While I look over the discussions about dogs or children or sex at hot springs, I think there is a common theme:

We all like to soak

Not all all like to have dogs, kids, sex, beer or cigarettes, even though some do. Those things ruin it for some and not others. If we all agree to respect the one thing we know we all enjoy, and we all agree to forego the other things, we will all be happy because we are all still enjoying the soak. I might enjoy a beer or music at a spring, but I don't need it, so I don't bring those because I know others don't like that.

I have agreed to keep my visits simple, quiet, and respectful, and I think that has made me and everyone else happiest.

Keep in mind, most HS's are on public land.  Everyone has equal rights to be there. I think the bigger concern is to not negatively impact the visits of others that follow. You know, pick up trash, don't leave extremely hot water pouring into mixing pools, not rutting up muddy roads, don't bike in designated wilderness, putting out fires and carting off debris, pick up dog poop and equally offensive cigarette butts and matches, don't trail blaze fragile habitats, those kinds of things.

My high has been ruined more by arriving snobs trying to enforce their mores on everyone else. I arrived to a HS once with young adults drinking and playing gangster music.  It seemed OK to me, so I just enjoyed their presence even though their behavior wasn't necessarily what I'd seek out. An arriving pencil-kneck moved in and ORDERED them to turn their music down because he didn't want his young children to hear the cuss words. That, to me, was out of line. I don't think most kids even notice the lyrics until they are old enough to have already heard cuss words hurled about. On another occasion, I brought my dog and parked in the corner of the lot and let her roam as I got organized.  Then someone came and parked right next to me rather than in one of the other open spots in a nearly empty parking area.  He went ballistic when my dog hopped in his open door car (that looked just like mine) and then went off on a tirade about why people shouldn't bring dogs to such places.  I bring my dog because I like her company. Deal with it, or don't move in next to me.  Many reading this may have heard or spread stories about boisterous obnoxious drunks or people with dogs that offend them.  Keep in mind that there is more than one world view. There are other "good people" who see the world differently than you.  The guy who takes care of Skinny Dipper and Trail Creek usually brings his dog.  Would you rather forego the free service he provides because you don't like dogs?  

If you don't like dealing with other person's idiosynchrosies, (i.e. gangster music, alchohol, laughter, dogs, beach balls, etc.) avoid conflicts and go off-times or go somewhere else.  It's not anyone's responsibility to set and apply standards to everyone else.


It's great to consider how to get along with others when you encounter them.  But for those that don't, they have their rights too.  Let it be.

   

I have had good results by saying:

"Whoa, looks like you got some party going on"

"Let me know if you need help cleaning up"

"You're welcome to use as many of these bags as you need, I've left mine behind more than once"

The other behavior not being directed personally to me in a negative way is not a problem for me.  If it's not your scene, why force the issue? How do you justify ruining someone else's high if you don't want that happening to you?  

As to leaving behind a mess, I guess I've never really gotten positive results by getting into someone else's grille about their behavior when it's not directed at me.  On the other hand, I've made some unexpected friends by co-opting them to be good stewards.  

I'll take the response "Hey thanks man, do you want a beer?" over "f*ck off!" any day.