The World Unfiltered

Hostels are typically much cheaper than hotels, and they offer a much stronger sense of community and a broader sense of the world population as a whole. If you are travelling as a couple and really want alone time, you’re probably better off at a hotel because private rooms at hostels are not always cheaper than what you would get at a hotel. Otherwise, hostels are a great place to go because you meet so many people that way. That being said, there are quite a few personality types you meet at hostels that add to the experience all bundled up in one establishment. If you’re especially lucky, you will get them all in your 8-18-person dorm. There are probably many more than what I have encountered, but I have a breakdown of those I have met. Some people you will never want to see again (or at all, but you don’t always get that option), but others will become friends of a lifetime. This post is part 1 of 3 on the subject so stay tuned!  😛

1. The Old Soul
   1. Defining Characteristics: older, wrinkles, gray/dyed/no hair
   2. Likely to Say: anything from an educational history lesson to the “back in my day…”
   3. Advice: They are older and often wise, they have lots of experience and stories to share, don’t take them for granted or ignore them (unless they want that).
2. The Mid-Life Crisis
   1. Defining Characteristics: mid 40s, often but not always dresses and acts as if they’re in their 20s.
   2. Likely to Say: “I am not really sure what I am doing with…”
   3. Advice: Traveling is a great way to figure that out, embrace it and learn everything you can about what would make you truly happy.
3. The Sleep-Talker
   1. Defining Characteristics: Talks in their sleep to varying degrees of volume
   2. Likely to Say: something often in a language different from your own
   3. Advice: I would say stop but they probably don’t know they do it or can’t do anything about it. Get headphones.
4. The Snorer
   1. Defining Characteristics: varying levels of volume, tone, and uncategorizable (I’m declaring it’s a word) sound effects
   2. Likely to Say: “snrkxxx” repeat. all. night. long.
   3. Advice: Try to sleep on your side for minimal snoring effects, and headphones for those it bothers.
5. The Mysterious One
   1. Defining Characteristics: They seem nice, but you never see them except when they are passed the f@ck out. You only notice them when at 2AM when you annoyingly have to wake up to pee, but they’re gone by the time you wake up to officially start your day.
   2. Likely to Say: you won’t ever know
   3. Advice:Do what you want, and if you have interactions, awesome! Don’t expect to though.
6. The Musician
   1. Defining Characteristics: They always have an instrument on hand (usually a guitar or ukulele), and may or may not have a fabulous serenading voice to accompany their music.  
   2. Likely to Say: Something intellectual and creative, may or may not be in song form.
   3. Advice: As long as it is not in the room at God-awful hours, go for it! Keep it up! But I am biased because I like that. Others may not, so use your judgment and be respectful on both ends.
7. The Newbie
   1. Defining Characteristics: Doe-eyed, eager to learn and experience, impressionable (not always a good thing depending on who gets to them first), usually either very nice and sweet or the obnoxious partier.
   2. Likely to Say: “Hi,” “This is my first time…,” “Can you help me with…?”
   3. Advice: Help them! We have all been there, and it sucks when you feel completely lost. If you are the newbie, don’t worry, most people will actually help you! (At least I will 🙂 )
8. The “Woo!” Girls and “Yeah!” Dudes
   1. Defining Characteristics: very loud, very excited, very annoying after the second round. They are from every culture so there is no escape regardless of where you are and where you are from.
   2. Likely to Say: “WOOOOO!!!” “YEEEAAAHHH!!!” “AAAAHHHH!!!”
   3. Advice: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. No. Don’t join the dark side. Just stop. Please.
9. The Smelly One
   1. Defining Characteristics: looks and smells like they haven’t showered in days…because they haven’t. We have all probably gone for a little too long without a shower, but most people at least use deodorant and/or perfume.
   2. Likely to Say: nothing apologetic about their situation usually, otherwise completely normal conversations with those who don’t have a sense of smell and aren’t bothered.
   3. Advice: Hostels have showers (use them), or go to a lake with biodegradable multi-use soap (just be mindful of where you decide to go au naturel), or at the very least deodorant.
10. The Cool Kids
    1. Defining Characteristics: Large group of 20-somethings laughing and chatting, usually in the lobby area of the hostel. Do they go out and do things or just sit there and sharing stories?
    2. Likely to Say: Stories of past and present, lots of laughter, and the occasional voice raising.
    3. Advice: Enjoy your friends and conversations, but also go out and do things. It is fun to sit around in a group and share/hear others’ stories and experiences though!
11. The Cultural Expert (not the good kind)
    1. Defining Characteristics: pretentious and arrogant, claims to know all about the cultural norms but often breaks them instead of just being respectful and approachable.
    2. Likely to Say: “Ah yes, here they…There they…Don’t…” but not when they are asked. You don’t need to ask them anything or even start a conversation with you, they take care of that.
    3. Advice: Read people and situations, stop when you know your input is unwelcome and/or present your thoughts in a more polite and respectful way.
12. The “This is much worse than how things are back home.”
    1. Defining Characteristics: Seems to always complain about how things are better or different back at home. Anything from the water quality to the politics to the culture.
    2. Likely to Say: “People here are rude,” “The water tastes awful,” “Back at home we have…”
    3. Advice: Stop. Just stop. Obviously it’s different here, and don’t think you have a right for every place to accommodate your individual needs. If you know certain things are going to be an issue for you, evaluate that before your trip and figure out how to can accommodate yourself, adjust, or go somewhere else that is a better fit for you. 
13. The Lonely Planet Worm
    1. Defining Characteristics
    2. Likely to Say: “Lonely Planet recommended…,” “What did AAA or Rough Guides say about…?”
    3. Advice: Let your travels unfold as you go to some extent. Research before and what experience what sticks with you, but be open to experiences you hadn’t previously read about. Keep your eyes out of the books and on the prize! What is the prize? Life!
14. The Instant Best Friend
    1. Defining Characteristics: Friendly, funny, awesome, tons in common, tons to learn, you get along instantly and keep in contact after you part. Even if not every day or every month, you will always be there for each other, especially for future travels!
    2. Likely to Say: Anything that get you thinking, “Ooo they are really cool, I can see us being friends!” This will obviously vary among individuals, but you get the idea.
       
