Couchsurfing Culture Clashes
This Reuters article about Asian couchsurfers raises the issues of culture clashes between Westerners and Asians.
I could relate to this article, since my parents are Asian immigrants to the United States. Expectations of hospitality can be higher for Asians than Westerners. My parents would identify with the Japanese mother in the article. You almost have to be an unpaid concierge, tour guide and butler to your guests.
In contrast, when I sleep over at a friend’s place, the unspoken contract is that I’ll sleep on the couch and pick up the tab at restaurants and bars. I’ll be doing my own laundry and errands. Quite simple in comparison.
While the price of Couchsurfing is attractive, I still choose to pay my own way at hostels. I feel that if I’m getting free accommodation, I can’t refuse anything my host proposes. If they want to take me somewhere, I have to go, if they want me to eat something, I have to eat it. I’d prefer to pay a price and be free to do as I please. What do you guys think?
February 6th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Yes, couldn’t agree more – rather have the freedom to do as I please. Hostels or small pensions are my preference.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
As an avid couchsurfer both as a host and surfer I disagree. I go in with little expectations from both my hosts and surfers. In many cases as a host we see our surfers when they arrive, at which point we assess compatibility, and then it is up to them when they come and go. We will invite them to dinner and all of our activities, but it is perfectly fine and not insulting if they are not interested. In addition we dont expect them to pay us if they do go out with us. As is the protocol of couchsurfing. What is invaluable about couchsurfing is the cultural exchange and snapshot of a particular persons lifestyle/insights about their city. For this reason it is important to look at a potential host/surfers profile completely and assess whether or not you will get along with that person and what kind of connection you might make. In addition rejecting people incompatible is a fundamental responsibility as a user. If someone hasnt attempted to make a personal connection based on our profile we typically reject the surfer. As a surfer we do our best to be respectful and be as low maintenance as possible to our hosts. We will typically try and bring something from our local community to share with them as an appreciative gesture to their hospitality. Given my experience I would not trade couchsurfing for hostels unless it was a last resort.
February 6th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
My fiance and I just hosted Koreans in Boston. It was really fun and I felt like we were on the same page for the most part. I think one of the only downturns can be that hostels usually have great locations in the middle of a city, versus hosts living outside. We lived outside the city and the girls took a 30 minute commute in on public trans although we are only 10 minutes outside the city. I would definitely couchsurf when in Japan or Korea as well. But in Thailand or anywhere in Southeast asia I would have to go with a hostel just b/c its so cheap anyway.