'I don't know the rules': Traveller asks if 'selfish' camping set-up is allowed

While it was only their second time camping, the poster was pretty sure this was not acceptable. But not everyone was on their side. 

When it comes to the great outdoors, campers can get rather vocal about what is and, more importantly, what isn't acceptable behaviour. 

Leaving rubbish behind? Hard no. 

Walking through someone else's campsite? That's just rude. 

Booking more than one site to create more room around you? That's selfish travelling. 

An elaborate set-up that includes an inflatable raft or washing maching? Hey, you do you, moneybucks!

But what about what is deemed an acceptable distance between neighbouring campers at public sites? 

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How close is TOO close? 

This is the question asked by TikToker and occasional camper @Nishaheallmy (AKA "Your Basic Mom Friend") after a recent camping trip left them feeling a little unsure about their neighbour's set-up. 

"It’s our second time camping, so I don’t know the ‘rules'... Is it okay or not okay to set up the tent right in front of someone else’s tent?" she asked on social media. 

The mum, who was camping along East Coast Beach in Singapore with her family at the time, went on to explain how the situation unfolded.

"We were here a couple of hours before them, too. They didn’t ask, but we weren’t sure if we could say anything. I was confused why they chose to set up right in front of our tent." 

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This is how close the other campers pitched their tent. Image: TikTok / @Nishaheallmy

This is 'selfish' camping 

The video shared shows a beautiful sunset along the water with other campers set up at a respectful distance. 

As the camera pans to the right, we see the poster's campsite with another person's tent pitched right in front. With what looks to be less than two metres of distance between them, their neighbours have not only encroached on their personal space but also obstructed their gorgeous, uninterrupted view of the water. 

Many chimed in with how they would also be annoyed by the other campers setting up so close, especially considering there was plenty of other grassland around to call home for the night. 

“I wouldn’t want to wake up to the view of their tent," someone wrote, while another deemed it a “selfish act.”

“They are also the kind who will park their car close to you in an empty car park. Some people have no sense of awareness I guess," another added. 

How far away other campers set up their tents. Image: TikTok / @Nishaheallmy

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Suck it up, mate! It's fine

Meanwhile, other die-hard campers, especially those avid campers from Down Under, deemed it totally acceptable and the occasional camper needs to suck it up because this is just how things are done when sleeping in the great outdoors. 

“Yes, it’s fine as an Aussie. If you were there first and didn’t choose that site, they are definitely within their rights to get it for the view," someone added. 

Another agreed that complaining about something like this goes against everything that camping is and should be. 

“Why does it matter though? If it bothers you so much, why don’t you ask them to move? Or you move somewhere else… waste of energy sweating the small stuff.”

Should she have said something? 

The video racked up 79.5K views, which prompted a follow up from the mum, who just wanted to know if this is something she should've spoken up about at the time. 

"[We] were there with our little ones only for a night, so moving would be a waste of energy and time," she replied to one of the comments.

"Not 'sweating the small stuff' but it would be useful to know camping etiquette so that WE are not the ones affecting another family's fun next time. If this is perfectly normal, then we will choose wisely next time. But if it isn't, then we'll speak up."

Given the divide in opinions, it might be an idea to ask the people nearby before pitching so closely? No one likes an unfriendly neighbour - wherever you are!

Originally published as 'I don't know the rules': Traveller asks if 'selfish' camping set-up is allowed