As full-time RVers we typically have at most a few weeks and more frequently a few days to meet our neighbors. Wait a day and that neighbor with the interesting yard ornament may be packing to leave. To make mere acquaintances an RVer must be intentionally aggressive.
David Brooks wrote a longer article on the level of effort needed to maintain friendships and cited an acquaintance to practices aggressive friendship. This acquaintance of his invests many hours organizing events and inviting friends to her home. People who are settled have time to make elaborate plans for social events and meals together. This led me to ask what Aggressive Friend Making would look like for RVers.
In August of 2020 as we arrived at a campground our new neighbor called out to us: “Happy Hour is 4 o’clock. Stop by.” That is Aggressive Friend Making. Over the next few days we had several very helpful conversations with them. I look forward to chatting with them again, should our paths cross.
If you saw a sign to prop against the front of our trailer reading: “4 PM today. BYO … Beverage / Bongos / Banjo / Bucket / Ball / Basket / Banana / Bag chair / Berries / Bow / Box / Buns / …” Would you stop by and chat? Comment below as to might you bring?
Once people begin arriving I would provide a conversation starter. Perhaps: “About 1 out of 300 Americans travel frequently in an RV. What makes you 1 in a million? What special talent or experience do you have?” For more conversation starters see Connections.
Comments
One response to “Aggressive Friend Making”
When our children were small we camped throughout the summer. One daughter would bring a new friend to our site before we were completely set up! She was the ultimate in aggressive friend making and knew that her time to play with this person was very limited. We admired her for getting control of her situation!