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Basics of Couch Surfing

Bot Jesse Aapeli
By Bot and 2 others
• 11 articles

How do I create a great profile?

Tips for Filling Out Your Profile on Couchers.org Your profile is your own personal introduction of yourself to other people in the community. It is the first step in building trust with fellow couch surfers. A complete, detailed profile helps you connect with others and improves your chances of meaningful interactions. Here are some tips to get you started: Why Is a Complete Profile Important? - Build Trust: If people can learn from your profile about who you are and what kind of person you are, it helps them feel more comfortable meeting with you for the first time. - Showcase Your Personality: Your profile is an opportunity to share who you are and what you’re looking for in your couch surfing experience. - Encourage Connections: Hosts and guests often look for shared interests, experiences, or goals when deciding whom to connect with. Key Sections of Your Profile - About Me - My Home Sections under the About Me tab 1. Who I am - Who are you? Who are you? Share a bit about yourself, like your personality and anything particularly interesting about you. - Why do you live where you do? Did you grow up there, move there permanently, or just passing through? - What makes you unique? You can include fun facts, interests, or what kind of traveler you are. 2. What I do in my free time - Do you have any hobbies? When or how often do you like to do them? With whom? - Are you into social activities? What do you like to do with your friends, guests, or hosts? - How do you like to start your day or relax and unwind at the end of a day? - What is your favorite art, books, movies, or music? Share them in this section. 3. Additional Information - Why are you on Couchers? Explain your reasons for being part of the platform. - What's your Role in the Community? Do you mostly host, surf, meet up, attend events, or do you do everything? - What's your schedule like? Don't share your detailed schedule, but mention when you usually have the most free time. - Any interesting travel experiences? Highlight some of your most memorable or unique travel experiences. Or if you have none, that's okay to say too! Sections under the My Home tab The My Home tab is mostly for people who host or meet up with people. Besides filling out your hosting preferences, don't forget to fill out the important sections mentioned below. Even if you don't host, it can still be good to fill out these sections, because the information can tell people a lot about who you are! 1. About my home - Do you live alone or with someone? If one of your housemates has a couchers profile or other couchsurfing profile, provide a link to it. - What is your living situation? It's especially good to explain if your situation is complicated. - What kind of place do you live in? An apartment, a house, a van down by the river, in a log cabin, or perhaps something else? - Any preferences regarding the length of stay? You don't have to mention this. However, some people mention if they only accept stays up to a maximum number of days (for example, someone might write, "I only accept stays of 3 days or less." - Is there anything guests should know about your amenities? Amenities should never be the focus, but mention relevant things like if you can't give guests internet or bathroom access. - Do you have any accessibility notes? It's good to mention if you live on the 8th floor and you have no elevator. If climbing is involved, mention the requirements here. - What is the parking situation like? You can go into more detail about the parking options (or lack thereof) in this section. - Is your building/property bike-friendly? Some people travel by bike and it is good to let them know what their options are for parking their bike or accessing your building via bike. 2. Local area information - What is your neighborhood like? You don't have to say the name of your neighborhood, but you can describe it. For example, is it more urban or rural, isolated or busy? Lots of shops? - How do people get around? Tell a bit about transportation options close to your home. Don't get into too much detail so as to give away your home address. - Public transit nearby? Here you can share information on how to get bus, tram, or train tickets and how much they cost. If you have no public transit nearby, mention that. - Any recommendations or warnings? This is a great place to share any warnings or recommendations relevant to the area you live in. 3. Sleeping arrangement - What kind of room will your guest sleep in? It's good to mention if they will sleep in a common room like a living room, a private room with no one else, or a room where someone else will also be sleeping. - What kind of sleeping surface is it? A big bed? Small bed? Couch? Air mattress? Floor space? - NOTE: For safety reasons, shared sleeping surfaces aren't allowed on Couchers.org. If you don't have a separate bed or sleeping surface for your guest to sleep alone, unfortunately you are not allowed to host on Couchers.org. However, you can still stay with people, meet up with people, or attend events! 4. House rules - Do you have any house rules? A common one is to take shoes off in the house. - Does your building or city have quiet hours? Mention them here. - Any special rules about waste disposal/recycling? Some cities have strict rules. - Do you have rules or requests regarding bathroom or kitchen usage? 5. Additional information - Want your guest to know anything else about your hosting situation? - Do you have any requests when it comes to people sending you requests? For example, "I prefer requests that are sent at least 1 week in advance, but no earlier than 1 month." Additional Tips for a Great Profile 1. Be Honest and Genuine: Write what truly represents you. Authenticity helps build meaningful connections. 2. Use Positive Language: Show enthusiasm for meeting new people and sharing experiences. 3. Check for Completeness: Review your profile to make sure you haven’t missed any key sections. 4. Keep it Updated: Update your profile regularly. Especially if you move, travel, gain new housemates, gain new experiences, or change hosting availability. Need more ideas? If you’re unsure what to write, browse other profiles for inspiration or join a local Couchers event and ask for some tips! A completed profile not only benefits you, but also strengthens the entire couch surfing community. Now that you have some ideas, go ahead and fill out your profile! It’s the first step toward amazing connections and unforgettable experiences!

