Comments on: Lessons from a couchsurfing nightmare

By: host nazi

host nazi — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:18:25 +0000

Surfers can’t blame the hosts, period. Hosts have their own lives, and are open enough to accept strangers in their house. What do surfers expect, the red carpet? Unless the hosts have mental problems, then I am 100% certain no host sign up to host, just to make the surfer’s life miserable. How about you host, I go to your house, and you clip my toenail? Grow up.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:47:32 +0000

I will try to provide some useful tips that I encountered as both host and couchsurfer.

For couchsurfers:

-Adapt (at least try) to the local customs. In my country, we usually have a very small breakfast (usually tea, mate or coffee) and some toast or cookies. Do not expect a full American breakfast for free and ask if hosts accept that you cook bacon at 8am. Remember that couchsurfing is a cultural experience rather than a money-saving method for travellers.

-Hosts are not tour guides. Do not expect airport pick-ups or sightseeing tours. It’s a house, not a hotel.

-As the author says, communicate! If the host has children, expect noisy mornings and control over the TV and computer. If you are not OK with it, find somewhere else. Ask anything you need to know before staying somewhere. See if your lifestyle is compatible with your host’s.

-Respect your host’s routine. If everyone showers daily, do it. If water is expensive where you stay, do what they do or at least ask.

-Do not invade the property and try to be clean and tidy. Yes, your room may be private, but try not to leave your stuff spread on the floor, eat on the bed, etc. You know exactly what I mean and no further explanation is needed.

-Be thankful and generous. Remember that your hosts are giving you the chance to share a cultural exchange for free.

-Do not bring others into the property. YOU are the guest. If you find somebody you like, get a room or chat at a café.

For hosts:

-Make sure that everyone in the house is OK with the idea of having a stranger that might not even speak the local language.

-Do not make your guest feel that you are doing him/her a favour. Many couchsurfers like the experience and do not do it to save money.

-Be tolerant. We are all different and nobody died for spending four days with a smelly person (I’ve stayed in many hostels).

-Set your rules in advance and do not think that some rules are implicit or obvious. We are all different.

-Keep your word. If you accepted to host somebody in a specific date, do not show up with last minute changes. At least, try to find a place for your guest or let him or her know your issues in advance.

Hope you like these tips.

See you!

By: G

Wed, 18 May 2011 20:30:05 +0000

Kia Ora,
I have hosted in the past, all been great positive experiences!.I have stayed with people in the past,all been good and I contributed where I could and helped out! I only have positive references on my profile..BUT I have heard alot lately from New-Zealand friends of mine where visitors to New-Zealand have been shitting on their hosts, as in don’t arrive at all after agreeing day and time beforehand, eating all the food in the hosts fridge and not giving back or replacing, asking hosts to drive them around everywhere and thinking the cars in NZ run on fresh air, staying too long and stinking out the lounge or room, on the internet all the time on the hosts pc or laptop using up most of their hosts data plan..Don’t get me wrong, CSing is a great concept and way to meet people but the organization needs to weed out the ones who abuse the system, is all.

By: kethy

kethy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:57:36 +0000

hi , i am a host. And couch surfing is a brilliant concept. Me and my husband have hosted and met a lot of fellow travellers. Couchsurfing brings us endless talks…. we share with each other about our interests, travels, music, books and many more things. Till now the experience has just been superbily positive. But before accepting a request both me and my husband independently go through the request and the profile very very carefully.BEST OF LUCK COUCHSURFERS

By: Hostel Booking

Hostel Booking — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:23:58 +0000

Although i am in travel business, it took a while until the news reached me. Quite unconventional way of traveling, skeptics might say.

Having browsed through several member profiles and reading through testimonials of people who have chosen to travel this way, I am convinced “unconventional” is not bad at all.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:21:15 +0000

Couchsurfing is more – in a human, spiritual way. It’s traveling like a pilgrim. I’m a host in Berlin – and yeah I have to say this is the best think I have done until now.
Maybe you want to change experiences?
My Blog: http://www.couchsurfing-host.com/