Why Do RVers Like Swap Meets

RVs and swap meets seem to go together. I like the idea of swap meets because it gets you outside and walking. All too frequently it gets you spending as well. I've been to a half dozen swap meets in the southern part of the country these last few months and RVers have been well represented. Wherever RVers congregate, swap meet vendors spring up who cater to RVers. Today I am asking why is it so many RVers enjoy the swap meet experience? Is it because they get a better deal on stuff? Perhaps it's just the experience of rubbing shoulders in the public square. It's certainly an "activity" that can be enjoyed by everyone. Maybe it's the food or the "fair like" atmosphere. When I ask people why they like it I get different responses so it can't be nailed down to one thing. The draw for me is I want to see if there is something I might want. Heaven knows I don't need to collect more stuff to weigh down my RV, but there I am anyway. To be honest, I can't isolate what draws me to swap meets I just know I like them and that's enough. Outdoor markets are as old as human culture. We've tried to make this phenomenon more sophisticated by moving indoors into structures we call "malls." But the indoor commercialization of this ancient human swap meet custom has sterilized the experience and therefore swap meets continue to thrive all over America and the world. Some of the larger swap meets are seeing a trend toward becoming a "mall" themselves with covered structures and semi-permanent stalls. Frequently you see the same vendor with a stall on each row. Personally, I like a swap meet to have a little dust, a breeze, popcorn scattered here and there, maw and pop vendors and folks who just bring their garage sale stuff. Perhaps you can add to this article by telling us why you enjoy or don't enjoy the American swap meet by clicking on "comments" below and sharing your thoughts. Swapping stories across America - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing