While living in a van, you might meet various kinds of people as your neighbours at the campsite. Some might be noisy, while others can be mindful, so you must respect all the types and learn the basic etiquette that would make you a good neighbour.
So, let’s get to know some of the unwritten etiquette rules that you might not know about.
Table of Contents
1. Try short introductions
To be a social introduction, you must keep it sweet and simple. Give your 100% effort to establish a connection. You can introduce yourself and say, “I hope you have a great night.” You can exchange your feelings about staying at the campsite. Do not take any pressure; even small talk or a smile can help you build a quick connection.
2. Maintain a distance
Most campers look for peace, and they might not welcome your chit-chat. So, always set up your camping chairs or tents in designated areas, giving the neighbouring campers their share of space. Try not to infringe on anybody’s campsite. You must not be the reason for someone’s irritation; otherwise, it can damage your reputation as a camper. At night, try to keep your voice low so that others might not feel intimidated or disturbed.
3. Keep the lights down
Campers usually look for a remote location to enjoy the view and peace at a camping site. You must keep the light off for only a short time or play loud music. Also, light can come in the way of stargazing, sleeping, or while your neighbours are trying to enjoy nature, which works both ways. While setting up the camp, try not to shine your vehicle’s headlight or pot light directly at the neighbour’s camp. Instead of string lights, you can go for red lights, which are less jarring in the evening, from www.campstar.com.
4. Put out the campfire
It has been recorded that unattended campfires are the reason for accidental fire breakout, so put out the campfire whenever you decide to go to bed. You need to ensure the campfire is out; try to douse it with water before leaving for the day. If your neighbour’s campfire is either smouldering or still on, but they are nowhere near it, ask them politely to put it off. You can also go the extra mile and put it off yourself.
5. Keep a close eye on the pets
Camping with pets is indeed a fun indulgence. However, your neighbours might not like pets, so you must ensure that your pets are never off the leash or wandering off to the other camping sites. Pets should be supervised and run about the camp in the owner’s presence. You need to monitor them closely, and they should be under your direct control, even if you have the friendliest pet.
Also, if your neighbours have a dog, then there is a risk that both pets might get into fights, as they have the instinct to protect their owner’s territory. You can ask your neighbours to allow their pets to play with you, building healthy relations and communication.
Summing it up
You can be a good camping neighbour by leaving an online review about the camping site, sharing your personal experience, cleaning up the litter, or saying “Thank You” to the other camper before you head out. Also, be forgiving and understanding to contribute towards building a positive environment.
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!