Comments on: How To Make Your Hostel Less Hostile http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/ Online travel magazine dedicated to exploring travel in the 21st century. Offering travel news, compelling interviews, online travel tools, and more. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:14:28 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Natasha http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-93887 Natasha Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:16:57 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-93887 The plastic baggers are number one on my hitlist, followed closely by the talkers. The other weekend, I tiptoed into my dorm at 3am, used my torch, had the stuff I needed out ready and put my earplugs in - only to be woken up 5 hours later by a group of Americans shouting to each other across the room about how, like, they were all going to church. Just because you're awake, doesn't mean everyone else has to be. Show some respect! The plastic baggers are number one on my hitlist, followed closely by the talkers.

The other weekend, I tiptoed into my dorm at 3am, used my torch, had the stuff I needed out ready and put my earplugs in – only to be woken up 5 hours later by a group of Americans shouting to each other across the room about how, like, they were all going to church.

Just because you’re awake, doesn’t mean everyone else has to be. Show some respect!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-77921 Tim Patterson Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:57:17 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-77921 When I worked at a hostel the biggest peeve was people sleeping in the wrong bunk - nothing worse than someone showing up at reception saying there's someone sleeping in their bed and having to wake up the whole room to figure out who goes where. When I worked at a hostel the biggest peeve was people sleeping in the wrong bunk – nothing worse than someone showing up at reception saying there's someone sleeping in their bed and having to wake up the whole room to figure out who goes where.

(Report comment)

]]> By: richard http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-77087 richard Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:31:37 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-77087 dorm porn should be outlawed, can't they just sneak off to the broom cupboard or something? dorm porn should be outlawed, can't they just sneak off to the broom cupboard or something?

(Report comment)

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76651 Rebecca Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:00:28 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76651 Very entertaining. Staying in a hostel is no different than living in a college dorm or with a sibling! I enjoyed my hostel experience in Edinburgh, Scotland last year. It was a lot fun to "mingle" with people from other countries. Great "hostel" atmosphere! Very entertaining. Staying in a hostel is no different than living in a college dorm or with a sibling! I enjoyed my hostel experience in Edinburgh, Scotland last year. It was a lot fun to "mingle" with people from other countries. Great "hostel" atmosphere!

(Report comment)

]]> By: erinealberty http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76436 erinealberty Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:11:47 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76436 -Ziplock Mary is unpleasant, but Crinkly Plastic Shopping Bag Mary is way worse. She takes just as long to pack and sounds like an maraca recital. Don't use the crinkly bags. -There are two things that, once together, should not be separated: Room Full Of Sleeping People + Turned Off Lights. PLEASE bring a small flashlight or headlamp for dark hours. -If someone at the hostel is sick or hurt, try to help them. I might have died once if not for help. I have a friend who might have died if not for help. I have another friend who might have died if not for help. I don't care if it's self-inflicted alcohol poisoning or should-have-gotten-the-vaccine malaria. You help someone who hasn't moved for awhile. It may cut into the fun, but the Cosmos will remember. -Take action on overflowing garbage bins, especially in the bathroom. Nobody wants to deal with your used maxi pad tottering at the summit. Alert the staff or empty it yourself if worst comes to worse. -When someone violates these rules, talk to them nicely. Don't yell or be passive aggressive. They may be new to hosteling, and a lot of things that seem like common-sense to us now actually took some time to learn at first. Take it from an American -- you'll regret starting an unnecessary war. Funny article. I haven't been irritated by all those things, but the noisy packers who take forever before dawn -- arrrr! -Ziplock Mary is unpleasant, but Crinkly Plastic Shopping Bag Mary is way worse. She takes just as long to pack and sounds like an maraca recital. Don't use the crinkly bags.

-There are two things that, once together, should not be separated: Room Full Of Sleeping People + Turned Off Lights. PLEASE bring a small flashlight or headlamp for dark hours.

-If someone at the hostel is sick or hurt, try to help them. I might have died once if not for help. I have a friend who might have died if not for help. I have another friend who might have died if not for help. I don't care if it's self-inflicted alcohol poisoning or should-have-gotten-the-vaccine malaria. You help someone who hasn't moved for awhile. It may cut into the fun, but the Cosmos will remember.

-Take action on overflowing garbage bins, especially in the bathroom. Nobody wants to deal with your used maxi pad tottering at the summit. Alert the staff or empty it yourself if worst comes to worse.

-When someone violates these rules, talk to them nicely. Don't yell or be passive aggressive. They may be new to hosteling, and a lot of things that seem like common-sense to us now actually took some time to learn at first. Take it from an American — you'll regret starting an unnecessary war.

Funny article. I haven't been irritated by all those things, but the noisy packers who take forever before dawn — arrrr!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Daniel http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76283 Daniel Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:43:59 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76283 Great article. I lol'd a few times. Great article. I lol'd a few times.

(Report comment)

]]> By: brian http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76265 brian Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:18:48 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76265 Funny, funny post. You forgot the chain saw snorer who starts up at 3am and then gets angry when you wake them up. Or the person who cooks, and leaves the remnants of their last meal ALL OVER the kitchen counter top, sink and floor and have no intention of cleaning it up Funny, funny post.

You forgot the chain saw snorer who starts up at 3am and then gets angry when you wake them up.

Or the person who cooks, and leaves the remnants of their last meal ALL OVER the kitchen counter top, sink and floor and have no intention of cleaning it up

(Report comment)

]]> By: VagabonderZ http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76029 VagabonderZ Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:21:59 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76029 Funny post. Re the shampoo bit, that's exactly why I wear flip-flops in the shower! Funny post. Re the shampoo bit, that's exactly why I wear flip-flops in the shower!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Beth http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76071 Beth Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:22:54 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76071 Interesting article. The first time I read it through I thought it sounded rather bitter and angry, but on second glance it's actually quite funny. One thing I'd like to add is that researching and booking the hostel ahead of time can greatly improve the experience. There are a lot of higher end hostels out there these days that have more amenities and private or semi-private rooms. They're not the cheapest, mind you, but in my experience you get what you pay for. Interesting article. The first time I read it through I thought it sounded rather bitter and angry, but on second glance it's actually quite funny.

One thing I'd like to add is that researching and booking the hostel ahead of time can greatly improve the experience. There are a lot of higher end hostels out there these days that have more amenities and private or semi-private rooms. They're not the cheapest, mind you, but in my experience you get what you pay for.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Marie http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/11/22/how-to-make-your-hostel-less-hostile/comment-page-1/#comment-76070 Marie Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:20:28 +0000 http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/?p=703#comment-76070 The author forgot a point -- avoid bitter people like him! (Seriously -- I picture a parent or teacher wagging their finger in my face as I read this. "Now don't do this... and don't do that....") I agree with Mark that you have to have reasonable expectations and it ain't gonna be perfect. The author forgot a point — avoid bitter people like him! (Seriously — I picture a parent or teacher wagging their finger in my face as I read this. "Now don't do this… and don't do that….") I agree with Mark that you have to have reasonable expectations and it ain't gonna be perfect.

(Report comment)

]]>