The Unspoken Rules of Hostel Etiquette

Hostels are incredible. They are cheap, aesthetic, and the best way to meet people. But nothing ruins the vibe faster than 'that guy' in the 8-bed dorm. Here is a quick refresher on how to be a considerate human being when sharing a room with 7 complete strangers.

The Story: The Plastic Bag Symphony

"It was 3 AM, and he was packing his bag like he was solving a Rubik's cube made of bubble wrap."

I was staying in a beautiful hostel in Varkala. The vibe was great until a new guy checked into the bunk above me. He had an early morning train the next day. Instead of packing his bag in the evening, he decided to do it at 3 AM.

In total darkness, he proceeded to rustle what sounded like forty different plastic grocery bags for over 30 minutes. He unzipped and re-zipped his bag a dozen times. The entire dorm was awake, glaring at his silhouette in the dark. Don't be the plastic bag guy. Pack your bag the night before, and use packing cubes so you don't sound like a chip bag factory.

Rule 1: The 11 PM Light Rule

If you come back to the dorm after 11 PM, the main light stays off. Period. Use your phone flashlight to find your bed. Do not turn on the overhead fluorescent lights and blind everyone who is trying to sleep. We can all see you.

The Story: The Serial Snoozer

In Rishikesh, a girl in my dorm wanted to wake up at 5 AM for sunrise yoga. Admirable. However, she set her alarm on full volume—a blaring marimba ringtone—and proceeded to hit snooze every 10 minutes for a full hour. By 6 AM, everyone in the room was furious, and she didn't even end up going to the yoga class.

If you set an early alarm, you forfeit the right to snooze. When it rings, you grab your phone instantly, turn it off, and get out of the room. Your sunrise ambitions shouldn't cost everyone else their REM sleep.

Rule 2: Keep Your Explosive Mess Contained

You paid for a bed, not the entire floor. Keep your backpack tucked under your bunk. Don't drape your wet, sandy towel over someone else's railing, and for the love of everything aesthetic, keep your dirty hiking socks zipped inside a bag. Respect the shared space.

The Unspoken Rules of Hostel Etiquette