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Kat
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How do you socialize...?
« Thread Started on Nov 10, 2005, 12:34pm »
My husband and I are sort of reserved ppl but I'm starting to change now. My question is: how do you socialize with other guests when you are on your own (not with a group of ppl)? What should start a conversation that is not too invasive? I'd like to get to know people at the resort because, honestly, I'm getting kind of tired of just being there and not talking to anybody. We don't have children (we have cats, though...).
I'm happy that at least this forum brings me to people with the same interest. I love this forum!
Help me!!!
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #1 on Nov 10, 2005, 12:41pm »
My hubby is better at this than I am, but we meet people on every vacation. I think the best thing is to smile and be approachable. It's easy enough to start conversation with the people around you on general topics. Have you been here before? Where are you from? Those sorts of things.
I find those people who are friendly, smile a lot and say hello all the time are the most approachable. I figure while away what do I have to loose? I will not see most of these people ever again so I use it as my opportunity to leave some of my reservations and hangups behind and be open and friendly.
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BobFromCanada
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #2 on Nov 10, 2005, 12:43pm »
I usually spill a drink on them at the beach and then apologize profusely ..... NOT.
Seriously, get involved with some of the poolside activities (even something as mundane as the Spanish lessons) and chat up the other participants. Or, while you are a lineup at the bar or waiting to get into one of the restaurants, smile and say "Hi, how are you today? Where are you from?". If they're interested, they'll smile back and away you go. If not, try someone else!
Another good way is to go on one of the organized tours, say "Outback Safari". At the end of the day you'll know most of the people in the van/truck and when you see them again at the resort, you've got something in common to talk about.
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Sunny
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #3 on Nov 10, 2005, 12:44pm »
That is the easy part of the vacation. All you have to do is strike up a conversation with someone while waiting to be served at the bar. There are lots of opportunities to get to know others, I love meeting people from other countries so I usually start with asking them where they are from. You will meet some of the people on your resort at the airport in your hometown and they will be on your bus. We met a wonderful couple from Holland last year just because we were trying to figure out where they were from by listening to them talk. We finally asked them and he smiled and asked in perfect English where did we think they were from. I told him my theory that we knew it wasn't French, it sounded German but was too soft so I had come to the conclusion they were Dutch. He was thrilled that we had guessed right and for the whole rest of the trip he and his lovely wife sat at the umbrella next to ours on the beach and shared a drink with us each evening after dinner.
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BobFromCanada
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #4 on Nov 10, 2005, 12:48pm »

Quote:
You will meet some of the people on your resort at the airport in your hometown and they will be on your bus.

YES! And you've already got something in common to talk about. Those same people will probably be going back on the same plane with you too.
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Kat
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #5 on Nov 10, 2005, 12:54pm »
Thank you for your quick feedback. Was it a silly question? You guys make it sound so easy!!!
But when I'm there, I usually chicken out... I'm afraid some people won't consider it appropriate to talk to strangers. But you know what? This year, I'm gonna try! We leave on the 19th of November. I'm determined.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #6 on Nov 10, 2005, 1:25pm »
Kat, no it wasn't a silly question. A lot of people have trouble being outgoing. However, in this case, they're on vacation and normally alone, so are usually more receptive. It might be harder to break into a group of 4 or 6 traveling together. Whatever happens, enjoy your Dominican experience.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #7 on Nov 10, 2005, 2:57pm »
I like to start on the plane going down there, or even in the airport....then compare notes on the way back with the people who went to other resorts but were on the same plane.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #8 on Nov 10, 2005, 5:06pm »
I strike up a little conversation under the palapa on the beach or pool. Usually ask the next door neighbour what a la carte restaurants they've tried..or whether they saw the night show. Usually everyone loves to give their opinion on the restaurant or show. When I see them the next day they usually always ask whether we went to the a la carte and whether we liked it. It's a good ice breaker - usually leads to other topics.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #9 on Nov 10, 2005, 5:45pm »
I am kind of reserved myself but I get approached all the time everywhere I go and once someone knocks on my door things take off from there.
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buckybruce
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #10 on Nov 10, 2005, 6:07pm »

Quote:
My husband and I are sort of reserved ppl but I'm starting to change now. My question is: how do you socialize with other guests when you are on your own (not with a group of ppl)? What should start a conversation that is not too invasive? I'd like to get to know people at the resort because, honestly, I'm getting kind of tired of just being there and not talking to anybody. We don't have children (we have cats, though...).
I'm happy that at least this forum brings me to people with the same interest. I love this forum!
Help me!!!

