Trailer Trash

When I tell people “I am a full-time RVer,” almost 95% of the time I get a quick eyebrow raise and some praise. A lot of them will say, “Wow! I wish I could do that” or “I bet that is a cool lifestyle.” Overall, I receive many supporters. However, that 5% erks the $h!t out of me and have equated me to being “Trailer Trash.”

Not that I need to explain myself to others, but I have a Master’s Degree, successful career, traveled to more than eight countries (so far), and have had a debt-free life for five years. By the way, I accomplished this long before I started living as a full-time RVer. Of course, these hasty judges do not know that. All they see is what is on the surface: I live in an RV.

There are three common misconceptions I hear about full-time RVers:

Only criminals live in RV parks.

Hearing this one has made me spit wine out of my nose. If you know me, you know I love my vino, but not in my sinus cavity. In the short time I have been living this lifestyle, I have met so many very successful (and wealthy) individuals. Last year, I met a CEO of an insurance company and a teacher who instructs English online to Japanese students. Both work out of their RV full-time and live a nomadic life simultaneously by traveling the country. Last month, I met a hero who was a POW for five years in Hỏa Lò (or more famously known as “Hanoi Hilton”). He sits back and enjoying life as a retired military member and he deserves some major kudos. Where I am currently staying, I have met at least two millionaires and they are also full-time RVers simply because they “love the lifestyle.”

If you don’t have a house, that must mean you’re homeless.

Also, a very incorrect statement. My home is simply on wheels and if you are remotely a part of the RV community (even as a weekender), you should know the motto: Home is where you park it.

You must be “Trailer Trash.”

Of all of the misconceptions I hear about full-time RVers, this is probably the most ignorant and most insulting of them all.

According to Merriam-Webster, “trailer trash” is defined as:

“poor people who live in trailers.”

I think that definition barely skims the surface of what some people really perceive what “trailer trash” is. Although I do not usually refer to Urban Dictionary (except for a good laugh), it seems to have the best description of what people consider to be “trailer trash.”

According to Urban Dictionary, “trailer trash” is defined as a:

“Derogatory description for person who seems well-suited to residential life in a mobile home park and is distinguished by poor hygiene, foul language, slovenly or slutty clothing, and general ignorance. Recreations include drinking malt liquor in lawn chairs under tattered R.V. awning and teenage pregnancy.”

Let us take a moment to dissect this claim, shall we? I’ll even us myself as an example:

• "…Person who seems well-suited to residential life in a mobile home park…” Yup and proud of it! I love the RV park I currently reside in. We have community bon fires, live music on the weekends, support one another, I have no yard to mow, and it takes me 20 minutes to clean my house now.

• “…distinguished by poor hygiene…” I admit that I need to do better flossing my teeth.

• “…foul language…” I cuss like a sailor because I’m a f*cking sailor. Having an RV does not take my filter off anymore than it already is.

• “…slovenly or slutty clothing…” Have you been outside in the Florida heat lately? I’m sweating in places no woman ever should. If you succumb to under-boob sweat on a regular basis, you’d rock out life in these clothes too.

• “…Recreations include drinking malt liquor in lawn chair under tattered R.V. awning…” So what? If people want to drink malt liquor, go for it. Some people like hard liquor and others like spritzers. Me? I’m a bit of a wine snob. Do I day drink in a lawn chair? Sure do! You can often find me reading a book or watching my dog chase the airplanes while I sip out my Cabernet Sauvignon. And guess what…It’s the same thing I did on the back porch of my house! As for the “tattered RV awning,” that also doesn’t matter. I see homes with broken shutters in nice neighborhoods, toys scattered on mansion lawns, and folks walking around with holes in their jeans because it’s “stylish.”

• “…teen pregnancy…” I never once met a pregnant teenager in an RV park and even if I did, I’m sure the last thing this new mother needs to hear is being called “trailer trash”.

People are too quick to judge a book by its cover nowadays. Before labeling someone, remember: Get to know him or her first. Your perception may be completely incorrect and you may be missing a connection to a wonderful person.

Originally published on Medium and CrystalsWritingRoom