Talking To Strangers!

Howdy stranger!! Michael

"Her sister is the opposite makes conversation with anyone and won't shut up"

Are you sure she's not related to you Axle, LOL

Regards

Hi Axle,
I find that some people are a little reserved and don't like to talk first so I always say "Gidday, how long have you been on the road", or whatever.

If people do not want to engage in a conversation you get the abreviated answer otherwise they will give it to you chapter by chapter and go back over it if more detail is required as they go along. It depends on your responses. Mostly people like to yak, just like me.

Someone has to make the first move anyway so why not me, or you.

I guess in reality, if they did not want to talk they would still be at home hidden behind their front door, not out there mixing it with others.

Cheers, Bruce.

Hi Axle

There is an old saying, "Strangers are friends that we haven't meet"

I personally like to have a chat to people, find out where they're from, where they're going, where they've been etc. Get ideas for my next trip away. People can be really interesting and you can learn a lot from talking to "strangers". But not everyone is like that and you just have to be able to read people and know whether or not they're up for it or not. One thing that annoys me though is people constantly coming into your camp and talk talk talking! SPACE - that's why we're camping in the first place. But we have the kids with us (now 6 & 4) so they are social butterflies and talk to EVERYONE -lol!!!!!!!!! (whether they want to chat or not!) So watch out if you meet us out there - we're the ones with the noisy kids that will answer all the questions you didn't ask! :)

We travel with a parrot who knows no bounds. Percy (We now think he's a she) gets out of the ute and wanders off to talk to anyone she can find. So in no time at all no one's a stranger and it's all good. Instant friends; First names exchanged and short first visits.

Pretty much the same here Axle. I will chat but hold back on any personal details. My wife is the quiet one anyway. She will chat but is very reserved.

We also tend to stay clear of crowds and caravan parks so we usually only get to chat with free camping or remote area travellers. Those like us anyway. Always enjoy a chat with the bar staff and locals at the pubs and roadhouses on the way though.

Phil

I have been christened Broodie have a chat, because I like to now who is around me and I have met a lot of very nice people in our travels, where as tloml finds it difficult to meet people, according to her. The only reason to travel is to experience the great outdoors, and meet new people, and share experiences, and get new ideas. It also expands my limited knowledge in to new areas. Happy travels to all you travellers, travel safe and enjoy the conversation.
Broodie H3

Excellent topic Axle, though I think the "dont talk to strangers" advice seems more applicable among urban folk and perhaps younger people. People from rural backgrounds seem more adept at sussing people out and being friendly.

I agree with just about everything that has been said so far. When you stop anywhere on your travels - bush camp, caravan park, local tourist attraction etc there is always a chance to say "G,day" followed up with any number of questions like, which way have you come, what is the road like, any good camps and so on. Usually the conversation just flows from there - provided that you listen to what the OP is saying and avoid the temptation to talk too much about yourself. You can learn a lot about great places to camp, things to see and so on just by talking to people as you go along.

We have met some wonderful people on our travels and that does enrich the whole experience. We have only met a very few people who are actually unpleasant or who rebuff a conversation. Though we do find it harder to meet people in caravan parks than in more informal camps. And I do agree that (for some reason that I dont understand) often its the women who seem to hold back a bit and let the men do the talking.

Troopy when set up for camping looks a bit different and has proved to be a great way of meeting people - often other Troopy owners who come up and ask the have a look at our rig - and of course we are only too happy to show off!

We carry our own travel cards (with contact details) that we can give to people that we get to know a bit and with whom we may wish to stay in touch.

Cheers,

Val

My mother is like that. She'll bump into someone and within 15 minutes have their whole life story down pat and somehow worked out 3 degrees (or less) separation with someone she knows.

She'll head off to the laundry in some remote & un-named Caravan Park, or a bank, or a store, and within 10 minutes be back with the line ..." I just bumped into someone who knows or is related to so-and-so.... or used to live at x and knew so-and-so "

Or quite frequently in the middle of nowhere bump into someone she knows. Does it un-erringly ...

One of the things we look forward to when free camping is who we will meet and get to say g'day to when stop at the end of the day. All sorts of stories and people with the same interest. Just love it.

Cheers,
PeteS

Pulled into free camp area, near Euston,one day, about 15 vans there. Went to toilet got talking to a person fron Pt Lincoln. Said I worked there as a meat inspector in the mid 70s. He replied that the van next to him used to be a meat inspector. Turned out it was someone I'd worked with in the 70s.

Wayne