Hi Kat...my wife and I could have written your post a coupla of years ago....right down to the "no kids, but cats(actually four cats and one dog for us)for the first few trips we went on. Once you break the ice, I find "most" people on vacation let their guard down about the third day and open themselves up to other people(alcohol sometimes helps... ).

And...it's funny what topics of conversation will open people up. My wife and I are big Coronation Street fans and once, while at the Riu Tropical Bay, I was sitting at the bar waiting for a drink when a fellow about 50 or so sidled up beside me and asked for a drink in a pronounced British accent. I said hello, he responded back, and I asked him if he was having someone tape "Corrie" for him while they were away. He looked a bit surprised, then burst out laughing, and told me "I'd would rather open a vein than watch that dribble"....but then he introduced me to his traveling companions(also Brits) and didn't he and his buddy know all the characters and plot lines and so on. Of course, we in Canada are about 9 months behind them in episodes, so they knew what was going to happen before we will see it. I didn't want to know, so, they just dropped some plot "teasers" in the course of the conversation.

Anyway...we had drinks with them most every night..good people and good company.

I do find however, that if people know you don't have children, they kinda look at you funny...and that eliminates a big topic of conversation for some people.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #11 on Nov 10, 2005, 6:26pm »
buckybruce:

The same type of ice breaker happen with me in POP in 1998 and I struck up a conversation with a Brit fellow, similarly we talked and then out for dinner together for the evening, He had mentioned that he was very interested in Canada and could not perceive how big it was, so I invited him for a visit. Well 2 years passed and I received a phone call and was asked about the invitation, was it still open, "yes" and then he proceeded to tell me when they were coming and when I asked how long, he said 2 fortnights, I laughed and said OK send me the flight details via email. It wasn't until about 15 minutes after the phone call I realized how bloody long a fortnight was, oh my God 2 fortnights, a frigging month. And let me tell you we had a wonderful time with them, they had a wonderful vacation here in Ontario. They couldn't believe the 401 and how long it was, the size of the trucks, all the traffic in Toronto, how close we were to the USA and how easy it was to go to Detroit and Port Huron, how big Lake Erie was, they loved Niagara Falls and best of all he became a Tim Horton's coffee lover.
Now I have to still reciprocate and head to the UK but he knows how busy I am going to the DR, so we keep in contact at least one a month via the telly.

And all over a simple Presidente!
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #12 on Nov 10, 2005, 6:58pm »
Well I have the same problem striking up conversations is hard for me, but it comes so natural for my hubby. We usually met a few people on the bus ride to the hotel and we hang out by the pool or bar till our room is ready. Usually we have dinner with them and they met others and we go on from there. We met a few couples from Boston who liked our Redsox hats etc... Just remember there are others there that feel the same as you. So say hi, if they do not reply then say hi to the next person.
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lyndsey
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #13 on Nov 10, 2005, 8:58pm »
Two words for you Kat: Pool Bar!!

Have fun!

Lyndsey

PS - I don't think it was a silly question at all...I thought it was kinda nice, actually
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #14 on Nov 10, 2005, 9:08pm »
We usually wear a T-shirt or hat with our province on it....Or Just ask where they are from...Have no problem meeting strangers...My husband is usually Elvis at Karaoke and the next day his fans come and speak with us....Most people are friendly and will speak to you...we started off going with 4 people now it's grown to 20...Meet people easily..and we were shy 9 years ago on first trip...
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #15 on Nov 10, 2005, 10:09pm »
My husband is an ex-waiter/bartender and is the hit of any social scene we're in (ask Lyndsey). I on the other hand can speak French and manage better in Spanish than he can, so we work as a team. We have met soooo many people, from soooo many places. All it takes is a smile.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #16 on Nov 10, 2005, 10:54pm »
This will be our 3rd trip to Punta Cana, but our first alone, we always traveled with 4 other couples. We are sooooooo looking forward to spending time with friends we haven't met yet.
We plan to hang out at the lobby bar in the early evening, after dinner and say HI to as many people as we can..

