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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, July 16, 2010

Campground etiquette

I’ve read lots of blogs where fulltimers complain about weekend warriors with their noisy dogs and children and music and campfire smoke.  Now, dogs left to bark incessantly do get on my last nerve, but I can put up with some of those other things for two days.  Having spent many summers as a campground host, I’ve pretty much seen it all.

Today was a corker for me, though.  The way this campground is set up, every two sites share a LARGE yard out their passenger side doors.  This means that the driver’s side of each site is pretty close to the neighbor on that side.  I’ve been here almost six weeks now, and have had excellent neighbors the entire time.

When my neighbor on my driver’s side left today, it was only about a half hour before the next motorhome moved in.  I need to preface this by stating that I have a site where you drive in face first.  So, I set up my satellite DISH at the rear of my motorhome.  Not one person in five weeks has interfered with that setup.  The new motorhome backed into the site and the husband was happy with the job.  Not the wife, however.  She decided he needed to move their motorhome forward about ten feet.  Why, I don’t know.  There is no one in back of them.  The husband pointed out that this would totally block my dish.  Her answer…”So what!  She can move it!”  She’s obviously the boss there, so move it he did, and yes, I had to move the dish.
Of course, she had a roof mounted automatic dome, and obviously doesn’t understand the challenge involved in moving mine.  It took me close to two hours to find another spot where I could get a signal.  Shame on me, but as I was sweating away moving the cement blocks and trying to level the dish, my imagination was putting a layer of sharp nails under their tires.  :(

After they set up with all that extra room behind their rig, they jumped into their toad to head out.  Instead of following the camp roads, they cut right across over the grass through the yard of the two rigs across from us.  I couldn’t believe it.  Where did these people come from?  I hesitate to say…California.  (sorry Merikay)  My guess is they are not fulltimers, as they don’t even have the proper screw in thingy for the dump hose.
 
OMG!  I just looked out my front window, and this same guy has brought his dog into my yard to do his business.  Ugh!  Okay, so now I’m glad they’re only staying two nights.  Emily Post, send them a long message!

I’m having to remind myself that this too will pass.  :) 

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy

13 comments:

  1. You have much more patience than I, I would probably have already had a conversation with them, even though that might mean that there is cold front settling over our spots for their stay. Either that or started playing my "gregorian chants" at loud volume to help them with their decision to move on.

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  2. You are more patient than me. It's not just campground etiquette, but plain old common courtesy. It seems that all they feel is "it's all about them". Sorry for your inconvenience and frustrations. Remember, they will be going back to work and you will still be there to enjoy God's beauty around. Yes, this too shall pass. Take care!
    Mike & Gerri

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  3. I was just beginning to feel sorry for the guy until the last bit. Hopefully he picked it up, if not I might have done it for him (in a bag of course)and maybe put it at his door step. ?????

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  4. It is for that very reason we cannot stay in campgrounds. Neither Kelly or I have the patience or tolerance for ignorant self centered people. I do not handle those kind's of situations well because I have a quick temper & things can get out of hand pretty quick. Good for you in handling the situation responsibly.

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  5. Judy I don't know why some people have to be so obnoxious. We see stuff like that going on from time to time also and cannot figure out what gets into folks to make them behave so poorly. We're pretty easy going folks, as you appear to be, but what you observed today may have put me over the edge!

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  6. I'm seeing the same things on the east coast.

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  7. I am sorry to say there seem to be a lot of people who are without the basic social graces or concern about those around them. It is, I fear, a symptom of a larger problem in this country that is only getting worse.

    Congrats on the self control to not return fire!

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  8. OMG Judy that's terrible. Some people just don't care about anyone but themselves. Sorry to hear they are from our state we aren't all that way.

    Hopefully it will be a short weekend and they will be on to their next spot.

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  9. It isn't just weekend campers who display this type of ignorance - I've seen a few fulltimers do it too and act like they own the place. Idiots cross all boundaries and seem to be found everywhere. I'm afraid I wouldn't be acting as tolerant as you though.

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  10. Uh uh! Time for a little payback ;) Time to train Emma to poop on cue. Just kidding!

    Nellie
    http://midlifecruiser.blogspot.com

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  11. I'm perplexed. Why are some people so self-absorbed like that? I bet the two of them would have blasted anyone else who displayed such boorish attitudes! You were more patient that I would have been.

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  12. It is the whole "anonymity thing/we'll never see them again attitude" with campgrounds, similar to the way that people will blast each other on the 'net when they wouldn't dare do it in face-to-face. (Good discussion of that topic over at RV-Dreams, BTW.) People are unbelievable at times...

    I agree with Nellie... my gut reaction was to allow Emma to "reciprocate in kind"!! Susan didn't have a bad idea either! :-)

    Hope the time passes quickly...

    Kerri in AL :-)

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