How to Make Friends at a Hostel

Going away from home on a long holiday is most people’s dream. Away from their comfort zone, they push themselves into a whole new world of new people, new environment, and new experiences. While most of us somehow survive through the travel solo phase of our lives with very fond memories, we definitely have to agree to the fact that it is not an easy path to walk on.

Our lives change from choosing what we want for dinner to eating what we get or starving. Not to forget, the times we think that traveling alone was the worst decision we ever made, dying to go back home just to lie in your bed and have a sound sleep. We usually hear people say hostels are one of the best experiences to get while you travel alone or even with a few friends. May be we even experienced it.

But a nightmare for every hosteller, first time or probably the hundredth time is managing themselves in a hostel. While hotels seem pretty expensive they are more private and will let you live in your comfort zone. But no hotels or motels can substitute the fun and experience one gets living in a hostel. No matter how much we dread going to a hostel in an unknown place, once the phase is over, hostel life is probably the best memory we may remember from our journey!

But most of us always have one thing we are worried about when we travel solo and tend to live at a hostel. The fear of making new friends or gelling up with the new roommates is the biggest!

Fortunately for most of us who have been to hostels, many of the good friends or even the best friends we may have today are the ones we might have met at hostels. But for this it is very necessary we make the right friends because again- we’ve all been there.. picking the wrong folks to be friends with, regretting, traveling solo for a while, learning from our mistakes and finally picking the right ones.

So for all those first time hostellers out there and even those shy ones that have already made it to a hostel but never really got good friends, we suggest a few ways you can make friends at a hostel!

Pick a hostel of your character!

Every hostel has its own character. Some may have most shoppers in it and some may have the most party animals. Some may be near the city, in a busy area and some may be in an isolated and peaceful place. So pick the hostel of your choice according to you dominant character! It is easier for you to fit in a place if it makes you more comfortable. You can also say if you choose the place according to your taste, you might even meet people there who are of your taste!

Feel free to explore the place

It is okay to get out of your room once in a while and to explore the place. I mean, walking every hallway doesn’t make sense at all! But may be the reception, walk around the hostel.. the garden if it has one. Take an evening walk to places around the hostels. If there is a restaurant visit the place. We say this because you will be definitely meeting people here. Spark up a conversation with them and you never know you might actually like them and befriend them!

The staffs are pretty cool too!

Most hostels have very cordial staffs. A cheat sheet to making easy friends at a hostel is to befriend the staff! This is one secret most people do not know and most times ignore the importance of hostel staff. Know your staff well because they know the other people living there. And when you need to make some friends, they come handy to give you hints on who might be the best for you or you never know they might be good for you as well!

Strike a conversation

It is okay to talk to random people. Just a “Hi. I am blah from blah blah blah” is enough to get a conversation started. Usually when you start up a conversation with someone, there are two things that happen. The conversation spontaneously ends in two sentences or goes on for more than that. If you are smart and interesting enough to keep the conversation going for a couple of minutes, we bet you just made a friend right there!

Open up!

By open up we do not mean tell your darkest and deepest secrets. Once you enter your hostel room, you are sure to meet your roommates. Don’t be a spoilsport and go sit in the moody corner of your bed. Show your roommates you are a very interesting person who loves company. If you find something common between your roommates and you focus on that to be the center of your conversation. This way you get them interested to talk about it and also the conversation will be longer than usual. Try having a random conversation and get it going somewhere because roommates are probably the first friends you will make at a hostel.

Be more social

It is actually a pretty common fact that many friends are usually friends of friends. So when your friend or roommate ask you to tag along when they are going out to meet their friends or ask you if they can invite their friends to your room, never say no! Get out of your shy cocoon and socialize. May be once you meet them, they might even become closer to you than any of your other friends. So don’t ever be too shy to meet new people.

We say it again- DO NOT MISS YOUR BREAKFAST

This is something most of us get to hear even on a normal day. But while staying at a hostel, it is very crucial not to miss your breakfast because first.. Dude! It is complimentary! Why would you pay for a place and miss your complimentary breakfast? But wait, if you do not miss it how will others at your hostel miss it? Dining rooms are the best to catch hold of people and start a conversation with them. Because of the free breakfast, mornings are the times the dining halls are most crowded and we do not want you to miss a chance of meeting people.

Sharing is actually a great habit

Not something you don’t already know, but share your things to make friends at a hostel. When you are nice, friendly and share your things people automatically are attracted to converse with you. Like why would we ignore someone who is super nice to us and wants to help? Take every opportunity you get to help someone who you can clearly see needs something. This way you can create a good impression and befriend someone pretty easily. But don’t forget to get back something you lent just in case they do not return it!

Attend events

Usually hostels host events or at the least you will definitely find some place near your hostel that hosts a communal event. Do not shy away from it! Even if you hate crowds go for it! It is a great chance for you to meet amazing like minded people from your hostel or even from places around.

Hope the points above help you find the right friends on your next trip!

Happy traveling! :)

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