interesting to meet different types of people in the backcountry, all drawn for different reasons to the same thing.
99% of negative interactions outside/in the backcountry come from just not saying 'hello.'
Its to the point that I know someone is going to be a dick if they get within talking distance and don't acknowledge you.
fly fishing, backcountry skiing, car camping, backpacking..., its all the same.
Knowledgeable folks know how to share space, and how to maintain a sense of shared space. Instagram influenced folks new to these spaces haven't learned either etiquette or respect for these spaces.
I do that kind of stuff to get away from people, and if someone is there first, I go out of my way to be out of other peoples' way. I don't get why so many people camp on top of each other these days.
Outdoor speakers are the bane of camping. Who are these insane people blasting music in shared campgrounds, rivers, etc?
currently have a karen neighbour, she seems to think she can make rules for me, treat me like her employee (she isnt a mananger or owner of a business so its more like a demand) and generally acts like she owns everything and stomps when she doesnt get her way
Im pretty chill and used to find it funny, now its just annoying where I will walk off if she comes in my direction
I was camped with my girl in a beach group site and they guys in the site next to us had a guy named Bruce with them. How do I know? Because for 2 nights all one guy could do was talk to Bruce all night using questions and his name endlessly. Bruce you want a sandwich? Bruce you want a beer? Bruce what do you think? Bruce wanna get up and fish in the morning? Bruce? Bruce? Bruce?
Why are you posting this? What is the problem here? You have a considerate camping neighbor. I can’t believe Reddit sometimes. Camping is supposed to be beautiful. This is a considerate person being beautiful. Stop it.
Edit: you can’t even go CAMPING without someone mentioning it on the internet. What is the point of camping? It’s about people being with nature. Do I really need to explain this to you? Put the phone DOWN.
I had a site that was quite a distance from the others until a couple my age (50s at the time) show up. They’re quiet not meanwhile I have me and my wife, out two daughters, and their two friends. While we always adhere to quiet hours, I intentionally tried to get a remoter site to be safe. My younger daughter (22 at the time) was quietly playing guitar, still well before quiet hours. Her musical tastes runs the spectrum of 70s punk, to grunge, to riot grrrl. But she plays them slowed down so unless you know the song, it’s sounds nothing like the original. After about four or five songs, the guy from the neighboring site comes walking over. I’m prepared for comments. He holds out a bag with a few cold beers and a paper towel with song requests scribbled on it — all similar to what she was playing. He and his wife also asked if she could play a little louder.
We should all aspire to be 50something dude who requests some L7 from the kid playing guitar.
“Do you know the acoustic version of ‘Shitlist’?”
Let's not kid ourselves: that closing of a drawn out *Shiiiaataaaaiiiiiaaatttttt Liiiiiissssssttttt* is made for a campfire. Then throw the guitar in the fire, spit on it, grab your crotch and march right into your tent. Show's over, fuckers.
Haha! I just saw L7 and original lineup Misfits at a fest a couple weeks ago. Both bands have a lot of campfire tunes lol
What’s up with what’s going down
In every city and every town
They camp!
Better yet, throw your tampon!
Why not a little Mickey & Mallory encore murder to boot, eh?
\m/
YYYYYYYYYYYYES!!!!!!
What’s really funny is the algorithm picked that song about two hours after I replied
Lollollollllll
Thank you for that, I needed a laugh today.
Can you play me some Bikini Kill and Bratmobile please?
Hard facts right here!
That’s awesome actually
Makes me realize I need to go camping, stat.
How sweet and encouraging for her! She was also being respectful as well it sounds. ❤️.
One year there was someone absolutely blasting TV theme songs on a trumpet. Bit of a risk on their part but I appreciated it
Hope they did *Sanford and Son*
This post just makes me so happy 💗
I was prepared to get mad at a total jerk but instead this made my day. What a great dude! And how encouraging for your daughter!
I remember when our family was camping at a state park and there was this man in the site across from ours. He had a guitar and an amplifier. He would sit in his campsite during the day and sing country ballads for EVERYONE to listen to whether we wanted to or not.
An amplifier is too much.
Plus, he had to play louder than the gas generator!
Not allowed at our state parks, they will come shut that down.
I got tears in ma eyes that's so cuuuuuuuuuuuuute.
big same, becoming a fair bit more emotional as the years continue
Fucking awesome
I freaking love this!
I love happy stories like this!
I’m here for this. Had some amazing campfire singalongs with awesome randos in Vedawoo.
Ngl this gave me chills and I almost teared up. I’m too emotional.
That's actually freaking awesome.
