Mickydripin Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Hi Folks I had a motorhome for about three years and sold it last year as we were buying a house. What I would like to know is what do You get out of doing it. I went to Benidorm late last year and stayed in a hotel whilst there I called on a friend that was staying there on La Torreta" I think that is how you spell it" in is motorhome. He took us around Benidorm to some of the sites that that he had stayed on for the winter when walking around he spoke to a few people that he knew they were welcoming and we talked it was a hot day but none of them offered him or us a drink and just walked away after the conversation. This couple used to tell us how they used to organise parties and fancy dress events to make things a bit less boring and to keep others happy they are a great couple and are not overbearing so why don't Caravan/Motorhomers not want to welcome other motorhomers after they have spent months with them in the past. Is the life as good as we make out? whilst in Benidorm we met loads of people that we had a good laugh with and they are asking us when we are going back. We went up to Yorkshire last year on a caravan club site with our motorhome there was loads of people there but we never broke in to conversation we tried and tried but they were like the walking dead. Are we all like that? I did not think I was do you try to converse with other campers or do you sit in your van looking out of the window. What do you do to make your holiday better anything? or are you a hermit do you like to know what other campers are doing. or are you not interested. Do we not Motorhome to see different places to talk to other campers enjoy a nice drinky have a laugh and discuss all the things that we have done and enjoyed or as I said do we sit in our little tin box with a long face and moan about how much it has cost me. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don636 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 We motorhome because we do not like staying in hotels and have camped in various forms since we were first married (38 years ago). We like the feeling of being in the great outdoors, walking and visiting new places. Camping is very informal and such a change from living in a house and feels adventurous. We lived in an RV in the USA with our two year old daughter for a year but sadly had to return home and go back to work. We do not motorhome to meet people and never get together with other campers. We may exchange pleasantries with our neighbours but never to the extent of visiting and socialising. We tend to be out and about during the day and get back tired and ready for a bite to eat and some relaxing, reading, snoozing, watching the telly, playing games, chatting or whatever. We are quite happy with our own company and quite frankly can't be bothered socialising with other campers. Are we anti social? Yes. Do we care? No. Does it matter? No. Are we happy? Yes. Come to think of it, it might have been us you met! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 There's a forum regular Pelmetman, who currently is in Spain enjoying his winter sun, he gets a lot out of it, he sits in his van all day on the internet posting on here................odd really because that's exactly the same as he does in Lincolnshire. ;-) No doubt in the morning the first thing he'll do is pop up on here to answer you directly. :-D I'm reluctant to say this, but with very few exceptions by far the most stand-of-ish folk we come across in Europe are fellow brits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I suppose people are people, so if someone is reserved and isn't really the "mixing" type, then it makes little/no odds, whether they're staying in a motorhome, a hotel room or a Villa..... Let's face it, a lot of folk don't even converse with their neighbours at home! I'm all for a casual chat (and maybe a drink?), especially with festival site "neighbours".. but to include someone into a closer social gathering, would probably have to depend on us having struck up a bit of a rapport with them first....rather than, in the case of *ordinary campsites, solely because they just happen to currently own a motorhome... :-S (Just like how I wouldn't expect to be overly pally with everyone who happens to drive a car or who just happens to be staying in the same hotel etc...) ..and if/when someone obviously prefers to keep themselves to themselves, then that doesn't necessarily mean that they're: Quote(paraphrase) "sitting in their little tin box with a long face and moaning about how much it has cost them".. :-S They may just want to be left to chill..... I've only just clocked Don's last couple of lines....Brilliant! (lol) (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I think the idea that there is some sort of standardised, community-based "motorhoming lifestyle" is fanciful. People of all sorts use motorhomes in different way and at different times and some are nice people, some not so nice. Some times we socialise, usually if a casual hello triggers more dialogue and the beginnings of a rapport, sometimes