How to Deal with Bad Campsite Neighbors
Ahhh, if only all bad neighbors could look like Zac Efron, at least then you’d have eye candy while being annoyed. Some campsite compadres are just downright terrible, happily content in ruining the vibe for everyone in their radius. If it’s not noise it’s mess, or loud pets, or unruly children. Usually, these result from ignorance rather than ill-intent, only sometimes does it come from people being just that narcissistic.
In either case, you might just have to suck it up and deal. But there are a few ways you can improve your situation (some sneakier than others).
First, let me be clear: Manipulation is a Bad Thing. But even bad things can be used for the greater good. In this case: kill ‘em with kindness.
You can also call it “catching more flies with honey than vinegar” or making people feel important to gain their attention or aid. Basically, if you go at interactions with bad neighbors with a positive, kind mindset you’re more likely to have that reflected back in turn. Going in aggressive off the bat just escalate the situation.
On that note (ha, music pun) noisy neighbors.
It’s the most common complaint to have. Music, loud conversations, maybe even a movie going too late into the night. Pre-quiet hours, be patient. Let them have their fun just as you can have yours. If you need to have a midday nap, invest in some noise-canceling earbuds or earplugs.
After hours is where you approach strategy. One common way is flashing your exterior lights or an interior light they can see through a window a few times. This is a generally understood signal for “too loud, please be quiet.”
If that doesn’t work, a conversation may need to happen. First, ask nicely. The trick is to acknowledge how they may feel about this request, “Hey, I know you’re having a good time and I’m not trying to be a buzzkill…” and then explain why you’re making the request, “but my family is trying to go to sleep, we’re getting up early for a hike. Would you mind bringing the noise down?”
A calm, pleasant approach can help you deal with a lot of problems, from noise, to lights, or even others’ stuff encroaching your site.
Unfortunately, there are always going to be the few who either don’t care or are too inebriated to consider listening. This is where you have the hail mary: snitching.
Call the campground manager and make a noise complaint. There are protocols in place for this.
Next possibility: inattentive pet owners and parents.
Spawn of the four or two-legged kind may be running around, even through, your campsite. Touching your things, approaching your pets, and so forth. Dogs can be unattended (unchained to chained for too long), left without food, water, or shade. Most commonly, not being picked up after.
Kids can be tricky; sometimes you can just talk to them directly and say “Hey guys, this isn’t your campsite, you’re gonna have to stick to your own.” (remember politeness). They usually don’t know better and will be spooked (for lack of a better word) and steer clear.
If the kids don’t listen you can go to the parents and use a similar strategy to noise: “Hi, I ‘m really glad your kids seem to be having a good time. But could you please ask them not to run through my campsite. They’re just having fun, but it’s a bit disruptive for us.”
In many of these cases, it can be best to let the camp manager handle actively and repeatedly disrespectful children or pets and their parents. There’s no easy way to tell someone they’re being bad parents or pet owners, so admonishments like this are taken more seriously from a person of authority. They can refer to camp rules and regulations rather than having a “nosy” neighbor tell them off.
Finally, possibility three they’re just evil.
Okay so your neighbors are just plain awful and you’ve tried everything possible to make it better. But they’re refusing to be considerate. You’re probably frothing at the mouth mad and ready to get petty and sink to their level. Let me tell you: it’s still not worth it.
Sometimes the high road has to be your only choice. They’re out of your control, so take hold of what you can. Talk to the camp manager and see if there are any sites further away from your bad neighbors. If not, ask the camp manager to make arrangements for you at another campground
If you remain calm and peaceful and don’t start throwing around threats or yelling, they will likely help you as much as they can (particularly if you’ve already politely asked them a time or two to talk to said neighbors, they’ll definitely understand). The best thing for you can be to just move along.
And as soon as you get that space, take a few deep breaths and do your best to let go of any anger or resentment. Don’t let bad neighbors ruin your vacation. They don’t care so they aren’t worth your frustration.
How do you deal with bad neighbors, do you have any stories you’d like to share? Let us know!