How To Annoy The Hell Out Of Your Hostel Mates

Hostels are a smart option when traveling. Not only do they help you save money, they allow you take advantage of free and discounted experiences, give you access to useful amenities like game rooms, kitchens and lounge areas, and help you socialize with other travelers. This being said, there are some globetrotters who are unaware of how to be a respectful hostel guest. To give you an idea of what I mean — and to give you some advice on what not to do in a hostel — here is a guide on how to annoy the hell out of your hostelmates.

Not Bathing

I know hygiene isn’t the number one priority of most backpackers when on the road, myself included. That being said, if it’s gotten to the point where you become like a putrid air (un)freshener making the dorm smell like moldy cheese and gym socks, it’s time to rethink what’s important. A simple shower is all you need to turn hostel enemies into hostel friends.

Taking 10 Years In The Shower

On the other end of the spectrum, bathing too much is also annoying. If you want to take an hour-long shower in your own private hotel room that’s fine (although you might want to reconsider that for the environment’s sake); however, when you’re in a hostel and sharing the bathroom with 100 other people this is just plain rude. Are you harvesting the water yourself? Did you fall asleep standing up? Are you masturbating? What exactly is going on in there? I actually had my boyfriend time me once in the shower and I made five minutes (albeit without shaving my legs). Keeping it under 10 minutes is nowhere near impossible.

Snoring

While I understand people who snore can’t help that they snore, I don’t believe these people aren’t aware they’re doing it (there must have been at least one girlfriend or boyfriend who tried to suffocate them with a pillow at some point in the past!). If that’s the case, either buy some nasal strips or opt for a single or double room over a dorm. By doing so you’ll be allowing your hostelmates a good night’s sleep while still being able to enjoy the social benefits of hostelling.

Having Sex

I’m not saying don’t have sex when nobody else is in the dorm, in the shower or in the laundry room. By all means, get some action if you can. That being said, stumbling home loudly with your love interest for the night when everyone else is sleeping, hopping into bed and jack hammering the night away is extremely inconsiderate. I once had this happen on the bunk above me, and not only did I have to listen to their loud of cries of passion, I actually had a bra land on my face. Let’s just say someone was not well liked by their dorm buddies the next morning. Side note: Make sure to always wear a condom, especially when sleeping with someone you’ve just met.

People Who Play Games On Their Phone/Text With The Sound On

Who does this?! As I’ve seen on my travels, a lot of people. This is annoying enough during the day, but at night when people are relaxing, either sleeping or trying to read a book, hearing Super Mario-esque music or “When The Saint’s Go Marching In” every time someone sends you a message is downright maddening. Play and text all you want, but go to your “Settings” icon, click “Sounds” and put your notifications on silent (some directions just in case you didn’t know how to do it).

Stealing Food

There’s nobody I hate more than people who steal my food at a hostel. There’s been so many times I’ve returned from a challenging hike or day packed with sightseeing, starving and looking forward to my leftover pasta bolognese or to cook up some cheeseburgers, only to find someone else had similar plans (despite the fact I always label my food with my name and stay dates). Don’t be that person. Not only are you putting someone else out financially, it’s a burden to then have to go to a supermarket and waste precious time finding something else to eat and then prepare it. Don’t be lazy. Go buy your own dinner.

Crinkling Bags

There are few sounds that are more annoying when you’re trying to sleep than crinkling bags, moving zippers and plastic rubbing together. We all have flights and trains to catch, sometimes at unusual times. If you have to leave at 4am, pack the night before so you’re not rummaging through your luggage in the morning and waking everyone up.

Turning The Lights On When You Come Home

Sprinkling a few wild nights into your trip can be a lot of fun. That being said, arriving back at your hostel at 4 in the morning, throwing on all the lights, rifling through your luggage for your pajamas and loudly opening and closing your locker is a sure way to make your hostelmates hate you. If you’re hitting up the bars, make sure to lay out your clothes and toiletries beforehand, and bring a small flashlight or download the Flashlight App on your smartphone so you don’t have to wake everyone up by turning on the lights. Have you ever had an annoying hostelmate? What was their most irritating habit?