For experienced travelers reading this you’ll probably be thinking that you don’t need advice on how to meet people because it is pretty easy and kind of just happens. For first time travelers it is often reassuring to know that “going it alone” won’t mean you’ll be on your own for long.
What most people won’t tell you is that there are times when you will be on your own. You may find yourself in a situation where you are by yourself and there will be a group of travelers chatting and joking away, they’ll often seem like they’ve known each other for years when in reality they probably just met five minutes before. It is being able to make this initial contact in these situations that makes the difference, it isn’t difficult and most people will find it just happens naturally.
Most travelers you’ll find on the road are open minded and will chat to anyone about anything so you should never feel awkward when starting a conversation.
Here are 5 tips to ensure you’re open to meeting people when traveling:
1. Travel Alone
Traveling by yourself means you’ll already be open and willing to chat to just about anyone who comes alone. Also read my article: Should I Travel Alone? Occasionally whilst traveling you’ll find yourself being part of a group, whilst this can be a great experience it often means you become less open to new people outside of this group. This usually happens when the group in question has a good mixture of people and soon you’ll find yourself in the middle of “in jokes” that no one else traveling will understand. Whenever I find this happening I like to take a step back from the group and travel alone for a while enabling myself to be more open to meeting new people.
2. Be Open Minded
It sounds obvious but by being open minded you’ll meet so many different people that you would never usually meet back home in your usual life. There are some many people from different countries traveling the globe and it’s great to travel with them and obtain different perspectives on the world. I traveled with one German girl for two weeks, she told me that English travelers usually did not have the patients to spend any time with her. She was an interesting, funny and charming person but because of a minimal language barrier many people just ignored her in search of other travellers speaking their native language, it seemed a real shame.
3. Be In The Right Place
Try reading a book in the hostel/guesthouse communal area. Don’t be scared to go for a drink by yourself (even take along guide book to read) you’ll often find yourself chatting away with other travelers in no time. I once sat down with a cold pint and a guide book but ended up playing drinking games with some new friends late into the night.
4. Join In With The Conversation
Traveling is much different to everyday life at home and joining in with a conversations is much more common place. I had just arrived on a Thai island and was searching for a place to stay, I noticed three other travellers doing exactly the same. At first I presumed they had been travelling together for the whole trip, but after chatting for a while I found out that they had only just met after they had got off the boat together. When there is a group chatting away, try adding to the conversation. You’ll soon be pulling up a chair and making new friends.
5. Ask A Few Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask other travelers questions about traveling, such as places to go, things to see, where to stay etc. It’s a great way to start conversations with people you’ve never met before and most travelers love sharing their stories and experiences with other people.
Traveling is very different to your everyday life and you’ll find most people are much more open and friendly on the road so you should really have no problem in meeting new people. There are occasions when you will be on your own (if you travel alone) and it will be harder to met people in these situations. It can be lonely at times but usually once you catch your next bus onwards you’ll meet someone new.
Do you have a great way of meeting people on the road?
Post a message below and let us know…
