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Post by CC on Aug 27, 2016 22:07:19 GMT
Deborah, you've written a long and thoughtful blog, but when you say you want control over who stays in your very own home, how would that manifest itself?
Ok, you have a first-time user football head or you have an unsmiling black face with a menacing look. You know nothing about the football head except that they're very casual, and presumably the black scowler is not going to scowl the whole stay.
Next case, you see a nice-looking person with an ignorant name. I found a social security card on the street the other day and the first and middle names were Legarious Antwanicka. That tells me whoever named that person has no taste for names.
Would you decline any of these people? I'm not sensitive enough to. You want the ability to decline them and not have Airbnb call you a racist; I don't yet see a reason to decline. They could be the nicest people you ever met--or total nightmares. People overcome their bad names, change their bad names.
One thing I do with craigslisters is, before I let them through the door, I photograph their ID, without telling them beforehand that that's coming. Then, I email it to myself and my daughters. Takes me 2 seconds. If they don't have their ID, it's a no-go. Even if they beg and plead: no ID, no entrance. They can't believe I stick to my guns! Duh....
But the best roommate I ever had, previously described on this forum, had an ignorant name, but called himself Mario, not what was on his ID, when answering the phone. I asked him early on if'd heard correctly that he called himself Mario. He said he hated his name, so he renamed himself. I understand. I've done that 4 times.
I do agree with something Keith said. Airbnb should not hold it against us when the guest is not suited to what we've taken the time to spell out in our listings.
"Can I bring 3 extra people and check out 2 hours late? We're planning on having an orgy that involves mothballs." Well, no. But Airbnb should come closer to having a buzzer system or something to where a computer picks up that they're asking something stupid and automatically shuts them down--wouldn't that be great?! We shouldn't have to have that count as a decline.
Deborah, I hear over and over that hosts want to have control over who stays in their own home, but when we take in strangers, we don't know who they are and we can't control who they are. We can only control what they do when they arrive. Now, can I even control that? You betcha. I can. Doesn't mean every host can.
What do you look for in an acceptable candidate? That they're very well-spoken? I'm more well-spoken, so usually not impressed by that--I'll take my red pen to their inquiry! That they say they're here for a certain purpose? Could be a lie. That they're very polite? Could change upon staying. That they have good reviews? Beware of that too!
Once I worked a job with a bunch of very immature young guys in a kitchen. There was a butcher cutting up meat and the butcher was only about 5-7 years older than the immature guys. He was extremely physically fit and a very fine person. Well, these young guys started talking about something really obscene, either to embarrass me or to impress him, or both. The butcher had been talking back and forth with them jovially, but when the obscene story started, he just continued cutting the meat, without any disgust, but also without any comment at all, as though those guys with their mouths had simply vanished. They were left there twisting in the wind. Time to grow up! I think that immature people who wander my way get a similar wake up call. You'll see a bunch of hard-working ADULTS who will be tired and who won't be impressed by any antics. I had a guy one time who would break into song all the time. He was tossed. Even my cat ignores everyone. Come here--be ignored--I hope you have enough of a life to survive the rejection!
But saying I want to be able to block who comes into my very own home--I don't know. Nobody's forcing anyone to do STR. Beyond that, for me, I'm still going to take them and bend them. The "control" won't be their internal systems, but my external systems.
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Post by beautifularizona on Aug 27, 2016 22:16:15 GMT
Deborah, Thank you...............I really enjoyed you comments about the NYT author as that is exactly how I felt about her. My most difficult Guests have have all been high maintenance, privileged, insecure women who cannot handle real life. For humor I might just someday tell the story of one of them who was truly a piece of work.
I read your thoughts about discrimination and the NYT article. I found it to be excellent reading as I postponed my Friday New Yorker cover to cover ritual to read it. Hope you have a nice day.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 28, 2016 4:09:33 GMT
CC--- regarding your query, regarding control over who I want in my home and how I would screen for guests... Well I posted a lot about that here globalhosting.freeforums.net/thread/455/red-flags-hostsThe simple answer about this issue of deciding whether to accept a guest or not is...it's totally intuitive. I have some guidelines I use, but each and every case is unique and I use intuition and my "gut sense" about it each and every time. It's quite uncommon, but there are some people I have declined based entirely on their photos. Very few. Very VERY few! Probably 2 or 3 ...out of several hundred guests. In other cases -- perhaps a dozen or so --- the photo didn't lead to an immediate decline but helped confirm that this was not a guest I wanted...when added to other aspects of the guest presentation. I look at every part of the guest's presentation and put together a sense of who is this person and why do they want to stay in my house, and does it all make sense. Based on what they say, I may or may not ask a few, or many, follow up questions. There are two types of guests I've found work very well for my house: (1) grad students and researchers, or academics or other professionals here for study or a project. (2) People coming for vacation or to visit family, or a get-away of some sort. I dont' take people in crisis, and I am less interested in being a landing spot for those moving to my area but will take some such folks if everything lines up. I dont' take people who seem confused or demanding. I look more at how people communicate than anything, but if I can't tell much by the communication, I look at other things. I really dont' go that much by photos (photos of the guest aren't a high priority in most of my decisions) but more by other aspects of the presentation. If the guest doesn't seem to be a typical one, if they have a purpose for visiting my area that I feel a little anxious about (eg coming here to go to a party) I will place more emphasis on the photo. I mostly dont' take locals, but will make some exceptions -- and this is where a photo helps. I dont' actually have any hard and fast rules about who I will accept or not accept -- anything is possible -- but I want access to all the information. If the person doesn't communicate very well or much, I want a photo to look at. I am pretty intuitive and can often tell more from a photo than many. It's not just about smiling/not smiling.
