For the past year I have been seeing a lack of courtesy among some RVers that I have never seen before. I am now seeing more people cutting through occupied sites rather that walk around the proper way. I am also seeing more and more people not picking up after their pets when they do their business. The last three occupants of the site next to us have not cleaned up after their pets. Has anyone else noticed this trend?
sflanagan21 said
11:10 AM Aug 7, 2011
Unfortunately it's the trend of our society. Not everyone but most people are so inconsiderate because of lack of family values in their up bringing and all they can think about are them-selves. It's sad but much of our society has become lazy because of high tech devices that make everything easier, quicker and more convenient. The long term effect of this is that people are becoming more lazy physically and mentally!!! Fast foward 20 years and most of our society are going to look like clueless zombies. God help us.
GENECOP said
11:12 AM Aug 7, 2011
I think people are basically the same as they have always been, the changes may be in what you are currently paying attention to....
Racerguy said
11:33 AM Aug 7, 2011
No I really haven't noticed a marked increase in bad manners.I think Gene is right,we are just more aware of certain things than we used to be.
bubbadan said
02:26 PM Aug 7, 2011
Racerguy wrote:
No I really haven't noticed a marked increase in bad manners.I think Gene is right,we are just more aware of certain things than we used to be.
Yes, what Racerguy said.
RickandJanice said
05:24 PM Aug 7, 2011
We have noticed more and more people cut across camp sites without even saying anything. This occurrence is increasing especially with adults. Kids will be kids and there will always be those who cut across sites when by themselves. It is the number of adults and the kids that are accompanied by adults who do this that really surprise us. As for cleaning up after pets, I really do not think this number is anymore than before, most do but then there have always been those who do not clean up. The society we live in is becoming more self centered with every generation. If we all could just "Do unto others as we would like for other to do unto us" society would be so much more kind and considerate. We both try to live by this rule regardless of what others are doing, but its not easy sometimes.
Bill Adams said
07:07 PM Aug 7, 2011
I agree that their is a marked increase in the lack of civility throughout our society and is not limited to RVers. That means that the percentage of folks (RVers and not) having little or no interest in how their actions effect you is getting larger throughout our society. This is measured in years and not months or weeks so if you compared the average citizen's actions from the 50's until today you would see and even larger lack of consideration than you would if you were comparing the 00's to the 10's.
Red Wolf said
07:14 PM Aug 7, 2011
I'll admit that I'm the first one to get "excited" about someone cutting through our site. But, as I think about it, I think that next time I'll try a friendly greeting. That person may be my new next friend... It can't hurt and may just help out someone in need. That's what it's all about, to me anyway, is being of service to others.
Friend of Bill W.
RVPAINTER said
08:13 PM Aug 7, 2011
I agree with Bill Adams. People today have stopped standing up and taking responsibility for their actions and a lot of people IMHO just don't give a s--t about anyone but themselves. I also think the economy plays a big factor in this and that is not going to get better anytime soon. I think the USA is in for some very bad times. Just my opinion based on my observations.
bjoyce said
09:59 PM Aug 7, 2011
I am not seeing an increase. But I do think it has to do with where you camp. More and more people are camping for economic reasons and not because they want to and on average these people are not as courteous. I do see a lack of courtesy on holiday weekends where people are camping who only do this once or twice a year. Is it ignorance or attitude, I can't tell and I suspect both are involved.
Edit: Where do those typos come from
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 8th of August 2011 08:49:54 AM
Luvglass said
08:23 AM Aug 8, 2011
I don't know, maybe it's because I've been a "city guy" all my life, but I've generally experienced only the friendliest, politest, nicest people since we've been full timing and traveling around this country.
I feel politeness diminishes the closer you get to large cities and the further east you go. The more compressed people are, the testier they are. :)
TxYellowRose said
08:33 AM Aug 8, 2011
Actually, I see more mindfulness in RVers than in many other segments of the population.
Overall though, I would say yes in response to OP's question.
Folks seem to simply not take responsbility for themselves these days.
Lordy, do I sound like my parents?!?! Perhaps I'm just getting older!
gypsymaus said
09:00 AM Aug 8, 2011
There is RV "etiquette" I think people on forums like this know the proper way to treat our neigbors and the parks we are in. It is really upsetting to me to see folks not pick up after their pets. I have often thought it would be fun to have small cards printed with "top 10 tips for RVing" and when there is a blatent offender simply put it on their vehicle or hand it to them.