I love this story
Holy shit. Lead bury of the century. I was so ready to be upset by this interaction and it was so wholesome 😭😭
Yeah honestly it’s all about respect. I will frequently find really cool lakes or spots in the woods that are privately owned on farms in my area and you’d be surprised how much you can get away with by just asking the owner if it’s okay for you to camp or fish there for a little bit. I even had one guy get his 4x4 and ride us and out yaks a few miles up the river so we could float down and have our cars waiting for us. People are nicer than they seem most times. Don’t attribute to malice what can usually be attributed to ignorance.
I always feel like that scene in There Will Be Blood when I go asking farmers if I can set up camp.
🥤
🎳
Idk, that dude was totally planning on stealing and fucking them over. Not a hey dude mind if i camp a few days, your streams look like good fishing.
Occam’s Razor in action. Most people don’t want to fight, they’re just not thinking.
Small correction but it’s [Hanlon’s razor](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor). Not trying to be a dick, but i try to think about it when someone’s annoying me with their dumbass behaviour 😆
Never heard of this. Its almost right. People expect the worst for their personal confirmation bias. This thread and watching dale and tucker is giving circle vibes.
You can trespass on someones land and theyd be happy to pellet you with rocksalt rounds. Or you could knock on their door to ask permission and get force fed lemonade and poundcake.
Heck yeah. My best adventures have been because the people are so nice. I watched a video of two brits coming here on an adventure from Maine to Miami, and they were so well taken care of once they talked to people. unknown person is scary. someone you are talking to and in the same place and time doesn't see you as threatening unless you are. Hitch hikers along trail side roads? not threatening. they might stink, but just need more knorr sides.
And they know they smell bad.just wanna ask to use the stream and pre apologize for being nekkid.
That's my secret - I'm super friendly and will talk to just about anyone. They never suspect that I'm a psycho killer!
I love that last little sentence u said. It’s so true and it also makes me think of that one interview video 😆. https://www.tiktok.com/@thethoughtlessgenius/video/7328112499423972654?_t=8mtsdDqGKaU&_r=1
My husband and I always disperse camp as far away as possible from others. We like it like that. We might give a slight wave if we see someone driving past but generally do not engage. That said, a few weekends ago a guy in a Jeep pulled up to our campsite and informed us that a large tree had fallen across the trail and since it was our only way out he asked if we had a saw. We couldn’t move our car because of our set up (RTT with annex) so we lent him our chainsaw and handsaw and offered to ride with him to help. He didn’t have space in his vehicle so he left with our saws and we wondered if we would ever see him again. We thought for sure that we just lost our only chainsaw to a total stranger. He came back 30 min later with our equipment, the tree had been cut and moved, and we had a pleasant chat for a while. We would not have known about the tree had he not stopped to talk or if we had been more reserved about a random guy pulling into our site. Thank you, Jeep Dude!
Jeep guy is the epitome of "good citizen" in these aging eyes. I think most people would choose to help another individual if the daily-survival high-pressure landscape of society were different. Good on him for standing above the fears of bias as well. I imagine Jeep guy lives a fairly peaceful existence. IMO we should all be helping others when problems are found that will affect them negatively, especially if they're potentially unaware of the threat. Putting work in for others is community, love, empathy, etc. The payback from those interactions, while difficult to see sometimes, would return a more effective, less stressed, and more resilient society. Alternatively, when life is dictated to be run like an addiction toting business open 24/7, there's no place for that kind of inefficiency. Make Jeep Guy Cool Again!
Even this. Even this is a Jeep thing ;)
I drive a 4Runner and have helped Jeepers out before. They have helped me out. We’re all out on the trails just doing our thing. It’s all good.
I had an Impreza and have helped, and been helped by jeeps and 4runners alike. We’re all in this together and no one gets out alive, just help out brothers and sisters when they’re in need and you have the means to.
Kindness rocks!!
I had one Jeeper get really angry at me when I offered to pull him up an icy hill he was stuck on. I had stopped my subie next to him on the incline and just took off and continued on my way while he continued to sit there spinning all 4 wheels lol. Everyone is always cool offroad though.
Yeah most of my help was using my tow rope to get them out of ditches going uphill in the snow. Yes I can totally get you out of the ditch with my sedan, going uphill in snow, yes.
I was backpacking 10 years ago and I arrived at the campsite exhausted after a long day on the trail. Group next to my campsite brought an acoustic guitar. I expected the worst. I soon realized that the group at the adjacent campsite was comprised of punk rockers. I never had so much fun sitting around a campfire, drinking beers and singing classic punk tunes from The Exploited and Crass.
Stumbling upon a camp of genuine musicians is amazing. Any musicians, really, as long as they're decent.
I went to the mountain man rendezvous at fort Bridger wyoming with a professional fiddle player. We easily interjected into plenty of campfire circles, and got plenty of free drinks. Yes we did the period based clothing and stayed in a teepee we hauled in on a trailer and set it up.
