@Jasmine220 , Thank you for sharing this example of your practical adaptations.
The legitimate odour and safety issues that Hosts are concerned with are valid and need to be understood and respected. It will take consistent and clear communication across sections of the homestay community worldwide in order to build awareness of what is acceptable. Good on you for taking it in your stride and adapting your signage.
At times guests will not fully understand something such as smoking/vaping, due to cultural differences and evolving etiquettes with new trends and practices.
In its early stages Vaping was promoted as a healthy and socially acceptable alternative to regular cigarette smoking.
Some guests will look at a no smoking sign and if they are Vapers, they will then ask their host if this relates to vaping as well; others will see a no smoking sign and decide to Vape first and only stop if asked.
Some guests require very specific signage in order to manage their behaviour.
For sure signage helps, especially if it's combined with advice about what is permissible.
thanks for your post.
Regarding guest use of candles. They are a very real safety risk and they should mostly be avoided.
The only time candles should be used is under strict guidance and specified conditions and locations. They require specific safe containers and locations at the premises.
I would avoid allowing candles in unsupervised premises where the host is offsite, and definitely no candles in shared premises such as apartments, where a building fire prevents a greater risk to adjoining neighbours, if you are not onsite, then you are creating an unnecessary risk to your neighbours.
There is no turning back the clock if things go wrong, and we have seen some terrible examples of how flammable some modern apartment buildings can be.
Candles are fabulous, they seem like everyday items that are so heavily promoted in association with, peace, romance and relaxation, right?
I use candles in my home, and sometimes set them up and occasionally light them for the enjoyment of myself and or my guests in a very safe designated area of their entrance foyer.
I am always present to ensure they are used in a safe manner and extinguished before people retire, or leave the premises.
When my husband and I were in our early 20's living in a rental in the countryside, we awoke one night to find that the carpet next to our bed was on fire.
We had fallen asleep with a bedside candle still alight.
The candle had burnt down and a pool of molten wax had overflowed onto the floor and the molten wax was burning.
It was a very scary life lesson.
I recall looking at the aftermath in the morning and our decision to place the candle where it was least likely to be knocked and we thought it was in a safe position.
How wrong we were.
Candles always require active supervision; because what's the worst that can happen? Loss of lives and property.
Best regards,
Christine from Wombats at Glenbrook