9 Rules To Follow When Staying In A Hostel
Last Updated on September 1, 2017
Being crammed in a confined room with random people can cause tension. I have written a few rules that I think you should generally stick to when staying in a hostel so you don’t piss anyone off!
1. Don’t be that idiot turning the light on at midnight
If there are people sleeping then be respectful and turn your phone light on or go in the corridor if you are trying to do something. There is nothing worse than having that one selfish person turning on the light and waking the whole room up. If there is no one in your room then go ahead but think about the other travellers staying there. They may have just come off a long haul flight and some may just be exhausted.
2. Do not hang your clothes all around the room and on other people beds
I have had this happen to me a lot and it is so frustrating. I once had someone’s underwear hanging pretty close to my face until I got angry and chucked it across the room. If you’re going to hang stuff do it on your own bed and hang it during the day when most people are out not when people have to put their head next to your damp towel.
3. Don’t scatter your stuff all on the floor so there is no room for anyone else’s
Rolling on from the previous step…keep your stuff neat and tidy and don’t sprawl everything all over the floor. Not only do you not know when that floor was last cleaned but where do you think other people suitcases are going to go? If you’re on the bottom bunk, tuck your suitcase under the bed and out of the way. I also don’t get why people leave their suitcases open when they go out and then complain stuff has been nicked? Lock your suitcase people!!
4. Always do your own dishes
Do you think your mum is here to clean up after you? No. Take some responsibility and clean up after yourself. It is no one’s problem except yours. I hate it when I’m excited to make my own dinner and then some dork has left all his cutlery, pots and plates everywhere for someone else to clean up.
5. Sexy time shouldn’t be done in your room
Go do it in a bush or something. I almost gag when I think about the sounds I once heard from my bottom bunk. You may think no one is awake and can hear you but trust me, there will be at least one person that can and they are just about vomiting…
6. Don’t decide to pack your bag at 5am
If you have a flight early in the morning, do it before bedtime and not when you first get up. The sound of zippers opening and closing just piss everyone off. Don’t pack your bag after 9pm or before 7am!
7. Don’t hog the air conditioning or heater
Sharing is caring so spread the love and put it on a fair temperature in a good place where everyone can have some of the magic. There is nothing worse than a remote dominator who decides to hide it under their pillowcase!
8. Have your party downstairs and not in your room
It is super awkward when you walk into your room after a whole day of exploring and then you have like 10 extra people who are all drinking and sprawled out on your bed. If you’re going to have drinks then go to the common room and do it, that’s what they are designed for!
9. If you want to have a long conversation on your phone, then go elsewhere!
The amount of people that just seem to think that’s its okay to talk and talk on their cell phones until 1am is astonishing. If you want to have a conversation then please go into the common room or corridor, that way everyone is happy!
That is enough moaning for today! Have you had any annoying experiences in a hostel that you want to share? Leave your comment below, I would love to know. If you are looking out for hostels check out Hostelworld.com or Booking.com for the best deals! I always book my hostels through one of those two sites. Check out my other articles including ‘How to make friends in a hostel’ and ‘Reasons why you should travel alone’.
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The Comments
Julius @ Traveltipy
Good tips, it seems like you spent some time in hostels already 🙂
ahdykstra
> Julius @ Traveltipyhaha, you could say that! 🙂
girlonthemoveblog
I’ve never stayed at a hostel but these are great tips! I’ve spent time at Airbnb’s and I think a lot of these great tips can be applied there as well. Thanks for linking up with Travel Tales!
ahdykstra
> girlonthemoveblogYes, these could definitely be applied to Airbnb as well! Thanks for having me on Travel Tales
Mary Charie TwoMonkeysTravel
These are my slightly rolling eyes I might encounter with Hostels, but nevertheless, you pay what you get! 😀
Melody Pittman
Mind your manners and pick up after yourself. 😉 good tips! I’ve got it but hoping I never have to stay in a hostel at my age….
Majesta Zea
Seems pretty straight forward but I know many can leave their manners at home. Great tips!
Elena
Agree with all of them, might add a few more myself…as some people really don’t know how to behave in a dorm room or just don’t care!
One Girl: One World
Sooo many pet peeves in one post! You would think most of these are common courtesy, but there’s always that one selfish person! I need to share this on my facebook page haha
vesna
i mostly agree, but the hours are a bit of a fail – if you’re staying at a party hostel, at midnight everyone is getting ready to go out, so no need to be careful about lights and noise at that time… so, in general, i would say: have fun, sleeping on holidays is overrated 😉
Jacob
Sex sounds are annoying but vometing is a bit harsh, isnt it?
Sergio Rodriguez Jodar
I couldnt agree more
Kirstin (thetinberrytravels)
Stayed in a lot of hostels and can definitely vouch for these. Also ALARMS- if you set one, get up when it goes off! a 5am alarm snoozed every 5mins is hell!
Anita Hendrieka
> Kirstin (thetinberrytravels)Ah yes the dreaded alarm! But do you know what’s even worse than that.. FIRE AlARMS. I think I must be cursed because it seems that 1 in 3 hostels I stay out they are testing them haha!
Kirstin (thetinberrytravels)
> Anita HendriekaYes had that one too. People burning toast at 3am!
whyyouwander
Good One … Loved no.9 and wish people realised it ..lol!
Anita Hendrieka
> whyyouwanderI know right!! 🙂
Kayla - (MiGaijin)
Always wanted to stay in a Hostel while traveling, but don’t want to expose other people to my husband’s snoring, pretty sure that is a good way to get on people’s bad side.
The man sounds like he is juggling chainsaws >_<