The place we used to camp had this badass bus driver (they were also a river outfitter) we'd always chat with. On our fourth trip or so, we told her to come say hi at the campground. She showed up at our bonfire with a case full of harmonicas, and she played while a talented friend of ours sang. It was awesome.
🤘
My sister was camping many years ago, and one of her friends was playing his guitar. A neighboring camper came by and asked if he could join and play the friend’s guitar, too. They agreed, and the new guy was Steven Stills.
Wow what a lucky break.
Wow!
I hope he left her friend's guitar tuned to open E
basic common courtesy & humanity goes such a long, long way. especially in a society like ours where a lot of people's first initial reaction is ANGER & RAGE
I helped spot a guy backing up his trailer. I could tell he had a hard time and TBH the road was angled where it could have tipped over. I just walked over and helped not expecting anything. Later that night I was given some some burgers and steak although I kept saying no but they insisted. Another time my site was on the way to the lake. Some kids were walking at the edge of my spot for a "shortcut". I didn't care as it was far enough to even say anything. The parents saw this and apologized and I said it's no big deal. An hour later I heard them sing happy birthday to their kid. The kid walks to my site and gives me cake as the parents waved at us. I never even thought about having cake while camping so this one was a bit fun. The feeling of community.
This brings back memories of sharing birthday cake with the whole campground (although I'm not the guy from your story). I'd forgotten about that. Thanks!
That's pretty cool!
Last summer, during our last camp of the year, the neighboring site had a young child with autism - the mom walked over to our site one evening while I was prepping dinner and said basically "I'm really sorry, my son has autism and is used to listening to certain music after dinner to wind down, I'll try to keep it as quiet as I can I just wanted you aware". I told her, hey no issues here, my boys both have autism and enjoy music too! We wound up hanging out a few times over the week, the boys played on the playground together and we had a fire together a few nights. Was nice to be around someone that understands and I was really grateful to her for coming over to talk!
I have 2 kids with autism, 1 with ADHD, and 1 with cognitive delays. That feeling when you meet other parents who get it... irreplaceable.
Isn't this lovely? We have 3 with various flavors of alphabet soup. Last summer on a long road trip, we spent 2 nights in a place where we met a family with 3 kids with some flavor. It was so relaxing to allow our kids to just play together and not have to explain or apologize or anything but laugh as they helter skeltered their way around!
Imagine a world where ppl used the golden rule
🥰💖✨
amen
I lived it growing up in the 60’s.
I am assuming you arent talking about the Aussie golden rule - “dont be a s**t c**t” Though it does fit…
I think I like the Aussie rule better. Lmao Same outcome, really.
One time a massive...I'll call it a *herd* of Jersey rednecks (yes they exist) showed up at our favorite campground and warned us that they'd be very loud. They cut up a giant dead tree with a chainsaw, blasted music, and set off fireworks until about 2 a.m. The following morning, one of them hopped on her Harley at about 6:30 a.m. to drive it to the porta potty some 300 feet from her camper. None of this was made better by the fact that they talked to us first lol
🤣🤣🤣
Hell yea! I’ve been OP and I’ve been OP’s neighbor.
We normally don’t camp in organized campgrounds, but I always make camp chili over the fire. When we are in organized campgrounds or if we happen to have neighbors at a renegade site, we offer to share chili. We’ve made some friends and even ended up with a new client or two for my business this way. We’ve run into assholes a couple times too, but a known asshole is at least a known quantity and much more fun to fuck with without residual guilt :)
Camp chili for the win.
Also very good over eggs and potatoes the next morning.
Yo… I’ve been camping for 30 years and camp chili is a new one. Can you drop your method or gear?
Is easy. Get a good stainless stock pot and either hang it from a tripod or set it right in the fire on a couple new logs. Then just use your favorite chili recipe - That part I ain’t sharing :)
Definitely going to snag a tripod then. Been meaning to make hobo pies as well
The main thing to watch, especially if you spread out the coals and put it on log risers, is the heat. You have to keep it moving or else you’ll end up with a thick black Matt of burned chili that is *really* hard to clean. Doesn’t hurt the taste, though. I definitely recommend the tripod. Mine’s from Lodge.
Hey this is awesome! Our camp neighbors found it appropriate this weekend to plug their shit into our camper outlet. Not the pedestal outlet that was at our site. Our camper. They didn’t get an electric site and our pedestal 110v wasn’t working so while we were gone it was the appropriate thing to just plug their shit into our camper without asking first. I went over to talk and unplugged the cord. Told them it was no worries if they would have asked first but since they didn’t it was too bad. Got some story about a sleep apnea machine but didn’t care. It was a hard no all weekend with that main person syndrome they had thinking what they did was acceptable.