we don't. When abroad it's easier to spot British number plates and have a conversation in English, but we've enjoyed contact with all sorts, even Germans! We still have email contact with some and we've also arranged to organise ourselves to meet up again. We've met less attractive people while motorhoming too and then steered clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Joe90 - 2015-01-22 12:31 AM There's a forum regular Pelmetman, who currently is in Spain enjoying his winter sun, he gets a lot out of it, he sits in his van all day on the internet posting on here................odd really because that's exactly the same as he does in Lincolnshire. ;-) No doubt in the morning the first thing he'll do is pop up on here to answer you directly. :-D Here I am Joe.......... I don't like to disappoint my fans :D............ I suggest the OP gets a dog ;-) .......... Off out today to look at a new rescue dog B-)............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I f we are parked with other vans I'm quite happy to say hello and have a good chat, also just as happy to be parked half way up a mountain without another sole in site. Have to agree with Mike say hello to a lot of the Brits all you get back is a grunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 pelmetman - 2015-01-22 9:33 AM Off out today to look at a new rescue dog B-)............ Dave, What happened to Troy? And your other rescue dog? Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Had Enough Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Society has changed. Fifty years ago when a man came home from work he had the choice of Dan Dare or Dick Barton on the radio. So, after his meal, depending on his status, he went to the pub, or his Rotary Club or working men's club. Then we got TV. First it was one channel that operated for a few hours, then it was three and now it's hundreds. And what TV did to British habits in fifty years, the Internet has exacerbated in ten. People come home now and have a plethora of entertainment to keep them at home. So now we no longer go to pubs in the same number, far fewer join societies and clubs. Consequently we're becoming more insular and more likely to prefer our own company. It's the same on campsites. We had books to read but now we have TV and, as has been shown in this thread, even when on holiday the first thing that some people do is go on-line. It's nothing to do with being motorhomers, it's been a gradual societal change. Still, those disappointed that people no longer wish to stop and chat, have the consolation of knowing that, as they drive down the motorway, the same taciturn couple in the next 'van will have practised a synchronised wave, accompanied by a rictus grin, as they acknowledge you as a member of that very exclusive club that they think they've joined when they bought a motorhome. I recommend 'The Strange Disappearance of Civic America' and 'Bowling Alone' by Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, in which he's analysed this change in society and, after extensive research into every aspect of our lives, pinned the blame squarely on television. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 It depends why you buy the camper, Mick. Some buy to escape from home. Some to escape the UK winter. Some to tour around. Some to socialise. I think if you want to socialise with a camper, you simply have to talk to other people. Many folk won't invite you into their homes, but are more than happy to socialise in neutral territory - the road, a bar, wherever. If you want to talk to people, I think you just have to make the first move and break the ice. Some will respond freely, others won't. If it doesn't work, either they aren't the chatting type, you're not the type they want to chat to, they urgently want to loo, they're having a "domestic", you started off with the wrong intro - or you've just got the wrong kind of van! :-D So, keep trying until you hit it off with someone. Many seem to make great friends on winter campsites in the sun, and arrange repeat visits with the same crowd year after year. I guess it just takes patience and persistence to find the right people. Don't forget northerners are on the whole more gregarious than southerners, and it tends to take a bit longer to penetrate the southern reserve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Had Enough - 2015-01-22 10:36 AM Still, those disappointed that people no longer wish to stop and chat, have the consolation of knowing that, as they drive down the motorway, the same taciturn couple in the next 'van will have practised a synchronised wave, accompanied by a rictus grin, as they acknowledge you as a member of that very exclusive club that they think they've joined when they bought a motorhome. (lol) (lol) (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Brian Kirby - 2015-01-22 11:01 AM ....and it tends to take a bit longer to penetrate the southern reserve. ...are you back to referring to that "6 birth" thread..?.... 