When you’re on the road, you have a whole bunch of possibilities ahead of you, including meeting interesting people. And when you share a common love of the RV lifestyle with them, it becomes easier to form bonds and develop new friendships.
It’s a great way to make your trip even more fun. You can swap travel tips, gain new members for your hikes or tourist excursions, and share your favorite camper stories over a meal or bonfire.
At RVs and Boats For Less, we know that some of us worry about making friends when we’re past a certain age, but it is easier than you think to form new friendships while traveling. To help you out with that, we have listed some tips to help you turn strangers into friends. If you haven’t yet found that perfect RV, visit us at our dealership in Chubbuck, ID. If you’re looking for RVs for sale near Idaho Falls and Pocatello, get in touch with our sales department today!
How to Meet New People
To make fun travel buddies, you first have to meet people! You’ll find fellow RV enthusiasts even in remote corners of the country, so try the following strategies to facilitate new friendships:
Use an Inviting Conversation Starter
The “Hi! My name is _____. What’s your name?” intro has been done to death, so skip it as a first move. There are more natural conversation starters that help things unfold more smoothly. You can offer someone a cup of coffee or some other drink. If you wear a shirt with your hobby or interest displayed on it, a fellow fanatic might strike up a conversation with you. These strategies help facilitate a conversation that doesn’t feel forced.
Spend More Time Outside
So you chose the RV lifestyle because you like it and like to spend time in your camper. But if you spend all your time inside your RV at a secluded spot, you’re not likely to increase your social circle. When you sit near your RV out in the open, you’re sending people a message that you’re open to chatting. If you want to be more welcoming, you can set out extra chairs for others to sit on. Some people even make a sign with an explicit invitation to join the bonfire or discussion.
Join a Group
There are many groups that help facilitate connections between camping enthusiasts. These groups help you to meet fellow RVers, exchange tips and advice, attend RV events and even get discounts through partner organizations for RV-related supplies. You’ll find large organized groups like Escapees, as well as more informal groups made by your average traveler through Meetup. Check out both styles to see which fits your needs better.
Try Social Media
There are plenty of platforms, like Reddit and Facebook, that allow you to chat with and befriend fellow travelers. On other social media sites, like Instagram, you can search for hashtags to find those who like camping at the same sites or taking the same routes as you. You can send them a polite direct message about wanting to get to know them and see what happens.
Keeping up the Momentum
Once you start to meet interesting people, you have to put in a little effort to keep up the momentum. Otherwise, you might find your friendship doesn’t last beyond one or two conversations. You can invite them for a meal or ask them to join you for a hike. Share your itinerary and see if any of your tourist destinations pique their interest. Create a plan for spending time together to build that relationship. Making memories together is a great way to fast-track a friendship.
Staying in Touch
Now that you’ve met someone fun and have made some fond memories together, what next?
Eventually, the time will come for the both of you to part ways. Sometimes travel buddies are one-time pals, but there are others you’ll want to keep in touch with for a long time. You can swap campsite suggestions, give each other RV upkeep tips, or even plan a vacation together! But you’ll need some method of communication to do this.
There are a few different approaches you can take. Hand them your business card with your personal contact information on it (even better if it has a photo of your face on it). Or you can add them on your social media accounts. Or there’s the tried-and-true exchanging of emails or phone numbers. Find a method that works for you both and look forward to friendship, whether you are communicating online or at the campsite of the next vacation you share!
If you’re still looking for that perfect RV for you and your family, visit RVs and Boats For Less in Chubbuck, ID and we’ll give you a tour of our campers for sale. We also offer parts, service, and maintenance options for your RV so let us whip it into shape for you before you head out on your next trip! We welcome all our friends from Idaho Falls and Pocatello!
