I have a theory that explains the phenomena--it is called the A..hole Magnet Paradigm. Some of us are and some of are not, and some of us are only under certain circumstances.
I am a magnet in movies and in restaurants but rarely in campgrounds. Sounds like the OP has the unfortunate attraction when camping.
That's my only explanation and it works for me. I have learned to accept my plight.
I was actually at a Walmart a few days ago, and had stepped out to try some starter fluid on my air intake (dead fuel pump, sad tale, sadder wallet). I've got my head up under the hood, and this guy pulls up towing a boat. He walks up behind me, which makes me jump and bang my head, and asks me to watch his stuff, since it looks like I'll be there a while. Does NOT offer to help. At all. Actually SAYS that's why he and his buddy parked next me - so they could both go in for "15 minutes". @#$@#!!!! I did NOT agree to watch his stuff. I merely opined that no one could get it without my noticing (not that I'd have been too helpful if they did!)
About a half hour later, dude comes out and I tell him he's gonna spray the starter fluid while I crank it. He looks at me like I'm imposing on him on something?! I just said, "Yeah. Now it's your turn to do something for me." He did it, but sheesh! You believe this idiot? He didn't know me from Eve. I could've taken his stuff and been long gone, for all he knew. Good thing he did what I said, too, or the B-gene would have kicked into overdrive and he'd have regretted ever imagining taking a day away from the spousal unit was gonna save him from some major verbiage he didn't wanna be hearing. Humph! Mess with a woman who's raised teenagers? Ohhh, I just don't THINK so!
So this is my conclusion: Many, many people are incredibly stupid. And obnoxious. And there's absolutely nothing you can do to change that. It's either that, or I'm donkeybutt magnet. This fool could've been a good Joe (or a Good Sam), but he wasn't. They tread on your time and your space because they find it convenient, and it's all about them. You are an object. A human appliance conveniently located. All the 'nice' in the world will not endow them with a brain or a soul. All you can really do is give as good as you get whenever you encounter them. Not so much exacting revenge as...charging a toll. In...bagpipes. Or accordions, or whatever. Requiring a fair exchange for the use of your time and attention, as it were.
LOL, and you thought it was about the camping experience. HAH! Silly person!
sharker6 wrote: Try taking down that FREE BEER sign.
No, you take the FREE BEER sign and put it way down on the other end with another sign ...FOR THIS SITE ONLY.
ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
When my wife and I decided to buy the car of my dreams a couple of years ago (an 06 Mustang GT Roush) we just never parked it in public parking lots. Well, one week I was having some work done on the Pick-em-up-truck, and we hadn't bought the Hyundai yet. So we went grocery shopping in the Mustang. We parked it clear out in the back forty of the parking lot. There wasn't a car within 100 yards of the Stang. When we came out my heart sank. There was a Suburban, and an old piece of junk caddy parked on either side of the Mustang. And low and behold two door dings. My brain almost popped out of my head. My wife almost had to tie me up to keep me from baseball batting both rigs. And believe you me, I keep a baseball bat in my rigs here in Las Vegas.
As far as camping, I love and do boondock most of the time. I feel cramped in organized campgrounds.
06 F-150 Lariat 4X4, 5.4, 3.73 rear. Reese WD, and sway. Pulling,
06 Pioneer, 180CK, with air.
Serena wrote: I'd go with the herding theory. (And I like the boom box play!)
We don't have to be extroverts ourselves to know that they exist and that they really and truly just don't get it - and probably never will. Get the boom box! I have also found through various testing that:
George Jones works wonders on speed freaks, rockers, and various other cityfolk
Gregorian Chant freaks out hispanic guys when they're drunk enough
Disco also works on rockers
Ride of the Valyrie at top volume works on just about anybody.
Particularly explicit rap might work on people with kids, but I haven't ever tested that one... Just think - you may be only a WM trip and a couple of downloads from world peace!
I'll see you George Jones & disco & raise you Meat Loaf, Billy Joel, and a bunch of 80's stuff. Liz will chip in with Madonna and Miami Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan).