8-) ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Had Enough - 2015-01-22 10:36 AM It's the same on campsites. We had books to read but now we have TV and, as has been shown in this thread, even when on holiday the first thing that some people do is go on-line. I take it your on holiday then Frank? (lol) ................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Keithl - 2015-01-22 10:33 AM pelmetman - 2015-01-22 9:33 AM Off out today to look at a new rescue dog B-)............ Dave, What happened to Troy? And your other rescue dog? Keith. Sadly we lost Troy just before Christmas, and Piggy 3 days after arriving in Calpe :-( ............ So we're looking for another rescue..............otherwise I might have to start talking to people 8-) .............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 pelmetman - 2015-01-22 11:23 AM So we're looking for another rescue..............otherwise I might have to start talking to people 8-) .............. Oh I'm sure that, once they're made fully aware of that, your "neighbours" will be only too pleased to chip in towards the purchase Dave... (lol) ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Mickydripin - 2015-01-21 11:34 PM What I would like to know is what do You get out of doing it. Mike [/quote I got my motorhome ------- A) --- to go touring independently all over Europe, in some comfort. B) --- because I was getting too lazy to go proper camping any more ( i.e. with a tent ) If you want to socialise you can always go on motorhome rallies with like minded people. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Had Enough - 2015-01-22 10:36 AM Society has changed. Fifty years ago when a man came home from work he had the choice of Dan Dare or Dick Barton on the radio. So, after his meal, depending on his status, he went to the pub, or his Rotary Club or working men's club. Then we got TV. First it was one channel that operated for a few hours, then it was three and now it's hundreds. And what TV did to British habits in fifty years, the Internet has exacerbated in ten. People come home now and have a plethora of entertainment to keep them at home. So now we no longer go to pubs in the same number, far fewer join societies and clubs. Consequently we're becoming more insular and more likely to prefer our own company. It's the same on campsites. We had books to read but now we have TV and, as has been shown in this thread, even when on holiday the first thing that some people do is go on-line. It's nothing to do with being motorhomers, it's been a gradual societal change. Still, those disappointed that people no longer wish to stop and chat, have the consolation of knowing that, as they drive down the motorway, the same taciturn couple in the next 'van will have practised a synchronised wave, accompanied by a rictus grin, as they acknowledge you as a member of that very exclusive club that they think they've joined when they bought a motorhome. I recommend 'The Strange Disappearance of Civic America' and 'Bowling Alone' by Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, in which he's analysed this change in society and, after extensive research into every aspect of our lives, pinned the blame squarely on television. A sensible post 8-) Are you feeling OK ;-) I think we also chose our moment to start a conversation - when we have nothing better to do, wheras they may be busy with something else. And its a bit different to chatting to someone in the street or online. When you have had enough of talking to them you can make your excuses and move on. Its not so easy to do that when you are camping next to them. So we may think it easier not to get familiar in the first place. Then there is the security aspect as we have to carry valuables. Its a sad fact that robbers may try to 'befriend' you, and find out where you are vulnerable :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Peter James - 2015-01-22 1:33 PM Had Enough - 2015-01-22 10:36 AM Society has changed. Fifty years ago when a man came home from work he had the choice of Dan Dare or Dick Barton on the radio. So, after his meal, depending on his status, he went to the pub, or his Rotary Club or working men's club. Then we got TV. First it was one channel that operated for a few hours, then it was three and now it's hundreds. And what TV did to British habits in fifty years, the Internet has exacerbated in ten. People come home now and have a plethora of entertainment to keep them at home. So now we no longer go to pubs in the same number, far fewer join societies and clubs. Consequently we're becoming more insular and more likely to prefer our own company. It's the same on campsites. We had books to read but now we have TV and, as has been shown in this thread, even when on holiday the first thing that some people do is go on-line. It's nothing to do with being motorhomers, it's been a gradual societal change. Still, those disappointed that people no longer wish to stop and chat, have the consolation of knowing that, as they drive down the motorway, the same taciturn couple in the next 'van will have practised a synchronised wave, accompanied by a rictus grin, as they acknowledge you as a member of that very exclusive club that they think they've joined when they bought a