Perceptions from the outside, looking in

[cyndi]

 The link below contains a picture, with someone's thoughts as he watched the van  from his window.
Food for thought, whether your urban stealth camping or boondocking in the desert.

 

[Almost There]

My thoughts - vans aren't creepy, people are!

If it were me in that camper (I'm female btw), would the poster think the same thing!

While the picture is poor quality, I see a camper van that needs a good wash and wax.

The better the vehicle looks, the less likely someone 'outside' is to think that it is out of place.

I'm also betting that the only time the poster notices the van is WHEN the girls are in the yard playing because then he/she is looking out for trouble and of course, finds it.

 

[Canine]

Dang, that looks like mine! But then, if she had seen me, she'd have called the news saying the blob that ate Riverside had returned...

 

[SoulRaven]

The description under the picture does sound a little suspicious if it's accurate.

 

[Almost There]

The description under the picture does sound a little suspicious if it's accurate.

I've always figured that there's 3 sides to any story - usually it's his, hers' and the truth.

In this case it's the van driver, the person looking out their window and the truth.

 

[GotSmart]

HMMMM

I never have a problem with LEO talking to me. I try to keep my van washed, and if little girls are around I am not.

 

[akrvbob]

I have a simple solution, stay out of cities and my only neighbors are usually other vandwellers and occasionally RVers.
Bob

 

[Almost There]

I have a simple solution, stay out of cities and my only neighbors are usually other vandwellers and occasionally RVers.
Bob

I like that solution a whole lot!!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

looks like an old photo, the van and car in it are old too. dont see anyone in van or reading a map. i think its bull. but it could easily happen, in fact it has to me just going to cvs.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

 

[SoulRaven]

I've carved out a "home base" in the city - Seattle, to be exact - where my '86 beater van I never wash is frequently parked near a school. No problems there whatsoever.

I cozied in an upscale neighborhood where mine and one other old van are the only vehicles in sight with so much as a single dent in them. It amuses the hell outta me, but the other van doesn't even have tabs so I feel I'm one up in that respect. :dodgy: Maybe it's because I'm a petite young woman that I can get away with it, but I get the sense that whatever concerns the locals may have had initially, they've now seen my van there frequently on and off the past 5 months and there have been no major crimes, so now I'm part of the tapestry. I'm an oddball, sure, but I'm their familiar, established-as-safe oddball.

I've yet to have any contact with the police in the area, positive or negative, though I've seen them patrolling the streets at night when my van is the only vehicle parked there so I know they're familiar with it. The other day I had to wait several hours in a 1 hour parking zone because my coolant had run out again and the engine was too hot to open the thingie to pour more in, and a cop pulled up and parked in front of me to attend to other matters at a business I was parked next to. I had a date at the time and we proceeded to enter and exit the van multiple times, really not taking any stealth precautions whatsoever, and with all the factors involved and the hood up and everything I was surprised the policeman didn't come over for a chat just to see what's up. (The parking was legit anyway due to my handicapped placard.) Then I remembered -- with a smile -- that they're familiar with me, even though we've never interacted, and determined I'm okay here. Perhaps it's a little silly that warmed my heart, but it did.

It's human instinct to fear the unknown. Large vehicles you cannot see into contain a greater amount of unknown than small vehicles or ones you can easily look inside. Making yourself known is one way to relieve public concern.

 

[akrvbob]

Chances are they not only know you are there, they are watching out for you like your own guardian angels!

Most cops are good guys and they have mother and sisters and they know how close so many Americans are to being homeless. My guess is they ignore you because if they ever acknowledge you they may have no choice but make you move on. You'll be doing them, and yourself, a favor if you don't bring any attention to yourself so they can keep watching over you.

Even among all the many difficulties you face, you have many blessings in your life!
Bob

 

[SoulRaven]

I agree with Bitty here. I have parked in the same areas of the same towns for years. Once it's established that you're a good neighbor, you're good to go.

Someone in the Ballard area of Seattle once challenged me on not knowing the parking situation in the area, yet at least once a year for several weeks, I park in that very area without problems. Sometimes I may spend a month or two in the area.

