Do Hosts make better guests?

[Jenny]

Hello everyone!

Today I’ve been thinking about all the kinds of guests that Hosts will come across during their Hosting journey!

You’ll have hosted people from different countries, of different religions, from different kinds of communities… it’s a big old world out there, full of all kinds of people!

What I’m wondering though… is do Hosts make better guests?  Knowing the trials and tribulations of Hosting, have you found your fellow Hosts to be extra respectful? Or have they taken the opportunity to be a bit more relaxed?  Have any of you hosted someone who is a Host that posts here on the CC?  Why don’t you tell us all about your experiences?

I’m looking forward to hearing all about your thoughts on this subject.

Take care!

Jenny

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Jenny Our first ever guests were hosts from Australia. Since then we have had 3 or 4 more hosts staying with us. Our experience is that they are no different to other guests but it does give us another thing to talk about with them. They all gave us 5 star reviews but it is hard to know if they are being overly generous as, touch wood, most of our reviews are 5 stars anyway.

[Jenny]

That's great to hear, I've always wondered if Hosts would review other Hosts more harshly, depending on what expectations they've brought from their own listings.  

Have you heard many interesting stories from the Hosts you've hosted?

[Elaine917]

I think both hosts make better guests and guests make better hosts. 

I use my experience as a guest, what I like and what I don't like about places I've stayed to ensure mine meets my high standards. 

I think I'm going to be less critical when I am a guest, now that I'm hosting

[Jenny]

I love this attitude @Elaine917 - it's all about perspective isn't it?  It's great that you can take what you've learned and apply it to your own experience.  is there anything in particular that you've learned as a guest that you've applied to hosting?

[Elaine917]

Absolutely. For instance, I'm very demanding in regards to hygiene, standards of cleaning, quality of bedding and towels.

So, I am vigilant that my flat meets my expectations as a guest. 

The other way that my hosting has been influenced by my travels, was that last year I was traveling through France all day, arrived at the Airbnb at 10.30pm on a Sunday. 

Nowhere to eat, to have a drink or to buy food open. 

The host had left some yogurt, cheese, coffee, tea and that was enough to kill the hunger pangs. 

I now always leave something for the guests to munch  and drink on their arrival. 

[Anthony1878]

We've only had one guest stay so far, but they have been great guests! I infer that their experience hosting is a large contribution to their great communication. Time will tell if this persists across future guests 

[Jenny]

That's great to hear @Anthony1878 - I hope that you continue to have great guests!

[Tarana7]

Definitely! Us as host makes great guest. Simply because of your hospitality and accommodation that we provides for your guest!

[Nolan-Rey0]

Most likely yes but i don’t want to totally side entirely on hosts. See, i have guests that were not hosts but they really took good care of my place.

[Jenny]

It's great to hear that @Nolan-Rey0! 

I'm a guest rather than a Host, and I always try to take good care of wherever I stay.

What's been the most positive hosting experience you've had?  Have you hosted many Hosts?

[Patti-And-Marty0]

I've found no difference really... some of the hosts I've hosted have been poor communicators and left the place rather untidy.... a bit unexpected but oh well!!

[Jenny]

Oh that's a shame @Patti-And-Marty0 - when I was thinking about what it must be like I expected that Hosts might be extra careful!

Do you review Hosts with the same standards you'd review any other guests?

[Alvina46]

Definitely! Us as host makes us great guest. Simply because of your hospitality and accommodation that we provides for our guest! I want my Guest to feel at home relaxed and happy.... and since I am the host i am prevelaged to host guest from different parts of the world...

Cheers and thank you for this opportunity 🙏 

[Jenny]

Hi @Alvina46!

What do you think is the most important way to make a guest feel relaxed and happy?