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AIBU?

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Original poster

Walked between caravans

347 replies

Tevion28 · 05/09/2021 01:09

Hi currently staying on in my friends holiday home and me and dp wanted to walk down to the river and took a quick route between 2 caravans and a lady came out and shouted very aggressivly do not walk between the caravans and slammed her door shut so was we in the wrong.

OP posts:
Bebeby · 05/09/2021 08:01

I have never heard of this in all the years we have rented vans. We used to play hide and seek amongst them as children.These were site rented static vans so people walked between them as I recall if you were on a route to the site shop e.g. However if the vans are private tourers on a rented pitch with the owners sitting outside then I would walk around. If there was no furniture there or no one outside or the occupants were out for the day I would feel permitted to walk between unless the site had a written rule against it.
If it is empty grass how are you supposed to guess this is an unwritten rule?

lolaspinola · 05/09/2021 08:01

Just ignore! It’s not their garden and they don’t own i
The grass.

Oblomov21 · 05/09/2021 08:01

I agree with Whing and believe it's not just an unspoken rule that you may claim you don't know about, I actually think it's basic good manners and common sense.
You walked between 2 static caravans? It's abundantly clear it's not a designated pathway. You walked between 2 houses. It's quite narrow though isn't it. Did you and your husband walk side by side, chatting? You presumably walked past one of her windows?

No. Take a step back and think about this again. Of course it's not ok.

crossstitchingnana · 05/09/2021 08:03

Sounds like she was really rude, however it is rude to cut through. I camp and hate people that walk through my pitch, especially as it starts my dog off.

SueSaid · 05/09/2021 08:04

'It just reminds me of people who buy a house without a drive and then claim the space on the road in front of it as their parking space'

Exactly.

If they own the whole plot and are fussy then stick a tacky picket fence up. If not accept people will walk where they like on a caravan site.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 05/09/2021 08:13

In my experience "unwritten rules" in any sphere of life are usually made up by "regulars" who like to use them as a means of belittling those who are new/infrequent. Its a way of unconsciously policing any clique. Don't know the "rules"? Can't be job our gang then.

If it's not written down, showing on signs around the site, or included in the site rules you are given on arrival, it's not a thing, whether the regulars would like it to be or not.

lannistunut · 05/09/2021 08:17

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

In my experience "unwritten rules" in any sphere of life are usually made up by "regulars" who like to use them as a means of belittling those who are new/infrequent. Its a way of unconsciously policing any clique. Don't know the "rules"? Can't be job our gang then.

If it's not written down, showing on signs around the site, or included in the site rules you are given on arrival, it's not a thing, whether the regulars would like it to be or not.

No, this is not correct.

All societies and sub-groups function on unwritten rules. The classic example is queueing. There is no law or written rule.

Society would rapidly fall apart if the majority stopped following unwritten rules.

Walkingthedog46 · 05/09/2021 08:18

Honestly - how many non-caravaners would know this? Does the same ‘rule apply to not walking between pitched tents on a camp site? Genuine question.

itsgettingwierd · 05/09/2021 08:19

Ok - the way she shouted was great.

However I do wonder if she's asked people nicely over and over and they don't respond because she's just requesting politely.

If May be she's learnt a large population of people only respond to shouting and it's now her default?

Doesn't make it right but just walk round now you know!

itsgettingwierd · 05/09/2021 08:20

Wasn't great 🤦‍♀️

itsgettingwierd · 05/09/2021 08:21

@Walkingthedog46

Honestly - how many non-caravaners would know this? Does the same ‘rule apply to not walking between pitched tents on a camp site? Genuine question.
It does!

The same way that when you walk down a street and front gardens or driveways aren't fenced off etc - you know not to walk over them as they belong to the person who owns the dwelling!

Peanutsandchilli · 05/09/2021 08:21

Everybody walks between the caravans on static sites. I've never known it be a problem, especially as the vast majority of caravans are site owned. Private owners seem to fence a little bit off as their 'garden'. I think she's crazy and you've done nothing wrong. The land doesn't belong to her.