Last updated on Dec 11, 2024

What should I think about before responding to a request?

Read their profile and references You should read the person's entire profile and read through their references. References can give you an idea of what others think about the person. Keep in mind the context of each reference, because some references are just from friends, whereas others may be from hosts or guests. Ask for information It is also very important to communicate thoroughly with the person before accepting their request. Be sure to ask for any information that is missing from their profile or request message. For example, if their profile is empty or missing a photo, it is okay to ask them to fill out their profile and/or upload a photo before accepting their request. It is also good to ask the person what time they will arrive and what time they plan to leave, why they are coming, and who is coming with them. If anything is unclear in the request or their profile, ask for clarification. Share relevant information It is helpful to let them know what your schedule looks like and how available you will be to interact with them. Don't feel obligated to provide a bunch of details or private information, but you should let your guest(s) know about any important information relevant to their visit about you, your home, who lives with you (including pets!), and your schedule. Use common sense Keep communication on the Couchers.org platform as much as possible. Use common sense when reviewing requests and profiles and especially when providing personal information like your address, contact information, and schedule. It's okay to decline Keep in mind that you are never obligated to accept a request or provide a reason for why you cannot accept. If you decline a request, the person will not be able to message you again unless they visit your profile and send a separate message. If you accept a request but change your mind, you can reject a request up until the start date of the request by clicking the "reject" button at the bottom of the request. Try to communicate any changes as far in advance as possible. Provide constructive feedback Potential surfers often appreciate feedback: If their profile is too empty you might say something like this: I'm not able to host you. You might have better luck if you fill out your profile some more and make your requests more personalized! Or: Hey! I might be able to host you, but I'd appreciate it if you could verify your profile first and add more information about yourself to your profile first. Let me know if you do that and would still like to be hosted, I can have another look! You can also provide them with a link to our guide about how to write a good request! How to deal with bad requests Sometimes you might receive a request that is just bad: it's low effort or contains no information. If you receive such a request, you can simply decline it without even replying. If the request appears to be spam or violates our Community Guidelines, please report it by clicking the flag symbol and filling out the form.