If you really tweak me, I'll crank up Brian Setzer's collection of oddball classical remakes.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
Mr. October wrote: You could do what has worked on me in at least one campsite and a couple other non-camping places as well. Go over and launch into a non-stop lecture about how wonderful your life has been since you accepted Jesus as your lord and savior and why they should too. Don't stop. Keep talking. Sooner or later they won't be able to pack up fast enough.
I don't mean to offend any of our more zealous brethren but religion is a personal thing and it oughta stay that way!
That would make my wife happy...because she would spend about an hour debating you (she enjoys it greatly) getting you to tear your hair out (assumming, of course, you have hair).
smokestone52 wrote: When my wife and I decided to buy the car of my dreams a couple of years ago (an 06 Mustang GT Roush) we just never parked it in public parking lots. Well, one week I was having some work done on the Pick-em-up-truck, and we hadn't bought the Hyundai yet. So we went grocery shopping in the Mustang. We parked it clear out in the back forty of the parking lot. There wasn't a car within 100 yards of the Stang. When we came out my heart sank. There was a Suburban, and an old piece of junk caddy parked on either side of the Mustang. And low and behold two door dings. My brain almost popped out of my head. My wife almost had to tie me up to keep me from baseball batting both rigs. And believe you me, I keep a baseball bat in my rigs here in Las Vegas.
As far as camping, I love and do boondock most of the time. I feel cramped in organized campgrounds.
When parking my "nice" vehicles (Caddy, Magnum) in crowded lots, I try to park next to things like your Roush. Why? They won't door-ding ME! Despite the Cad's 6' doors, I don't hit cars.
smokestone52 wrote: When my wife and I decided to buy the car of my dreams a couple of years ago (an 06 Mustang GT Roush) we just never parked it in public parking lots. Well, one week I was having some work done on the Pick-em-up-truck, and we hadn't bought the Hyundai yet. So we went grocery shopping in the Mustang. We parked it clear out in the back forty of the parking lot. There wasn't a car within 100 yards of the Stang. When we came out my heart sank. There was a Suburban, and an old piece of junk caddy parked on either side of the Mustang. And low and behold two door dings. My brain almost popped out of my head. My wife almost had to tie me up to keep me from baseball batting both rigs. And believe you me, I keep a baseball bat in my rigs here in Las Vegas.
Ouch. Man, something about a nice car that just attracts them. Used to have the same problem with a Saab 9-2x I used to own. That car attracted more door dings in the two years I owned it than all the rest of the cars I've owned in my entire life combined.
Didn't matter where I parked. If it was paved, it was unsafe. Rusty land yachts with huge doors and oblivious drivers just flocked to it
And it wasn't even as nice a car as your Roush. My stress level went WAY down when I switched to my truck, where a few door dings wouldn't bother me. Not so coincidentally, i haven't had a ding since... figures.
Jason, Angie, and our toddler, Sean Patrick
2008 Ameri-Lite 27BH
2007 Dodge 1500 QC Laramie, 5.7Hemi, 3.92
Equalizer hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
Herding Instinct ? Try this on for size. Next time instead of choosing the camping site that is nice and shady with the glorious view of the lake at sunset, try the camping site on the other side of the lake that is kind of swampy with no shade and lots of mosquitoes. Then come back and tell me about the herding instinct.
wing zealot - that is what I was thinking too - if one parks in the best spot one can expect company. What I do not understand is the "special event parking lot" mentality at the registration desks where they assign the sites all jambed up together when there is plenty of space to spread out a bit.
Recently, we awoke to find the CG owner helping a TT park next to our MH. The TT was parked at an angle with it's rear no more than 3 feet from our door. It was only for 3 days, so I just introduced myself, met their little ones and actually enjoyed watching hearing all the goings on of the young family. It was so nice to see parents playing with their kids and each other. They were noisy, but that is what play time is all about. They were much better neighbors than the folks parked farther away with blaring music, barking dogs and shrieking drinking parties.
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Liz will chip in with Madonna and Miami Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan).
