Hi all this is all new to me so not sure wweather I should or shouldn't when I'm in a park I see couples I think I will go and say hello then I think well maybe they want peace and quiet thats why they have come away and I being on my own its not like the guys can chat and the women also.So at the moment I just wait for a que as dont want to impose.Is that the best thing to do?
Gerty Dancer said
12:17 AM Feb 7, 2012
Just say hullo anyway, they'll either reply in a friendly way and start chatting, or if they arent up for a chat you are likely to get a only brief hello in return. Nothing ventured nothing gained!
noels said
12:29 AM Feb 7, 2012
sort of been doing that i have found that in the busy times its a simple hello but the other day new people came in not so much families and had a nice chat with people last night thanks Gerty
dazren said
12:29 AM Feb 7, 2012
Just give a friendly Gidday, How ya goin !! If you just walk past and say nothing, he may think YOU are the one who wants to be left alone,,
You soon learn the 'body language' and know wether to stay and chat, or keep it short and sweet The majority of us are out there, because we like to see new places, and meet new people
So if you see a Silver Colarado, towing a 19' Lotus, with a dazren sticker on it You BETTER say Gidday.. Rgs dazren
JRH said
12:44 AM Feb 7, 2012
Just rock up and say G'day and take things from there, that's all I do and I have not had a knock back yet.
Dougwe said
01:03 AM Feb 7, 2012
I'm much the same, I always go for a walk around the park when settled in and say g'day to anyone I pass and have always had a reply and many stop and chat's, some have even come to me when they left and said see ya which I thought was nice of them. Say g'day to me, My av tells you what to look out for, I have the "The Grey Nomad" sticker on the back of the Avan. See ya round noels, enjoy.
Happywanderer said
01:28 AM Feb 7, 2012
When I go into a free camp, I will wander up to another camper and say hello then ask if they intend staying the night. They seeing me on my own will know I am looking at the safety of the site.. In nearly all cases so far they have popped up once I'm set up for happy hour and chat.
DandS said
04:07 AM Feb 7, 2012
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Just say hullo anyway, they'll either reply in a friendly way and start chatting, or if they arent up for a chat you are likely to get a only brief hello in return. Nothing ventured nothing gained!
Agree with you on that.
Daryl
Dunco said
04:43 AM Feb 7, 2012
Ive walked up and said g'day to people and starting talking....only to wish I hadn't
justcruisin01 said
04:44 AM Feb 7, 2012
My theroy is that if some one doesn't wish to return the greeting then its their lose. Also free camps are much more friendly.
JC.
beiffe said
03:41 PM Feb 7, 2012
The accepted rule is they are sitting outside their van they are looking for a chat. if they are inside or have an awning drawn they want their privacy, so leave alone.
I always say Hello and if they want to chat they will ask a question etc. If not will ignore you are just nod.
Always remember a smile is often returned by a smile so smile when you greet people and often they will start the chat.
Regards Brian
Almurta said
06:26 PM Feb 7, 2012
Hi Noels I have similar doubts about chatting to people in caravan parks. On my journey down the Newell last week I found it easier to chat with people at road side stops rather than parks. As I'm still in a car rather than van and still setting up the lifestyle I sometimes start a conversation by saying I'm thinking about living the grey nomad lifestyle. People are usually really enthusiastic and love to tell me where they've been and how they find the travelling life. When I finally get away in a campervan I'll probably start conversations by saying I'm new to the life and take it from there. I find if I ask some general question it takes the conversation beyond just saying 'hullo'. Also it gives people a chance to let me know if they want to chat or not. I've never yet had it happen but I guess if someone really didn't want to talk they could say "I haven't clue" and then I'd know I'd best keep walking.
noels said
07:27 PM Feb 7, 2012
Thanks to you all for your input will take it on board hope to see you on the road, driving an Isuzu npr 200 myself 2 dogs and the cat.
snapper49 said
03:25 AM Feb 8, 2012
"accepted rule is they are sitting outside their van they are looking for a chat. if they are inside or have an awning drawn they want their privacy, so leave alone."
Best advice Ive seen and usually is the case
jules47 said
03:46 AM Feb 8, 2012
In caravan parks, I have usually met the most people washing dishes at the camp kitchen, or in the laundry.
Happywanderer said
05:19 AM Feb 8, 2012
Noels, How is the cat travelling especially with 2 dogs.? What type of dogs are they? How do they all and you manage in your vehicle space?
Cruising Granny said
06:31 AM Feb 8, 2012
The laundry and even the bathroom can be the source of intro's. Walking around and a friendly, "Hello, how ya goin'?" Usually starts a chat which can go on , or just be a short greeting. Free camp or caravan park, doesn't matter. If you feel you want to make first contact, just do it. I'm sure your judgement of character will give you the vibe you need to decide if you should proceed, or not. Good luck and safe travels.
Smokeydk said
05:13 PM Feb 8, 2012
I agree with CG............couple weeks ago while camping ....I went over to chat to a couple who I found had been on the road 4 years......we had a mutual interest was they owned a Pajero too.........also found out they were from an area 5klm from my home...we were 400klm away at the time...you never know who you meet.
