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Post by Maria Lurdes (Milu) on Aug 6, 2016 21:31:43 GMT
A quick follow up on my Kuwaiti guests. I thought they were nonplussed by the flag, but in the end, they were just very quiet guests. They were very pleased with the flag and thought that it was a very considerate gesture. They took lots of pictures of them in front of the house with the flag behind them, so I'm very happy with the final reaction.
Another funny thing with the Kuwaiti's - on their last night the city held a "Take Back The Night" event which is I guess a national event to promote city safety, honor police, etc. Well it's an annual event here that's a massive street party. They block off 10 blocks and have a petting zoo, bouncy castles, photo booths with funny costumes and live music. One of our friends (the one we bought this house from) is a retired police officer here, and he has a cuban orchestra. They play this event every year. I'd warned the Kuwaiti's that it would be noisy that night, and invited them to come to the street party with us. They said they'd be back late and probably miss it. In any event, we had a great time at the street party, and when we got home, we ran into our guests. They had also been, and despite me thinking that they stood out like a sore thumb (very latino neighborhood, very few muslims), they blended in so well that despite walking around a lot, I never saw them. The mayor of our town was doing the walk-about and stopped the family to shake their hand. He introduced himself as he knows every person in our town and saw they were a bit different. THey told him that they were guests of Maria Costa! So then the mayor sees me a few minutes later and says "thank you for opening your home to such a nice family" . Ha, that's right my friend, let's remember that next time you want to pass an ordinance against STR.
Anyhow, it was a funny turn of events in the end.... our next guests are arriving tomorrow, and they are French, so the French flag will fly!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2016 21:50:43 GMT
I just want a whirlie gig thing that looks like a big flower.
Oh wait!!
I just want guests who print out and follow the driving directions.
Oh wait!!
I'm anticipating arrival of a gazillion US dollars so I can play guest.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 6, 2016 23:40:07 GMT
Good going Maria, promoting short term rental hosting in a one on one way with the mayor! Nice to win folks over to the cause in these neighborly ways.
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Post by cindik on Aug 7, 2016 0:11:15 GMT
I had a lovely couple from Iran a couple months ago. They informed me, after they arrived, that they were fasting in preparation of Ramadan, and wouldn't be having breakfast. They went to a local wood-oven pizza restaurant that eve, and picked up a pizza to enjoy after sundown. I decided to make a lovely platter for them, including ramekins with tomato/onion/avocado salad, yogurt, olives, papaya and strawberries - beautifully assembled on a beautiful leaf platter with a small flower display, which I left silently for them to enjoy with their pizza. Nary a word. No thanks, and nothing in the review to hint at any kindness.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2016 0:28:30 GMT
Sorry Cinik that I had to like this.
What's wrong with people?
Only makes us host want to and desire not to spend so much of our time and energy towards our guests.
I used to provide a special greeting of local gifts...narry a word, and then had to figure it was actually costing me more than I could do without raising my prices.
Mine biatch about anything they can find, and then praise the free breakfast foods provided.
I'm like "Your welcome mr and mrs ingrate".
Somehow I'm going to figure out how to tone that down.
My listing states they are to provide their own food, and 1% ever go to the grocer for anything other than beer.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 7, 2016 1:02:18 GMT
I'm also sorry to hear about that Cindi....and sad to say, I"ve heard this sort of thing from a number of hosts. So much so, that I am coming to think that any host who wants to offer "extras", particularly in the food and beverages department, would do best to be able to totally let go of the outcome. Meaning -- that unless you could care less if the guest is grateful or not, or thanks you or not, then it's probably better to not do too much for them. Because doing "extra" things for guests and expecting thanks and gratitude can easily be a set-up for a let-down.
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Post by CC on Aug 7, 2016 14:46:09 GMT
You're absolutely right, Deborah. There's nothing wrong with being in Airbnb for the warm fuzzy feeling you get from bonding with people. But there becomes something wrong with it when you get your feelings hurt one good time. Do what works for you. I rent empty rooms with no emotional strings attached.
I think it's fascinating, Superhostnyc, that you would change clothes at your own home to appease, impress, or appeal to your guests. I wonder if it would have "worked" had there been any further "sighting."
Cindik, shocking how someone could ignore that special, meaningful gesture.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2016 19:39:12 GMT
Visualizes CC welcoming guests in her granny gown and fluffy slippers and those old curlers adorning her locks.
Sheesh CC, I even made the effort to change out of my nightgown in anticipation of a female notary coming to the house.
But I agree with your response, but I often wear little jackets over my bathing suit tops, which are not revealing in any way, but sometimes ya can just tell when to adjust.
Apparently that experiment didn't work for superhostnyc, that's what keeps us learning and on our toes as hosts each and every day.
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Post by CC on Aug 7, 2016 21:08:58 GMT
Uh, Superhostnyc was not wearing a robe or a nightie, Aloha Rhonda. She was wearing shorts and a tee: America's summer uniform. Not an abaya and headdress. America is supposed to be a melting pot; that's a soup, not a salad. When you come here, the abaya should be left at the door. And if you don't like our garb here, stay there.
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Post by Maria Lurdes (Milu) on Aug 8, 2016 12:37:10 GMT
Hey CC, you're right that I was in my typical summer outfit. I'm Canadian, so we have some weird cultural sensitivities sown into our DNA and it just felt more respectful to put on something that wasn't so casual/boob-ish. If we didn't share the patio with the guests I would have stayed as I was, but I wanted them to feel welcome to come outside and sit for a minute.
A few years ago we hosted a couple from Qatar - she was Belgium married to a Qatar man. She converted lock stock and barrel, choosing to wear the full black cover. They stayed with us for a few weeks and we became very friendly. She wore the full black business when outside, with all but the eyes (bright blue, quite jarring) exposed. Towards the end of their stay the Superbowl was on, and we have a big party every year. I always invite whatever guests are around, although it's a slow time for us so not usually too many around. So the house is full of people, the Qatari's ring the bell, and I open it to welcome them. I give her kiss on both cheeks as had become our custom, and I go to give him a kiss and he reeled back like he'd been scalded. He was mortified and quickly walked away. She told me that there is no physical contact between unrelated men and women. I didn't know this, and I was embarrassed too. Ever since that event I've been a bit more cautious with guests of different religions as I want them to feel very comfortable. I can see how this might be silly, as I don't think that if I went to Kuwait they'd take off their head covering to make me feel more comfortable, but for me it's not a religious obligation where for them it is.
I don't think I'd do it again - I'd leave my outfit as is and if they come out, great. If they don't, they don't.
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Post by CC on Aug 8, 2016 12:52:25 GMT
You're a better man than I am, Superhostnyc!!! And I host a ton of people from who knows where--billions from India, but plenty of Arabs too, who must be Muslims. Almost all men, though. I don't think I could host a woman in that costume, honestly. It is in every way antithetical to freedom. 🇺🇸
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 8, 2016 14:34:03 GMT
It does always strike me as ironic, CC, yes, to see the Muslim women covered head to toe in their burkas, in this free country -- perhaps they see it as just expressing their freedom to follow the dictates of their chosen religion -- and these women don't all find the burka requirement offensive....they probably grew up with it and for some of them maybe it's like wearing an old pair of jeans. Just the ordinary thing. They could even like it because it allows them to be distinct and mysterious looking in a WEstern society where very few people dress this way!
All the same, passing burka-covered women on the street in my area does make me recoil a little, as for me there will always be the unfreedom message mixed in... that women in some religions are not free NOT to wear these coverings...
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