So, I'm a couchsurfing virgin and will probably be looking to crash on some floors in the upcoming months. As with any first time experience, I'm a bit nervous and am looking for some first hand accounts of good (or bad) surfing experiences...just to get a taste of it.

Also, I was curious... What are some not so obvious do's and don'ts? Are there any sort of unwritten rules I should be aware of? What is considered good "couchsurfing etiquette"? Should you bring gifts to your hosts (wine? beer?) or just your backpack and a smile? Besides being (obviously) charming, funny & tidy..what makes a great guest?

Thanks in advance

I've yet to couchsurf with someone I hadn't previously met, but have hosted a couple of surfers this summer. One of them, it turned out, was a bootie from Portland (not a board regular though...mainly a blogger who's been to some of the Christmas parties). Both were good experiences.

I think most of the dos and don'ts are pretty obvious.

Do:
- set aside some time to chat with your hosts. Most of us host people because we like to meet people from all over the place. Also, local people are excellent resources for interesting stuff in their city.
- tidy up before you leave in the morning if you're staying a few days. Our extra bedroom is also an office, and I wouldn't like to feel like I'm walking into someone else's room.
- Offer to cook dinner. I was disappointed neither of the surfers I've hosted offered.
- Ask before using things belonging to your host, such as internet. I have no problem with it, but some people might.

Don't:
- Ummm...don't steal anything. If you haven't figured this one out yet, then don't couchsurf at all.
- Don't smoke unless invited to.
- Don't ask for a key. If your host is comfortable giving you one, they will offer it.
- Overstay your welcome. Put firm dates in your note asking to stay. If you hit it off with them, then staying longer might work out, but if you want to stay longer try to think about it from your host's perspective. Maybe try to find another host in the same city.

That's really about it. Little gifts are appreciated, but I don't think they're necessary. Think about your audience, too...not everyone appreciates alcoholic gifts.

I can't really think of much else. It's really standard "good guest" etiquette. I think there's a page on couchsurfing dedicated to this sort of thing.

Thanks 2Wanderers.

I guess your right, most of it is just common guest etiquette. And as long as you werent raised by wolves, most people should know how to present themselves in a polite manner.

I guess I was just looking for little things that might be overlooked. For instance- what you said about cooking a meal for your hosts. Thats not something I would have necessarily thought of doing. Bringing someone a bottle of wine or some pastries from the local bakery -yes. Cooking a meal, not necessarily so...my cooking skills are a little rusty. I guess I should perfect one good dish before I head out - so thanks for the tip :-)

And thank you, too for directing me to the FAQ on Couchsurfing....which is where I should have turned in the first place. Duh! I guess I'm just programed to immediatly turn to booties for any sort of information/ first hand knowledge.

Thanks! This was good for me as I'm planning on doing some couchsurfing on my rtw. The think that kinda bothers me though is cooking. I don't cook, I set fires and no one would ever want to eat anything I made. What something else that you could suggest doing for the host?

quote:

...not everyone appreciates alcoholic gifts.

REALLY?

I don't understand. How and why would anyone not like a gift bearing the magic liquid of happyness and laughter?

When I couch surfed a few times I always tried to wake up around the same time as my hosts. Sleeping in might make them tip toe around and be a bit uncomfortable and waking up too early might wake them up. Dinner is a nice offer but if you can't cook, don't bother trying, bring a bottle of wine or a 12 pack.

I had my laptop, so I offered to show them my RTW photos and tell them all the secrets of travelling on the cheap. I also swap MP3 files, since I saved my CDs to my hard drive so I wouldn't miss music so much. That way, they get crazy American music and I get something cultural. I have done cooking nights (Italy) where we went to the markets, I pitched in, and enjoyed a feast. Italians really can cook

thanks for posting this Kelly - i have been thinking about this on and off as my trip gets nearer - the only thing im a bit apprehensive about is as a single female traveller - im going to sound really naive now so apologies...

...but is it better to hunt out couples and females hosting or would you guys stay with a single guy offering his spare room? Its really awful to prejudge people but that to me screams of 'what are you crazy' kind of idea.

Mich

Id say stay with women, to start out. Id be creeped out, sleeping in an apt with a strange guy. Especially with cultural differences, they may think you're up for something frisky just because you're staying with them.

I'm a host with Global Freeloaders and Hospitality Club and it has never occurred to me to let a guest cook dinner. That would seem to be part of the hosting to me if we're around. Plus we know where everything is and know what's in stock in terms of groceries. Washing the dishes would be nice though.

Really it's just being civil. Bringing a gift is nice, for instance, but it doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just acting the way you would in a distant relative's house is a good guide. We've hosted people from 8 or 9 different countries (single, couples, and two friends together) and have never had any issues.

As Globetrots mentioned, I would never expect my guest to cook for me. As a couchsurfer, I indicate in my apartment profile that I might be willing to cook for my guest though.

Still, the idea of chipping in on groceries, and helping with the dishes, seems like a good tip (I'll use on my trip). For most hosts, I'm sure it's just the thought that counts.

I've hosted one person so far, and have a second tentative person lined up (both guys). I really enjoyed playing tour guide in the Washington, DC area, and expect those I stay with will get similar kicks when it's my turn to be the guest!

quote:

As Globetrots mentioned, I would never expect my guest to cook for me. As a couchsurfer, I indicate in my apartment profile that I might be willing to cook for my guest though.

Never said I'd expect it, just that it would be appreciated. It's hardly something that's required, but if you want to be remembered as that great couchsurfer we had once...

Touche 2wanderers.

Alight.. thanks for all the words of wisdom!

One last question:
How far in advance should you contact people whom you would like to stay with?

Besides all the stuff already mentioned, I'd say fill out your profile as much as possible, even if you've never used the site before. Whether you're hosting or being hosted, people want to see that you're a trustworthy person, and your profile is all they have to go by. Here's my profile for example.

The whole gift thing is a tough question. I generally wait to meet the people I'm staying with to see what they like before getting them something. I've stayed with people who don't drink, so I was glad to have waited. The only thing is, if I'm coming from another country or region, it's nice to give them something from that place. For example, I gave a guy in Rio a bottle of wine from Argentina, which was greatly appreciated. But whatever it is, I always try to do something for my hosts.

I've stayed with men, women, and couples and only had great experiences. But then again I'm a guy, so it's probably different somehow.

As far as how much notice to give, I at least give a few days, but it's tough for me because I never really know where I'm going to be or when. Probably a week or more would be better.