motorhome. I recommend 'The Strange Disappearance of Civic America' and 'Bowling Alone' by Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, in which he's analysed this change in society and, after extensive research into every aspect of our lives, pinned the blame squarely on television. A sensible post 8-) Are you feeling OK ;-) I think we also chose our moment to start a conversation - when we have nothing better to do, wheras they may be busy with something else. And its a bit different to chatting to someone in the street or online. When you have had enough of talking to them you can make your excuses and move on. Its not so easy to do that when you are camping next to them. So we may think it easier not to get familiar in the first place. Then there is the security aspect as we have to carry valuables. Its a sad fact that robbers may try to 'befriend' you, and find out where you are vulnerable :-( That probably explains why some brits who were having trouble with their hook up on a French aire and I stepped in to help didn't even look our way after.................obviously thought we were robbers disguised as a couple of pensioners in an British reg Rapido :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Joe90 - 2015-01-22 2:16 PM Peter James - 2015-01-22 1:33 PM Had Enough - 2015-01-22 10:36 AM Society has changed. Fifty years ago when a man came home from work he had the choice of Dan Dare or Dick Barton on the radio. So, after his meal, depending on his status, he went to the pub, or his Rotary Club or working men's club. Then we got TV. First it was one channel that operated for a few hours, then it was three and now it's hundreds. And what TV did to British habits in fifty years, the Internet has exacerbated in ten. People come home now and have a plethora of entertainment to keep them at home. So now we no longer go to pubs in the same number, far fewer join societies and clubs. Consequently we're becoming more insular and more likely to prefer our own company. It's the same on campsites. We had books to read but now we have TV and, as has been shown in this thread, even when on holiday the first thing that some people do is go on-line. It's nothing to do with being motorhomers, it's been a gradual societal change. Still, those disappointed that people no longer wish to stop and chat, have the consolation of knowing that, as they drive down the motorway, the same taciturn couple in the next 'van will have practised a synchronised wave, accompanied by a rictus grin, as they acknowledge you as a member of that very exclusive club that they think they've joined when they bought a motorhome. I recommend 'The Strange Disappearance of Civic America' and 'Bowling Alone' by Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, in which he's analysed this change in society and, after extensive research into every aspect of our lives, pinned the blame squarely on television. A sensible post 8-) Are you feeling OK ;-) I think we also chose our moment to start a conversation - when we have nothing better to do, wheras they may be busy with something else. And its a bit different to chatting to someone in the street or online. When you have had enough of talking to them you can make your excuses and move on. Its not so easy to do that when you are camping next to them. So we may think it easier not to get familiar in the first place. Then there is the security aspect as we have to carry valuables. Its a sad fact that robbers may try to 'befriend' you, and find out where you are vulnerable :-( That probably explains why some brits who were having trouble with their hook up on a French aire and I stepped in to help didn't even look our way after.................obviously thought we were robbers disguised as a couple of pensioners in an British reg Rapido :-S What do robbers look like? When I got mugged it was by 4 small children as I walked away from a cash machine in Florence. They were only little kids so I could overpower them easily. Nevertheless, when they have four pairs of hands and you only have one pair you soon find you can't keep their hands out of your pockets for long. It was before the Euro so I had different currencies in different pockets. Most was in my wallet, and I kept one hand firmly clamped on it so they didn't get that. But they got about £100 from a trouser pocket. I reported it at the Police Office in Cathedral Square, and they told me I was the eleventh one to report the same thing that morning. Apparently I was lucky because I still had my wallet - all the others had lost everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Peter James - 2015-01-22 2:31 PM What do robbers look like? When I got mugged it was by 4 small children as I walked away from a cash machine in Florence. They were only little kids so I could overpower them easily. Nevertheless, when they have four pairs of hands and you only have one pair you soon find you can't keep their hands out of your pockets for long. It was before the Euro so I had different currencies in different pockets. Most was in my wallet, and I kept one hand firmly clamped on it so they didn't get that. But they