PeterS said
08:18 PM Feb 19, 2012
When I have set up camp I usually take my dog for a walk around, on a lead, and say a quick HI to everyone I pass, you find very quickly who wants to chat and who dosnt. I have found that sometimes you get a quick hello then after youve had dinner someone rocks up with their chair a glass and a bottle and you often end up with quite a group gathered around. Works for me!
blaze said
11:43 PM Feb 19, 2012
I find that when setting up for a longer stay in a park that it takes about a week for other longer termers to acept that there is another amongst them and then they start to be friendly. Me, well I spend most of my time outside and when we set up in c/ps we like to get close to the amenities, it puts me in a postion to say hi to anyone within earshot. I have only had one negitive responce in over 12 months on the road and it may well been a a bad time for the other person. We have met some great people with many we have exchange phone numbers and will remain in contact. People on a whole will generally respond with kind if that is what is offered. I find it very easy to make the first contact, others may not find it as easy but you will soon learn to making a judgement call on if there is a bond forming or if its only a hi as you pass. Its a great life out here cheers blaze
Cruising Granny said
12:19 AM Feb 20, 2012
Pets are a good source of introduction. I don't have one, but I have a lot of interaction with others who do. It's a great ice breaker. I've been a long-term and short term tenant of caravans for many years. Some of the "permanents" stick to themselves, even behaving a little suspicious of the tourists - aka "Rubber Knecks". This stems from the historical intrusion of some of those who travelled and camped before you who neglected to control and discipline their children and their own behaviour. Those large groups who travel and camp together and circle the tents and wagons to conduct their social activities at a volume and disruption to the annoyance, even offence of others around them. Not only do they seem to be oblivious of the affect of their behaviour but don't care. Travellers and campers come in many forms. We are free to pick and choose. It doesn't take long to learn. It's all about respect and manners, with a friendly, happy outlook.
Hi all this is all new to me so not sure wweather I should or shouldn't when I'm in a park I see couples I think I will go and say hello then I think well maybe they want peace and quiet thats why they have come away and I being on my own its not like the guys can chat and the women also.So at the moment I just wait for a que as dont want to impose.Is that the best thing to do?
sort of been doing that i have found that in the busy times its a simple hello but the other day new people came in not so much families and had a nice chat with people last night thanks Gerty
Just give a friendly Gidday, How ya goin !! If you just walk past and say nothing, he may think YOU are the one who wants to be left alone,,
You soon learn the 'body language' and know wether to stay and chat, or keep it short and sweet The majority of us are out there, because we like to see new places, and meet new people
So if you see a Silver Colarado, towing a 19' Lotus, with a dazren sticker on it You BETTER say Gidday.. Rgs dazren
Just rock up and say G'day and take things from there, that's all I do and I have not had a knock back yet.
I'm much the same, I always go for a walk around the park when settled in and say g'day to anyone I pass and have always had a reply and many stop and chat's, some have even come to me when they left and said see ya which I thought was nice of them. Say g'day to me, My av tells you what to look out for, I have the "The Grey Nomad" sticker on the back of the Avan. See ya round noels, enjoy.
In nearly all cases so far they have popped up once I'm set up for happy hour and chat.
Agree with you on that.
Daryl
Ive walked up and said g'day to people and starting talking....only to wish I hadn't
My theroy is that if some one doesn't wish to return the greeting then its their lose. Also free camps are much more friendly.
JC.
I always say Hello and if they want to chat they will ask a question etc. If not will ignore you are just nod.
Always remember a smile is often returned by a smile so smile when you greet people and often they will start the chat.
Regards
Brian
I have similar doubts about chatting to people in caravan parks. On my journey down the Newell last week I found it easier to chat with people at road side stops rather than parks. As I'm still in a car rather than van and still setting up the lifestyle I sometimes start a conversation by saying I'm thinking about living the grey nomad lifestyle. People are usually really enthusiastic and love to tell me where they've been and how they find the travelling life. When I finally get away in a campervan I'll probably start conversations by saying I'm new to the life and take it from there. I find if I ask some general question it takes the conversation beyond just saying 'hullo'. Also it gives people a chance to let me know if they want to chat or not. I've never yet had it happen but I guess if someone really didn't want to talk they could say "I haven't clue" and then I'd know I'd best keep walking.
Thanks to you all for your input will take it on board hope to see you on the road, driving an Isuzu npr 200 myself 2 dogs and the cat.
"accepted rule is they are sitting outside their van they are looking for a chat. if they are inside or have an awning drawn they want their privacy, so leave alone."
Best advice Ive seen and usually is the case
Walking around and a friendly, "Hello, how ya goin'?" Usually starts a chat which can go on , or just be a short greeting.
Free camp or caravan park, doesn't matter. If you feel you want to make first contact, just do it.
I'm sure your judgement of character will give you the vibe you need to decide if you should proceed, or not.
Good luck and safe travels.
cheers
blaze
I've been a long-term and short term tenant of caravans for many years.
Some of the "permanents" stick to themselves, even behaving a little suspicious of the tourists - aka "Rubber Knecks".
This stems from the historical intrusion of some of those who travelled and camped before you who neglected to control and discipline their children and their own behaviour. Those large groups who travel and camp together and circle the tents and wagons to conduct their social activities at a volume and disruption to the annoyance, even offence of others around them. Not only do they seem to be oblivious of the affect of their behaviour but don't care.
Travellers and campers come in many forms. We are free to pick and choose. It doesn't take long to learn. It's all about respect and manners, with a friendly, happy outlook.