53 Merc said
09:19 AM Aug 8, 2011
I kinda think the most inconsiderate offenders can be classed in two ways. First way is the people that camp (or RV) infrequently. They are tuned in to doing the most with their short time excusrion. Second way are the ones that are newly rich (you can tell by the new motorhome of 42 ft, 4 slides and a Porche or Escalade as a Toad). These are the ones that are too good to pick up after their pets, do not contain their sewer hose when disconnecting and toss cigarette butts all around the site.
I have noticed, most of the time you see inconsiderate RVers, it is on weekends or in the "upscale Resorts". In state parks, M, T, W, Th the campers are more friendly, carry a plastic bag while walking pets, always observe leash laws and would die before cutting across your site. When we have camphosted, during the week, people appreciated your help, always commented on how clean you kept the sites and thanked you for volunteering. On the weekends, not so much. I hated Monday mornings with a passion. Firepits are not garbage dumps. Recycle bins are not for plastic bags full of household garbage. Cigarette butts are not pretty, they are litter. Weekenders always washed their RVs and paid no attention to the signs stating "No washing of RVs". When you asked them to observe the rules, they always said, well, I am almost done. They always said their dog was under control and did not need a leash, and it was another dog that left poop on their site. On weekends, they come to the host and demand something be done about the mosquitos (we were on the Columbia River). They wanted to buy ice at 11:30 at night even though the signs said no sales after 7 pm. OK, off the rant now. Like Fred, I notice most RVers are friendly, outgoing and polite. Only a few get my dander up.
The Hensons said
10:56 AM Aug 8, 2011
53 Merc wrote:
Second way are the ones that are newly rich (you can tell by the new motorhome of 42 ft, 4 slides and a Porche or Escalade as a Toad). These are the ones that are too good to pick up after their pets, do not contain their sewer hose when disconnecting and toss cigarette butts all around the site.
This is a bit presumptuous, don't you think?
Wealth has nothing to do with one's class. I have witnessed integrity and the lack thereof at both ends of the financial spectrum.
Overall, I have found RVers to be a fantastic sampling of society!
NorCal Dan said
11:07 AM Aug 8, 2011
We have noticed there are 2 types of RV'ers, the weekend warrior types, and the full-timer types. From what we have witnessed, the weekend warrior group is far less concerned with everybody else in the park. They seem to feel that since they only do this once or twice a year they are entitled to raise some H-E-double L.
What type of rig a person travels in is irrelevant...it's the people inside it that make the difference.
azrving said
03:15 PM Aug 8, 2011
When I make reservations, I always ask if the site is close to any of the park restrooms, laundry, community center, etc. I stay away from those sites to prevent the "walk through" from happening, doesn't always work but it helps. As for the pet waste, I find people that rv are more diligent than most of my sticks & bricks neighbors when it come to cleaning up after their animals.
As for the wealthy class A types not caring about their fellow campers, I have to agree with Mr. Henson on that. "Wealth has nothing to do with one's class. I have witnessed integrity and the lack thereof at both ends of the financial spectrum."
-- Edited by azrving on Monday 8th of August 2011 03:17:47 PM
53 Merc said
07:31 AM Aug 9, 2011
The Hensons wrote:
53 Merc wrote:
Second way are the ones that are newly rich (you can tell by the new motorhome of 42 ft, 4 slides and a Porche or Escalade as a Toad). These are the ones that are too good to pick up after their pets, do not contain their sewer hose when disconnecting and toss cigarette butts all around the site.
This is a bit presumptuous, don't you think?
Wealth has nothing to do with one's class. I have witnessed integrity and the lack thereof at both ends of the financial spectrum.
Overall, I have found RVers to be a fantastic sampling of society!
Nope, not presumptous at all. Simply a matter of my observations. I also agree, that MOST of the time, RVers are the people I enjoy being around and interfacing with. It is only the ones that are not a part of the lifestyle that put a sour taste in one's mouth. And, I also agree, money is not the sole determiner of class. You find it all over.
The Hensons said
10:03 AM Aug 9, 2011
53 Merc wrote:
Nope, not presumptous at all. Simply a matter of my observations. I also agree, that MOST of the time, RVers are the people I enjoy being around and interfacing with. It is only the ones that are not a part of the lifestyle that put a sour taste in one's mouth. And, I also agree, money is not the sole determiner of class. You find it all over.
phyllen said
10:16 AM Aug 9, 2011
I do find lots of folks leave TRASH in their fire pits. And it is not stuff that would even burn. Aluminum cans, beer bottles, styrofoam cups. We seldom use the fire pit but I clean it out. I would not want the next camper to think we were that careless. Motto is always leave the site cleaner. I am not beyond bending over and picking up litter. Hey, I need the exercise!