got about £100 from a trouser pocket. Same happened to me in Milan as I walked towards the Cathedral. I keep my money and papers in secure places but they got the street map the hotel had given me :-( It's weird feeling hands everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolandrat Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Had Enough - 2015-01-22 10:36 AM Society has changed. Fifty years ago when a man came home from work he had the choice of Dan Dare or Dick Barton on the radio. So, after his meal, depending on his status, he went to the pub, or his Rotary Club or working men's club. Then we got TV. First it was one channel that operated for a few hours, then it was three and now it's hundreds. And what TV did to British habits in fifty years, the Internet has exacerbated in ten. People come home now and have a plethora of entertainment to keep them at home. So now we no longer go to pubs in the same number, far fewer join societies and clubs. Consequently we're becoming more insular and more likely to prefer our own company. It's the same on campsites. We had books to read but now we have TV and, as has been shown in this thread, even when on holiday the first thing that some people do is go on-line. It's nothing to do with being motorhomers, it's been a gradual societal change. Still, those disappointed that people no longer wish to stop and chat, have the consolation of knowing that, as they drive down the motorway, the same taciturn couple in the next 'van will have practised a synchronised wave, accompanied by a rictus grin, as they acknowledge you as a member of that very exclusive club that they think they've joined when they bought a motorhome. I recommend 'The Strange Disappearance of Civic America' and 'Bowling Alone' by Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, in which he's analysed this change in society and, after extensive research into every aspect of our lives, pinned the blame squarely on television. You had a television? You must have been very wealthy, we saw the coronation on a well to do neighbours 9" TV that had a magnifying glass in front of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 That's it, the vans up for sale, don't want to take any more chances that another couple in a motorhome approaching us for a chat may in fact be robbers.............or someone may crawl under the van to gas us, or some children nearby at a cash point may be about to mug us. :-S Jezz no wonder no one talks to one another any longer, or that some of you take a chance leaving your front door Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Muswell - 2015-01-22 4:17 PM Peter James - 2015-01-22 2:31 PM What do robbers look like? When I got mugged it was by 4 small children as I walked away from a cash machine in Florence. They were only little kids so I could overpower them easily. Nevertheless, when they have four pairs of hands and you only have one pair you soon find you can't keep their hands out of your pockets for long. It was before the Euro so I had different currencies in different pockets. Most was in my wallet, and I kept one hand firmly clamped on it so they didn't get that. But they got about £100 from a trouser pocket. Same happened to me in Milan as I walked towards the Cathedral. I keep my money and papers in secure places but they got the street map the hotel had given me :-( It's weird feeling hands everywhere. Makes you feel powerless doesn't it. One was trying unsuccessfully to pull my arm away from my wallet pocket. Another clamped herself on to my free arm like a terrier. I was shaking her like a rag doll but she wouldn't let go. Which left the other two free reign to dip my other pockets. Then I heard a male voice shout something loud and aggressive in a foreign language. I don't know who or where he was, I never saw him, only heard him. But it had an instant effect because all four of them let go of me immediately and ran off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Joe90 - 2015-01-22 12:31 AM There's a forum regular Pelmetman, who currently is in Spain enjoying his winter sun, he gets a lot out of it, he sits in his van all day on the internet posting on here................odd really because that's exactly the same as he does in Lincolnshire. ;-) No doubt in the morning the first thing he'll do is pop up on here to answer you directly. :-D . Well I for one hope he continues to post. B-) I like Calpe too, maybe not keen enough to make the effort to get there this winter, but still look forward to hearing from there. Having short breaks at the moment, had Sat & Sunday parked opposite the Kensington Museums whilst parking is free, then a couple of days parked in London Docklands, cycled round Canary Wharf etc, places where you aren't dependent on the weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 He probably spends all day in his van posting because he's terrified that going out or talking to someone may end in disaster............probably spends all night outside it though is case he gets gassed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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