The OTR loneliness

Goodness gracious, I can't believe that those pr0n stores are still in business. Those places were interesting.....when I was in high school.

But, to the original topic....sometimes it's difficult to deal with the relentless loneliness out here on the road. In my own personal experiences, people usually didn't want my time or companionship. If I didn't have any money to give to them, then they usually go away. Other truck drivers are either in a hurry, too tired, uninterested in socializing, too weird, or in a rush to just get away.

I've met a few good souls out here, but since my skin is darker than a brown paper bag it's usually even harder to meet good people who don't view me as a negative stereotype or grocery food item (oreo cookies come to mind). Just by judging on the racial slurs I hear on the CB radio, maybe it's a good thing that I stay quiet and keep to myself at times.

I have family and friends that I talk to, and I use the internet (including this site) to help alleviate the pains of being lonely.

 

I'm on I-25 at a lovable truck stop called Johnson's Corner north of Denver. It has a great restaurant, but I cook my own food in the truck... It has very nice gifts, an a lot to see, tables where I can plug in my laptop... a tv room... a great place to spend some time. I delivered my load this morning at WalMart DC and as there's no other load for me right now and WalMart dispatchers are not working today, will enjoy my time off here for now. Went to WalMart supercenter to buy some groceries but they are closed....

 

BTW, I am a female driver, don't miss any male companionship and really don't want anybody in this truck with me. This forum is part of my social life and I'm very thankful for it. But I don't write much... I like to read people's opinions and experiences... This forum is very entertaining and very helpful with all the precious information one can find here.

 

I've learned that it's possible to feel lonely in a room full of people. Though I drove solo, I've never been less alone than when I was on the road. I'd listen to the CB sometimes--I rarely keyed up--and I couldn't believe the trash talk and hatred! Little men in life become Big Men on the radio. I sure wasn't lonely not knowing those people.

 

Oh, man! Johnson's Corner is still there! Even with that old dirt lot, I liked it a lot better than Sapp's pee-soaked asphalt.

 

I don't get lonely....I'm either rollin' or if I'm parked somewhere for a break or waiting on a load I work on my truck, BBQ on my grille, Mess around on the computer,watch a movie or walk around.
I meet lots of decent people at truckstops when I'm out grillin' or workin' on my truck...Guys will just walk up and strike up a conversation and sometimes we'll just hang out for a few hours BS'n about whatever comes to mind.

The female drivers seem to be less social, But who can blame them? Most guys out here seem to think that if a woman even talks to them she wants to get laid or something equally stupid.

I've met some people that were not the type of people that I want to have hanging around...But I have a way of making people that I don't like feel very unwelcome.

All in all though....If you sit in your truck and close the curtains all the time you're gonna miss out on some very cool people that are just looking to interact with other folks!

 

You forgot to mention looking out the window for redd...

 

I don't have to look....He's always there stalking me like a shadow in the night.

 

You are right, it's more difficult for a female truck driver to socialize on the road than for a male.
I am also the active type of person. Don't have any time left to watch tv. I cook my food everyday, clean all my windows, do my truck inspection, check tires, clean inside the truck eveyday, sweep and wipe the floor, do my paperwork whenever I have some spare time, plan my trips in advance, where I'll fuel, where I'll park overnight, call customers, do my groceries, and when I have some time off like now, I walk around, the day is sunny and beautiful, the temp is ok and then I go online and enjoy this forum, read the news, check the weather.... and call friends. Now I'm also researching other co's and a trip abroad. So, there's no time to feel lonely. BTW, there's another lady sitting right next to my table. She is watching something in her laptop, I could try to strike a conversation with her... but I am busy now....

 

no time to get lonely here eather rolling planning trips and where i sleep and fuel and clean the truck up do inspections cook dinner check the road conditions spend time with my dog call my boss family and friends i might watch tv for 30 mins catch up on paperwork enven though it's paperless logging here always a good idea to still have log books ready incase the computer wants to act stupid iv'e heard horror stories where it screwed up and the dam thing was stating the driver was in violation after 45 mins of driving. a truckers job is never done!!