Guest dynamics

[Geraldine219]

I'm fairly new to this. I have two rooms in my own home, next door to each other for solo guests which share a shower/WC which can be booked separately. They are not available to couples. I am just realising the implications of people who don't know each other co-existing. Guest A (female) booked instantly for a month (because I was just starting I kept my prices pretty low and I didn't change my max stay settings quickly enough, I have now made it max 15 days). A is fine with me (quite withdrawn but OK) but borderline hostile to the other guests. I realised as she was a longer term guest she would have to put up with changes of people next to her so when she arrived explained who was coming when. They don't have to socialise and it's not a cocktail party but it all feels very awkward. A is always home as she has a holiday from work. The other guests have been out a lot which has made it easier. Now B, the last guest who will overlap with her for the next two weeks, another female with similar interests, has arrived, when she checked in A was in the shared kitchen so I introduced them and A barely said hello to B, who was trying to be pleasant and friendly (not pushy/overfamiliar).  I guess if you stayed in a small hotel with a shared bathroom this would be normal behaviour but it feels like a bad atmosphere in my home.  I would never dream of entering and leaving a room without saying hello to whoever was  in it even if I didn't want to chat. If you want a retreat you need to book a completely private space. One reason I'm trying AirBnb (it will only be short term as there is a 90-day limit here, plus I have a long-term roommate coming soon) is I had a miserable time with roommates falling out with one another. Anyway it's perhaps the short term/longer term balance that is a problem, which won't happen again. I just have to get through the next two weeks. I do state on my listing that guests have to share a shower/WC /common spaces and be considerate of the person next door. I now always mention before guests check in if there is someone next door to them, no personal details. I feel like adding 'must have basic social skills'. Maybe this is an unreasonable expectation.  Even as I'm writing this I realise I can't do anything about it.  Any thoughts/suggestions welcome. 

[Geraldine219]

Anyone know what Level 2 means under my name? Is that top of bottom of the scale for something? Is it to do with experience?

[Lyn3]

@Geraldine219 

Hi Geraldine,

The 'Level 2' simply refers to the posts you have placed on this community page, together with the 'Likes' which other hosts or guests have clicked onto your posts 🙂 That is all.

The highest level is 10 and after that you might make hundreds more posts, and receive hundreds more Likes from others reading your posts....but you will always be a 10 🙂

cheers

Lyn.

[Kath9]

@Geraldine219, you make it very clear on your listing that the home may be shared with other Airbnb guests, so if your guest didn't realise that (before booking for a month), then that's really her problem. I think reducing the duration of stays will help. I don't think you should stipulate that guests 'must have basic social skills' but it is definitely important to point out when they book that another guest may be staying in the adjoining room. 

The levels just indicate your involvement in the forum. The more you post here, the higher your level. 

Happy hosting!

[Zacharias0]

I'm in that same situation where two rooms are side by side and honestly never thought anything of it. If a guest is booking a shared space then I expect guests to deal with it. That's the cost of saving money. A guest cant have it all.  Most of my guests are out and about for the majority of the day but casually will say hi if passing each other in the house. Even if its just me and another guest in the house I cant say that we are exactly bonding over campfire stories. We all just seem to understand the arrangement isn't permanent.

Like you, I do this as opposed to getting long term roommates because roommates always have a sob story when funds are low and they think paying rent is last on the list. At least with this arrangement I'm always paid first and roommates can deal with pleasantries at their liking.