SueSaid · 05/09/2021 08:22

'I camp and hate people that walk through my pitch, especially as it starts my dog off.'

It's a campsite! People can walk where they like, it isn't their concern or their fault if it starts your dog off. Maybe not directly in the area you're sat in obviously but around it certainly.

Unwritten rules my arse. Fussy caravanners and campers being fussy more like.

butterpuffed · 05/09/2021 08:22

Ridiculous rules ~ how does the woman using the caravan know which side is 'hers' and entitles her to shout at you ?

And when you leave your caravan from the side door, how do you manage to not walk between yours and the next door one ? Are you supposed to make a hole in the roof of yours to exit and then leap over the top..

Roundtoedshoes · 05/09/2021 08:23

I imagine this happens often to her. She is clearly annoyed at herself having purchased/rented near the convenient shortcut and taking it out on you. You are just holidaying there, she was rude to shout and slightly unhinged. She should put up a sign or speak to the landowners to enforce this ‘rule’ in the booking terms - it’s clear lots of people don’t know about it. Ignore her (and of course now use the shortcut each day - petty!)

lannistunut · 05/09/2021 08:24

@Walkingthedog46

Honestly - how many non-caravaners would know this? Does the same ‘rule apply to not walking between pitched tents on a camp site? Genuine question.
Yes, I would not walk between pitches. campsites only work by everyone observing everyone else's privacy, you give other people's tents a wide berth.
seaandsandcastles · 05/09/2021 08:25

YABVU. Of course you don’t walk between caravans that’s exceptionally rude.

Sarahlou252 · 05/09/2021 08:27

I would imagine it's not an isolated incident, to have reacted like that you were probably number 100 to have done it.
Unwritten rule not to walk between caravans, yes. I agree it's like crossing someone's garden, sorry.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 05/09/2021 08:28

All societies and sub-groups function on unwritten rules. The classic example is queueing. There is no law or written rule.

Those are rules which govern group behaviour and benefit everyone. They don't tend to apply to individual preferences that people simply can't guess.

The fact that many people here weren't even aware of this "rule" tells you it's not a given - many regular caravanners on here saying they often walk between vans and it's considered fine?

That shows you it's probably a custom local to this site. Furthermore the ladies reaction was extreme - when people break "unwritten" rules like queuing people often tut passively but don't make a thing of it, precisely because its difficult to challenge an unwritten rule. If that site has that rule, they need signs.

Aprilx · 05/09/2021 08:28

@PyongyangKipperbang

Even if it is technically not marked as part of the pitch, by way of analogy, large men can freely walk right behind women, keeping the same pace, on a dark night - because 'you don't own the pavement, love' - but the decent ones wouldn't dream of doing it.

WTAF?! I am genuinely astounded that you have tried to draw this fucked up comparison.

I thought it was a good analogy. It is about an invasion of personal space and indeed both could be seen as a potential threat. It was rude and inconsiderate of Op, no matter what the legalities are.
itsgettingwierd · 05/09/2021 08:30

@Janiiejones

'I camp and hate people that walk through my pitch, especially as it starts my dog off.'

It's a campsite! People can walk where they like, it isn't their concern or their fault if it starts your dog off. Maybe not directly in the area you're sat in obviously but around it certainly.

Unwritten rules my arse. Fussy caravanners and campers being fussy more like.

When you book a place at a campsite you book a pitch.

So yes, people do know that that space belongs to you because they have also booked a pitch.

Oblomov21 · 05/09/2021 08:37

I think it's a bit like : not dissimilar to personal space. I try not to walk to close to anyone in the supermarket, wait till they've chosen their item, and moved, then I choose mine. I don't push past / touch people as I pass them in a restaurant. I try to allow space.

iwannabelikeyouhoohoo · 05/09/2021 08:39

@Heartofglass12345

I didn't know this was a thing, I don't get why you can't walk between two caravans?!
Even after all the comments explaining exactly why?
Kiduknot · 05/09/2021 08:40

I’m with you op.

Lockheart · 05/09/2021 08:41

You made a faux pas, she was over the top.

Just forget about it and move on.