Traveling is one of the most life-affirming
activities ever to exist. It can truly be a rush, adapting to a new setting and
circumstances. There is no better substitute if you wish to broaden your
horizons, learn about distant cultures and meet new people.
We gravitate towards new experiences, and couch
surfing allows to do just that.
Ever since the dawn of time, hotels existed for
a reason — to provide lodging for weary travelers and to become a financial
burden for tourists. Hotels are expensive, especially when the vacation season
is in full swing.
You have friends all over the world. You just
haven't met them yet.
And it all starts by finding a couch. In a
different country. That belongs to a perfect stranger.
CouchSurfing aims to provide an alternative to
expensive accommodations. It is a system, a tool and an app that allows users
to organize and provide "surfing" or homestay options to like-minded
people all around the world. It is both a social media site and an
accommodation sharing service.
Every single user is encouraged to complete
their profile page and provide useful information about themselves. This, in
turn, creates a database that allows guests to browse it and find a suitable
host who will provide short-term bedding.
The biggest difference that separates
CouchSurfing from other accommodation services like Airbnb is that CouchSurfing
is free of charge. Guests are not required to compensate hosts for the lodging;
homestay is provided at no cost.
But in some cases, it doesn't stop people with
relentless entrepreneurial spirits.
I'll provide more details on the topic of
dangers, nuances, and peculiarities, but a bit later.
What is CouchSurfing good for?
CouchSurfing fills a particular niche, like those
services which provide an answer to common plights like "Help
me write my essay."
Reduced strain on your pockets means that you will get to enjoy both the social
and the traveling aspect a bit more freely.
A refreshing development, since many capitals of
the world aren't regarded as being cheap, but their allure is sometimes too
strong to deny. Some of them are vital to visit at least once in a lifetime.
In any case, you can't put a price on cultural exchange and enjoyable
experiences.
Since getting the complete picture of the
service at a cursory glance is nearly impossible, here are a few pointers you
need to keep in mind if you intend to become a guest or a host. This article
aims to shed light on the exciting topic of CouchSurfing.
You won't be spending a small fortune to stay at
the hotel, so CouchSurfing is ideal for students and
young adults.
So what does it do?
You gain the ability to find a host from a
functionality standpoint easily.
You can use the service to contact the host and
ask them to provide a short-term homestay. That is how the site functions, you
will be staying with locals who will graciously offer you a room or an
apartment.
Great so far, since you get to meet new people
and make friends. On top of that, you will gain additional insight and
understand more about the place you're staying at.
But there may be a downside to that, by
co-living in a house or an apartment of your host, you become more reliant on
them and their daily routine.
You will, most certainly, have to adapt your
sleeping and other habits to fit their regime. Won't be a problem if you share
interests with them, however.
Even though finding a place to stay can be easy
from a technical standpoint, you may need to spend an inordinate amount of time
to find a "perfect" host. It doesn't matter if it's a major city or a
more modest one in scale, this concept applies either way.
Some Apartments Can Be Misrepresented
Even though hosts usually provide detailed
information on the state of their apartment or a house, some people tend to
omit this. The state of rooms can vary widely. Some hosts may even think that
having a small hammock for a bed is sufficient enough. Be sure to examine
photos before deciding on a host.
Continuing on the topic of habits and culture
differences, some hosts may have a tendency to do something out of the
ordinary. A difference of culture, eccentricity or a wicked sense of humor —
you decide. But be prepared that they will walk around scantily clad, drinking
and swearing. It may not even be a significant disadvantage, but be ready for
hilarious interactions in any case. And potential harassment, but this mostly
applies to unaccompanied females.
What is essential to keep in mind?
Before you start using the service and get all
the benefits of surfing couches, you are required to register on the website.
Millions of people have already provided their
details to participate in the system.
But like any other system, there are rules and
regulations. To get the most out of CouchSurfing, you may need to put in some
additional effort. Here are a few defining details for hosts and guests alike.
1) Feedback
Recommendations, reviews, feedback and responses
build a foundation on how the guest perceives a host.
Misrepresentation is always a risk, but a person
with no feedback can be just as charming and entertaining as people with
countless reviews.
Minimize your risks by actually reading up on
the person.
2) Fill in Additional Details
If you want to become a host, it is vital to
input personal information like gender, age, etc. Photos of yourself and your
apartment will help greatly. Try putting some personality in your photos, that
way other potential guests can see that you're a person just like everyone
else.
3) Reply Rate and Reply Time
Reply rate is displayed as a percentage, it
tells how good the host is at responding to requests, and response time tells
how long it usually takes.
Don't draw premature conclusions just yet; those
numbers depend on the location of the host. If it's a major tourist
destination, they physically may not be able to respond promptly.
4) Languages
There are many languages spoken all over the
world. But when it comes to Couchsurfing, your main means of communication will
most certainly be English. If the host doesn't share a language with you, there
may be alarge barrier in communication. Make sure that your host/guest speaks
your language, it a prerequisite for an enjoyable stay.
5) Personal Approach
Requests are usually sent in by guests a few
days before departure. If you end up sending it a couple of months in advance,
you may be met with an indefinite "I don't know."
Since you will be spending time with a person
you barely know, why not find out some relevant details about them in your
request?
Mass produced requests have a high rejection rate. So make sure to
personalize your emails. Be polite, respectful and speak to your host on a
first name basis.
Tell a bit about yourself; it will be a huge
bonus if you share interests with them. And always remember about etiquette.
Leaving and receiving references is a huge part
of the process.
So, in summary, if you like to travel, meet
people and enjoy authentic local lifestyles. CouchSurfing may just be the thing
for you. No matter the capacity you want to fill on CouchSurfing, by being a
guest or a host, remember to represent yourself adequately. Exercise caution
and safety in everything you do. Have fun!
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
