Post by High Priestess on Sept 20, 2015 7:38:31 GMT
Meika shared on New Hosts Forum
9 months ago
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-141508
Obsessed with "the chemicals"?
Meika
Hello all! I'm wondering if I could get your opinions on something...I'm sure this has been discussed before but I couldn't locate an answer
I have a potential guest inquiring about staying in my rental. Although she doesn't have any reviews, the remainder of her profile seems legit. She inquired about "the chemicals"... she let me know she's allergic to new paint, new carpet, any room deodorizers/scents, certain types of floor finishings, matresses, certain kinds of soap and shampoo etc etc.
Has anyone hosted a person with a lot of allergies and specific needs related to said allergies? How was that experience for you? It sort of feels like a disaster waiting to happen... but maybe she's really nice and legitimately does just have a really sensitive immune system?
Thank you!
14 comments•2 likes
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Evelyn
Evelyn9 months ago
I have had guests request scent free detergent which I already do. I'm sensitive to scents, but I do have some in the house. I never had a guest with so many requirements. Does your home adhere to all her specifications? Or will something in your house give her an allergy attack? My reco is not to host. Will you have a good hosting experience or will you be stressing out the entire time she is in your home?
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Nancy
Nancy9 months ago
Hi Meika, I would be worried personally because I have pets but you may not. It seems as tho her needs are intricate and that a better spot might be a hotel. My recommendation is to nix this one. Good luck.
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Meika
Meika9 months ago
Thank you both for your replies! Evelyn, now that I think about it I probably would be stressing the whole time... it's hard to say whether or not my place adheres to her specifications! Nancy I agree, perhaps a hotel would be better suited to her needs. I think i'll nix it! Thank you both
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Susan
Susan9 months ago
No, thank you. I don't think even a hotel will work for this one....she needs one of those bubble environments!
Reply Like 8 likes Delete
Mig
Mig9 months ago
Respond with a bland statement - "I am currently unable to accomodate your exacting needs" She needs a bubble to live in for sure
Reply Like 5 likes Delete
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
Unless you really need this money, decline , decline, decline...
This type of people a strange to me.
How can she go to work? go to friends home (if she has any)? etc...
So as Susan say, she is really allergic and must leave in a bubble home.
Or she is mentally obsessed and i would not like this type of borderline people in my house.
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
You are so right. It is strange to think about how she ever goes out into the world if she is really so sensitive to everything! I think declining is the way to go, who knows what could go wrong!
Louise
Louise9 months ago
I had a couple book 1 guest room with similar requirements. They labeled it "chemical sensitivity". I decided to accept the reservation. For various reasons I found them interesting. As it turns out they mentioned briefly on checking in that
they were coming directly from M.D. Anderson cancer treatment center in Houston. They had been reluctant to mention that in pre booking conversation.
So apparently the chemical sensitivity is a result of undergoing cancer treatment.
It was not allergies nor were they being neurotic or persnikity. My space is super clean, fragrance free, mold free, pet free. The only possible offender is my guest rooms are carpeted. I let them know that carpet cleaning is done by Chem Dry which uses a chemical free carbonated water method. They were lovely guests
and I'm guessing I passed the sniff test, judging from their favorable review.
Some travelers have special needs. Yes, I was a bit nervous about meeting their requirements but to their credit they were communicative about their requirements
prior to booking. Here's the take away for me, If a prospective guest has unusual sensitivities they will usually be clear about it before booking. Person's who make
lots of complaints that seem picky and bordering on neurotic are more likely in the camp of neurotic, overly critical type people who will more than likely find some thing to complain about because for whatever reason that's just the way that they are. They think they are normal but many would not agree that is normal behavior.
Reply Like 2 replies•3 likes Delete
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
I am not sure that Meika prospect's is under cancer treatment as she mentionned being sensitive to chemical paintings and floor finishings. Which , as far as i know, are not peculiar to cancer treatments. The propest also mention soap and shampoo. Wich does not matter the host as someone under treatment take the own beauty products.
Javier and Kym
Javier and Kym9 months ago
Jeez Louise! Did they bother mentioning that the patient would be exuding toxic chemicals after treatment that's dangerous to YOU? They should have told you that you needed to wear gloves when cleaning the bathroom after them and handling the laundry or removing the trash? Do you share a bathroom? It's supposed to be flushed twice after they use it and cleaned, by someone with gloves! Yeah, no wonder they didn't want to mess up their own house, right?
Kristi
Kristi9 months ago
I had an inquiry from a woman who is a light sleeper and worried about sounds and noises in the Casita. I can't regulate that so I explained all the noises she might encounter and she wasn't interested after that. Explain what you have to offer and make it her call. I have a friend who is very sensitive to everything and sad to say she never travels. She doesn't sleep well, scents from flowers bother her etc. I love her but don't even want her to stay in my home.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
It must be really hard to have such extreme sensitivities, whether real or imagined going through life experiencing that would be really time consuming and stressful, and you mentioned with your friend. Its a tricky line to walk with guests because it often doesn't mean they are bad people, but it's worrisome when they have such specific needs (like your light sleeper) and as a host sometimes there are needs you just can't accommodate! Thanks for your reply!