Colorado_Kid said
12:51 PM Aug 10, 2011
I agree with the OP but my experience is that people who go around insisting on thank you and such are the worst offenders themselves. Just last week I was with a friend who opened a door for a guy who didn't say thank you. My friend grumbled for 5 minutes about how rude that guy was. If I hold the door open for someone and they forget to say thank you I move on and don't complain about how dare someone not give me thanks for something a monkey could do. That guy may have had an emergency to get to or God forbid was human and just forgot.
I agree that we need to be courteous and manners are important but relax. Someone just forgetting themselves is not going to be the downfall of society.
The Bear II said
04:05 PM Aug 10, 2011
Like Fred Wishnie, I too am a city guy. In the city, I've seen it all, in fact just this morning on a main boulevard, two people crossed the street against the light and caused a string of 5 cars to wait eventhough we had a green light and they did not have a "walk" signal.
When RV'ing, I find folks from the 20's through 60's to be courteous for the most part. Folks from the 70's through the 90's are a little less courteous and folks from the 2000's are getting to be a pain in the..... I know this is a generalization but read on, I'll try to explain.
Being from the 50's, I'm wondering if some of the common courtesies I was taught have not been passed on through the generations as we get farther and farther away from parents brought up in the 20's through 40's.
Or does it have more to do with parents allowing their children to have more freedom and less discipline to find themselves ? This seems be popular in the past couple of decades.
If you're not taught common courtesy, ethics, acceptable behavior or other character building habits you won't know any other way to act.
If you read through the reviews on the RV Park Review websites you'll see reviews from parents of young children complaining about how their children were treated at RV Parks. One that sticks out in my mind was a parent that complained that the park security made their kids stop riding scooters in the park, the parent went on to write that the park has signs posted "No Scooter or Skateboard Riding", but the parent felt her kids were being unfairly treated since they were there to have fun for the weekend. Another person complained that they were told they would have to be quiet because it was past the noise curfew for the resort (10PM). The person complaining felt that the rule should not apply on Friday and Saturday nights for people staying in the park just for the weekend.
Delaine and Lindy said
04:20 PM Aug 10, 2011
Quite frankly, I have come to a point in life I try very hard to be friendly and never ever cross another site. And when I had a furr kid, no deposit was ever left, I always carried plastic baggies. I really don't worry about others they are the way they are and you will not change them. There are just to many people who really haven't had the proper upbringing. Look at things as a whole, I've never seen our country in such a mess. And really don't understand why people are there. Look at Britian those scum bags are destroying things that don't belong to them. However things are going to get a lot worse than the problems we incounter in RV parks... And yes things aren't near as good as it was only 6 years ago when we started this Adventure. While RV parks I then to think this to shall pass. And if it don't your on wheels.... We have traveled almost 4 thousands miles this trip and in most places its been good... Life is to short to worry about some low life, just the way they have been raised.
Bill Adams said
05:00 PM Aug 10, 2011
Look at Britian those scum bags are destroying things that don't belong to them.
How quickly we forget. Has anyone here seem any US "scum bags" doing the exact same things?
Delaine and Lindy said
08:56 PM Aug 11, 2011
What is happening in Britian is comming to America in a very short time. If you have noticed most of those destroying property that doesn't belong to them are 18 to 21. They have been raised in a time that they think someone owes them something. And many of their parents didn't know how to say NO. Here in America the same thing is happening. People nothing is FREE someone has to pay. If things aren't changed real fast America will see the same thing as in Britian and Greece... You see the future. Its our choice, take action now or you know whats comming...
Terry and Jo said
09:48 PM Aug 11, 2011
On this one, I have to agree with Bill in that we already have the destruction in America. Just look at the last couple of years with both winners and losers in major sporting events. They seem to riot regardless of whether they win or lose.
Plus, lately there has been significant uprising by the youth in attacking other people. I feel that the latest generations have been raised with the wrong values and some without the right role models. It doesn't help that the current economy and the joblessness, especially among the youth (both in Britain and America), leads them to either strike out or turn to crime for their living.