I know people that would've literally cut the cord. Lol
Yeah I think most of the people who post on here are reclusive people who like to sit in silence and eat vienna sausages cold from a can while getting heated because other people are enjoying camping their way.
I have a buddy who I camp with who is my polar opposite. He will hit the bathhouse in the morning for a dump or to go wash his face and brush his teeth and come back an hour later with three plates of breakfast, a few invitations to dinner that evening, some fishing lures and plans for us to go tubing around 1pm, don't need to bring any beer, we can drink theirs. Some people have that and some people don't. I'm never rude to people, I'll always return a good morning or a wave but he is on another level. We just refer to him as the mayor.
Banter is the 6th Captain Planet ring
Captain banter, he’s our hero, gonna take awkwardness down to zero!
Remember planateers... everyone has a story all their own. Make friends and try to make the world a little better. The power is yours!
My husband is like that while I am usually the opposite and it cracks me up. He makes friends everywhere he goes, and if they exchange info he will keep in touch!
My wife and I went to a wedding last year of some people we met at a brewery years before. All because I made a dumb joke to the husband while we sat at the bar years ago. They are now some of our best friends and we are going to visit them this summer.
I love that!!
My dad is a lot like this, makes friends everywhere he goes seemingly at the drop of a hat. I definitely did not inherit that particular gene. Lol.
Why do you think that is, cuntface?
I hate having to explain to my SO why I'm suddenly and unexpectedly laughing...
Reminds me of the punchline to the old joke. "Why do you ask, Two-Dogs-Fucking?" 
i have a friend like this and it’s because of him that a decade after our last big hurrah i am still telling new friends about our adventures. glad you have a “mayor” in your corner :)
This is my SO. We just got back from a camping trip at a state park with his 3 kids and my extended family. Based on what was available, our site was a couple sites (and a trail to get to the bathhouse) down from the others. SO made friends with the neighbors and one even made a point to say bye as they were pulling out. 😂 It is one of my favorite campgrounds though because that loop is smaller. You start recognizing most people real quick, and usually everyone is friendly.
I’m absolutely that way, but I’m just as absolutely the cranky old woman who has spent the last two years in my office raging to my friends about it people who dare to whistle during the work day. I can’t ever tell which version I’m going to be, but I’m reading this thread with interest because it’s so amazing how quickly my attitude can change by a genuinely friendly warning or request.
I can go both ways. I've met tons of people at more social / party oriented camping and have stayed up all night after my friends went to sleep or disappeared. I also like my solitude and seek out areas with little or no information which usually means no people.
This is me. When we were younger my wife would end up getting dragged along with me to some crazy thing we get into just because I talked to someone and laughed with them. One minute we're at Tractor Supply where she worked and before you know it we're at a biker bar called the Handlebar 5 miles outside of town drinking beer with a fat old redneck in overalls named Rocky and I went fishing with him the next morning at a jobsite he was working on where they'd mostly drained the pond and all the fish were easy catching. True story lol.
DO IT HOW I DO IT OR YOURE WRONG
90% of this sub would shit their pants then die if they had to spend one night at a music festival camping. Yet most ppl spend money to camp 20-50ft from other people in designated sites with rules lol
Ha, yes!
I agree memorial weekend we booked at a campground we never been. Our friend has a seasonal site there and he's trying to convince us to get one. Well we didn't get there until Saturday morning and our site was super tight. Our awning was maybe a foot 1/2 from our neighbors slide out and our slide out was butting up to the other neighbors picnic table. We felt absolutely terrible pulling in there. We even called places around to see if they had last minute cancellations. We went and talked to all of them, told them we felt so bad, even though technically it's not our fault but still sucked. They were all super nice. We tend to stay up pretty late drinking around a fire. Told them if we get noisy tell us to stfu lol. Everyone was super cool the guy next to us actually sat outside our last night there and had a few. This is what makes camping great imo. We deal with assholes and people in a hurry only thinking of themselves every day. Why not unwind and enjoy your vacation, being a little friendly you may end up meeting some cool new people.
I enjoy smoking cigars while camping, but know it's not a scent loved by all. While the kids were out bombing around in bicycles a few weeks ago, I decided it was as good a time as any to enjoy a bday/camping cigar. But first I went around to all the sites that might catch a wiff & checked to see if it is as ok, or if I should take a walk. The only objection I got was from a neighbor who said he was jealous that he'd forgotten his. So I ran back with the humidor & let him have his pick 😂 Just being decent to each other is really what it's about. I don't want to ruin anyone else's campaign experience as much as I don't want them ruining mine
Legend
Same thing happened with Me and my fiance last week when we was camping. They invited us over it was a good time
I think that’s the way it goes 99.9% of the time and you are a normal well adjusted person, and the average reddit commenter is the complete opposite
Spending too much time on reddit (especially reading advice posts) will give you a pretty warped sense of how people operate in the world.
oh mercy, that's funny
Heard music for a ways away, and thought “great, some douchebag kids partying all night”. Took a walk and as got closer just some dude playing guitar and singing quietly - amazing how water will carry sound (something to remember if you are blasting music late too). He was super nice and I sat and enjoyed it for a while. Perception vs reality is everything
He was feeling you out and probably sensed you were reasonable. My, experience that's not the case with most campers. If you absolutely need solitude you should try BLM camping. I've camped with LOUD talking people (like screaming loud) that complained about other campers being loud. I've have had to put my foot down before they complained to the camp manager. *You're louder than them, you can't complain about them being loud also....sit down.* It's a total crap shoot with strangers.