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
Actually, sensitivities to toxic chemicals shouldnt' really be termed "allergies" as that gives the wrong impression that these sensitivities are unusual or peculiar to a certain person. In fact, toxic chemicals effect all of us in a negative way, whether or not we realize or are aware of it. New carpet and flooring can offgas toxic chemicals called VOC's or volatile organic compounds, see this article for instance:
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive(phone number hidden)/carpet-(email hidden)px
"VOCs can include highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, along with benzene, toluene, perchloroethylene, and more. In the short term, such as immediately after new carpeting is installed, VOCs may cause headaches, nausea, and nerve problems, along with irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat.
Over time, exposure to VOCs has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in animal studies.1 VOCs come from many sources, but those released in your home are potentially the most dangerous because they accumulate in the air (whereas VOCs released outdoors are naturally diluted)."
Room deodorizers and "air fresheners", likewise typically contain toxic chemicals, see here:
www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/fairfresheners.pdf
and
healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/184-how-air-fresheners-are-killing-you.html
People who have "chemical sensitivities" dont' have unique allergies -- they are more like "canaries in the mine" who are the first to get sick and die from toxic chemicals that actually are bad for all of us. That said, there is a range of such chemical sensitivities, and some people are so sensitive that they would have trouble even in homes like mine where I don't allow guests to use fragrances. So the level of a guest's sensitivity is something to consider. But I just wanted to make the point that to call our response to toxic chemicals an "allergy" is really to misrepresent the situation. Far too many people are ignorant of the danger of many common products, like the perversely named, toxic "air fresheners".
Reply Like 4 replies•3 likes Delete
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
The first link got autocensored...here it is again.... bit.ly/1Qznljn
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
I know those dangers. But this is another battle. We are all threatened by pollution. Here the question is is it a good idea to have such a person in your home? And i also know that people who are the cleanest ones (using bleach and cleaning products massively) are also the 1st victims as cleaning products are very polluting and as their body is not trained to defend themselves against natural bacterias.
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I would say that at a glance I would not necessarily be able to decide really quickly if a person who announces that they are sensitive to chemicals, is a potentially problematic guest. I would probably need to ask them a few questions and get some clarification, to be able to determine if they were unusually sensitive, or were they rather just trying to see if I was at all aware of the danger of toxic chemicals, and might be one of those hosts who thinks that they're doing a favor to guests when they try to make their home "fresh smelling" by plugging in lots of toxic air fresheners, adding toxic "poupurri", using toxic perfumed laundry detergent, etc. So what I'm saying is that I wouldn't necessarily reject someone just because they said they were sensitive to chemicals. I am sensitive to chemicals -- we all are.
Meika
Meika9 months ago
Deborah- thanks for pointing this out. I think it's definitely important to note that we can be adversely affected by toxins in our environment, and some people show symptoms more than others. Although I endeavor to use as many chemical-free products in my home as I can, someone with such severe sensitivities might still find something wrong. Perhaps there are some places that go above and beyond to be completely chemical free which would be a better fit for my inquiring guest. It is definitely good to remember though that we are often a bit unaware of how much toxic stuff we use and are exposed to on a daily basis. Thanks for replying to my post, I enjoyed hearing what you had to say!
Stan & Maggie
Stan & Maggie9 months ago
Run! Fast! And decline. You might remove everything you can but she will still have an issue with something!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
Update: She is now inquiring about what type of heating we use and if any items in the apartment have been painted or finished, and if so what type of paint and finish. My goodness... time to find a way to let her down gently! Thank you all for your replies, it has been nice to hear about some fellow host experiences with these types of people!
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Gretchen
Gretchen9 months ago
Wow, you were willing to entertain her for a lot longer than I would have been! I would have told her about the newly painted everything in the very first email. With oil paint. From the 30's.
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I would say that given the number of questions she is asking, this sounds like someone to decline. Even I who am empathetic to someone sensitive to chemicals, am still aware that some people can truly be "hypochondriacs" regarding this, or are sensitive to a degree that would be unworkable for most of us.
To give an example of an extreme case of chemical sensitivity: I once got a call to do home repairs for a woman in my city, who said she was chemically sensitive, and asked me not to use perfumed laundry detergents on my clothing or particularly fragrant shampoos before coming to her home. Fair enough, I don't do either of those things.
But then when I got to her house, I was astonished when I met her "assistant" in the front hall, who told me that I needed to remove all my clothing and put on a special smock, in order to enter her house. So at that point I decided I could not accomodate this woman's sensitivities and turned around and left, telling the assistant that this was unreasonable.
On the other hand, sensitivity to toxic chemicals is so well understood in the SF Bay ARea where I live, that for many events in intelligent circles, such as whenever I go to a spiritual center, such as Spirit Rock in Marin, or a local synagogue or BUddhist center, or a workshop , that there will be instructions asking people not to wear perfumes or scented products, due to the common sensitivities to these things.
So there's a workable range in between these easy requests of people, and the rare extreme sensitivity or hypochondriasis, where many of us are comfortable dwelling.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Chantal
Chantal9 months ago
Decline...very simple.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Irene & Lola
Irene & Lola9 months ago
I had a guest like that once. She was very nice and just informed me that she would be bringing her own linen and towels, along with her own washing powder.