Not that I'm saying that the lack of jobs is an excuse. It just seems to be an outcome.
Terry
Roll Me Away said
11:32 AM Aug 12, 2011
Having taught at university level, mostly 18 to 25 year olds, I find a lack of manners across the board, whether it is youth or middle-aged people or elderly. "Respect" seems to have virtually disappeared in spite of certain segments of the population running about with "shootin' irons" plugging those that "diss" them. One small splinter of America's problem, in my opinion, is instead of teaching true respect, we are immersed in "political correctness" a euphemism for having one's head in a very dark and awkward place. Teachers are admonished to tell the child he/she is doing well, even when the child isn't giving a twit about actually doing the work. Discipline and self-discipline has gone out the door, while a sense of entitlement snuck in the window. Maybe it's because I'm "mature" (read over 60) but I've worked since I was 13 years old, raised in the church, and feel entitled only to what I work for. Of course I'm with that cartoon kid, Eloise at the Plaza, "Good Lord! Never turn down a gift!" I wonder if this group feel jobs are owed them. Are they just opportunists who see a change to loot and pillage? Are parents and governments promising too much? Are they encouraging or establishing an un-redeemable myth? Are we handing too many cards, race cards, religion cards, kids-will-be kids cards along with the credit cards? It's very complicated, n'est-pas? We need to perhaps establish a different conversation with the young and listen to them and tell them the truth. Change is inevitable in this world and there's no "there" there unless we work for it.
Loretta said
11:48 AM Aug 12, 2011
I work in a library and I find that people are just too demanding and disrespectful. You would think in a library that it is always serene. Not so, people do not want to wait, butt in line ahead of other people and are just plain rude. I know it all boils down to customer service and you have to think that they might have something else going on in their lives to make them the way they are, but it is mostly just being inconsiderate. If they are with their children, the children see this and act accordingly thinking it is the way of the land. I wonder if these people ever had to wait in line for their groceries to be checked out, or waited to be called if they had a doctor's appointment. I also agree with, sflanagan21, "much of our society has become lazy because of high tech devices that make everything easier, quicker and more convenient."
azrving said
02:02 PM Aug 12, 2011
ScottieGirl wrote:
Having taught at university level, mostly 18 to 25 year olds, I find a lack of manners across the board, whether it is youth or middle-aged people or elderly. "Respect" seems to have virtually disappeared in spite of certain segments of the population running about with "shootin' irons" plugging those that "diss" them. One small splinter of America's problem, in my opinion, is instead of teaching true respect, we are immersed in "political correctness" a euphemism for having one's head in a very dark and awkward place. Teachers are admonished to tell the child he/she is doing well, even when the child isn't giving a twit about actually doing the work. Discipline and self-discipline has gone out the door, while a sense of entitlement snuck in the window. Maybe it's because I'm "mature" (read over 60) but I've worked since I was 13 years old, raised in the church, and feel entitled only to what I work for. Of course I'm with that cartoon kid, Eloise at the Plaza, "Good Lord! Never turn down a gift!" I wonder if this group feel jobs are owed them. Are they just opportunists who see a change to loot and pillage? Are parents and governments promising too much? Are they encouraging or establishing an un-redeemable myth? Are we handing too many cards, race cards, religion cards, kids-will-be kids cards along with the credit cards? It's very complicated, n'est-pas? We need to perhaps establish a different conversation with the young and listen to them and tell them the truth. Change is inevitable in this world and there's no "there" there unless we work for it.
Amen!
My grandparents raised me and they lived through the depression, so I know if you want it, you got to work for it! I had a long list of chores around the house and if I finished early, my grandfather would loan me out to the neighbors to do odd jobs around their houses. Kids these days have a sense of entitlement and I really don't know why, they sure haven't earned it.
Good manners and hard work are a thing of the past
Waggin Tails said
08:03 PM Aug 12, 2011
NorCal hit it on the head. As for 53Mercs comments, he is entitled to his opinion.
There is a group out of Texas called Texas Boomers. Their story is quiet interesting (click here) and fits the description 53Merc mentioned.
So far, we have only encountered the friendly folkes who take pride and care of their site.
Terry and Jo said
08:28 AM Aug 13, 2011
Interesting story about the "Texas Boomers," but I wish they would have mentioned the RV park that blamed them for the messes. There are some of us that would willingly avoid such places in favor of friendly sites. That is what I like about Howard and Linda's "Campground" category in the forums. Not only can we research for good places to stay, we can leave our own reviews related to specific places.