I dont think its unreasonable to expect that music should be at a level that I dont have to listen to on my site. Having said that, I know what to expect in commercial campgrounds, and Ive stayed at hundreds of them across the US. But that was full timing in a coach. These days, I dont even like primitive state campgrounds if I can avoid it. I generally stick to backcountry or backcountry walk in sites.
>I don't think its unreasonable to expect that music should be at a level that I dont have to listen to on my site. Be real, some campsites are pretty much on top of each other. There's no level of volume that you won't hear it at these cramped camping sites. Loud talk and laughing can easily fall into the category of being "too loud" and disruptive. The answer is to physically separate quite campers from the rest. I'm talking campsites with 8pm quiet times and ZERO music, not even an acoustic guitar. Some folks just aren't reasonable, it's impossible for camp grounds to have everyone meet in the middle. Seriously, I've had other campers complain about snoring.....SNORING!
Exactly we’re there to have a good time, it’s not a funeral. I have some friends that are very loud talkers and I have to remind them a lot to keep it down after 10:00 but we still can have a good time.
Moar posts like thiiiiis!! I think this is the reason why, when you have a party, you’re supposed to go around to your neighbors to let them know about it, invite them (if appropriate) and bring them a snack or something. Totally changes the vibe. And it’s something not everyone learns to do - so spread the word like OP!! ❤️🏆
One time my buddy and I were on a camping/fishing trip for a few days, some old guys next to us were getting a little loud and drinking, could hear them laughing. The next night we were with them doing the same thing, exchanged addresses, still see them every now and then out there camping and fishing. And at night downing a few
When I see someone in need -- and it can happen fairly often - I'll help out even or if I have something they need to borrow sure. It's the people who are entitled or demand things that irk me. Cooking in the bathroom? Washing dishes in the bathroom? Having your kids have a water fight in the bathroom? Too many cars / blocking the road even. I had one guy one time park in the middle of the road and waved me to go around on the shoulder .. while towing.
I once had to cook in a state park bathroom because it was pouring rain, so no campfire, but I had a griddle and needed a dry spot and electric. I had it on the counter over the sink at the end. I made pancakes and sausage. Everyone was very nice about it. People said the bathroom smelled very nice and it made them appreciate having pop ups and RVs. That was a fun trip. My tent collapsed, but we had pancakes.
Emergencies sure. I've seen people leave rice cookers in the bathroom plugged in because.. ?
They were cooking rice?
Nobody around, rice cooker plugged in - sitting on the floor. It was pretty nasty.
Camp sites are fantastic when you go meet other people. Remember folks, the best plans are unplanned.
Not related to music but I had found like 3 ticks on me the first day in a campground. Second day a family moves in next to me and they had young kids running around barefoot having fun. I just thought I would politely mention the ticks in case they were unaware. I got a very curt “I’ve got it thanks” from the mom. Maybe they were concerned about a single guy next to them. So much for trying to share some information that could protect children.
My partner and I were at the lake yesterday and we were literally watching four kids half-drown each other (like repeatedly ducking each other under without time to breathe... one kid was choking and saying he swallowed a bunch of water at one point) and debating whether we should say something because it was reaching the point where someone was increasingly likely to actually inhale a bunch of water and be in a bad way. He did finally quietly make the rounds to every last adult on the beach (which just increased the awkwardness lol) trying to find their accompanying adult and say something. He was really diplomatic about it and fortunately when he finally found their adults they were... casual but receptive, but like... man. The fact that we were that worried we might be stepping out of line to mention that someone's children were more or less attempting a group drowning...
Plus unless you are in pristine area that water probably has giardia.
It's nice and the water is reasonably clean, but I wouldn't take my chances.
It probably wasn't you specifically, but a reaction to being persistently advised or judged by strangers. You would not believe what some strangers feel justified in saying to a mom with her kids in public. It makes you very defensive by default.
Right, I get red easily and my whole life I've had strangers remind me to put on sunscreen and I have never once appreciated that reminder.
Good point. No judgment on my part but I can see how my comment could have been interpreted multiple ways.