She asked me to please air the rooms after cleaning before her arrival, so there would not be strong smells. There were no issues, she was a very nice guest
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
That's interesting! This is the first post from someone who had a positive experience with a guest like this. It's good to remember to be open minded with guests, because even if they seem problematic they could end up being really great! Thanks for sharing
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
bonjour Meika, There is a big difference between you prospect and Irene guest. On one hand, your prospect ask questions and you have to solve them. On the other hand, their guest mention a problem and come with the solution not to bother you. This difference is due to the education of the 2 people. Not to be open minded or not.
Deborah
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
old version w/o commenter names
Obsessed with "the chemicals"?
Hello all! I'm wondering if I could get your opinions on something...I'm sure this has been discussed before but I couldn't locate an answer
I have a potential guest inquiring about staying in my rental. Although she doesn't have any reviews, the remainder of her profile seems legit. She inquired about "the chemicals"... she let me know she's allergic to new paint, new carpet, any room deodorizers/scents, certain types of floor finishings, matresses, certain kinds of soap and shampoo etc etc.
Has anyone hosted a person with a lot of allergies and specific needs related to said allergies? How was that experience for you? It sort of feels like a disaster waiting to happen... but maybe she's really nice and legitimately does just have a really sensitive immune system?
Thank you!
Reply
I have had guests request scent free detergent which I already do. I'm sensitive to scents, but I do have some in the house. I never had a guest with so many requirements. Does your home adhere to all her specifications? Or will something in your house give her an allergy attack? My reco is not to host. Will you have a good hosting experience or will you be stressing out the entire time she is in your home?
Reply
Hi I would be worried personally because I have pets but you may not. It seems as tho her needs are intricate and that a better spot might be a hotel. My recommendation is to nix this one. Good luck.
Reply
Thank you both for your replies! Evelyn, now that I think about it I probably would be stressing the whole time... it's hard to say whether or not my place adheres to her specifications! Nancy I agree, perhaps a hotel would be better suited to her needs. I think i'll nix it! Thank you both
Reply
No, thank you. I don't think even a hotel will work for this one....she needs one of those bubble environments!
Reply
Respond with a bland statement - "I am currently unable to accomodate your exacting needs" She needs a bubble to live in for sure
Reply
Unless you really need this money, decline , decline, decline...
This type of people a strange to me.
How can she go to work? go to friends home (if she has any)? etc...
So as some say, she is really allergic and must leave in a bubble home.
Or she is mentally obsessed and i would not like this type of borderline people in my house.
Reply
You are so right. It is strange to think about how she ever goes out into the world if she is really so sensitive to everything! I think declining is the way to go, who knows what could go wrong!
Reply:
I had a couple book 1 guest room with similar requirements. They labeled it "chemical sensitivity". I decided to accept the reservation. For various reasons I found them interesting. As it turns out they mentioned briefly on checking in that
they were coming directly from M.D. Anderson cancer treatment center in Houston. They had been reluctant to mention that in pre booking conversation.
So apparently the chemical sensitivity is a result of undergoing cancer treatment.
It was not allergies nor were they being neurotic or persnikity. My space is super clean, fragrance free, mold free, pet free. The only possible offender is my guest rooms are carpeted. I let them know that carpet cleaning is done by Chem Dry which uses a chemical free carbonated water method. They were lovely guests
and I'm guessing I passed the sniff test, judging from their favorable review.
Some travelers have special needs. Yes, I was a bit nervous about meeting their requirements but to their credit they were communicative about their requirements
prior to booking. Here's the take away for me, If a prospective guest has unusual sensitivities they will usually be clear about it before booking. Person's who make
lots of complaints that seem picky and bordering on neurotic are more likely in the camp of neurotic, overly critical type people who will more than likely find some thing to complain about because for whatever reason that's just the way that they are. They think they are normal but many would not agree that is normal behavior.
Reply
I am not sure that Meika prospect's is under cancer treatment as she mentionned being sensitive to chemical paintings and floor finishings. Which , as far as i know, are not peculiar to cancer treatments. The propest also mention soap and shampoo. Wich does not matter the host as someone under treatment take the own beauty products.
Reply:
Jeez! Did they bother mentioning that the patient would be exuding toxic chemicals after treatment that's dangerous to YOU? They should have told you that you needed to wear gloves when cleaning the bathroom after them and handling the laundry or removing the trash? Do you share a bathroom? It's supposed to be flushed twice after they use it and cleaned, by someone with gloves! Yeah, no wonder they didn't want to mess up their own house, right?
Reply:
I had an inquiry from a woman who is a light sleeper and worried about sounds and noises in the Casita. I can't regulate that so I explained all the noises she might encounter and she wasn't interested after that. Explain what you have to offer and make it her call. I have a friend who is very sensitive to everything and sad to say she never travels. She doesn't sleep well, scents from flowers bother her etc. I love her but don't even want her to stay in my home.
Reply
It must be really hard to have such extreme sensitivities, whether real or imagined going through life experiencing that would be really time consuming and stressful, and you mentioned with your friend. Its a tricky line to walk with guests because it often doesn't mean they are bad people, but it's worrisome when they have such specific needs (like your light sleeper) and as a host sometimes there are needs you just can't accommodate! Thanks for your reply!