In that light, while we were only there for a few days at a rally, the Coachlight campground is a nice RV park associated with a RV dealership south of Carthage, Missouri. That has also been the only RV park we've been in since we got our Mobile Suites. Prior to that, we've pretty much stayed in national forest campgrounds.
Terry
Kathy Doin It said
09:22 AM Aug 13, 2011
ScottieGirl wrote:
Having taught at university level, mostly 18 to 25 year olds, I find a lack of manners across the board, whether it is youth or middle-aged people or elderly. "Respect" seems to have virtually disappeared in spite of certain segments of the population running about with "shootin' irons" plugging those that "diss" them. One small splinter of America's problem, in my opinion, is instead of teaching true respect, we are immersed in "political correctness" a euphemism for having one's head in a very dark and awkward place. Teachers are admonished to tell the child he/she is doing well, even when the child isn't giving a twit about actually doing the work. Discipline and self-discipline has gone out the door, while a sense of entitlement snuck in the window. Maybe it's because I'm "mature" (read over 60) but I've worked since I was 13 years old, raised in the church, and feel entitled only to what I work for. Of course I'm with that cartoon kid, Eloise at the Plaza, "Good Lord! Never turn down a gift!" I wonder if this group feel jobs are owed them. Are they just opportunists who see a change to loot and pillage? Are parents and governments promising too much? Are they encouraging or establishing an un-redeemable myth? Are we handing too many cards, race cards, religion cards, kids-will-be kids cards along with the credit cards? It's very complicated, n'est-pas? We need to perhaps establish a different conversation with the young and listen to them and tell them the truth. Change is inevitable in this world and there's no "there" there unless we work for it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Scottiegirl! You have written what I have been thinking for a long time, but was not able to put in such an articulate way.
RickandJanice said
09:48 AM Aug 13, 2011
I couldn't agree more with what Scottiegirl wrote!! My mother in-law always says "there is right and wrong but no such thing as fair". I also think that for every "winner there has to be a loser so we must learn to do both". We do need to listen to children and teach them this instead of giving trophies and ribbons for just participation.
ftdreamer said
05:00 PM Aug 15, 2011
I agree with you 100%. More and more Americans are feeling deflated due to our economy. "What once worked, doesn't work anymore." Many people are RVing today that perhaps did not choose the lifestyle but had no other alternatives for surviving without a RVing rulebook to go by. Common sense is a gift but not necessarily a learned behavior. Be a friend and you will have a friend for life and the lesson learned will be passed forward with a smile.
maintguy62 said
07:46 PM Aug 16, 2011
Ive seen it all, and its a shame. I also own an rv park, but I think its people as a whole in this country. Sense of entitlement.
Terry and Jo said
08:08 PM Aug 16, 2011
maintguy62 wrote:
Ive seen it all, and its a shame. I also own an rv park, but I think its people as a whole in this country. Sense of entitlement.
Brian,
You might mention your RV park in the "biography" section of your profile, and if you have a website, you might put that as a part of your signature in the forums. That way, we know whom to patronize if we are ever in Connecticut.
Oh, and welcome to the forums.
Terry
tworootless said
07:45 AM Aug 20, 2011
I blame it on TV and video gamesUh huh. . .
RickandJanice said
08:21 AM Aug 20, 2011
tworootless wrote:
I blame it on TV and video gamesUh huh. . .
TV and video games certainly play into this lack of social skills. So does air conditioning, computers, smart phones, texting.... As we become more technologically advanced, the less we interact with each other. Therefor the more self centered we become. Look at how many kids and adults you see playing video games or texting on smart phones instead of actually socializing with each other.
I once read that it all started with air conditioning. With the advent of AC people no longer sat outside to cool off so the ability to socialize started to decline. Fast forward 40 -50 years and think about how all of our technology now allows us to sit in air conditioned homes or RV's and be entertained or communicate without even seeing or talking to other people. Also look how quickly people now retreat into their air conditioned RV rather than sit under the awning or a shade tree and actually socialize with others.
Maybe it is just a case of spending more time outside with other people and teaching the next generations the fun of interacting with other people instead of being so dependent on technology and independent of other people. Ever notice how naturally social a young child is before they discover all of the technology around them???
-- Edited by RickandJanice on Saturday 20th of August 2011 08:23:04 AM
Terry and Jo said
04:27 PM Aug 20, 2011
Rick and Janice,
Darn good points!!!
