Post by High Priestess on May 29, 2016 1:36:03 GMT
When Glenn founded New Hosts Forum in fall 2013, he instituted the requirement that group members be hosts and use a real name and real photo of themselves. So this was a tradition we kept, until the announcement by Airbnb of the closure of NHF, when we waived all requirements except that members be hosts or intend to be hosts.
Deborah shared June 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-153818
Want to join New Hosts Forum? Please read the link in the introduction message.
Wanting to join New Hosts Forum? Heard it's a great place to be? We'd love to have you!!....but make sure that before you click "join" you read the link in the introduction message above, which clarifies member requirements. See here:
bit.ly/1GTxzej
Every day we get Airbnb users wanting to join who haven't read this link and so we have rooms or buildings wanting to join, or flowery landscapes, or doggies or sunsets or hotel logos, rather than people. We also get some prospective members named, "Starfish Hotel" or "Langdon Apartments" which also doesnt' fit the requirements. And we get quite a large number of potential members who are standing so far away, or are covered up by sunglasses, or faces turned away from the camera, that we can't see who they are, and what's more, their guests can't either.
You know how we often advise hosts on the forums, when asking a guest to post their photo, to say, "I want to make sure the person who booked is actually the person who shows up at my door." Well the guest wants that same security -- they want to know that the person they booked with is the same one who opens the door. So take a photo of yourself, rather than a landscape with you somewhere in it, for your profile photo, and don't name yourself, "Shady Glen Apartments." And we'll all be happy to welcome you to the forum!!
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Rosanne
Rosanne11 months ago
I'd like to know if anyone asks for a passport or driver's license ID from their guest upon arrival. It may not be necessary for one-nighters. But, if someone is staying longer, I also wonder if I should get an emergency phone number from them. If something happens to them while they are here, who do I call??
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Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
I have never booked as a guest but I am sure that Airbnb would ask a potential guest for an emergency contact number when they make the booking. So if something were to go wrong while they were with you Airbnb would be the first place to call. However, asking the guest for a number in case of emergency when they arrive is a good idea and I will do that in future. I have never asked a guest for their passport or driving license as I would feel that that is violating their privacy somewhat. If they look like their photo that is good enough for me.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric11 months ago
As a guest, I've never been asked for an emergency contact number by Airbnb or a host. As a host, if that something you want, you can ask for it. Some hosts ask for identification at check-in; other hosts like me check out the guests before they arrive in order to be comfortable with them.
Fiona
Fiona11 months ago
I ask every guest to show id on checkin so I can match it against the names they gave me in the reservation. I've never asked for an emergency contact number and would make it completely voluntary but have thought about it and as of this weekend am going to.
Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
I suppose the emergency contact number is a good idea -- it's something I would always include in standard rental agreement or rental application forms when I had regular long term tenants.
And with three different tenants, I ended up very much needing that emergency contact information -- not because the tenant had a medical (physical) emergency, but because they had a mental health breakdown. I had two tenants with bipolar disorder, both of whom began to engage in bizarre behavior, including destruction of my property, and I found I was unable to talk with them. Very thankfully, I had their parent's phone numbers and was able to get in contact with the parents, who came out immediately. In the third case, a person with no previous history of mental illness had a psychotic break, and again, I needed to contact the parents, who took care of the situation and ultimately moved the tenant out. But these were long term tenants who were residents. With a short term guest I think you'd be less likely to have this happen, but if it did, police or ambulance could be called as well. Then the police would hopefully be able to find the relatives to contact with the guests' ID. But having an emergency number would be ideal, if it's not too much work to do.
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Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
Oh how awful. It's something one doesn't really consider when taking a booking. I will definitely be taking an emergency contact number in future and can delete it after the visit has ended.
Rosanne
Rosanne11 months ago
I have recently stayed in Airbnb all over Italy. I was never asked for any I.D. at all and no emergency number? yikes. But, I was traveling with a friend, so I guess he was my emergency contact. I started thinking about the emergency # when a young girl borrowed my bike - took off at 3:30 pm and didnt come back until 9:30 pm. It was winter and very dark. I was worried about her and then thought, who would I call? Airbnb does not ask you for any other info about yourself when you book. They only verify email address and phone number.