Reply:
Actually, sensitivities to toxic chemicals shouldnt' really be termed "allergies" as that gives the wrong impression that these sensitivities are unusual or peculiar to a certain person. In fact, toxic chemicals effect all of us in a negative way, whether or not we realize or are aware of it. New carpet and flooring can offgas toxic chemicals called VOC's or volatile organic compounds, see this article for instance:
bit.ly/1Qznljn
"VOCs can include highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, along with benzene, toluene, perchloroethylene, and more. In the short term, such as immediately after new carpeting is installed, VOCs may cause headaches, nausea, and nerve problems, along with irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat.
Over time, exposure to VOCs has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in animal studies.1 VOCs come from many sources, but those released in your home are potentially the most dangerous because they accumulate in the air (whereas VOCs released outdoors are naturally diluted)."
Room deodorizers and "air fresheners", likewise typically contain toxic chemicals, see here:
www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/fairfresheners.pdf
and
healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/184-how-air-fresheners-are-killing-you.html
People who have "chemical sensitivities" dont' have unique allergies -- they are more like "canaries in the mine" who are the first to get sick and die from toxic chemicals that actually are bad for all of us. That said, there is a range of such chemical sensitivities, and some people are so sensitive that they would have trouble even in homes like mine where I don't allow guests to use fragrances. So the level of a guest's sensitivity is something to consider. But I just wanted to make the point that to call our response to toxic chemicals an "allergy" is really to misrepresent the situation. Far too many people are ignorant of the danger of many common products, like the perversely named, toxic "air fresheners".
Reply
I know those dangers. But this is another battle. We are all threatened by pollution. Here the question is is it a good idea to have such a person in your home? And i also know that people who are the cleanest ones (using bleach and cleaning products massively) are also the 1st victims as cleaning products are very polluting and as their body is not trained to defend themselves against natural bacterias.
Reply:
I would say that at a glance I would not necessarily be able to decide really quickly if a person who announces that they are sensitive to chemicals, is a potentially problematic guest. I would probably need to ask them a few questions and get some clarification, to be able to determine if they were unusually sensitive, or were they rather just trying to see if I was at all aware of the danger of toxic chemicals, and might be one of those hosts who thinks that they're doing a favor to guests when they try to make their home "fresh smelling" by plugging in lots of toxic air fresheners, adding toxic "poupurri", using toxic perfumed laundry detergent, etc. So what I'm saying is that I wouldn't necessarily reject someone just because they said they were sensitive to chemicals. I am sensitive to chemicals -- we all are.
Reply
thanks for pointing this out. I think it's definitely important to note that we can be adversely affected by toxins in our environment, and some people show symptoms more than others. Although I endeavor to use as many chemical-free products in my home as I can, someone with such severe sensitivities might still find something wrong. Perhaps there are some places that go above and beyond to be completely chemical free which would be a better fit for my inquiring guest. It is definitely good to remember though that we are often a bit unaware of how much toxic stuff we use and are exposed to on a daily basis. Thanks for replying to my post, I enjoyed hearing what you had to say!
Reply:
Run! Fast! And decline. You might remove everything you can but she will still have an issue with something!
Reply
Update: She is now inquiring about what type of heating we use and if any items in the apartment have been painted or finished, and if so what type of paint and finish. My goodness... time to find a way to let her down gently! Thank you all for your replies, it has been nice to hear about some fellow host experiences with these types of people!
Reply
Wow, you were willing to entertain her for a lot longer than I would have been! I would have told her about the newly painted everything in the very first email. With oil paint. From the 30's.
Reply:
I would say that given the number of questions she is asking, this sounds like someone to decline. Even I who am empathetic to someone sensitive to chemicals, am still aware that some people can truly be "hypochondriacs" regarding this, or are sensitive to a degree that would be unworkable for most of us.
To give an example of an extreme case of chemical sensitivity: I once got a call to do home repairs for a woman in my city, who said she was chemically sensitive, and asked me not to use perfumed laundry detergents on my clothing or particularly fragrant shampoos before coming to her home. Fair enough, I don't do either of those things.
But then when I got to her house, I was astonished when I met her "assistant" in the front hall, who told me that I needed to remove all my clothing and put on a special smock, in order to enter her house. So at that point I decided I could not accomodate this woman's sensitivities and turned around and left, telling the assistant that this was unreasonable.
On the other hand, sensitivity to toxic chemicals is so well understood in the SF Bay ARea where I live, that for many events in intelligent circles, such as whenever I go to a spiritual center, such as Spirit Rock in Marin, or a local synagogue or BUddhist center, or a workshop , that there will be instructions asking people not to wear perfumes or scented products, due to the common sensitivities to these things.
So there's a workable range in between these easy requests of people, and the rare extreme sensitivity or hypochondriasis, where many of us are comfortable dwelling.
Reply
Decline...very simple.
Reply
I had a guest like that once. She was very nice and just informed me that she would be bringing her own linen and towels, along with her own washing powder.
She asked me to please air the rooms after cleaning before her arrival, so there would not be strong smells. There were no issues, she was a very nice guest
Reply
That's interesting! This is the first post from someone who had a positive experience with a guest like this. It's good to remember to be open minded with guests, because even if they seem problematic they could end up being really great! Thanks for sharing
Reply
bonjour, There is a big difference between you prospect and the other example guest. On one hand, your prospect ask questions and you have to solve them. On the other hand, their guest mention a problem and come with the solution not to bother you. This difference is due to the education of the 2 people. Not to be open minded or not.