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Post by CC on Aug 28, 2016 5:12:56 GMT
I reread your red flags just now and I first read them when I was new to Airbnb. And they're excellent, of course. But I host short stays only now, usually overnight, because I no longer give discounts at all. And no matter what their deal--even if a local, even if they didn't read, even if they're a lawyer, even if they seem confused, even if they're highly allergic, and all the other great ones--they booked themselves a room for the duration and I'm gonna get paid. And the rooms are perfectly livable and they're going to have to get in there where Matlock is on Channel 3, and floss their teeth and go to bed, like all the rest of us! I expect them to be able to get through their short stay somehow.
And people do. My housepainter roommate is an extremely extreme hermit and we've just set a tone here where there's absolutely, positively NO MESS. That's why that research doctor in the next room picks this house over and over for his rotations, when he could stay anywhere.
True, I'm on the businessman/pilot/doctor side of things, not tourists, but you know what? Btw? I have never, ever had one single guest complain that "she never even checked on me once!"
They're the one bought something--and what they bought was a trip into my lair, where we do things my way. 😌
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 5:43:04 GMT
Aloha CC,
I just love razzin you. Your time-out room has a weekly and monthly 1% discount stated.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 28, 2016 8:52:27 GMT
It helps if you only take people for 1 or 2 night stays. A lot more folks can be do-able that way. I tend to longer stays -- just had someone yesterday ask to stay for 5 months....so screening is more critical, the longer the stay.
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Post by CC on Aug 28, 2016 13:20:23 GMT
I know that, Aloha. I did that upon Helga's advice, because if you don't, Airbnb has been known to put a default discount of their own in there. The 1% has worked, though. I've only had one request for a month-long stay since.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 28, 2016 14:37:00 GMT
CC you're smart -- I didnt' know about that issue with Airbnb putting their own discount in there. Slap that Airbnb hand! It's meddlesome.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 28, 2016 14:52:20 GMT
I just accepted a 5 month reservation from a student coming from Russia. It'll be my first ever Russian guest. He came across as very cordial, polite...and changed his profile photo to a clearer one after I requested that. He's not coming until early winter....but will stay the winter...which is good for me as winter months tend to be slow and I always like to have that space filled early on.
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Post by CC on Aug 28, 2016 15:09:37 GMT
I had a Ukranian guy who was unspeakably awesome.
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Post by CC on Aug 28, 2016 18:53:54 GMT
You know, I think another reason I like Instant Book is because guests' stupid questions drive me crazy. I have one room not on IB because they have to pass through my bedroom to get out or get to the bathroom and I wanna make sure they're ok with that. That's where the query process comes in. I'm much less likely to want them after they've revealed how little they understand what they're doing. With IB, could be my imagination, but it seems more of a given that it will be my way or else.
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Post by helgaparis on Aug 28, 2016 19:04:08 GMT
I still have a fridge magnet from Nobosibirsk, left by a beautiful young women who spoke three foreign languages fluently. A very nice guest.
The funny thing is, I'd love to filter two types of guests: young, mostly female, who treat the house like a spoilt brat treats her mother's place, host including. It takes a lot of force to bend those and it results in lower stars. Probaby it would anyway, but at least I get some satisfaction with all the anger. And then there are the crazy menopause women (like me), who have firm ideas how a place should be and are very deceived when it is not. Bitching about it. I'd like very much to filter those, but you don't see how, they have good reviews or are new and write correct sentences.
