Hostels are one of the most affordable types of accommodation whenever you travel. It is a communal place where several different people from different cultures and different countries stay when they are touring a city or an area. Many people prefer to stay in hostels because it is more affordable and convenient. But no matter what and how you need to know how to make friends in a hostel.
Staying in a hostel comes with several perks. You get to connect and meet new people. You have the opportunity to mingle with travellers from different cultures. It is also a good opportunity to learn about other people. Another big advantage is that it is a great chance to share travel ideas and anecdotes with other travellers. You can easily get tips on cheaper transport, food, the best places to shop and some of the hotspots in the area.
Social Events.
If You are on a trip to explore and have a good time, it wouldn’t be great to stay cooped up indoors. Find out about social events, parties and hangouts from the hostel’s receptionists and your neighbours in the hostels. If the hostel has a notice board check it out for upcoming social events that you can attend. This is a great way to loosen up and meet new folks.
Stay in a dorm room.
When you get a good hostel it is better to stay in a dorm room than staying in a single one. In a dorm room, there are several interesting things that can happen. You get to make new friends with your dorm mates. Learn from them, their opinions and culture. Being in a dorm room gives you the chance to get a group of people to plan your trip. You can get information and recommendations on great travel deals and cheap prices on services when travelling.
Make conversation.
Be the first to start a conversation when making new friends. You can start on a lighter note by making a joke or asking questions. When you do these, people see you as approachable. Get interactive with mates in the hostel. Usually, people question themselves if they can use conversations to know how to make friends in a hostel, but truly it all starts with that one small convo. Try it!
Hang out in communal areas.
Hang out in communal areas with other members of the hostels. The hostel may have a kitchen, game room, common hall or room where people meet up to talk about their adventures. It is a good time to make friends and network. Travelling and staying in a hostel is a great way to vibe with other people. Do not miss the chance to hang out with like-minded people in communal areas. Most hostels organise drink ups, parties and game nights to give members the opportunity to make friends and socialize.
Pick the right type of hostel.
It is always advisable to plan properly when going on a trip and One of the most important things to plan for is accommodation. As a traveller, the best budget-friendly type of accommodation is staying in a hostel. Finding the right hostel can be a little dicey. It is advisable to check out reviews of these hostels before making any form of payment. To confirm if a hostel will suit your needs, it is advised that you get sufficient information in hostels from people who have stayed there. A good way is through online reviews on sites like booking.com
Be open minded and curious.
No need to be a straight jacket person here. This is a time to explore different cultures, getting to know different people and see the world with new eyes and a different perspective. Learning new things involves being open-minded and non-judgemental to issues, this allows you to understand people’s perspective and gives you the chance to learn the culture of other people. In knowing how to make friends in a hostel, it is important to maintain an open mind towards all those you come into contact with.
Say Yes, be receptive.
You can sometimes be invited to hang out with folks in the hostel. If you want to hang out with them say yes, but if you wouldn’t want to politely decline, say no maybe next time. If you do not seek opportunities to make friends you may not get the exposure and excitement you want. Say yes to other opportunities to spend time with new people. You can attend an event, go site seeing or grab something to eat together. These are some of the simple things that start friendships.
Break the ice.
It is good to start up conversations with people in the hostel, do not speak too much, but be the type who is a listener and contributes when necessary. A good ice breaker is asking a question or directions for a particular place. You can ask for directions or information about parties and good places to grab a bite. The person might also be interested in going along with you. This would be a beginning of a good conversation and maybe a better friendship.
Be kind.
Everybody loves some cute act of kindness. But if you want to know how to make friends in a hostel, then you have to learn it whether you like it or not. Kindness goes a long way to bridge the social gap. It is a show of love and support. Being kind doesn’t take a lot from anyone. Be kind by helping out a hostel member with luggage, giving directions when asked, being polite and respectful, not forgetting to show genuine concern when necessary.
Smile.
A smile is a warm invitation to anyone who sees it. You are likely to get a smile back when you smile. Don’t just smile, say hello too. It is a great conversation starter. Smiling gives people a good impression of you. When I say smile, I mean a good smile, not the psychotic type who is literally smiling and laughing at nothing in particular (😂). But smile at people when you greet and say hello.