9 months ago
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-141508
Obsessed with "the chemicals"?
MeikaHello all! I'm wondering if I could get your opinions on something...I'm sure this has been discussed before but I couldn't locate an answer
I have a potential guest inquiring about staying in my rental. Although she doesn't have any reviews, the remainder of her profile seems legit. She inquired about "the chemicals"... she let me know she's allergic to new paint, new carpet, any room deodorizers/scents, certain types of floor finishings, matresses, certain kinds of soap and shampoo etc etc.
Has anyone hosted a person with a lot of allergies and specific needs related to said allergies? How was that experience for you? It sort of feels like a disaster waiting to happen... but maybe she's really nice and legitimately does just have a really sensitive immune system?
Thank you!
14 comments•2 likes
Following
Like
Nancy
Donna
Delete
Hide
Evelyn
Evelyn9 months ago
I have had guests request scent free detergent which I already do. I'm sensitive to scents, but I do have some in the house. I never had a guest with so many requirements. Does your home adhere to all her specifications? Or will something in your house give her an allergy attack? My reco is not to host. Will you have a good hosting experience or will you be stressing out the entire time she is in your home?
Reply Like 5 likes Delete
Nancy
Nancy9 months ago
Hi Meika, I would be worried personally because I have pets but you may not. It seems as tho her needs are intricate and that a better spot might be a hotel. My recommendation is to nix this one. Good luck.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
Thank you both for your replies! Evelyn, now that I think about it I probably would be stressing the whole time... it's hard to say whether or not my place adheres to her specifications! Nancy I agree, perhaps a hotel would be better suited to her needs. I think i'll nix it! Thank you both
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Susan
Susan9 months ago
No, thank you. I don't think even a hotel will work for this one....she needs one of those bubble environments!
Reply Like 8 likes Delete
Mig
Mig9 months ago
Respond with a bland statement - "I am currently unable to accomodate your exacting needs" She needs a bubble to live in for sure
Reply Like 5 likes Delete
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
Unless you really need this money, decline , decline, decline...
This type of people a strange to me.
How can she go to work? go to friends home (if she has any)? etc...
So as Susan say, she is really allergic and must leave in a bubble home.
Or she is mentally obsessed and i would not like this type of borderline people in my house.
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
You are so right. It is strange to think about how she ever goes out into the world if she is really so sensitive to everything! I think declining is the way to go, who knows what could go wrong!
Louise
Louise9 months ago
I had a couple book 1 guest room with similar requirements. They labeled it "chemical sensitivity". I decided to accept the reservation. For various reasons I found them interesting. As it turns out they mentioned briefly on checking in that
they were coming directly from M.D. Anderson cancer treatment center in Houston. They had been reluctant to mention that in pre booking conversation.
So apparently the chemical sensitivity is a result of undergoing cancer treatment.
It was not allergies nor were they being neurotic or persnikity. My space is super clean, fragrance free, mold free, pet free. The only possible offender is my guest rooms are carpeted. I let them know that carpet cleaning is done by Chem Dry which uses a chemical free carbonated water method. They were lovely guests
and I'm guessing I passed the sniff test, judging from their favorable review.
Some travelers have special needs. Yes, I was a bit nervous about meeting their requirements but to their credit they were communicative about their requirements
prior to booking. Here's the take away for me, If a prospective guest has unusual sensitivities they will usually be clear about it before booking. Person's who make
lots of complaints that seem picky and bordering on neurotic are more likely in the camp of neurotic, overly critical type people who will more than likely find some thing to complain about because for whatever reason that's just the way that they are. They think they are normal but many would not agree that is normal behavior.
Reply Like 2 replies•3 likes Delete
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
I am not sure that Meika prospect's is under cancer treatment as she mentionned being sensitive to chemical paintings and floor finishings. Which , as far as i know, are not peculiar to cancer treatments. The propest also mention soap and shampoo. Wich does not matter the host as someone under treatment take the own beauty products.
Javier and Kym
Javier and Kym9 months ago
Jeez Louise! Did they bother mentioning that the patient would be exuding toxic chemicals after treatment that's dangerous to YOU? They should have told you that you needed to wear gloves when cleaning the bathroom after them and handling the laundry or removing the trash? Do you share a bathroom? It's supposed to be flushed twice after they use it and cleaned, by someone with gloves! Yeah, no wonder they didn't want to mess up their own house, right?
Kristi
Kristi9 months ago
I had an inquiry from a woman who is a light sleeper and worried about sounds and noises in the Casita. I can't regulate that so I explained all the noises she might encounter and she wasn't interested after that. Explain what you have to offer and make it her call. I have a friend who is very sensitive to everything and sad to say she never travels. She doesn't sleep well, scents from flowers bother her etc. I love her but don't even want her to stay in my home.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
It must be really hard to have such extreme sensitivities, whether real or imagined going through life experiencing that would be really time consuming and stressful, and you mentioned with your friend. Its a tricky line to walk with guests because it often doesn't mean they are bad people, but it's worrisome when they have such specific needs (like your light sleeper) and as a host sometimes there are needs you just can't accommodate! Thanks for your reply!
