Hostel etiquette for newbies: What to do, what to expect

Shoestring travel has introduced the concept of hostels to the Filipino traveler. Hostels are cheaper to stay at than hotels, and are popular with young tourists in particular. If you want to experience hostel living but are uneasy about trying it for the first time abroad, you can start by booking a stay at any of the growing number of hostels here.

GMA News Online visited one up and coming establishment in the country's most popular travel destination: the Boracay Box and Ladder Hostel, where we encountered a lot of local tourists trying the hostel experience for the first time. Here is a list of important things to remember for those venturing into shared spaces while traveling.

1. Take note of the S. It's a hostel, not a hotel. This means that the people who run these establishments are not expected to cater to your every whim. There's a level of independence expected of those who stay at hostels. The fact that you booked it means you are a smart traveler who's looking for the best value.

That said, try to manage your expectations about the services. There will be no bellboys to carry your things to your room. There's also no room service, but most places have kitchens where you can cook and heat your food. You are expected to take care of yourself, while they take care of the bare essentials.

2. You bought the bed, not the room. You can sometimes tell if there are Filipinos staying at the same place because they tend to be a bit more... chatty. The problem with hostels is that the space is limited. At Boracay Box and Ladder, they have eight single pods in one room, and four "couple pods." Some rooms even contained 12 pods. This means that at a maximum, you are sharing the room with 11 other people.

Our fellow Pinoys took the time to hop from one room to the next, checking on their friends. They also had a "briefing" for the activities they were going to do to start the day, then a "debriefing" of all the drunken debauchery that happened during the wee hours of the night. This kind of behavior is fine if you booked the whole room for yourself and your friends (and if the place tolerates noise to begin with), but if you're sharing the room with other guests remember that they have as much right to sleep, silence and privacy as much as you do.

3. Socialize. Hostels are not just famous for their cheap prices. They're also popular for encouraging community among travelers. It's easy to just dive into bed after a long day, but if possible, take the time to chat with other travelers in the common areas.

Hostels encourage the sharing of ideas, and we should all take advantage of it. That serious-looking Polish backpacker may know the best hostel in Siem Reap, your next destination. The Singaporean yuppie who complimented you about your phone case might be looking for a graphic designer just like you. The owners might know an island-hopping operator that's willing to take you to more places for the same price. They might also know where you can get the best margaritas on the island. It's one of the easiest ways to build your network, and it's free, too.

4. Support the hostel's income-generating activities (when you can). Hostels keep the prices low to stay competitive, and it is a nice gesture to give back and support their business. On the island of P100 beers, Boracay Box and Ladder offered P50 mojitos with the view of the breathtaking sunset from the rooftop. Every transaction goes a long way for hostel operators.

5. Stay clean and classy, always. Staying at a hostel is similar to staying at a friend's house. This means that there's nobody to clean up after you. Keep the place clean, just as how you would when staying with people you care about. Don't leave shampoo sachets in the bathroom, dispose of your trash properly, and treat the common areas with respect. These may seem like no-brainers, but going around the world, we've realized that people try to get away with the weirdest things when there's nobody watching.

It pays to stay classy, too. Remember that you are your nation's representative everywhere you go. Other tourists form opinions of nationalities based on the people they meet. Filipinos are known to be some of the nicest beings in the world, so let's keep it that way. Don't leech off other people. Don't take advantage of them. Always keep in mind that everyone is entitled to their opinion: other guests might think Floyd Mayweather is the best boxer in the world, and that's OK. Try to be open to ideas and don't impose your own, and enjoy the company of new friends. — BM, GMA News