EDinNB
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #17 on Nov 11, 2005, 11:13am »
EDin NB.....we'll ( 4 bluenosers ) be at the Majestic, March 18-25 ....we'd love to have ya pull up a chair for a chat and a drink... or 2 or 3 ........
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #18 on Nov 11, 2005, 11:29am »
We will be arriving around Midnite on the 20th.. we will look for you in the lobby bar on our arrival

EDinNB
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #19 on Nov 11, 2005, 12:44pm »
EDin NB ....sounds like a plan
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #20 on Nov 11, 2005, 3:49pm »
Hey great stories everybody

As faith would have it...

On one of our trips leaving from Mirable Airport to PUJ. Driving up and down the isles looking for a parking spot. “there is one” I said, only problem is, the parking spot was at the beginning of the isle and it’s a ONE WAY. Hubby says no problem, you get out and hold our spot plus you can direct me as I back up. There was another car far enough away that might be interested in this space. I get out giving directions, we managed to park in plenty of time before the other car drove by looking at us and smiling.

We found out the following at a much later time:

We were on the same flight, we sat in the row right next to them and never noticing them. They obviously had gotten a much better look at us than we of them.

We took the same bus to the hotel, we also were staying at the same resort, the RIUs. We got off at the Naiboa and they continued on to the Taino.

Well, a couple of days later we ended up at the same lunch bar at the beach and they were sitting there looking at us with a big fat smile. We were still totally unaware that they were the couple who were trying to get our (or us their) parking spot in Mirabel. LOL

So, they said Hello and a new friendship started from that moment on.

Jane asked me where I worked… it ends up we both work in the same building and had never bumped into one and other, small world…

We are now very good friends and forever laugh about the parking thing at Mirable airport. Apparently, they baptized us the “Bastardos” on that very first day.

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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #21 on Nov 11, 2005, 5:12pm »
Three years ago, on our very first trip anywhere, we went to the lobby bar upon our arrival and approached some people we recognized from the bus ride to the resort. We had a great week together and still see them on a regular basis. We have also gone on vacation together since then. We are now very good friends. Goes to show that you never know!!
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stillgotit
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #22 on Nov 12, 2005, 1:48am »
You should go to the Meeting Forum and look and see if anyone is staying at your resort and on the same dates. Even better make your own post and I'm sure you will get lots of responses.
When you are at the resort a good way to meet people I have found is to wear a t-shirt or baseball cap with your countries flag on it. This has always worked for me.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #23 on Nov 12, 2005, 8:14am »
We've met people in the lobby bar by smiling and pointing to the empty seats at our table as they are looking for a spot to sit. If they don't want to, or they are meeting others, they'll just pass by. Even if we speak different languages, we usually manage to enjoy a 'chat/charades' for a while. (And if it getting too awkward, there are always reasons to leave at the end of your drink.)

Another good option when they are carrying a camera is to offer to take a picture for them. People all like to be in their own vacation photos but are hesitant to ask someone.

Cathi
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #24 on Nov 12, 2005, 9:44am »

Quote:
We've met people in the lobby bar by smiling and pointing to the empty seats at our table as they are looking for a spot to sit.

We've done the same thing, only at lunch time and tables at the beach club.
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #25 on Nov 13, 2005, 7:57pm »

Some great suggestions there, I am also a bit reserved when I travel and then think I have missed out when I hear of others making friends that they stay connected with even after the vacation is over. What do I have to loose, nothing, what do I have to gain, great friends!! See you on the beach!
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #26 on Nov 13, 2005, 9:06pm »
Perfecto! Great attitude. You can't go too far wrong!
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #27 on Nov 17, 2005, 7:57am »
We have always met people near the coffee bars at the resort. Don't much care for the stench of booze breath so meeting people in the bar is not an option. I do however enjoy sitting back and noticing that the same batch of folks are bellied up to the same bars day after day. Starting early and then watching them go through the loud stage, to the "fathing" stage, to the stumble stage. Great entertainment!
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #28 on Nov 17, 2005, 8:52am »
Well Phil you could be missing out on meeting some very nice people. I am one of those people that hangs out at the beach bar, however, you won't be entertained by me going to stumbling stage. Some of us drink water and soft drinks, which we just happen to get at the bar. BTW, what is "fathing"?
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Re: How do you socialize...?
« Reply #29 on Nov 17, 2005, 9:07am »
Fathing......imagine a drunk having trouble putting his words together....fath, fath fath.

And....you are absolutely right! More people than not are drinking non-alcoholic drinks. It's the fathing (10% ers.) that I enjoy watching as it reminds me that I never want to go back to that disgusting state of mind. If you don't imbibe how can you handle the stench? Maybe not so bad being out in the open.
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