While boondocking can certainly be an answer, it just doesn't fit in too well with many people's lifestyle. I'm not happy in the boonies by myself, and for many years I lived and worked in cities. I like the convenience of cities and all of the activities that the cities offer.

To me, stealth isn't about trying to hide or stay under the radar, it's more about being a good neighbor and therefore welcome, or at least accepted. The streets I live on are among the cleanest around, because I take pride in my neighborhoods. The parks I visit frequently are among the nicest because I appoint myself as their unofficial caretaker. If people see you as an asset to the neighborhood or community, the fact that you happen to live in a van or RV becomes much less of an issue.

I try to sell myself as a good person and good neighbor first, and my lifestyle second. If people like you as a person, they are much more likely to accept your lifestyle.

 

[Canine]

Ha OffGrid, I remember that thread well! You two really used some internet ink up going back and forth. The OP was pretty pissed... Don't think he's a happy person in general.

The poster above who was a petite female had a point, it was probably being a petite female that has saved her a lot of parking grief. I wouldn't get quite that consideration i don't think. But that isn't important. It is surprising what gets noticed and what doesn't. Having no tabs is kinda asking for notice... That and "free candy" on the side...

(That blue van in the image above is a bit down in the ass end, course' I am too)

 

[cdiggy]

Ha OffGrid, I remember that thread well! You two really used some internet ink up going back and forth. The OP was pretty pissed... Don't think he's a happy person in general.

The poster above who was a petite female had a point, it was probably being a petite female that has saved her a lot of parking grief. I wouldn't get quite that consideration i don't think. But that isn't important. It is surprising what gets noticed and what doesn't. Having no tabs is kinda asking for notice... That and "free candy" on the side...

(That blue van in the image above is a bit down in the ass end, course' I am too)

Yes! That blue vans ass is dragging for sure! And it is amazing what gets noticed and what goes unnoticed. A small female will get noticed and even watched but isn't a real perceived threat... Me on the other hand, I stand out like a bull's prick. Some have the advantage of being noticed but going unnoticed. Others like me are a poop magnet.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

I had a neighbor once who would call the police on anyone she could, as often as she could.  It wouldn't matter how good of a neighbor you are, if you were in her neighborhood, she'd be calling the police, several times a day.  She'd even make up things to embelish her report.

 

[SoulRaven]

I had a neighbor once who would call the police on anyone she could, as often as she could.  It wouldn't matter how good of a neighbor you are, if you were in her neighborhood, she'd be calling the police, several times a day.  She'd even make up things to embelish her report.

That's one of the beauties of parking near the larger apartment complexes, it seems they don't have the attitude problems that some house dwellers do.


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[VanLifeCrisis]

yeah, need a spring helper and new shocks. im pretty accepted where i park, for most i actually interact with, and cops know me and give me the nod now.

I was at a cvs for like 15 mins, when a jackoff took that pic. i even remember the guy, because he was clearly making the cashier uncomfortable hitting on her. Just pointing out the perception is there and its kind of sad that good people are labeled as rapists just cause the vehicle they drive. I wonder what hed say if i told him my mother was raped when i was a teen and it ruined her life to this day. how it feels to be called that. oh well changing that attitude on a grand scale is impossible, i just try to change it on a personal level.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I thought this vid on the subject was interesting

 

[GotSmart]

yeah, need a spring helper and new shocks.   im pretty accepted where i park, for most i actually interact with, and cops know me and give me the nod now.  

I was at a cvs for like 15 mins, when a jackoff took that pic.  i even remember the guy, because he was clearly making the cashier uncomfortable hitting on her.  Just pointing out the perception is there and its kind of sad that good people are labeled as rapists just cause the vehicle they drive.  I wonder what hed say if i told him my mother was raped when i was a teen and it ruined her life to this day.  how it feels to be called that.  oh well changing that attitude on a grand scale is impossible, i just try to change it on a personal level.

If you go to his site, you can click and report that photo to Facebook.  They take a dim view of harassment posts.  Calling someone a rapest on a public forum is not cool.