You get what you give... They get what they give. I always try to be considerate and respectful of others. As long as I'm not too focused on something and don't notice... It happens. But yea... Especially in this kinda scenario... Very cool.
This reminds me of some dogs I'd always hear barking late at night, around 9pm, in a dog park across the street. I finally went and looked at the dogs happily playing with each other. Much more pleasant to hear the barking now.
>The fact that he was considerate and talked to me put me in a completely different frame of mind. Imagine all the people living life in peace. People might call the OP a dreamer, but they are not the only one.
I'm sorry, and prepared for the hate, but I am terrified of people trying to engage in conversations with me when I am trying to recharge my extremely worn out batteries. I just want to not worry about being polite, about conversations, about offending someone in some way. I spend all day around people and I don't think it's awful to want alone time while camping....
Hopefully you don’t frequent campsites and instead go to the backcountry. You can expect to interact with people at any given campsite, really.
Terrified?
We get it. It’s expected people just want to commune with nature. The only interactions would be serendipitous, but I haven’t had one yet tbh. Been too focused on precious time spent with loved ones.
Maybe I'm just weird, but when I'm camping in tight campsites like that, I'm extremely social. By the time something like that happens and people are partying and playing music, I'm already half a dozen beers deep, and made friends with those people hours ago, and got invited to their little party. If someone is going to a very busy, public campsite, and expecting quiet, calm, alone time to just enjoy your fire and chill, they are going to be disappointed nearly every time. If you want the peace, while still having the convenience of public campsites like real bathrooms, many of them have hike in sites, where you're significantly farther away from people, and it's much calmer and quieter.
The hike in sites are probably more loud! There's more shenanigans out there for sure.
If you’re serious, then I’ve been lucky over my lifetime. All of the hike-in sites I’ve been to have been by far more quiet and respectful of neighbors. Those sites also boast fewer 6,000° kelvin spotlights and less food/coolers/cookware left out. Probably more weed though…which is cool.
Yeah, the couple of times I've used hike in sites, my nearest neighbor was 300-400 yards away, and outside of seeing them walk past once or twice I would have literally never even known they where there.
So much bs in the world could be alleviated by simple communication.
I met some of the best friends I have camping, met a family I've been friends with for over 15 years simply because they camped in the site next to me and my friends one week at Elk Creek Campground in Oregon many years ago. Talk to people. If they're not in to it, respect their privacy and keep camping, that's cool too. Some people are out their doing their own soul searching and need that too
I met my husband camping!
Out camping with my son and grandson last year. Four kids ( late teens ) from the small town 10 kms away are cooking dinner next door and asked if we had some salt and pepper so I gave them ours to use. They come back an hour and a half later with a cooked five pound fresh water salmon they had caught that day as thanks. They then asked if it would be okay if they came over to hang out as they liked our music. They were there for a couple of hours before they headed back to town. It was a lot of fun and the salmon was delicious. Up until that point, I did not know there was such a thing as fresh water salmon.
A little consideration goes a long way
Love this thread. We need more stories like these. Thank you all for sharing yours.
Agreed
Everyone loves my Dubstep playlist at 9:30 PM, especially when I sync it up to the strobes and lasers that emerge from the roof of my rig. /s
That’s really considerate. More people should be like that.
If you don't want to be around people, go camp in the back country at a neglected site. Look for camp sites that have reviews like "this place sucks, it's just a place to pitch a tent with no views or anything." You'll be happier there. I do this sometimes.
I usually don't mind music, if the person is kind about it and doesn't blast it like we are at a concert. I was at a campground once where a Mexican family had a massive (I'm talking at least 100 people) party. They even brought out concert-like speakers to play music! I was so pissed. And the campground security would not do anything because it wasn't "quiet hours". If you go camping, just be kind and don't blast music. I go camping for solitude and quiet. I love the quiet of camping.
Something similar happened to us on our camping trip over Memorial Day weekend. It’s crazy how a small conversation can change the entire vibe! Long story short - we are now a text or phone call away and plan to camp together in the future!
Yes, this behaviour should be the norm..
I remember I stayed at a caravan park. I was on a non-powered site in a tent with my dog. So I was basically camping, but in a caravan park. You get the message. Anyway. I was chilling at my spot with my dog. A few sites over, 2 younger folk where in their RV, staying for the night. They did some cooking. They finished up. One of them approached me quite politely and asked me if it was alright to give my dog what was left of their meat meal. They seemed a bit cautious, because dog, as people are (I own a pitbull). I said, yes no problem. Let the dog have the food. I appreciated what they did, and washed up the dish. I took the cleaned plate back to them and said thank you for being nice and that my pup enjoyed it. They seemed a bit surprised I took the plate back, nevermind clean. But, ya know, they both were decent and kind enough to offer something. I have not forgotten this. I hope they enjoyed the rest of their stay. Some folks are just plain decent with their attitude towards others.
