Campground Discrimination
(David L. writes...)
I have noticed on more than one occasion the listing of jobs in this news bulletin to be discriminative in nature. I hope this is not a trend among the full time RV community. I don't feel it is proper or good for the community to put another down for not owning the newest and most expensive rig available.
It truly isn't about keeping up with the Jone; it's about the great outdoors and the meeting of new people in new places.
We take something that is supposed to family oriented and turn it into a game of who can and who can't. Look at Nascar, not even the average person today can afford to buy tickets. I certainly hope this is not a direction that full time RVing is taking. Thanks for listening.
Coleen, the working while RVing editor replies:
Hi David,
I fully understand what you are saying, about how you would like it to be about the great outdoors, new places, and new people. The reality of it is, it isn't like that.
There is discrimination in the RVing community, just as there is everywhere else. The type of rig. The brand of rig. The age of the rig. Or, the age of the RVer! Then, there are those based on whether or not a person wears clothes. All sorts of discrimination, yes.
Back when Bob and I started full-timing, we were both only in our early 30s. Talk about discrimination! Yowzers! We were looked at as very suspect. Many older RVers treated us like we had no right to be
full-timers (and enjoying it!) because we had not put in enough years suffering at jobs we hated.
On a cheerier note, there are lots of campgrounds and RV parks. You get choose to stay and play -- and work -- someplace where they want you.
I don't mean to be glib. It's just that campground discrimination isn't anything new. It isn't a trend; it is how it has always been.
Birds of a feather flock together. That saying goes back a long ways. It's true. One of the most popular RV clubs, the Escapees, has "Birds of a Feather" (BOF) groups because they realize many people like RVing with those who share a common interest.
The common interest some RVers have with one another is their particular style or brand of RV. Some RV parks cater to that group. If you are excluded because you don't have what they have, you may feel discriminated against. However, I suspect they feel they are just a bunch of like minded RVers wanting to be together.
At most RV parks you'll find a wide mix of RVs. It's pretty common to find an older pickup camper or travel trailer parked next to a high-end motorcoach. There are plenty of RV parks and RVers who welcome those of us with older and/or less expensive units. So, while there is (and has always been) discrimination among RVers, it need not stop you from enjoying the RVing lifestyle.
Enjoy your RV travels -- whatever your RV may be.
Go to the Workers On Wheels Work for RVers and Campers blog.