Probably none of us are complete loners or complete groupies. We're varying degrees between.
We talk to others but to a couple or
family on a
single boat, not in some group gathering where everyone tries to yell to be heard. We socialize quietly with friends at the docks some evenings, but we don't
head to the nearest bar in the afternoon with the gang. We normally explore the towns and attractions alone and normally eat alone, although some times we'll go with another couple. We like our privacy and respect that of others.
On the other hand we went
fishing one day last week while crossing Lake Okeechobee. Now we're not fishermen so went with a guide. Our captains went in another boat unguided. Well, we did well. So we locked out before dark and then docked. There was another boat there and then people just walking by. We had a huge
fish fry as we had all these fresh
fish. Used the grills in the park. Even a couple of town employees came over.
But we also like to go at our own pace. We often decide our next move only a day in advance. When we go to explore a town we want to feel free to do whatever strikes our fancy. And we don't like pot luck. When we mention a specific restaurant and others like the sound we may invite them to join us. But when we're just somewhere for a couple of nights we don't want to skip the restaurant we chose because others want to go somewhere else.
When we move between locations we normally
cruise faster than others would like so we're not a good buddy boat or group cruiser. On the other hand we will say bye and tell others that we'll see them where we're going tonight. But we might get up and leave at 7 and get there by noon and get out and explore and they might prefer to leave at 9 and arrive at 5.
It's quite easy to decline invitations politely. It should also be easy to accept when one declines politely but some people do act like you've mortally wounded them because you don't want to go to Billy Bob's Booze and Wings for happy hour.
We will try to be polite to all those at a marina, but we won't become friends with everyone. On the other hand, we will be good friends with a select few. We aren't huge fans of just building superficial relationships that are truly acquaintances but many call friends. Instead we prefer to build true friendships with a few.
Like everyone we also have our own idiosyncrasies. Respect ours and we'll respect yours. And please if we've just met don't try to delve into our personal lives, our business lives or our finances or ask for our
phone number and address and
email. We'll share some of that if we become friends. Some we won't share.
We were approached when we arrived at the marina where we are now on Friday by someone whose happy hour obviously started before noon whose first question was "How much did that cost?" referring to the boat. But next, as we'd already gotten off the boat and clearly were headed somewhere, he says, "I'm going to check it out." Now, I was no longer polite at that point and not so nicely made it clear he better not get on our boat. We're clearly leaving and he's going to jump on our boat and check it out uninvited? When we returned a few hours later we found out another couple had found him standing on the bow of their boat.
It's all a matter of respect. Our differences are what make us each unique and special.
Re: Shy Cruising or don't invite me to the Potluck :)
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