    3. Advice: Cherish the friendship and enjoy your time together!
15. The Love at First Sight
    1. Defining Characteristics: Gorgeous, look like they are awesome people (they probably are), sometimes by themselves and sometimes with friends, either way they are usually too distracted or engrossed to stop and have a conversation…and you’d feel bad interrupting.
    2. Likely to Say: One look and smile, maybe a “Hi,” then they walk away never to be found again.
    3. Advice: Maybe you will see each other again, don’t hold your breath. Take advantage of the opportunity for conversation and networking if you can before the window closes, or it wasn’t meant to be.
16. The True Love at First Sight
    1. Defining Characteristics: Might start out as the instant best friend then develops into something more. 
    2. Likely to Say: “Hi, I love you let’s get married now, yes?” Just kidding ha, you won’t ever know, it will more often than not catch you off guard, and you won’t always realize it until you’re already in.
    3. Advice: Make connections with people on any level and see where that leads. Don’t force it, don’t spend all of your energy looking for it, and don’t be completely blocked off to it.
17. The Happy Couple
    1. Defining Characteristics: You can be happy and not always all over each other so sometimes it is hard to spot, but there are those that are always taking selfish or being uhh well…get-a-room-like.
    2. Likely to Say: “Can you take pictures of us?” (often times, kissing)
    3. Advice: To the couples-enjoy your time together, but try to be considerate of your surroundings. To people on the outside-also be considerate and just ignore it if it doesn’t affect you.

Did I miss anything? What are your experiences?