Hammock/tarp etiquette?

[nothermark]

Aside from announcing yourself you also want to consider your timing. Give folks a couple of minutes to get arranged after you call out but before you get too close.

[FireInMyBones]

I call out to see if I may approach. Sometimes I do not even use a tarp. I may still get changed laying in the quilts. I prefer to offer the same curtosy that I expect to be extended to me.

Aside from announcing yourself you also want to consider your timing. Give folks a couple of minutes to get arranged after you call out but before you get too close.

Ditto.

[Les Rust]

I approach another's tarp/tent as I would if I were knocking on their door--always announce yourself, give them time to respond, be respectful. Manners are appropriate no matter the setting.

[stevebo]

Great question! Whats funny is, I remember reading that most Native American cultures had customs that delt with the same issue. (its not a new problem!)

[stevebo]

Just found this : Tepee Etiquette: If the entrance flap was open, it was an invitation to enter. If the flap was closed, you needed to announce yourself and wait for an invitation to enter a tepee, even if you lived there. A guest always sat to the left of the head of the family, who always sat the farthest from the door flap. These were rules that everyone knew and everyone followed.
Found at nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/plains/teepees.html

Thought it was interesting!

[FLRider]

I always try to announce myself when coming into camp, regardless of the tarp's pitch. It's just good manners, unless it's so late that no one in their right mind would be awake (I've rolled into camp a couple of times at group hangs after 1 AM).

And it may be a safety issue as well; I tend to snap awake, sometimes violently in motion, if grabbed by someone without adequate warning. I wouldn't want someone else to do that, either.

[Cannibal]

I think of tarps a bit like jack o'lanterns at Halloween. I was always taught to only knock on the doors of homes with a lit jack o'lantern. If I see a setup with a tarp in porch mode, I view it as an invitation to say "hello".

I would never approach a camp, neon welcome sign or not, without calling out a "Hello!?" first. Etiquette aside, it just isn't safe.

[J.Andersons]

Interesting discussion here but in the past not camped so much so no one aproached to my campsite where I had not alone but also with some tent campers. Should I call they ground dwellers?

[bcaron]

This strays very slightly off topic, but.

I just returned from my first "car camping" trip in a very long time. I've wilderness camped exclusively for over 20 years. My canoe trips are usually solo, or with a couple other people. I was amazed at how blatant people were at checking out every aspect of my campsite as they walked past. If I walked past another campsite, I'd acknowledge them with a quick glance and nod, then eyes back down till I was past! A few large tarps are essential for any privacy.

Back to the bush for me.

[sodakgrrl]

reminds me of an old signature i had. pretty much my attitude when hiking or camping.

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either, just leave me alone.
--unknown

Best. Ever.