Introduction
If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, there are a few things you should know. Hostels are often cheaper than hotels, but the tradeoff is that they are not as clean or safe—and they tend to get really messy if you don’t follow some simple rules. In this article, I’ll lay out some tips on how to make your stay as good as possible while avoiding common pitfalls in hostels.
Use the bathroom.
Use the bathroom for its intended purpose.
Hostels are not hotels, so don’t expect luxury accommodations. You may have to share a room with strangers and sleep on bunk beds, but when it comes time to use the facilities, keep in mind that others will be using them as well. If you feel like taking a shower or brushing your teeth before bedtime, do so quickly and quietly so as not to disturb other guests who might already be sleeping (or trying desperately not to fall asleep). And if someone else has already taken a shower before going out into town–or even if they haven’t yet–it’s polite practice to leave some hot water in reserve for them when their turn comes around again later on!
Don’t leave your stuff lying around everywhere: Put it away somewhere safe where no one will trip over it accidentally while walking down hallways at night; otherwise this could lead directly into disaster zone territory without even trying very hard at all!
Don’t be a jerk.
- Don’t be a jerk. This should go without saying, but it’s worth reiterating: don’t disturb your fellow guests by being loud or rude. If you have a problem with someone, talk to them calmly and privately–and don’t expect the staff to help mediate your argument (they’re there for a reason).
- Don’t steal from other guests or damage property in any way. If you do, expect to get kicked out immediately–and possibly reported to police as well!
- Keep pets outside of the hostel at all times unless they are service animals. Many hostels prohibit pets entirely; if yours doesn’t allow them at all, don’t try sneaking Fido into his carrier under cover of darkness when no one is looking! The same goes for drugs and alcohol–these substances are prohibited by most hostels because they create unsafe environments for both travelers and employees alike.*
Be honest about your intentions.
If you are looking for a hookup, make that clear. If not, then say so. It will save everyone involved from awkwardness or disappointment later on.
If someone else makes a request of you that doesn’t align with what your intentions are (e.g., “Can we have sex?”), don’t be afraid to say no! Just because someone asks something doesn’t mean it’s expected of them or even okay with them–it may just be something they’re curious about or want help exploring in the moment but wouldn’t want if asked out of context later on in life outside of this hostel environment where everyone knows each other as friends/acquaintances rather than strangers who just met once before moving onto another place together soon after leaving this one behind forever without ever seeing each other again except maybe once every few months over social media platforms like Facebook Messenger…
Share a room with a friend.
- Share a room with a friend.
- Share a room with someone you don’t know.
- Share a room with someone you do know.
- Share a room with someone who is not your family member.
Don’t bring your pet(s) with you.
Bringing your pet(s) with you to stay at a hostel is a bad idea. First of all, most hostels do not allow pets at all–even if they are small and quiet. Secondly, even if the hostel does permit pets, it may be difficult for other guests to enjoy themselves if there are loud barking dogs running around the common areas or sleeping areas (and trust us: those dogs will want to run around and play!).
Finally, there’s always the chance that one of your fellow travelers will be allergic or otherwise bothered by your pet’s presence; this could lead to conflict between roommates or other guests who have been forced into close quarters with an animal they don’t like being around. In short: bringing pets into shared spaces is just asking for trouble!
Avoid drugs and alcohol, as they can cause serious problems in hostels.
It is important to know that drinking and drugs are not good for your health. While you may be able to drink in moderation, it is possible to become an alcoholic even if you only have one or two drinks per day. The same goes for drugs: even if you only smoke marijuana on occasion, it could lead to addiction very quickly.
Drugs can also make people violent or aggressive, which is why it’s best if you avoid them altogether while staying at a hostel (or anywhere else).
Take care of your belongings and fix anything that gets broken by other guests or workers.
- Don’t leave your belongings unattended.
- Don’t leave your belongings in the communal areas.
- Don’t leave your belongings in the stairwells or elevators.
- Don’t leave your belongings on beds or couches, even if you think they’re safe there because someone might take them away from you and hide them somewhere else (and then blame it on another guest).
Hostels are great places to meet people, but they can get really messy if you don’t follow some simple rules.
Hostels are great places to meet people. You can meet people from all over the world, learn about new cultures and customs, hear about other people’s travel experiences, make friends with people who share your interests…
The best part? It’s all free!
Conclusion
The bottom line is that hostels are great places to meet people. They’re also great places to go on vacation, if you know how to use them properly. The best way to avoid getting into trouble in a hostel is by following these simple rules: use the bathroom, be honest about your intentions (avoid drugs and alcohol), share a room with someone else (especially if it’s not just two of you), take care of your belongings so they don’t get damaged by other guests or workers who clean up after them (fix anything broken).
