25 Types of People You Will Meet in Hostels

Spend enough time staying in hostels, or spend a few months working in one, and people will blend together in such a way that they become stereotypes. All of the sudden you notice that conversations repeat themselves. To make things more interesting you will catch yourself making up nonsense about who you are, and what you think, to enliven the conversation. Soon enough you will be able to categorize people based on your short interactions with them. To save you the pain of speaking to so many people, and for your entertainment (of course!), I’ve decided to give you a quick list of the types I’ve encountered over my travels. Without further ado are are the types of people you will find in a hostel!

1. The List and Spreadsheet Traveller

Who knew you could fit an entire trip on a tiny excel spreadsheet (well… actually I did!). The list/spreadsheet type is very exited for their trip, so much so that they has planned every detail of it and researched all attractions within the vicinity of their route. There is nothing wrong with being organized but whether he or she enjoys their trip will hinge on if they is able to deviate from the vaunted spreadsheet and be spontaneous.

2. The Lounger

He practically lives in the hostel common room, spending all of his time lounging around the building. He eats his three meals at the hostel, stocking on groceries so he can cook a delicious meal. Usually he has his laptop or a book with him, and enjoys being social with those that come in. Not too much more to say about this guy, he is usually alright. These types are usually on a long term trip!

3. The Guitar Douche

You meet this character in almost every hostel, the one who’s always playing some poorly sung version of a sappy tune like Wonderwall in order to lure young naïve girls, usually a decade his junior or more. Don’t let his “chill” demeanour fool you. Under his oversized beany, this guy is a raging asshole. Very rarely he is actually the read deal and one chilliest people you will meet, but that is an exception not the rule.

4. The [Psudo] Intellectual

You know that type, the one that’s always looking to have “important” conversations but can only add generic commentary on the state of the world. He is either over-educated but under-informed or just an idiot that’s travelled a lot and thinks he’s an intellectual.

5. Too Cool For School (or just for you)

Hes got his shades down low and even if he did his gaze would never meet you! This person is (or more likely thinks!) that they are way out of your league. No-matter we are all staying in the same hostel like plebeians!

On other occasions hes actually the coolest guy / girl but never gets invited out because people are intimidated by them! Give them a chance, cool people need love too!

6. “For the Gramm”

Its all about the “Gramm”… Instagram that is! This traveller only wants cute pics to bragg to their friends at home. Unlike the “Old School Photographer” their pictures are taken from a phone and are typically of a low quality. Apart from the endless selfies, this traveller can usually be found at historic sites taking up all the room to get their 1001 pictures in. If female she will be accompanied by a hapless husband/boyfriend/male companion that will be made to follow her around and film / take pictures of her as she does whatever thing is the latest Instagram travel trend. Poor guy, someone should put him out of his misery!

7. The Socialite

This traveller has just arrived at your hostel and somehow, they already seem to know everyone. By the end of the night they have acquired everyone’s cell phone numbers and set them up in group chats… with organizing meet ups and activities.It is all charisma with the socialite, a fact you will realize when you are up far into the night just chatting away and the sunrise is soon to come. Darn… you had planned on an early night!

8. The Party Animal

This archetype lives for the nightlife. Its been a week in the same city and he or she has seen none of the city during the day time but has participated in every single pub crawl. Great to go out drinking with but after you sober up you will realize that the conversation does as well!

9. (Just a) Bore!

Like… its cool that your a doctor but can you tell me anything about yourself that isn’t about your career? This guy or gal is a snooze fest at home, and they bring that same energy to the road. How one could listen to, let alone ever breed, with the bore is beyond me. They probably should have just stayed home.

10. The Culture Vulture

Is there a museum nearby? The culture vulture can tell you, he likely has already visited it or taken the virtual tour! The culture vulture may seem a little over bearing at first, with their endless facts, but their knowledge and passion for the subject are so infectious that you find yourself actually liking them!

11. The Adventurer (he’s done it all!)

He’s been to more places then you can count and is filled with boundless energy. This traveller is hardcore and will really push you to do more. We all admire the adventurer, deep down, even if it would paint us to admit it!

12. Older and Wiser

This traveller has been around and has adopted you as their protégé. They are generally kind and remember what it was like for them when they started travelling.