Now, if Oklahoma City would just cool down enough that I could stand more than being shirtless and in shorts, I'd go outside.
There is that horrible mental image again. Sorry.....
Terry
jamminalong said
05:39 PM Aug 21, 2011
Ok sorry a little late to this thread but wanted to give my 2 cents LOL!
I don't think this is a "this generation" problem but a "whole society" problem. Yes the younguns are terrible and the electronics don't help but....
I've also had 50, 60, 70 yr old men not hold the door for me (44 yr old female) and when I hold the door for grandma & grandpa I don't get a polite "thank you"! tisk, tisk! This has happened many times at restaurants and of all places Camping World (gasp!). It's unfortunate what we have become... :(
Roll Me Away said
08:58 AM Aug 22, 2011
I keep hearing "too much freedom" for the young and I really don't know if how much self-control can be tied into that freedom to self-regulate. Certainly it isn't just some of the youth, but the mature and those in great power as well. Just a state of society now as the times change. I keep thinking of a bit from the play Butterflies are Free, where the blind boy is entertaining his ditzy blonde neighbor who chatters on about freedom. It's been a while since I read the play, but the fellow says, "Freedom is very important to you..." (paraphrase). She says, "Yes, freedom is the most important thing in the world to me ... after I've eaten."
My grandparents grew veggies in a victory garden when the work was scarce during the war...and I once knew a German girl who traded a silver tea service for one egg to share with her family. And a friend from England whose favorite movie is 84 Charing Cross Road, because, like in the movie, her grandparents received food through another country, sent by an American GI who they had housed in London. She told me the kids fought over who got to lick the little tins of meat once they were empty.
Sorry, I'm just musing, trying to get a handle on all the events going on and how our youth will all stay free and fed in a world that's apparently becoming rather insane. Didn't mean to get off topic, so I'll go now.
xiaoneitie said
07:29 AM Jun 7, 2012
I think people are basically the same as they have always been, the changes may be in what you are currently paying attention to....
PIEERE said
02:16 PM Jun 7, 2012
xiaoneitie wrote:
I think people are basically the same as they have always been, the changes may be in what you are currently paying attention to....
I disagree as I have worked campgrounds and the W/END Warriors don't care how they leave the area looking. Especially the trash: bottles and cans left in the firepits. A lot also walk thru others sites.
Also believe country folk teach their children better because of the lack of technology and the tradition of common courtesy is handed down.
charles said
03:40 AM Jun 11, 2012
YES, I address gas stations, the number of people fueling their car/truck and then leaving it at the pump has increased. Of course this is usually at the one that I am able to access with the TT. THE WIFE and I experienced it twice on this one trip abt 900 miles to Indiana. CCC
For the past year I have been seeing a lack of courtesy among some RVers that I have never seen before. I am now seeing more people cutting through occupied sites rather that walk around the proper way. I am also seeing more and more people not picking up after their pets when they do their business. The last three occupants of the site next to us have not cleaned up after their pets. Has anyone else noticed this trend?
Yes, what Racerguy said.
This is measured in years and not months or weeks so if you compared the average citizen's actions from the 50's until today you would see and even larger lack of consideration than you would if you were comparing the 00's to the 10's.
I'll admit that I'm the first one to get "excited" about someone cutting through our site. But, as I think about it, I think that next time I'll try a friendly greeting. That person may be my new next friend... It can't hurt and may just help out someone in need. That's what it's all about, to me anyway, is being of service to others.
Friend of Bill W.
I am not seeing an increase. But I do think it has to do with where you camp. More and more people are camping for economic reasons and not because they want to and on average these people are not as courteous. I do see a lack of courtesy on holiday weekends where people are camping who only do this once or twice a year. Is it ignorance or attitude, I can't tell and I suspect both are involved.
Edit: Where do those typos come from
-- Edited by bjoyce on Monday 8th of August 2011 08:49:54 AM
I feel politeness diminishes the closer you get to large cities and the further east you go. The more compressed people are, the testier they are. :)
Actually, I see more mindfulness in RVers than in many other segments of the population.
Overall though, I would say yes in response to OP's question.
Folks seem to simply not take responsbility for themselves these days.
Lordy, do I sound like my parents?!?!
Perhaps I'm just getting older!
There is RV "etiquette" I think people on forums like this know the proper way to treat our neigbors and the parks we are in. It is really upsetting to me to see folks not pick up after their pets. I have often thought it would be fun to have small cards printed with "top 10 tips for RVing" and when there is a blatent offender simply put it on their vehicle or hand it to them.