Last updated on Dec 02, 2024

How to write a reference

References are a very important part of Couchers.org. They help build trust, safety, and provide valuable information for both hosts and guests. References not only let the other person know how you felt, but also help other people in the future when they consider being a host or guest with that person. Here’s an overview of how to write a helpful, effective reference. How to structure your reference: - Introduction: Briefly explain the type and extent of your interaction (e.g., "Mary hosted me and my partner for three nights in Paris. Mary had to work a lot, but hung out with us in the evenings."). - Details of the Experience: Share specific details about the stay or hosting experience. You can explain to what extent you spent time together and mention any other relevant aspects such as activities, communication, special moments, and any other highlights. - Behavior and Character: Comment on the person's behavior, personality, and your overall impression, especially with regard to communication, respect, reliability, and trustworthiness (e.g., "John was very social and shared some interesting stories. He was very accommodating and even took me on a city tour. He was also kind enough to respect my need for quiet time in the evening after dinner. Communication with John was clear and easy, both in person and via text"). - Recommendation to others: It is good to mention if you would or wouldn't recommend this person to others (e.g., "I highly recommend John as a host/guest"), or at least give an impression of whether your overall experience with the person was positive, negative or neutral. It's okay to say you didn't spend enough time with the person to form an opinion! (e.g.,"We only spoke a few times since she was very busy with work, so I can't say too much about Mary, but she seems nice!") Reminders about the content: - Be honest and accurate: Your reference should be genuine and reflect your experience accurately. Since references are important for safety and trust, remember to avoid exaggerations, sarcasm, and jokes. If everything went smoothly, and communication was great, mention that. Highlight the positives of your experience. However, if there were any problems or issues, be sure to mention them, since this may help the person improve and help other guests or hosts in the future. - Details and specifics: You don't have to write a super detailed reference, but be sure to use at least some specific, detailed examples to illustrate your points (e.g., "Jane cooked a delicious meal for me from her home country and shared fascinating stories about her travels in India"). At the same time, keep the information relevant. - Location and Accommodations: When referring to the location of someone's home in your reference, be respectful of their privacy by not being too specific. If you are a guest, remember that the quality of the accommodation is not the focus of couch surfing, so don't make that the focus of your reference. This is not Airbnb™ and your host is not running a hostel or hotel. However, if anything was particularly noteworthy in a good or bad way, then it can be helpful to mention it (e.g., "John's couch is very short but very comfy!", or "Mary has 6 cats, which I loved, but they peed on my bed all the time and there were fleas all over the bed and couch!") - Negative experiences: If you had a bad experience, you should definitely leave a reference to warn other people. However, if you don't feel comfortable mentioning it in a reference, you can still report what happened to the support team by emailing safety@couchers.org or by using the report button (flag symbol) on the person's profile. Examples You don't always need to write a long reference, but sometimes it makes sense to do so. Here is an example of a fairly long, well-written reference: "I am so happy I got to host Emily for 3 nights! We have been working on the Couchers.org project together for about a year now and we finally had the chance to meet in person as she was traveling cross-country. I was so glad it worked out that Natalia and I could host her because it was a wonderful experience. Emily was only able to stay a handful of nights, but we made the most of it! We did everything from strolling around Madison, to a road trip to Monroe, a tour of the Capitol, a boat ride on the lake, and even played some mario kart! It was great getting to catch up outside of a "work" environment and share stories and adventures together. I was a bit surprised we didn't tire her out with all the things we wanted to show her around Madison and do with her. Emily really does have a great sense of adventure and a good sense of humor! It's always great having discussions with Emily too; She's never afraid to speak her mind and will give it to you straight, while at the same time being a (genuinely) very nice person with a great worldview. Emily's an uncomplicated guest, was flexible with the bathroom situation, and very respectful of our space. Out of the blue she even offered to clean our sink for us (it has so many stains) and holy moly she did a great job! Emily was also understanding of the several times Natalia and I needed to take breaks to work on other stuff. What a wonderful guest! I definitely would recommend that you host Emily, stay with Emily or even just meet up with Emily if you get a chance. She's a great couch surfer and an amazing human! I'm so happy that we're friends and I can't wait til we cross paths again!"