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Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
I would like to challenge this issue of a clear head-shot photograph being something meaningful and trustworthy. It's just a picture. It doesn't convey anything except a moment in time and is not necessarily representative of the person at all. I don't understand why so much store is set by it. Particularly in an online group. There are several excellent hosts with a lot of experience and dedication to helping others who are prevented from joining this group just because they choose not to have the required face shot. Maybe there are good reasons why they choose that option? I think it's wrong and discriminatory and I would respectfully ask you, Deborah and Andrew, to be a bit more flexible on this.
I understand that in some parts of the world, big cities for eg, security is a major issue and so being able to check a photo against the person that turns up at your door is important. But this is an online help/advice group! I think this requirement is too much.
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Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
Rebecca, we do make exceptions to the requirements, in cases where someone has a unique situation, so anyone is free to contact us about getting an exception made for them. I have seen about 3 cases where someone contacted me about an exception to this rule and they had a good reason and we granted an exception.
Our rule about face pictures is not just for the forum. If it were only for the forum it wouldnt' matter that much. We are trying to influence new hosts to be forthcoming in how they present themselves, in the same way that we ask guests to be forthcoming with the photo and other info, so that there is a good foundation to build on for the security of both sides in hosting. Having everyone on the forum meet these requirements shows a good example to new hosts. There is also the security issue that has arisen in a few group forums, with scammers, in the past.
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Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
Thanks for the reply, Deborah. I get it. It's just that it seems a bit harsh to remove people from the group when they change their profile photo to one of them wearing sunglasses, say. I suppose there's no easy answer but maybe it would be nice to inform people why they have been removed so they don't wonder what they did wrong and feel rejected?
Going back to my point about photos not always being representative, I'd just like to let you know that my profile pic is a few years old and after 2.5 years of hosting I actually look more like this now:
bit.ly/1I9evbD
Reply Like 2 replies•1 like Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
bit.ly/1I9evbD
Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
Oh that is hilarious! Looks a bit like me as well when I'm having a good day.
Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
\__('-")__/ LOL!
Yes, hosting can do that to a person, hmmm??!
For the most part the "decision point" for us in accepting group members, is when people first apply. Then they either are accepted or declined, and if they are declined, they have an opportunity to contact us and ask about it.
Sunglasses are a "borderline" issue, not a hard and fast "no." A profile photo showing a child or a dog is an out and out decline, but with sunglasses, it depends on whether the host still is recognizable. Some sunglasses photos we accept, others no. So there is some subjectivity. THe problem with not having any policies about these things is that I have seen just too many hosts who have a profile photo that shows them, but the point of the photo is lost, as you would never be able to recognize who they are -- either because of large sunglasses, distance from camera, hand over face, motorcycle helmet covering entire head, turning away from camera, wearing a mask, or a combination of these. So in my mind the whole point of having a photo of oneself is lost, if one makes oneself unrecognizable or obscures one's face. So we are trying to get hosts back to the spirit of the profile photo.
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
Yes, there doesn't seem much point in having a photo that is so unclear. As you might know, I don't set too much store by photos as people generally choose one that shows them at their best when in reality they are at least 10 years older, fatter, grumpier, no longer with their companion...whatever. One last question: what about when people have a selection of profile photos? For example, they've chosen their favourite photo as the main one and it shows them in shades, slightly in the distance etc. but the rest of their profile photos are full facial shots. It's a fascinating subject, actually. I'm always amazed at the photos people select of themselves as the best. They are hardly ever the ones that the rest of us would select. To quote good old Rabbie Burns: “Oh the gift that god could give us, to see ourselves as others see others.”
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
Aagggh, why can't we edit. The quote should be: "O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!" In English: "And would some Power give us the gift To see ourselves as others see us!"
Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
A judge in a recent court case here in England allowed a woman to be cross examined while wearing a full burka together with the face veil which only allows her eyes to be shown (can't remember what that is called). I assume that that would not pass the test for a profile photo on this site.
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Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
Correct, Rachel, such a photo wouldn't meet member requirements -- but again, we do make some exceptions, by request.
Deborah shared June 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-153818
Want to join New Hosts Forum? Please read the link in the introduction message.
