The Hostel Experience

When I transferred to a new school in Chicago last year, I stayed at a hostel a couple of weeks before classes started to look for an apartment. I found the place through the school's housing website that gave the sites of temporary housing. I had no idea, nor did I ever hear of a "hostel". I just thought for some reason it was cheaper option as opposed to a hotel.

The first few days were absolutely horrible. The place was pretty grimey compared to other hotels I stayed at and I couldn't get over the whole bathroom situation since I'm one of those clean freaks. Eventually I got so bored I just started talking to a couple of people. It was pretty interesting to hear about where they were coming from and what they were doing in Chicago. It just continued from there one. I started conversations with random people at the hostel who came from all over the world like Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Croatia, Russia, Korea, India, and a lot of Brits and Australians. They all looked up to me because I was one of the few Americans at the hostel and I had this wealth of information about the country I shared with them.

It is not at all like me to spur conversations with strangers, but my theory is that I felt safe doing so because I would never see them again, sort of like the internet. I felt I had nothing left to lose. Unfortunately, once my classes started and I moved into an apartment my stay in Chicago declined.

I suggest other avoidants to try out the hostel experience with a goal to get to know your fellow guests. It's always an interesting conversation speaking with people from other parts of the world. Plus, it's much cheaper than a hotel room. At the very least, I would recommend avoidants to get out and travel more often. It's always nice to experience a new place and get away from your familiarities (aka worries, anxieties).

Try it out!

Yeah, it's pretty cool finding an environment where you can interact on your own terms: no expectations or whatever.

I usually find it WAY less draining to chat with such strangers... than with people who can claim a draw on me.

Nice suggestions to check out the hostel (as opposed to hostile) scene.

( BTW: I had always thought of them as for older folks, but I guess there's not really an age requirement?)

It may sound good initially but that wouldn't apply to someone like me. I imagine how weird would that sounds if I rent a room for a few weeks and someone ask me where I come from: "Actually, I left the house I own in a quiet area 30 min. out of town to come live in this overcrowded place for a while just to enhance my people skill." Wouldn't be suprised if the police or the men in white(from the mental hospital) comes to ask me some questions...

Years ago I stayed in a hostel for a while and ended up hiding in my room most of the time. After not talking to people for a while I just felt so conspicuous that talking to anyone after that point was just too big a deal. It was a miserable experience for me.

Gsf-600 wrote:I imagine how weird would that sounds if I rent a room for a few weeks and someone ask me where I come from: "Actually, I left the house I own in a quiet area 30 min. out of town to come live in this overcrowded place for a while just to enhance my people skill."

I just meant when you travel in the future you should book a room at a hostel. That would be weird staying at a local hostel in a city you already have residence in, especially for an avoidant.

I find I am much more open, daring and friendly when I travel. I'm a whole different person. I'm not surprised you had good experiences at a hostel, even one where you live. It's almost like traveling, isn't it?

I've only been in hostels when I backpacked through Europe in college. They were fine then, I wouldn't do it nowdays. My biggest shock was being in the communal shower when two naked girls walked in. Lord almighty, that ain't right!