10 thoughts after three Couchsurfing experiences as a host in Italy
I had three hosting experiences in Montreal back in 2018, and hadn't done it since (I was either traveling, living with roommates in sublets, or at my parents'). Since moving to Italy (I'll be here for a brief period), I decided to start hosting here.
This is my profile: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/2kool4skool
1. I'm picky
Most requests I get are not particularly interesting
2. I don't always feel like doing it
It turns out I don't want to host as much as possible, and I often anticipate that I won't feel like hosting anyone.
3. I do want to give back
I've couchsurfed dozens of times and I'm eternally grateful to the community. I'm happy to get my turn at helping people out.
4. So far, it hasn't been particularly interesting
One female student, then two female students, then one woman (this is a coincidence - I have a girlfriend, so I'm not trying to hook up with my couchsurfers, I promise!)
5. It did lead to making a new friend
The first one had a boyfriend. We met up together and it was pretty boring, but then my girlfriend and I ran into him, we kept in touch, and we've been hanging out a little.
Sometimes, you might not particularly connect with someone, but they can lead you to other people you might find interesting.
6. I often want to stay at my girlfriend's place when I host
We did that for the first two experiences. We hang out with the couchsurfer(s) for a bit but then I stay with my girlfriend at her place. We didn't do this last time and it was actually fine, I was okay with it (my place is not huge but it's big enough to have our own space).
7. It's a good way to know more people all over the globe
Next time I go to Turkey or Spain, I'm sure my past couchsurfers will give me tips and introduce me to people! I could also stay at their places (in some cases), if I feel like doing that.
8. I feel comfortable
I make it sound like a chore, but I do enjoy doing it. It's just that I often lack the enthusiasm before they arrive (or I lack it so much that I decline the request), and the experiences so far have been just okay, but I know I'll get a great one at some point! And when they're at my place, I don't feel weird about it. I prefer to be in this position than in the position of the couchsurfer (while I've enjoyed couchsurfing in the past, I sometimes feel a bit awkward staying at someone's place).
9. It's a way to discover new foods
My latest guest cooked us Spanish tortilla. Nice.
10. I'm probably decent at it but I don't have the reflexes of a great host
I've experienced some amazing hospitality, and if I were to compare those experiences with what I offer, I'm probably not amazing at it. But from a European perspective, I probably do okay. I didn't grow up with a hospitality culture and my parents never hosted anyone home (except my friends as a kid but it suuuuucked), so it's not something that comes completely naturally to me. I'm learning by doing though, and that's nice!
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