As a guest, You may hate me.

[Paul154]

I just had a 4 day vacation in the wonderful Oakland area. Long nature walks, swimming everyday, delicious food. I now feel prepared for the high season onslaught. I also learned a lot about guests, as I was one. It is really really hard to be a good guest.

My first stay was isolated, so I went to the grocery store before arriving. As I was putting my food into the refrigerator, I asked my hosts for permission. (Not before) It was then I realized that I did not know if kitchen use was allowed! I really did not read the listing. Fortunately, it was allowed. As they had a lovely patio, I asked if I could use it AS I was positioning their lounge chair. I am so independent, it never occurs to me to ask someone if I can do something in their house. I'm not being rude, I don't want to bother my hosts with mundane trivialities. Growing up, we learned "Get it yourself" I also, don't like being stuck in my bedroom. I do like to go the the living room and read or lounge on the patio. But I do feel that I may be invading the hosts' space. After making my 2nd reservation, I realized I DO NOT READ the listing! I look at price, location and some pictures. Then I buy. 

As a host, I will try to simplify my listing more. Less is more.  I will also try to give me guests more space, and to specify common area usage, so they feel more comfortable using. Hosts should be guests more often.

[Willow3]

I feel you Paul.  I'm very much the same way.  Fortunately for me when I travel it is usually just a stop over where I want a clean bed and shower... so I don't spend much time in the space.  But as I'm planning a one month stay in France, I am only looking at "whole house" listings... and I"m learning to read the listing!  

[Lawrene0]

I once pulled a novel from a host's shelf and read it, @Paul154, while drinking tea in the kitchen. I had read the listing's house rules, and had found nothing to specifically encourage or ban this behaviour. 

My guesting stars are intact. Yours too?

[Patricia55]

@Lawrene0 - this is the sort of behaviour I would encourage! 🙂

[Sarah977]

@Paul154   I love your posts. It's funny, I was just thinking yesterday that I should find a way to use that $100 coupon that airbnb gifted me for somehow achieving Superhost status, and I was wondering what that would be like, as I've never actually stayed as an airbnb guest. I know I would read through the listing description, as I'm the kind of person who can't just sit and enjoy the scenery, I'll read the back of the cereal box if that's all that's available. 

I'm quite accustomed to staying with friends, and like you, I just tend to make myself at home and am independent (and I actually like it when my guests feel comfortable enough to do that, too, I've not had a guest abuse that so far) so I really don't know how I'd do in a shared listing. Hopefully I wouldn't be one of those guests hosts are so happy to see the back of.

You said you looked at price, location and photos. Did you read the reviews, or not that either?

You can come stay at my place anytime- you sound like the kind of guest I enjoy, just as long as you don't give me a bad review cause you didn't read the listing info.

[Paul154]

@Sarah968

Thanks for reminding me. While I did not read the listings, I did glance through their reviews.

I found I would be alarmed at some bad reviews, but then I would rationalize them away and often times dismiss the negative reviewer as "crazy"

[Maralyn1]

l I didnt realized you get coupons for obtaining superhost status. I think this would be a good incentive for all hosts.

[Angela812]

I haven't received anything at all for being a super host for the past 6 months... 

[Huma0]

@Paul154 @Sarah977

I'm ashamed to admit I haven't been an Airbnb guest yet either. I did try to convince friends we should book an Airbnb for a coming holiday, but they ignored me! Later I thought, it's probably for the best because while I understand how to be a good guest (or at least that's what I assumed), they might not, and I didn't want to spend my holiday nagging them to be more respectful in the listing.

Definitely it's something all hosts should do. Perhaps I will use my credit to check out the local competition, although they might be a bit supicious as to why someone living around the corner would book...

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Paul154

I actually started out as a guest user before becoming a host - and before hosting, no one informed me how important reviews were so I never left any. Henry and I mostly stayed at private homes with a group of friends and that experience helped me to decide what amenities to provide and type of host I wanted to be.

To be totally honest......I never read the description either 🙂 Henry was probably the only one in our group to read anything. I just looked at the pics, read a few reviews, and at the time we were all focused more on location & price. We needed a decent place to sleep and shower. Easy to get from and to the airport and in a specific neighborhood.

But since becoming a host I have been making the effort to read the listing details 🙂

[Linda108]

I have been a guest in both a private room and an entire house.  I didn't start hosting until a few months after my first guest experience.  I agree being a guest does make me a better host and being a host makes me a better guest.

[Elizabeth770]

Paul you are right ! I feel like very few people read the details of my listing which down the road can leave to problems ! I have had guests ask where do I live ??? They are shocked to know ... in this house!!! And yes there is so much knowledge in being a guest yourself in fact I think it is essential as host to travel Airbnb yourself.

[Sharyn-and-Colin0]

We had exactly the same comments Elizabeth they don't read the description. You are obvioulsy a private room to be shocked when they turn up and you live there as well.

[Zappa0]

I have traveled a few Airbnbs..I have yet to give anything less than 5 stars but I do put some advice in the private feedback if I notice anything that needs a little work. I read the listing, cleaned my dishes, folded up the blankets. In one home I had some confusion as to what was "guest use" in the kitchen and what was not. Seemed like random items the other guests left. But...I'm sure I missed something in the listing, but most hosts don't seem to mind.

[Marian80]

Greeting from Ballymote in Sligo. I started off as a guest throughout Europe &England and found the experience invaluable. Only onc did I have to give a poor review but tbh it was a bit of a kip!! I am maybe too fussy cleaning, but that’s what I’d like to arrive into a house ..... it’s a complete home listing. 

BTW .... what’s this about a few bucks for being a super host?...... I didn’t get any offer like that !!!!

Marian in Granny’s house.