I have noticed, most of the time you see inconsiderate RVers, it is on weekends or in the "upscale Resorts". In state parks, M, T, W, Th the campers are more friendly, carry a plastic bag while walking pets, always observe leash laws and would die before cutting across your site. When we have camphosted, during the week, people appreciated your help, always commented on how clean you kept the sites and thanked you for volunteering. On the weekends, not so much. I hated Monday mornings with a passion. Firepits are not garbage dumps. Recycle bins are not for plastic bags full of household garbage. Cigarette butts are not pretty, they are litter. Weekenders always washed their RVs and paid no attention to the signs stating "No washing of RVs". When you asked them to observe the rules, they always said, well, I am almost done. They always said their dog was under control and did not need a leash, and it was another dog that left poop on their site.
On weekends, they come to the host and demand something be done about the mosquitos (we were on the Columbia River). They wanted to buy ice at 11:30 at night even though the signs said no sales after 7 pm.
OK, off the rant now. Like Fred, I notice most RVers are friendly, outgoing and polite. Only a few get my dander up.
This is a bit presumptuous, don't you think?
Wealth has nothing to do with one's class. I have witnessed integrity and the lack thereof at both ends of the financial spectrum.
Overall, I have found RVers to be a fantastic sampling of society!
What type of rig a person travels in is irrelevant...it's the people inside it that make the difference.
When I make reservations, I always ask if the site is close to any of the park restrooms, laundry, community center, etc. I stay away from those sites to prevent the "walk through" from happening, doesn't always work but it helps. As for the pet waste, I find people that rv are more diligent than most of my sticks & bricks neighbors when it come to cleaning up after their animals.
As for the wealthy class A types not caring about their fellow campers, I have to agree with Mr. Henson on that. "Wealth has nothing to do with one's class. I have witnessed integrity and the lack thereof at both ends of the financial spectrum."
-- Edited by azrving on Monday 8th of August 2011 03:17:47 PM
Nope, not presumptous at all. Simply a matter of my observations. I also agree, that MOST of the time, RVers are the people I enjoy being around and interfacing with. It is only the ones that are not a part of the lifestyle that put a sour taste in one's mouth. And, I also agree, money is not the sole determiner of class. You find it all over.
I agree with the OP but my experience is that people who go around insisting on thank you and such are the worst offenders themselves. Just last week I was with a friend who opened a door for a guy who didn't say thank you. My friend grumbled for 5 minutes about how rude that guy was. If I hold the door open for someone and they forget to say thank you I move on and don't complain about how dare someone not give me thanks for something a monkey could do. That guy may have had an emergency to get to or God forbid was human and just forgot.
I agree that we need to be courteous and manners are important but relax. Someone just forgetting themselves is not going to be the downfall of society.
When RV'ing, I find folks from the 20's through 60's to be courteous for the most part. Folks from the 70's through the 90's are a little less courteous and folks from the 2000's are getting to be a pain in the..... I know this is a generalization but read on, I'll try to explain.
Being from the 50's, I'm wondering if some of the common courtesies I was taught have not been passed on through the generations as we get farther and farther away from parents brought up in the 20's through 40's.
Or does it have more to do with parents allowing their children to have more freedom and less discipline to find themselves ? This seems be popular in the past couple of decades.
If you're not taught common courtesy, ethics, acceptable behavior or other character building habits you won't know any other way to act.
If you read through the reviews on the RV Park Review websites you'll see reviews from parents of young children complaining about how their children were treated at RV Parks. One that sticks out in my mind was a parent that complained that the park security made their kids stop riding scooters in the park, the parent went on to write that the park has signs posted "No Scooter or Skateboard Riding", but the parent felt her kids were being unfairly treated since they were there to have fun for the weekend. Another person complained that they were told they would have to be quiet because it was past the noise curfew for the resort (10PM). The person complaining felt that the rule should not apply on Friday and Saturday nights for people staying in the park just for the weekend.
How quickly we forget. Has anyone here seem any US "scum bags" doing the exact same things?
On this one, I have to agree with Bill in that we already have the destruction in America. Just look at the last couple of years with both winners and losers in major sporting events. They seem to riot regardless of whether they win or lose.