Wanting to join New Hosts Forum? Heard it's a great place to be? We'd love to have you!!....but make sure that before you click "join" you read the link in the introduction message above, which clarifies member requirements. See here:
bit.ly/1GTxzej
Every day we get Airbnb users wanting to join who haven't read this link and so we have rooms or buildings wanting to join, or flowery landscapes, or doggies or sunsets or hotel logos, rather than people. We also get some prospective members named, "Starfish Hotel" or "Langdon Apartments" which also doesnt' fit the requirements. And we get quite a large number of potential members who are standing so far away, or are covered up by sunglasses, or faces turned away from the camera, that we can't see who they are, and what's more, their guests can't either.
You know how we often advise hosts on the forums, when asking a guest to post their photo, to say, "I want to make sure the person who booked is actually the person who shows up at my door." Well the guest wants that same security -- they want to know that the person they booked with is the same one who opens the door. So take a photo of yourself, rather than a landscape with you somewhere in it, for your profile photo, and don't name yourself, "Shady Glen Apartments." And we'll all be happy to welcome you to the forum!!
9 comments•17 likes
Following
Like
Nic and Rach
Joy & Justin
Rachel
Bridget and Mark
Mig
+12
more
Edit
Delete
Rosanne
Rosanne11 months ago
I'd like to know if anyone asks for a passport or driver's license ID from their guest upon arrival. It may not be necessary for one-nighters. But, if someone is staying longer, I also wonder if I should get an emergency phone number from them. If something happens to them while they are here, who do I call??
Reply Like 3 replies Delete
Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
I have never booked as a guest but I am sure that Airbnb would ask a potential guest for an emergency contact number when they make the booking. So if something were to go wrong while they were with you Airbnb would be the first place to call. However, asking the guest for a number in case of emergency when they arrive is a good idea and I will do that in future. I have never asked a guest for their passport or driving license as I would feel that that is violating their privacy somewhat. If they look like their photo that is good enough for me.
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric11 months ago
As a guest, I've never been asked for an emergency contact number by Airbnb or a host. As a host, if that something you want, you can ask for it. Some hosts ask for identification at check-in; other hosts like me check out the guests before they arrive in order to be comfortable with them.
Fiona
Fiona11 months ago
I ask every guest to show id on checkin so I can match it against the names they gave me in the reservation. I've never asked for an emergency contact number and would make it completely voluntary but have thought about it and as of this weekend am going to.
Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
I suppose the emergency contact number is a good idea -- it's something I would always include in standard rental agreement or rental application forms when I had regular long term tenants.
And with three different tenants, I ended up very much needing that emergency contact information -- not because the tenant had a medical (physical) emergency, but because they had a mental health breakdown. I had two tenants with bipolar disorder, both of whom began to engage in bizarre behavior, including destruction of my property, and I found I was unable to talk with them. Very thankfully, I had their parent's phone numbers and was able to get in contact with the parents, who came out immediately. In the third case, a person with no previous history of mental illness had a psychotic break, and again, I needed to contact the parents, who took care of the situation and ultimately moved the tenant out. But these were long term tenants who were residents. With a short term guest I think you'd be less likely to have this happen, but if it did, police or ambulance could be called as well. Then the police would hopefully be able to find the relatives to contact with the guests' ID. But having an emergency number would be ideal, if it's not too much work to do.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
Oh how awful. It's something one doesn't really consider when taking a booking. I will definitely be taking an emergency contact number in future and can delete it after the visit has ended.
Rosanne
Rosanne11 months ago
I have recently stayed in Airbnb all over Italy. I was never asked for any I.D. at all and no emergency number? yikes. But, I was traveling with a friend, so I guess he was my emergency contact. I started thinking about the emergency # when a young girl borrowed my bike - took off at 3:30 pm and didnt come back until 9:30 pm. It was winter and very dark. I was worried about her and then thought, who would I call? Airbnb does not ask you for any other info about yourself when you book. They only verify email address and phone number.
