For budget travelers who tend to stay in backpacker hostels, having a good relationship with the staff can be the key to having a good trip. Obviously each person is an individual and has their own preferences, but there are some good tips for creating and maintaining a good relationship with your hostel staff.
Have boundaries
People who work in hostels are normally very outgoing and friendly, and sometimes they actually live at the hostel and are backpackers themselves. Make sure you don’t bother them with work-related questions when they are not working, taking their break, or if you run into them elsewhere. They will appreciate it.
Be pleasant
They will be there, working, when you check-in, when you get up in the morning, and when you come back after having a few drinks. Don’t forget to say hello, ask how they’re doing, and be generally pleasant.
Don’t forget to invite
Are you going out right at the end of a shift? If the hostel worker seems nice, invite them to join your group for a drink. Setting up a game at the hostel? See if they want to join. The staff usually loves to be counted for fun activities they don’t need to organize.
