ACCOMMODATION - Europe On a Budget - page 76

All is fair after 8 a.m. Rule 37 of the Geneva Convention—Thou shall not get angry at the
people packing/getting ready for their day if it is later than 8 a.m. After 8 a.m., people are free
to do whatever they please so don't all get pissy because you're hungover.
Plastic bags are annoying. For some reason, the sound of plastic bags is about a hundred
times louder from about 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Every crinkle goes straight to your brain. Unfortu-
nately a lot of people pack all their junk in various plastic bags. Please keep your plastic bag
usage time during the day.
Snoring. If you snore, people are going to hate you. Get your own room if you're a crazy
loud snorer.
Don't hog the heaters. The radiator is a great place to dry your towel/wet clothes but try
not to hog it all day. Conversely, don't just throw people's towels on the floor when you want
to use the heater—fold them neatly and place them somewhere.
Keep night whispers to a minimum. Whispering late at night isn't much better than nor-
mal talking. This isn't the time to have a deep philosophical discussion.
Alarm clocks. Most people use their phones as alarm clocks. This isn't a problem. But
please don't stash your phone somewhere deep in your bag, because scrambling through your
bag for five minutes while the alarm goes off is pretty darn annoying. Make sure you put your
phone in an accessible location. On a related note—the snooze is prohibited.
Don't hog the bathroom. Get in, get out. Enough said.
Don't eat other people's food. Just because something is in the refrigerator doesn't mean
anyone can eat it. Stealing someone's alcohol is a big no-no.
Dirty laundry. I really don't have a problem with people drying their laundry in the
room—but keep it confined to your bed. No one wants to deal with your dirty socks hung
about the bathroom and across the sink.
Don't confine yourself to your group. Traveling with friends can be great, but make an ef-
fort to talk to other people. Make solo travelers feel welcome. Walking into a dorm room to
find a bunch of buddies that completely ignore your presence is disheartening, I know from
experience.
Share the computers. Just because the Internet is free doesn't mean you can spend all day
using the hostel computer. You really shouldn't need to spend more than ten minutes on the
computer. Check your email, book your next hostel, and leave.
The front desk staff aren't tour guides. The people at the front desk usually have the best
idea about what is going on in the city. They'll be able to recommend the best things to do/see
around town. It is helpful to give them an idea of what you're interested in doing. Questions
like “what are some cheap restaurants?” or “I'm looking for a fun nightclub, any recommend-
ations?” are a lot better than “So . . . what things should I do here?” Don't expect them to plan
your stay for you.