Plus, lately there has been significant uprising by the youth in attacking other people. I feel that the latest generations have been raised with the wrong values and some without the right role models. It doesn't help that the current economy and the joblessness, especially among the youth (both in Britain and America), leads them to either strike out or turn to crime for their living.
Not that I'm saying that the lack of jobs is an excuse. It just seems to be an outcome.
Terry
I wonder if this group feel jobs are owed them. Are they just opportunists who see a change to loot and pillage? Are parents and governments promising too much? Are they encouraging or establishing an un-redeemable myth? Are we handing too many cards, race cards, religion cards, kids-will-be kids cards along with the credit cards? It's very complicated, n'est-pas? We need to perhaps establish a different conversation with the young and listen to them and tell them the truth. Change is inevitable in this world and there's no "there" there unless we work for it.
NorCal hit it on the head. As for 53Mercs comments, he is entitled to his opinion.
There is a group out of Texas called Texas Boomers. Their story is quiet interesting (click here) and fits the description 53Merc mentioned.
So far, we have only encountered the friendly folkes who take pride and care of their site.
Interesting story about the "Texas Boomers," but I wish they would have mentioned the RV park that blamed them for the messes. There are some of us that would willingly avoid such places in favor of friendly sites. That is what I like about Howard and Linda's "Campground" category in the forums. Not only can we research for good places to stay, we can leave our own reviews related to specific places.
In that light, while we were only there for a few days at a rally, the Coachlight campground is a nice RV park associated with a RV dealership south of Carthage, Missouri. That has also been the only RV park we've been in since we got our Mobile Suites. Prior to that, we've pretty much stayed in national forest campgrounds.
Terry
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Scottiegirl! You have written what I have been thinking for a long time, but was not able to put in such an articulate way.
Ive seen it all, and its a shame. I also own an rv park, but I think its people as a whole in this country. Sense of entitlement.
Brian,
You might mention your RV park in the "biography" section of your profile, and if you have a website, you might put that as a part of your signature in the forums. That way, we know whom to patronize if we are ever in Connecticut.
Oh, and welcome to the forums.
Terry
I blame it on TV and video games
Uh huh. . .
TV and video games certainly play into this lack of social skills. So does air conditioning, computers, smart phones, texting.... As we become more technologically advanced, the less we interact with each other. Therefor the more self centered we become. Look at how many kids and adults you see playing video games or texting on smart phones instead of actually socializing with each other.
I once read that it all started with air conditioning. With the advent of AC people no longer sat outside to cool off so the ability to socialize started to decline. Fast forward 40 -50 years and think about how all of our technology now allows us to sit in air conditioned homes or RV's and be entertained or communicate without even seeing or talking to other people. Also look how quickly people now retreat into their air conditioned RV rather than sit under the awning or a shade tree and actually socialize with others.
Maybe it is just a case of spending more time outside with other people and teaching the next generations the fun of interacting with other people instead of being so dependent on technology and independent of other people. Ever notice how naturally social a young child is before they discover all of the technology around them???
-- Edited by RickandJanice on Saturday 20th of August 2011 08:23:04 AM
Rick and Janice,
Darn good points!!!
Now, if Oklahoma City would just cool down enough that I could stand more than being shirtless and in shorts, I'd go outside.
There is that horrible mental image again. Sorry.....
Terry
I don't think this is a "this generation" problem but a "whole society" problem. Yes the younguns are terrible and the electronics don't help but....
I've also had 50, 60, 70 yr old men not hold the door for me (44 yr old female) and when I hold the door for grandma & grandpa I don't get a polite "thank you"! tisk, tisk! This has happened many times at restaurants and of all places Camping World (gasp!). It's unfortunate what we have become... :(
She says, "Yes, freedom is the most important thing in the world to me ... after I've eaten."
My grandparents grew veggies in a victory garden when the work was scarce during the war...and I once knew a German girl who traded a silver tea service for one egg to share with her family. And a friend from England whose favorite movie is 84 Charing Cross Road, because, like in the movie, her grandparents received food through another country, sent by an American GI who they had housed in London. She told me the kids fought over who got to lick the little tins of meat once they were empty.
Sorry, I'm just musing, trying to get a handle on all the events going on and how our youth will all stay free and fed in a world that's apparently becoming rather insane.
Didn't mean to get off topic, so I'll go now.
Also believe country folk teach their children better because of the lack of technology and the tradition of common courtesy is handed down.
THE WIFE and I experienced it twice on this one trip abt 900 miles to Indiana.
CCC