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
Actually, sensitivities to toxic chemicals shouldnt' really be termed "allergies" as that gives the wrong impression that these sensitivities are unusual or peculiar to a certain person. In fact, toxic chemicals effect all of us in a negative way, whether or not we realize or are aware of it. New carpet and flooring can offgas toxic chemicals called VOC's or volatile organic compounds, see this article for instance:
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive(phone number hidden)/carpet-(email hidden)px
"VOCs can include highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, along with benzene, toluene, perchloroethylene, and more. In the short term, such as immediately after new carpeting is installed, VOCs may cause headaches, nausea, and nerve problems, along with irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat.
Over time, exposure to VOCs has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in animal studies.1 VOCs come from many sources, but those released in your home are potentially the most dangerous because they accumulate in the air (whereas VOCs released outdoors are naturally diluted)."
Room deodorizers and "air fresheners", likewise typically contain toxic chemicals, see here:
www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/fairfresheners.pdf
and
healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/184-how-air-fresheners-are-killing-you.html
People who have "chemical sensitivities" dont' have unique allergies -- they are more like "canaries in the mine" who are the first to get sick and die from toxic chemicals that actually are bad for all of us. That said, there is a range of such chemical sensitivities, and some people are so sensitive that they would have trouble even in homes like mine where I don't allow guests to use fragrances. So the level of a guest's sensitivity is something to consider. But I just wanted to make the point that to call our response to toxic chemicals an "allergy" is really to misrepresent the situation. Far too many people are ignorant of the danger of many common products, like the perversely named, toxic "air fresheners".
Reply Like 4 replies•3 likes Delete
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
The first link got autocensored...here it is again.... bit.ly/1Qznljn
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
I know those dangers. But this is another battle. We are all threatened by pollution. Here the question is is it a good idea to have such a person in your home? And i also know that people who are the cleanest ones (using bleach and cleaning products massively) are also the 1st victims as cleaning products are very polluting and as their body is not trained to defend themselves against natural bacterias.
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I would say that at a glance I would not necessarily be able to decide really quickly if a person who announces that they are sensitive to chemicals, is a potentially problematic guest. I would probably need to ask them a few questions and get some clarification, to be able to determine if they were unusually sensitive, or were they rather just trying to see if I was at all aware of the danger of toxic chemicals, and might be one of those hosts who thinks that they're doing a favor to guests when they try to make their home "fresh smelling" by plugging in lots of toxic air fresheners, adding toxic "poupurri", using toxic perfumed laundry detergent, etc. So what I'm saying is that I wouldn't necessarily reject someone just because they said they were sensitive to chemicals. I am sensitive to chemicals -- we all are.
Meika
Meika9 months ago
Deborah- thanks for pointing this out. I think it's definitely important to note that we can be adversely affected by toxins in our environment, and some people show symptoms more than others. Although I endeavor to use as many chemical-free products in my home as I can, someone with such severe sensitivities might still find something wrong. Perhaps there are some places that go above and beyond to be completely chemical free which would be a better fit for my inquiring guest. It is definitely good to remember though that we are often a bit unaware of how much toxic stuff we use and are exposed to on a daily basis. Thanks for replying to my post, I enjoyed hearing what you had to say!
Stan & Maggie
Stan & Maggie9 months ago
Run! Fast! And decline. You might remove everything you can but she will still have an issue with something!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
Update: She is now inquiring about what type of heating we use and if any items in the apartment have been painted or finished, and if so what type of paint and finish. My goodness... time to find a way to let her down gently! Thank you all for your replies, it has been nice to hear about some fellow host experiences with these types of people!
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Gretchen
Gretchen9 months ago
Wow, you were willing to entertain her for a lot longer than I would have been! I would have told her about the newly painted everything in the very first email. With oil paint. From the 30's.
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I would say that given the number of questions she is asking, this sounds like someone to decline. Even I who am empathetic to someone sensitive to chemicals, am still aware that some people can truly be "hypochondriacs" regarding this, or are sensitive to a degree that would be unworkable for most of us.
To give an example of an extreme case of chemical sensitivity: I once got a call to do home repairs for a woman in my city, who said she was chemically sensitive, and asked me not to use perfumed laundry detergents on my clothing or particularly fragrant shampoos before coming to her home. Fair enough, I don't do either of those things.
But then when I got to her house, I was astonished when I met her "assistant" in the front hall, who told me that I needed to remove all my clothing and put on a special smock, in order to enter her house. So at that point I decided I could not accomodate this woman's sensitivities and turned around and left, telling the assistant that this was unreasonable.
On the other hand, sensitivity to toxic chemicals is so well understood in the SF Bay ARea where I live, that for many events in intelligent circles, such as whenever I go to a spiritual center, such as Spirit Rock in Marin, or a local synagogue or BUddhist center, or a workshop , that there will be instructions asking people not to wear perfumes or scented products, due to the common sensitivities to these things.
So there's a workable range in between these easy requests of people, and the rare extreme sensitivity or hypochondriasis, where many of us are comfortable dwelling.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Chantal
Chantal9 months ago
Decline...very simple.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Irene & Lola
Irene & Lola9 months ago
I had a guest like that once. She was very nice and just informed me that she would be bringing her own linen and towels, along with her own washing powder.