13. The Creep

They come in all ages, but that doesn’t make it any better. This traveller is usually make, although they can be female as well. They can usually be found on the pub crawl, being overly attached and overprotective of people they hardly know. They tend to be touchy and have no understanding of boundaries. What is worse is when you are bunking with them. If you are please ask to change rooms. It is never worth it!

14. The Collector

These guys travel to unique places to collect items, either from flee markets, book stores or general. They generally like to shop and know of the most interesting locales to do so!

15. The Liar

You know that every word they tell you is a lie, but you don’t really care until you realize that people are actually falling for his/her bullshit. There are two types of liars; trolls whom are actually quite funny at times and the liar who wants to make themselves look better. Never trust the latter.

16. The One Who Never Leaves the Room

I’ve always found this type to be the ultimate kind of strange. You know that traveller, that one that leaves the room, let alone the hostel. They can usually be found in bed all day on their phone or laptops, their device’s bright glow shinning brightly into the night. You wont ever get to know them, but they don’t seem all that interesting anyhow!

17. The Extreme Sports Enthusiast

They live for the adrenaline, whether they have entered into an extreme mountain biking competition or are skydiving. Typically they care little for a country’s cultural scene, they are just there for their event. These are not the most interesting travellers but they do have fun!

18. The Rich Kid in Exile

You will usually find this young adult (with the mind of a teenager) sitting at the hostel bar annoying every patron that has the misfortune of sitting beside him. He has embarrassed daddy one too many times or is simply estranged from his peers. If you are a girl, he will likely be a bit creepy and if a guy he will likely follow you along like a lost puppy. Either way you will have to listen to his lame stories of the high life, and people you care little to know more about. They are usually male but sometimes the genders are reverse if so swap the genders to what was said previously

19. The Braggart

Oh the braggart, for who the experience of travel is rather perfunctory. Steer clear of this traveller, all their stories are travel stories and they collect numbers just to brag about them.

The Braggart: You enjoyed Guatemala, well I’ve travelled to 130 countries and made love to a Komodo Dragon, so ya, that’s what’s up!

20. The History Buff

This traveller loves one thing and it is clear. Take them along with you and you will not even need a guided tour. Also try to get him drunk, he may deviate from the history stuff if you do! On the rare occasion they are actually travelling to do some research on an upcoming book!

21. The Foodie

More than anything they love eating, it is in fact the primary driver of their trip. This traveller wants to try a nation’s culinary delights, obscure or not, and wont be stopped. If you are planning on going out, try to befriend one of these travellers. They do come in handy.

22. The Nature Lovers

This traveller will spend his time at roadside attractions such as petting zoo’s with alpacas, out on the water to sea whales, exotic mammals on safari, under the water scubaing to fish or out in the rainforest to see monkeys. They have lots of pictures on their phones and are dying to tell you about the wildlife they have uncounted!

23. The Climber

If he can climb it he will, and if he does.. he will surely tell you all about it. All this traveller wants to talk to you about are the view! Be prepared he will want to drag you out on his excursions, weather urban or remote. If you do join make sure to define what a short hike is before you go or you may end up with a 20km day. Also pack well, this guy is usually a stud and you will need all the help you can get! His vistas are sublime, however.

24. The Conspiracy Buff

Although much rarer then these other archetypes, there are all types of people in hostels and they do show up. The conspiracy buffs are typically older and express anti government or anti mainstream positions. Think of a jaded and cynical hippy or a outside of the conservative mainstream right wing type. To my bewilderment I have been asked by the conspiracy buff about my thoughts on Bigfoot and the like, as if it was a serious conversation. Of course it can be fun to play along!

25. Je-Je-Je-Jaded

I don’t care what kind of day you had or what type of awe inspiring things you saw but this traveller will always be unimpressed, no matter how hard you try to engage with him/her. He’s either done it all or just simply doesn’t care. It is maybe type that they come off the road and settle down!

BONUS: The Old School Photographer

Hes lugging around his massive camera hoping to capture the city in its eternal glory, as the sun sets and a flock of birds fly over and out of view. Yes he his taking pictures of everything but I’m pretty sure a few of them are good, right? As long as he doesn’t take a tripod out in a busy area you should get along just fine.