I think it is imperative that, all guests, new or old be sent a mandatory education piece, on what to expect from an Airbnb experience.
I have hosted a number of people over the years who have stayed in empty homes, guesthouses, etc. but not a shared residence or a bedroom in the home of a host. I'm continually amazed, at how most of these people get excellent reviews (simply for not tearing the place up) and then have zero manners in a shared residence setting. They seriously need to know, that each setting is unique. The amenities and rules are unique to each location, and mostly, renting a guest house or cabin (your own space) is very, very different from staying in the bedroom right next door to the host.
"Yes I know you used the hot tub at the last stay, but weren't you paying $100.00 a night for that?"
"No, I'm not comfortable with you gutting live fish on the patio, and grilling them in the fire pit during fire season."
"No, I won't hammer through a case of beer with you and would appreciate it if you did not either."
"Sorry, but I can't have you leaving your kayak in the living room all week."
"Please keep your personal items in a drawer in the bathroom, friends of mine may stop by and this is the bathroom they will use."
"No you can't invite "the band" here in a tight suburban setting to "have a jam."
"Gosh, I'm sorry you're going through a rough patch but, I'm not sure how you got the idea that emotional support, companionship or entertainment for you was part of my job as a host." (Well, actually, I have wanted to say this quite a few times)
These are parts of conversations I've had with guests at my residence at points along my Airbnb Journey. It seems that some people move in, claim your space as their own, and then proceed to insist on things they would not do in their own homes. I think there really needs to be some emphasis on what it's like to share a nice home with the host, what the meaning "Guest" implies.
Sincerely, Liz