She asked me to please air the rooms after cleaning before her arrival, so there would not be strong smells. There were no issues, she was a very nice guest
Reply Like 2 replies Delete
Meika
Meika9 months ago
That's interesting! This is the first post from someone who had a positive experience with a guest like this. It's good to remember to be open minded with guests, because even if they seem problematic they could end up being really great! Thanks for sharing
Nathalie et Claude
Nathalie et Claude9 months ago
bonjour Meika, There is a big difference between you prospect and Irene guest. On one hand, your prospect ask questions and you have to solve them. On the other hand, their guest mention a problem and come with the solution not to bother you. This difference is due to the education of the 2 people. Not to be open minded or not.
Deborah
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old version w/o commenter names
Obsessed with "the chemicals"?
Hello all! I'm wondering if I could get your opinions on something...I'm sure this has been discussed before but I couldn't locate an answer
I have a potential guest inquiring about staying in my rental. Although she doesn't have any reviews, the remainder of her profile seems legit. She inquired about "the chemicals"... she let me know she's allergic to new paint, new carpet, any room deodorizers/scents, certain types of floor finishings, matresses, certain kinds of soap and shampoo etc etc.
Has anyone hosted a person with a lot of allergies and specific needs related to said allergies? How was that experience for you? It sort of feels like a disaster waiting to happen... but maybe she's really nice and legitimately does just have a really sensitive immune system?
Thank you!
Reply
I have had guests request scent free detergent which I already do. I'm sensitive to scents, but I do have some in the house. I never had a guest with so many requirements. Does your home adhere to all her specifications? Or will something in your house give her an allergy attack? My reco is not to host. Will you have a good hosting experience or will you be stressing out the entire time she is in your home?
Reply
Hi I would be worried personally because I have pets but you may not. It seems as tho her needs are intricate and that a better spot might be a hotel. My recommendation is to nix this one. Good luck.
Reply
Thank you both for your replies! Evelyn, now that I think about it I probably would be stressing the whole time... it's hard to say whether or not my place adheres to her specifications! Nancy I agree, perhaps a hotel would be better suited to her needs. I think i'll nix it! Thank you both
Reply
No, thank you. I don't think even a hotel will work for this one....she needs one of those bubble environments!
Reply
Respond with a bland statement - "I am currently unable to accomodate your exacting needs" She needs a bubble to live in for sure
Reply
Unless you really need this money, decline , decline, decline...
This type of people a strange to me.
How can she go to work? go to friends home (if she has any)? etc...
So as some say, she is really allergic and must leave in a bubble home.
Or she is mentally obsessed and i would not like this type of borderline people in my house.
Reply
You are so right. It is strange to think about how she ever goes out into the world if she is really so sensitive to everything! I think declining is the way to go, who knows what could go wrong!
Reply:
I had a couple book 1 guest room with similar requirements. They labeled it "chemical sensitivity". I decided to accept the reservation. For various reasons I found them interesting. As it turns out they mentioned briefly on checking in that
they were coming directly from M.D. Anderson cancer treatment center in Houston. They had been reluctant to mention that in pre booking conversation.
So apparently the chemical sensitivity is a result of undergoing cancer treatment.
It was not allergies nor were they being neurotic or persnikity. My space is super clean, fragrance free, mold free, pet free. The only possible offender is my guest rooms are carpeted. I let them know that carpet cleaning is done by Chem Dry which uses a chemical free carbonated water method. They were lovely guests
and I'm guessing I passed the sniff test, judging from their favorable review.
Some travelers have special needs. Yes, I was a bit nervous about meeting their requirements but to their credit they were communicative about their requirements
prior to booking. Here's the take away for me, If a prospective guest has unusual sensitivities they will usually be clear about it before booking. Person's who make
lots of complaints that seem picky and bordering on neurotic are more likely in the camp of neurotic, overly critical type people who will more than likely find some thing to complain about because for whatever reason that's just the way that they are. They think they are normal but many would not agree that is normal behavior.
Reply
I am not sure that Meika prospect's is under cancer treatment as she mentionned being sensitive to chemical paintings and floor finishings. Which , as far as i know, are not peculiar to cancer treatments. The propest also mention soap and shampoo. Wich does not matter the host as someone under treatment take the own beauty products.
Reply:
Jeez! Did they bother mentioning that the patient would be exuding toxic chemicals after treatment that's dangerous to YOU? They should have told you that you needed to wear gloves when cleaning the bathroom after them and handling the laundry or removing the trash? Do you share a bathroom? It's supposed to be flushed twice after they use it and cleaned, by someone with gloves! Yeah, no wonder they didn't want to mess up their own house, right?
Reply:
I had an inquiry from a woman who is a light sleeper and worried about sounds and noises in the Casita. I can't regulate that so I explained all the noises she might encounter and she wasn't interested after that. Explain what you have to offer and make it her call. I have a friend who is very sensitive to everything and sad to say she never travels. She doesn't sleep well, scents from flowers bother her etc. I love her but don't even want her to stay in my home.
Reply
It must be really hard to have such extreme sensitivities, whether real or imagined going through life experiencing that would be really time consuming and stressful, and you mentioned with your friend. Its a tricky line to walk with guests because it often doesn't mean they are bad people, but it's worrisome when they have such specific needs (like your light sleeper) and as a host sometimes there are needs you just can't accommodate! Thanks for your reply!