Last updated on Dec 02, 2024

A detailed guide to sending a request that will get accepted

Writing a good request is one of the most important parts of couch surfing. Not sure where to start or what to include? Worry not! In this guide, we'll explain some of the main aspects of writing a great request that has a high chance of getting accepted. Summary Here is a short list of the most important points to hit. We'll dive into each one separately later in the article: 1. Fill out your profile. Your profile should give people an idea of who you are and why you are on Couchers.org. Not sure what to write? Check out some other profiles to get some ideas! 2. Choose a host carefully. Find someone who looks active and willing to host, and make sure they have a high response rate. 3. Read the host's profile. Look for common interest points, and mention in your request why you want to surf with them specifically. 4. Tell the host about yourself. No need to go into detail; that's what your profile is for! 5. Make your plans clear. Why are you visiting the host's city? Is anyone coming with you? If yes, explain how you are related and provide a link to their profile on Couchers.org. 6. Don't give up! Finding a great host can take time, so keep trying! Fill out your profile The single most important thing you can do to increase your request acceptance rate is to have a filled out, engaging profile. Write something about yourself, and try to think about what would grab a host's interest. What interests and stories do you have that you could share with a potential host? (Or a potential surfer if you host someday!) Add a photo that shows your face. It doesn't have to be a "passport-style" photo, but people feel more comfortable meeting someone if they know what the person's face looks like. Complete Strong Verification: most hosts prefer to host verified users, since they know that the person has gone through a ID verification process. Read more about it here. If you're not sure what to put on your profile, check out some other profiles to get ideas from them! Choose a host carefully Look for a potential host who looks active and interested in hosting. Find someone with a filled out profile that you find interesting! Check their response rate to get an idea of whether they will respond to your request and how long you might have to wait for a response. Read the host's profile Carefully read the host's profile -- with an eye for things you have in common. Look for common interests or experiences, and include references to them in your request. You are much more likely to get a response if the person can tell you read their profile. Look for hosts that you think you'd get along well with and who would enjoy hosting you. Mention in your request why you want to surf with them specifically. Make it clear in your request that you've put some effort into thinking about what would connect you to the host. Most of us couch surf in order to see a local's point of view, let the host know why they are the local you'd like to meet. Many people love hosting engaged guests who come ready with some good conversation topics and interesting stories or ideas to share. But some people also prefer to host more independent guests or guests that keep to themselves. Try to find out what your host prefers in advance. Everyone is different! Make sure you read the host's home section carefully in case there is any other information you should know or take into account. For example, if you are allergic to dogs, you should check the "My home" section of the person's profile to see if they have a dog. Likewise, you should check to see if they have any special house rules or other considerations that may affect your stay. Tell the host about yourself Tell the host a little about yourself. Your profile will have all the details, but your request will still give the first impression of what kind of person you are. Don't repeat what is already in your profile, but include any pieces of information that are relevant in the context of your request. Think about your shared interests, and try to write something engaging that catches the host's attention. Some hosts in big cities who get lots of requests even require that requests include a reference to something in their profile so they know you read their profile! Make your plans clear Explain to the host why you are visiting their city and when you will be there. Give them some context on your travels. If your plans are flexible (or non-existent!), let the host know so they can plan appropriately and perhaps even share some ideas with you. What are you like as a guest, and what are you looking for? Do you want to hang out with the host or do you have so many things that you want to do, that you'll only have a bit of time in the evenings to chat? Be honest. Hosts have different preferences, and it's up to them to decide if they'd like to host you or not! Don't give up! Finding a host can sometimes be a challenge. It can take time! But like many things in life, you just have to keep trying until it works out. Sometimes there aren't that many hosts in an area, so you might not have any luck on one trip. But come back on your next trip and try again! Example host requests Here's an example host request (lightly edited) that I sent to another member: Hi [name]! I'm coming to Melbourne for a few days and was wondering if you would be able to host me for two nights while I'm there? I live in New York these days, and I'm visiting Australia — where I grew up — for a few weeks. Mostly Brisbane where my family lives but also coming down to Melbourne in about a week since I lived there for two years doing my masters. I don't really have any big plans while I'm in Melbourne so if you'd like to do something together, that'd be great! That being said I want to catch up with a handful of friends, see old nostalgic places, and eat some good food while I'm there, so I can also entertain myself. I'm a relatively introverted, pretty chill person, and as a guest I try to be very respectful and clean. I read your profile and thought you seemed like great people and thought we'd have some shared experiences with connections to the States and so on! Let me know if you're able to host :) Best, Aapeli The member had lived in the US, and I made a reference to that. The request could probably be a little less centered on the surfer and concentrate more on the host. Nonetheless, the host accepted this request and I ended up having a lot of fun hanging out with them! Remember to be genuine in your requests and consider things from the host's perspective. Closing thoughts I hope this guide has been helpful for you, and that you have learned something useful from it. Couch surfing can be an incredibly positive and life-changing experience, and it all starts from a request! Another good reference is our blog post on writing a good host request.

Last updated on Dec 21, 2024