Post by High Priestess on May 29, 2016 23:10:47 GMT
Samantha and Scott shared on ANecdotes a year ago Jan 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101503
Communication between guest and host
We have been hosting for a few weeks, and have really enjoyed the experience! We have found, however, that some guests prefer limited communication (or none at all) during their stay.
We have a family visiting now, for example, who didn't tell us that the power had gone out in the small bedroom of our garden apartment where they are staying. It took my writing to them to ask if we could enter the apartment (because the outage also affected us in the floors above), before they shared the news about their loss in power (which had been occurring since yesterday afternoon!).
Once we communicated, we were able to resolve the problem quickly (it just needed a switch of the circuit breaker), but it seems odd that they wouldn't have let us know immediately when it happened.
What are "normal" levels of communication during guest stays? Or is that an impossible question to ask, since everyone is so different?! Any words of advice to share when things like this arise?
Thanks and Happy New Year to you all!
Samantha & Scott
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Christina
Christinaa year ago
It is odd that something as major as a power issue would not have prompted them to call you, but I have had a small portion of guests do that. I think it gas more to do with how comfortable they are with the whole Airbnb concept or v ring from a culture may be where you don't "complain." It could be where they are from, they are usef to power outages. You never know.
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Sharon
Sharona year ago
It could be as simple as feeling that they may be at fault in some way for the electricity going out and feeling too intimidated to come out with it. Your guests may have a deeper sense of (misplaced) ownership than you realize.
Sharon
Sharona year ago
That response was for Samantha and I agree with Christina that for some guests it may be something they are used to and thinking the lights will come on eventually so why bother to complain.
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Nic and Rach
Nic and Racha year ago
That is really odd for a guest/s not to mention that the power tripped. But that is really funny even if they are used of power outages from a different country, you still need to inform the host/owner about the situation. Best thing I can tell you is that, you need to let your guests know that if all the outlets are being used there will be some instances that the power will trip, and to let you know in case these happen.
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Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
As to how much communication during guest stays: My rule of thumb is to text once a day, usually around noon, to check in and make sure they're comfortable. If I see them (my listing is a separate apartment) on a given day, I'll just ask how everything is, and not send a text. So, daily but I keep it brief. I don't want to be intrusive.
But it is odd they didn't tell you about a power outage! Perhaps as others said it was a cultural or a hesitant-to-complain thing.
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Fleur, Dan and kids
Fleur, Dan and kidsa year ago
I had French family in our flat while we were in Malaysia. I sent a message to see if everything was ok and finally after 3 days they told me the TV wasn't working and that their children were upset. 3 days! They had our wifi code too so there was no reason they couldn't contact us. I would have organised a replacement if I had known.
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Lisa & Lee
Lisa & Lee a year ago
We had a guest in November who waited until 8:30 PM on the night before Thanksgiving to inform us that the furnace had stopped working 4 days prior. Fortunately, all that was wrong was that the pilot light had gone out, so Lee was able to relight it. Prior to that, I had never even considered that I would need to specifically tell guests that they should let us know immediately if the furnace stops working during the heating season!
- Lisa (not Lee)
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Diana
Dianaa year ago
These remind me of this one couple that, even though aware that we were working and living an hour away from the house they were guests in, called us at about 3 pm saying that the shower was broken and that really needed to take a shower because they were going out that evening.
My husband drove in immediatly and.....lucky us, the shower handle was just a bit loose and needed a tiny clench.
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Samantha and Scott
Samantha and Scotta year ago
So, I'm hearing from all your host stories that people are sometimes a bit reticent to share "problems" in a pro-active way. So, we should be very forthcoming on check-in to encourage guests to come forward with anything that is of concern! Thanks everyone for your sage wisdom-- we really appreciate it!!
Samantha & Scott
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Diana
Dianaa year ago
Indeed Dear Samantha & Scott. Since the shower episode that i really take some time to talk with guests about these kind of things that pop up all the sudden. It is very important when hosting. And i´m sure the guests your concern so that they have a good stay. Although i think the pop up question here is : it is difficult to have common sense and assign relevance in you ordinary day life and much more when you are a guest into someone´s house and a supposed good host (and by good host is also assumed to be a quick host )....And i guess that we hosts, as guests, are for sure terribleeee and stressed....
Christina
Christinaa year ago
I agree. I just checked in with my guests this morning after reading this. They are just downstairs but I have not seen or spoken to them since Tuesday when they checked in. I hear them occasionally and see lights on so I know they are still around, but I guess with the holidays I didn't realize how much time had passed.
jilea
jileaa year ago
I love the guests who instead of talking face to face just text you from one room to the other. Awesome communication skills.
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Christina
Christinaa year ago
If you have teens, you are used to that. Lol