My guest just asked me for painkillers...

Sara-and-Brian0
Level 3
México D.F., Mexico

My guest just asked me for painkillers...

They haven't been out of their room and are local and now just asked me for painkillers. I called airbnb support and they said there's nothing I should do. Thoughts?

46 Replies 46

Luckily they can't see your review until after they've already submitted theirs (or the 14 days have passed and it's too late for them to retaliate), so I would feel free to be honest when you write yours. I think it's important to make other hosts aware of their behavior as guests. That's the whole point of the reviews!

I agree. Maybe on the 13th day on the 13th hour I'll write mine. If we get one bad review out of spite from them, then it will be all over for us - and we've just started. Thanks, Sonia and Michael! I'll check out your listing when we visit Vancouver!

@Sara-and-Brian0, I am a nurse. I would never give a stranger OTC meds, especially while they are on your property, in your home. You don't know their medical history. A headache could be indicative of a bleed in the head. You give aspirin to that ot Ibuprofen, you have just made it worse....on your property, in your home. I wouldn't give a guest any type of opportunity to blame me for a deteriorating condition...and open me up to being sued. If they hurt so bad, they will seek medical care.

Fred13
Level 10
Placencia, Belize

When they start asking for needles and pipes, time to pull the emergency cord.

SERIOUSLY! Eek. Placencia is gorgeous.

Direct them to the local pharmacy.

Now @Ange0, that is way too logical. Good one. 😉

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

Maybe they have a killer headache. If they are just asking for aspirin or ibuprofen, that doesn't seem like any big deal to me. I have offered those, as well as imodium (for "Montezuma's revenge")  and charcoal pills (for slight upset stomach) to guests several times. If they're asking for heavy duty presciption meds, that's another story.

Very true. He did say painkillers and seemed disappointed when I offered Tylenol...

It will be interesting to see how this story ends, @Sara-and-Brian0. Will you write to say?

Hi Lawrene,

update below! 

His face dropped? I swear that 3 types of 'foreigners come to Belize: Regular folks, Hustlers wanting to make a small fortune (better bring a big one), and last but not least - the 'Chemically Dependent'. 

@Sarah977, I wouldn't give any guest OTC medications. You could cause their condition to worsen, etc.... while they are on your property. This makes me think that the guest could probably sue you and win. Provide them the name of the closest drug store or clinics in the area.

Sara-and-Brian0
Level 3
México D.F., Mexico

So. Confession time: they finally left while I was gone (noticed shoes weren't there) so I opened the door to their room. I KNOW - AWFUL. I would never do that normally, but I actually feel unsafe and my husband does, too. I expected more people in the room, needles, etc. 

It was FILLED with trash. Two pizza boxes, pizza left out, Kleenex everywhere - even in my plants, four huge bags of food waste, soda can on the floor, and suspicious items. I did not touch anything and left. Got some photos, though. I'm feeling bad I invaded their privacy but also disgusted that rotting food is in my home.

That’s terrible. I hope they are gone soon. We have been pretty lucky for the most part. I think we have dodged a few reservations that could have ended ugly. Keep us posted on how it works out and good luck.