Reply:
Actually, sensitivities to toxic chemicals shouldnt' really be termed "allergies" as that gives the wrong impression that these sensitivities are unusual or peculiar to a certain person. In fact, toxic chemicals effect all of us in a negative way, whether or not we realize or are aware of it. New carpet and flooring can offgas toxic chemicals called VOC's or volatile organic compounds, see this article for instance:
bit.ly/1Qznljn
"VOCs can include highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, along with benzene, toluene, perchloroethylene, and more. In the short term, such as immediately after new carpeting is installed, VOCs may cause headaches, nausea, and nerve problems, along with irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat.
Over time, exposure to VOCs has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in animal studies.1 VOCs come from many sources, but those released in your home are potentially the most dangerous because they accumulate in the air (whereas VOCs released outdoors are naturally diluted)."
Room deodorizers and "air fresheners", likewise typically contain toxic chemicals, see here:
www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners/fairfresheners.pdf
and
healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/184-how-air-fresheners-are-killing-you.html
People who have "chemical sensitivities" dont' have unique allergies -- they are more like "canaries in the mine" who are the first to get sick and die from toxic chemicals that actually are bad for all of us. That said, there is a range of such chemical sensitivities, and some people are so sensitive that they would have trouble even in homes like mine where I don't allow guests to use fragrances. So the level of a guest's sensitivity is something to consider. But I just wanted to make the point that to call our response to toxic chemicals an "allergy" is really to misrepresent the situation. Far too many people are ignorant of the danger of many common products, like the perversely named, toxic "air fresheners".
Reply
I know those dangers. But this is another battle. We are all threatened by pollution. Here the question is is it a good idea to have such a person in your home? And i also know that people who are the cleanest ones (using bleach and cleaning products massively) are also the 1st victims as cleaning products are very polluting and as their body is not trained to defend themselves against natural bacterias.
Reply:
I would say that at a glance I would not necessarily be able to decide really quickly if a person who announces that they are sensitive to chemicals, is a potentially problematic guest. I would probably need to ask them a few questions and get some clarification, to be able to determine if they were unusually sensitive, or were they rather just trying to see if I was at all aware of the danger of toxic chemicals, and might be one of those hosts who thinks that they're doing a favor to guests when they try to make their home "fresh smelling" by plugging in lots of toxic air fresheners, adding toxic "poupurri", using toxic perfumed laundry detergent, etc. So what I'm saying is that I wouldn't necessarily reject someone just because they said they were sensitive to chemicals. I am sensitive to chemicals -- we all are.
Reply
thanks for pointing this out. I think it's definitely important to note that we can be adversely affected by toxins in our environment, and some people show symptoms more than others. Although I endeavor to use as many chemical-free products in my home as I can, someone with such severe sensitivities might still find something wrong. Perhaps there are some places that go above and beyond to be completely chemical free which would be a better fit for my inquiring guest. It is definitely good to remember though that we are often a bit unaware of how much toxic stuff we use and are exposed to on a daily basis. Thanks for replying to my post, I enjoyed hearing what you had to say!
Reply:
Run! Fast! And decline. You might remove everything you can but she will still have an issue with something!
Reply
Update: She is now inquiring about what type of heating we use and if any items in the apartment have been painted or finished, and if so what type of paint and finish. My goodness... time to find a way to let her down gently! Thank you all for your replies, it has been nice to hear about some fellow host experiences with these types of people!
Reply
Wow, you were willing to entertain her for a lot longer than I would have been! I would have told her about the newly painted everything in the very first email. With oil paint. From the 30's.
Reply:
I would say that given the number of questions she is asking, this sounds like someone to decline. Even I who am empathetic to someone sensitive to chemicals, am still aware that some people can truly be "hypochondriacs" regarding this, or are sensitive to a degree that would be unworkable for most of us.
To give an example of an extreme case of chemical sensitivity: I once got a call to do home repairs for a woman in my city, who said she was chemically sensitive, and asked me not to use perfumed laundry detergents on my clothing or particularly fragrant shampoos before coming to her home. Fair enough, I don't do either of those things.
But then when I got to her house, I was astonished when I met her "assistant" in the front hall, who told me that I needed to remove all my clothing and put on a special smock, in order to enter her house. So at that point I decided I could not accomodate this woman's sensitivities and turned around and left, telling the assistant that this was unreasonable.
On the other hand, sensitivity to toxic chemicals is so well understood in the SF Bay ARea where I live, that for many events in intelligent circles, such as whenever I go to a spiritual center, such as Spirit Rock in Marin, or a local synagogue or BUddhist center, or a workshop , that there will be instructions asking people not to wear perfumes or scented products, due to the common sensitivities to these things.
So there's a workable range in between these easy requests of people, and the rare extreme sensitivity or hypochondriasis, where many of us are comfortable dwelling.
Reply
Decline...very simple.
Reply
I had a guest like that once. She was very nice and just informed me that she would be bringing her own linen and towels, along with her own washing powder.
She asked me to please air the rooms after cleaning before her arrival, so there would not be strong smells. There were no issues, she was a very nice guest
Reply
That's interesting! This is the first post from someone who had a positive experience with a guest like this. It's good to remember to be open minded with guests, because even if they seem problematic they could end up being really great! Thanks for sharing
Reply
bonjour, There is a big difference between you prospect and the other example guest. On one hand, your prospect ask questions and you have to solve them. On the other hand, their guest mention a problem and come with the solution not to bother you. This difference is due to the education of the 2 people. Not to be open minded or not.