Pondering the Psychology of Campers
Today, I find myself gazing out at the rain, not from my motorhome, but from my study, where I'm editing a video about Lake Bled. Memories return of basking in warm sunshine while riding my mountain bike through forest trails, the lush canopy overhead trapping the heat, and creating a desire in me for a Slovenian beer as a reward at the earliest opportunity.
I recall finding a bar on top of a mountain and being served a Czech beer from Prague, (Staropramen), and I sipped it gratefully. It led me to ponder questions like why we all enjoy camping so much. I've thought about this quite a bit, including this morning while I procrastinate over what will interest viewers on our YouTube channel.
Camping has been a part of my life from an early age, and reasons like escaping to the countryside were used by my father to explain why he liked camping. I camped a lot as a boy and young man, both through school and the Scouting Movement. My greatest achievement was walking the Pennine Way, a renowned 268-mile footpath through England's Pennine Hills, offering diverse landscapes and stunning views. It begins in Edale, England's Peak District, and ends at Kirk Yetholm, on the Scottish border. Hikers navigate moorlands, meadows, and remote wilderness on this iconic long-distance trail.
Escaping plays a major role in motivating us to go camping, and the fact that we now do it in a motorhome is an indication of where we are in life. As we have grown older and, dare I say, more affluent, we have transitioned from canvas to caravans and now to motorhomes, but to us, it's all camping.
Escaping is also a trait often associated with introverted personalities. This leads me to wonder if we are all introverts. I have a strong interest in human psychology and why we behave the way we do, although I'm not an expert, and my thoughts should be seen as musings about life at best or, at at worst, a welcome distraction from the heavy rain.
It's too simplistic to suggest that this is a binary equation of course . People exist on a gradual scale from introvert to extrovert, and to claim that all campers are introverts is nonsensical.
Introverts tend to seek peace and quiet, prefer small groups over large ones, and value their own space. Most campsite complaints can be summarised as noise complaints, invasions of pitches by children, adults, or even animals. Recently observed noise complaints included snoring from the van next door, generators, sliding van doors, laughter after the watershed, and early risers.
Does this mean that if the Caravan and Motorhome Club banned introverts, all complaints would end? I suspect not; in any case, if my observations are correct, membership would likely collapse. Whether introverts or extroverts are more likely to break rules is not solely determined by their personality type of course .
Introverts are usually good at problem-solving, as seen in the ingenious solutions offered on forums in support of requests for help. Extroverts are present to of course , often offering humour or suggesting people google their questions or read the manual, which, while not always helpful, can be satisfying to the extrovert.
When it comes to campsite hobbies, introverts may read, listen to music, or podcasts (with earphones, of course), while extroverts may opt for an organised walk, a bike ride, or a game of boule. This doesn't apply universally of course , there are many exceptions to this rule.
Can the introvert/extrovert scale be related to choices of vehicles? Are Auto Sleeper Owners more likely to be introverts than owners of Overlanders with their massive presence announced wherever they go? Who knows.
As for me, I used to have regular psychometric tests and saw myself transition from a moderate extrovert to a moderate introvert. This could be due to the effects of aging as more wisdom descends or a more demanding environment where every word and aspect of body language mattered, or perhaps both.
However, I do enjoy my own company, smaller groups of people, books, escapism, writing in my journal, and photography. While I accept noise associated with people enjoying themselves, I do value peace. I don't like too many rules, as I believe they restrict freedom, so perhaps there is some extrovert still lurking within me, waiting to be awoken at some point.
I hope you enjoyed this musing of a displaced camper on a rainy day and hope you find the sunshine wherever you are.
Helen and Martin