Reply Like Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
I would like to challenge this issue of a clear head-shot photograph being something meaningful and trustworthy. It's just a picture. It doesn't convey anything except a moment in time and is not necessarily representative of the person at all. I don't understand why so much store is set by it. Particularly in an online group. There are several excellent hosts with a lot of experience and dedication to helping others who are prevented from joining this group just because they choose not to have the required face shot. Maybe there are good reasons why they choose that option? I think it's wrong and discriminatory and I would respectfully ask you, Deborah and Andrew, to be a bit more flexible on this.
I understand that in some parts of the world, big cities for eg, security is a major issue and so being able to check a photo against the person that turns up at your door is important. But this is an online help/advice group! I think this requirement is too much.
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
Rebecca, we do make exceptions to the requirements, in cases where someone has a unique situation, so anyone is free to contact us about getting an exception made for them. I have seen about 3 cases where someone contacted me about an exception to this rule and they had a good reason and we granted an exception.
Our rule about face pictures is not just for the forum. If it were only for the forum it wouldnt' matter that much. We are trying to influence new hosts to be forthcoming in how they present themselves, in the same way that we ask guests to be forthcoming with the photo and other info, so that there is a good foundation to build on for the security of both sides in hosting. Having everyone on the forum meet these requirements shows a good example to new hosts. There is also the security issue that has arisen in a few group forums, with scammers, in the past.
Reply Like Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
Thanks for the reply, Deborah. I get it. It's just that it seems a bit harsh to remove people from the group when they change their profile photo to one of them wearing sunglasses, say. I suppose there's no easy answer but maybe it would be nice to inform people why they have been removed so they don't wonder what they did wrong and feel rejected?
Going back to my point about photos not always being representative, I'd just like to let you know that my profile pic is a few years old and after 2.5 years of hosting I actually look more like this now:
bit.ly/1I9evbD
Reply Like 2 replies•1 like Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
bit.ly/1I9evbD
Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
Oh that is hilarious! Looks a bit like me as well when I'm having a good day.
Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
\__('-")__/ LOL!
Yes, hosting can do that to a person, hmmm??!
For the most part the "decision point" for us in accepting group members, is when people first apply. Then they either are accepted or declined, and if they are declined, they have an opportunity to contact us and ask about it.
Sunglasses are a "borderline" issue, not a hard and fast "no." A profile photo showing a child or a dog is an out and out decline, but with sunglasses, it depends on whether the host still is recognizable. Some sunglasses photos we accept, others no. So there is some subjectivity. THe problem with not having any policies about these things is that I have seen just too many hosts who have a profile photo that shows them, but the point of the photo is lost, as you would never be able to recognize who they are -- either because of large sunglasses, distance from camera, hand over face, motorcycle helmet covering entire head, turning away from camera, wearing a mask, or a combination of these. So in my mind the whole point of having a photo of oneself is lost, if one makes oneself unrecognizable or obscures one's face. So we are trying to get hosts back to the spirit of the profile photo.
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
Yes, there doesn't seem much point in having a photo that is so unclear. As you might know, I don't set too much store by photos as people generally choose one that shows them at their best when in reality they are at least 10 years older, fatter, grumpier, no longer with their companion...whatever. One last question: what about when people have a selection of profile photos? For example, they've chosen their favourite photo as the main one and it shows them in shades, slightly in the distance etc. but the rest of their profile photos are full facial shots. It's a fascinating subject, actually. I'm always amazed at the photos people select of themselves as the best. They are hardly ever the ones that the rest of us would select. To quote good old Rabbie Burns: “Oh the gift that god could give us, to see ourselves as others see others.”
Rebecca
Rebecca11 months ago
Aagggh, why can't we edit. The quote should be: "O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!" In English: "And would some Power give us the gift To see ourselves as others see us!"
Rachel
Rachel11 months ago
A judge in a recent court case here in England allowed a woman to be cross examined while wearing a full burka together with the face veil which only allows her eyes to be shown (can't remember what that is called). I assume that that would not pass the test for a profile photo on this site.
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deborah11 months ago
Correct, Rachel, such a photo wouldn't meet member requirements -- but again, we do make some exceptions, by request.
It took me 8 months to put my picture on the genealogy site I worked on, time to get to know the people and trust them. I dare say I will be an "old host" before my pic comes on here. In fact, I was hosting 22 years ago, so maybe I do not qualify as new anyhow. Thanks for that info tho, I was thinking they were a little tardy.