To review or not to review?

[Ann72]

What do other hosts think about over-communicators?

I had decided not to review this guest, but my feeling of responsibility to my fellow hosts has me re-thinking that decision.

This guest simply over-communicated.  Does the house have a blender.  We will be getting in an hour later than planned.  (We have self check-in.)  Where is the A/C.  We smelled something outside when we got home at 9:30 pm on Saturday night.  We don't know what it is.  Now it's gone.  Etc.

I find this level of granular communication irritating.  But if other hosts don't find it annoying, I won't leave a review.

What do you think?  As this guy's future host, do you want to know how much he communicates?  It's hard to frame that as a bad thing, so saying something like, "He's very detailed in his communication" might be enough to let you know whether you could tolerate it or not?

[Kelly149]

1. I only review if they review first OR if they're so horrible that no one ever anywhere should ever have to deal with them.

2. I think where you're landing about the review makes sense. Frame it so that when Mr. Communicator reads it, he thinks it's great. "So and so was clean and tidy, we had lots of ongoing communication before, during and after the stay. We got to know all about how our place was doing and how the stay was going throughout their visit. Any and all questions were readily asked and answered. Hopefully, they enjoyed their wilderness escape." And then mark the stars however you'd like to.

3. Give this not another thought, I don't think reviews actually matter nearly as much as ABB wants us to think that they do.

[Ann72]

@Kelly149  Very helpful.  The part about hoping he enjoyed his wilderness escape hit the nail on the head - he went to Maine to relax, but by the end I concluded he's not really capable of relaxing, the poor dear.  He has reviewed and I think I have a few minutes to go before I review...if I do!

[Sarah977]

@Ann72  Sounds like the housesitter from hell I had a few years ago. She would email me every day saying things like "I turned the dish drainer around the other way and it works much better like this." 

It was the daily morning coffee entertainment for me and the friend I was staying with. "Open your email. Let's see what off the wall thing K. has 'improved' around your house today".

Nothing was too mundane to warrant another email.

She managed to create disasters of everything she "improved" around my place. It took a week to put my place back together on my return.

[Ann72]

Love it @Sarah977 😂😂😂

[Jennifer1773]

Hi @Ann72 , I have hosted these guests too! In my case, their communications have also been somewhat demanding and/or overly needy, so that is not great... and they often asked for exceptions. However they are usually very clean and tidy and model guests otherwise. My actual reviews of these guests have included comments on their communication level, but my favorite dream response is inspired by my children's preschool teacher who noted one year that they are "excellent at making their wants and needs known." 🤔  I have not used that one yet, but have been tempted!

[Sarah977]

@Jennifer1773  I love that line. It's perfect for demanding guests.

[Ann72]

Ha @Jennifer1773 - definitely want to use that someday, too!