As we’ve delighted your eyes in our previous blog about how to be a great Couchsurfing guest, now it’s time to flip the coin and give you the other side of it! Since a great stay on Couchsurfing involves two sides, we’re giving you now (*drum roll*) some tips on how to be a great Couchsurfing host! Let’s see what I’m talking about.
Keep your word
It should be common sense, right? Once you’ve confirmed that you are going to host someone, do it until the end. You’d be surprised how many hosts confirm guests’ stays without actually opening the door to them when they arrive. It’s not cool to have your guests sleep in the streets or getting desperate due to the lack of accommodation, so please be considerate and empathetic with them!
Do hang out with your guests!
The whole point of Couchsurfing is establishing connections between locals and visitors, with an emphasis on the interaction between strangers. So don’t just be a butler (or a receptionist for that matter!) to just show people where they will sleep. They choose to stay with you for a reason – to experience the life in your particular place through the eyes of a local.
Show them around!
On top of that, what would be more awesome than showing your guests the city? Most likely they need a guide to go around, as the city is all unknown to them. However, you may be wondering – ‘what’s in it for me?’ It’s simple – everyone needs a good a good walk, right? Or a good conversation. Or both at the same time! And it does good to one’s ego to act all-knowing from time to time 😛
Be helpful
Even though they may not show it, your guests are vulnerable. Why? Because they are in a place which they do not know anything about. Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said ‘Only the unknown frightens men’. While on their visit, they are on full survival mode, as travelling is all about getting totally out of one’s comfort zone. So it’s your job to calm them down and make them feel safe. In other words, be helpful with them!
Don’t expect anything in return ?
Although it might be nice to get some free dinner out (or in for that matter!) or your guest to leave you some pocket money for their stay, it’s better not to get your hopes too high. It’s better not to expect anything in return for your favour. Remember, you are not doing this for the money, but for the experience, so act like it! Remember the Mastercard commercials – ‘There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s MasterCard’? In other words, there are moments in life that can’t be bought, so enjoy them with people from Couchsurfing ?
Online Open Days
Travelling is part of one’s life initiation process and thank God we’ve got Couchsurfing! So why not enjoy it via a study abroad experience? Have a look at our upcoming webinars and start it today!
