Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone else out there is getting sick of discourteous hostel guests?

I'm talking about those people who feel that it's ok to turn on lights, talk loudly and eat smelly takeaways in a shared dorm room at 3am when they get in from the pub. People who leave their various beauty products on all the bathroom surfaces so there's no where for you to put your toothpaste while you clean your teeth or how about those people who turn the television up so loud you can no longer have a conversation with the person next to you. And dishes left unwashed on the bench for the evening so if you want to cook you have to wash first. I know I'm having a rant but it seems to me that the common courtesies that were shown when I started hostelling about 10 years ago are a thing of the past (maybe I'm just getting old). C'mon people - this is our shared space and we all want to enjoy it. Let's start treating hostels and our fellow hostellers with a little more respect.

And by the way - I'd be interested to know if it is just me or if others out there feel the same way about this. Comments please

I sympathise. On the plus side, hostels are great places for meeting other travellers (particularly useful if you're travelling alone) and they're always the cheapest place in town.

However, I've now reached an age where sharing a dormitory with a group of others (at least one of which will always be a snorer or sleep-talker) has lost its appeal. Lack of privacy now bothers me, and I was once a victim of theft in a hostel.

Unfortunately, there will always be a minority of people in hostels who behave in a selfish and inconsiderate manner - be particularly wary of school parties in hostels in northern Europe.

The last time I stayed in a hostel I was woken periodically throughout the night by the sort of behaviour mentioned above. When I visited the washroom early the following morning I found every washbasin full of vomit (no beauty products here!).

Pete