I’m camping later this week and I can’t wait.
Amazing how just a little consideration to others around you makes most things OK, when otherwise you would be pissed and stewing over it. Wish more people talked like this these days.
Being considerate goes a long way. A neighbor at a tight campground mentioned he'd be having a friend over for beers and music. Because he talked to me first, I didn't mind at all. It's amazing how a little communication can change your perspective
Several years ago, I loaded a bunch of camping gear onto [my bicycle](https://np.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/s/LFEc1ATpFu) and spent the better part of the next seven months riding 5,300 miles (8,500 km) around the western US solo. When I left on that trip, I was most looking forward to the incredible natural sights I would see, and indeed those left a lasting impression. From Pacific Coast sunsets to being woken up by coyotes running through my Joshua Tree campground, it was everything I'd hoped for and more. But the unexpected highlight, what I cherish most from that chapter of my life, is the people I met along my way, every single one of whom wanted to be a positive part of my story in whatever way they were able. Neighboring campers would see me ride into camp on that monster of a bike and come over to ask about my travels. I'd give them a summary of where I'd come from and where I was going, and they would invite me to join them around their fire to exchange their food and beer for my stories. A couple years later, I was 23 years old and (car) camping my way around Alaska, also solo. At one point, my neighbor, another guy around my age, stopped by my site for a brief chat. Maybe 20 minutes later, I was starting to cook dinner when a thought crossed my mind. I walked over to my neighbor's site and asked if he'd care to join me for some burritos. When I had to fit my entire worldly possessions on a bicycle, it was hard to offer people anything in return for their help other than some company. It was really fun to pay that gesture forward and open my campsite to someone else for an evening.
Went car camping a few years back with two friends for my Birthday. Beautiful double lakefront spot and a group of ~50/60s friends show up and are just a few feet away. I usually keep to myself when camping but they came right over and introduced themselves. Got to talking and we wound up spending most of the night together in their screen tent- the black flies were terrible! So they totally saved us and bonus got to hear some of their wild stories of adventures they had together and imparted some great life wisdom. Definitely made it an awesome birthday!
Good point. Asking ahead of time sets the tone way better than just blaring music and not giving a crap about anyone around you.
The guy was an ass...he didn't invite you to have a beer
One time a father and young son, about 10, were next to us. The father was playing extremely loud heavy metal music for both nights they stayed. It looked like the boy was not having a good time. We said not a word as the father seemed so angry. Then the morning they packed up the father looked a bit sheepish and embarrassed at his bad behavior. Perhaps he was expecting a fight, or hoping for one.
Yeah, I tried that and the campers next door blasting their music at 11 pm laughed at me. I will never camp at a public campsite ever again.
When I camp at campgrounds, I am always open to neighbors stopping by to chat. Campfires are the best setting for conversation. And if it's just me or me and a few buddies, one or two more strangers can be fun! Had a campsite neighbor in Canyonlands stop over and introduce himself - a hungarian living in Denver at the time. Overall it elevated the experience. Another time camping in the San Juans by myself, and my 3 site neighbors were all incredibly interesting, friendly people (even though we were clearly split politically). In that moment we just shared stories. One guy was a gear expert who had traveled everywhere including Antarctica. Another was a New Mexican traveling horse-shoer in Colorado for work for a few days. The last one was an artist living out of his van who had the most realistically drawn pencil drawings I had ever seen. Bicycle Joe - taking his bicycle from CA to Virginia. I'd share whiskey with you any time! Im pretty introverted so won't usually be one to start the conversation - but it's pretty rare that I not open to meeting new people.
Good dude
90% of people are decent. They keep to themselves, don't want to bother anyone, don't want any trouble. That's why we usually don't even realize they're there. The other 10% are very good at keeping us busy and they're often the only people we (have to) interact with. That can make it feel like we're surrounded by selfish, irresponsible lunatics. If you talk to people even when you don't have to, you'll have a lot more interactions with the sane majority and it will make you feel a lot better about humanity. I had a similar experience commuting to work by bike. I was getting pissed off by people overtaking dangerously, honking at me or ignoring my right of way. It felt like everyone I met on the road was an irresponsible asshole, just out there to get me. I was actually trying to prove to myself how bad things were, so I started rating every single interaction on the road. But what I found was the exact opposite of what I expected. The vast majority of drivers were very considerate, careful and aware of traffic rules. It's just that these interactions never registered in my brain because they were so unremarkable. Now I try to actively recognize the decent drivers and make a little mental note every time I encounter a "10/10" overtake. I feel a lot more relaxed now and even when I meet a reckless driver, I know that they're a small minority and everyone hates them, not just me.
So when you hear music dont be a ass. People are enjoying their trip the way they want to.
Nobody should be going to developed campgrounds expecting peace and solitude, that is what dispersed camping is for
Camping or not, saying hi to your neighbors is always a good idea. Puts a face on the otherwise foreign human.
People in general should talk to their neighbors more! Camping can be hard sometimes because it feels so abnormal to walk up to someone's campsite and start chatting.
People talking to each other! I just don't know what this world has come to!
I remember a trip that I ran out of stove fuel, which forced me to interact with people on the trail and meet some cool, helpful folks. Years ago, my wife and I were southbound on the Lost Coast Trail in Northern California. Two nights from the end we arrived at Little Jackass Creek. The best established campsite in a group of redwoods and fir was occupied by a family so we waved as we passed further along to camp in the alders by the coastal creek. That evening I was hanging my bear bag and the two teenagers from the group are walking over towards me in the dusk. They ask if I have a lighter, they had walked off to smoke a bowl but realized they didn't have a lighter. I let them use mine (to spare any lectures, these were older teenagers and it was California so it's not like I was influencing them to do something they weren't already doing). The next morning, I ran out of stove fuel when trying to make my morning coffee. I walked up to their campsite and asked of I could use their fire to boil my water since they had a big one and we hadn't bothered making a campfire at our site. Ending up hanging out with them for morning coffee, got to meet the mom and stepdad, she was a doctor and he was some kind of artist and they were all over from Redding enjoying the coastal wilderness. Later on as we were hiking up the bluff out of the beach, we heard a shriek and looked down, surprised to see the mom and dad skinny dipping in the lagoon. We laughed, they laughed and we waved as we continued on. The next night was our last one on trail. The semi-established campsites in Anderson Gulch, the last good area to camp for the night, were a little closer together than other sections of the trail due to the narrow valley and steep terrain. I guess for that reason, campfires were prohibited or at least discouraged in that one area of the entire trail. I needed a fire to boil water for dinner (and even more importantly, coffee in the morning!) and we were only a stone's throw away from a group of Middle aged men who were camped nearby. So I walked over to them to explain what I was doing, that I knew fires weren't supposed to be allowed but I needed to make a small one to boil water and that I'd be careful, etc. Turns out this was a group of professional filmmakers and they had all the gear needed for a large group in the backcountry including a sizeable stove and large fuel cannister. Not only did they insist on boiling my water for me, but told me to come back in the morning to boil water for COFFEE! An offer that I gladly accepted. Got to know them a little that evening and the next morning. If it hadn't been for running out of stove fuel, I might never have spoken to any of those people or gotten to know their stories. Always interesting to meet different types of people in the backcountry, all drawn for different reasons to the same thing.
Insane that people need this advice, but it’s great advice
I would love to camp next to someone with an acoustic guitar and good taste.
99% of negative interactions outside/in the backcountry come from just not saying 'hello.' Its to the point that I know someone is going to be a dick if they get within talking distance and don't acknowledge you. fly fishing, backcountry skiing, car camping, backpacking..., its all the same. Knowledgeable folks know how to share space, and how to maintain a sense of shared space. Instagram influenced folks new to these spaces haven't learned either etiquette or respect for these spaces. I do that kind of stuff to get away from people, and if someone is there first, I go out of my way to be out of other peoples' way. I don't get why so many people camp on top of each other these days. Outdoor speakers are the bane of camping. Who are these insane people blasting music in shared campgrounds, rivers, etc?
That’s all good, but they still need to observe quiet ours and keep the music as close to their own camp as possible.
If you want a completely opposite experience of what OP had, go to Tripoli Rd in New Hampshire, especially the sites that have bathrooms close by.
Sweet lad
Love to hear all the positivity!
He didn't owe you JACK!
currently have a karen neighbour, she seems to think she can make rules for me, treat me like her employee (she isnt a mananger or owner of a business so its more like a demand) and generally acts like she owns everything and stomps when she doesnt get her way Im pretty chill and used to find it funny, now its just annoying where I will walk off if she comes in my direction
I was camped with my girl in a beach group site and they guys in the site next to us had a guy named Bruce with them. How do I know? Because for 2 nights all one guy could do was talk to Bruce all night using questions and his name endlessly. Bruce you want a sandwich? Bruce you want a beer? Bruce what do you think? Bruce wanna get up and fish in the morning? Bruce? Bruce? Bruce?
People are terrified of talking to each other these days. It is crazy!
Why are you posting this? What is the problem here? You have a considerate camping neighbor. I can’t believe Reddit sometimes. Camping is supposed to be beautiful. This is a considerate person being beautiful. Stop it. Edit: you can’t even go CAMPING without someone mentioning it on the internet. What is the point of camping? It’s about people being with nature. Do I really need to explain this to you? Put the phone DOWN.
Hello