My current guest is of the second kind: "I plan to come at about 9 pm, is that ok?" Me, still melting in the heat in the garden at 9:45: "when will you arrive? I'd like to take a shower but do not want to have you waiting outside the door." By sms: "Take your shower!" I undress: "I'll be there in 10 minutes" Grr. I take a very fast shower, 3 minutes maximum. I towel off, rudimentarily, and pull a tshirt over my nearly wet body. I hear her outside, bothering the farther neighbours, who hate being bothered. I'm outside less than 5 minutes after the text to snatch her before she goes into details with them. I have still Christmas lights in my bushes, as that lightens the otherwise dark courtyard. Everyone likes them, guests comment on them and they are indicated in my arrival instructions. Why would anyone, guesting with a single host, pass those lights and crouch between overhanging dark bushes to follow the neighbor's voices? A few minutes later: "It's like a village here!" "Yes, ... a bit like a village..." (Was that a compliment? I hate villages) "Do you know all the neighbours?" "Many of the permanent ones, but there are some apartments for tourist rents only" "Ah, you do not know all the neighbours?" "There are hundred units in this residency!" "What? Hundred apartments?!" Bah, what a great idea to send me to the shower and query the neighbours! (And I know a lot of them, being conveniently situated to drop off mail or ask for something. House manager 2) I had offered a futon bed on the kitchen floor, as she was afraid to sleep in the heat on the loft. More than half of France was in orange alert for heatwave for several says, the 24 of August was 12.5 degrees c over the average of 50 years, and she had asked if it was hot. I had written that I can prepare that bed at 10 pm or 10:30, as it would take up all the space, impossible to walk around. But from then on, she would be alone in the (shared) room anyway. After showing her everything, finding an approbriate space for her gluten free bread, finding soluble coffee as the espresso machine made her take a step back, water offered and declined, I asked if I should make her futon bed now. "Oh, no!! That's impossible! It's much too small here! I could not imagine that!! I'll sleep up there!" "Fine! There is a big white fan! You see that? It can turn or you can block it. There is a small fan beside the bed, which is silent. The light switch for upstairs is here. You can switch it from underneath and from above" (demonstration) "Anything else? No? Then I'll bring one of the futons back to the garage. See you tomorrow after 9" In the morning I heard that my stair steps are of different heights, she nearly fell down in the shine of her phone light. "Didn't you switch on the light?" - "No, the phone is enough! Why are the stair steps of different height? Did you use some boxes?" - "They are constructed that way to gain more space in the shelves formed by them. Please switch on the light at night, when you go down." "So that is an artist's atelier." (The 50 paintings hanging everywhere are no clue) "Do you have a feather pillow? I can't sleep on that plastic!" 'That plastic 'ranged from 2 different middle priced Ikea pillows to a high priced anti allergic pillow left by a charming guest. As I give up my second home, I have no more cheap stuff or bad quality left. I even found a feather pillow for her "Usually I don't give it to guests, as some are allergic." -Normally I travel with my own. " If you find a red flag for those guests, Deborah, I would be tempted to avoid such breakfast and evening conversations. (This one used IB with 2 good reviews)
Sorry for jijacking your thread, it somehow grew a bit - first free evening without heat and nearly all work done.
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Post by CC on Aug 28, 2016 19:36:21 GMT
Helga, you and I both have had a brutal summer full of work! Next summer can't help but be better. 🌞
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 21:40:43 GMT
Excellent Job Deborah, Congrats!
I remember in the old group A&S, someone had mentioned they found Russian guests the worst.
My experience has been they are the most gracious, appreciative guests.
I wish the same outcome for you!!
I could have absolutely died last night, two men from Southern India who live in CA., wanted to use the pool at 10:30 pm. I turned on all the lights, additional battery powered candles for the table, told them to take extra dry towels to put on the chairs at the table as it had been raining.
I could hear them talking but couldn't find them.
They had the room with their own lanai (deck) with dry seating and comfy outdoor furniture.
I finally heard them in the house, asked them if they were still going to use the pool, if not, I'll turn the lights off.
Well, it had started to rain and they moved themselves, all their trays and candles to the covered lanai (deck) to the long term tenants area.
They said they had moved their stuff under another porch, was that OK? NO!! I go down to turn off the lights at the pool, find all their stuff on the tenant's table, brought all the stuff up, told them to use their own covered lanai.
7:30 am this morning, guess who's calling? The tenant, I ask "Is this about last night?" Yep.
I say sorry, etc., they are checking out right now, so let me see them off.
She had to go on that she was afraid they would stay another week and move into her area.
They had been informed there's a tenant down there, stated they had seen her, but moved on in anyway.
She turned off all her lights and went to bed, stating they weren't making a lot of noise, but it was pretty strange with all their trays, etc.
Now that was a new experience. I have posted so many signs near the apartment entries "private", big arrow below pointing to the main entrance, along with the description for parking, stating the BLUE porch is the main entrance to the home on the ROAD side (perhaps I should use caps in my description), etc., a bamboo screen at her patio entrance with a big KEEP OUT sign.
It was certainly a misunderstanding on the guests part, as they were the easiest and cleanest guests I've had in ages; so much so that I had plenty of time to do other things time typically doesn't allow; but that was just truly a dumb move on their part.
But the fact remains, I was ever so embarrassed, and will now have to remember to mention that additional detail clearer or louder to my guests.
The lady's OK, 13 week contract, was informed I no longer take long term rentals, but somehow I got on the list at the hospital for accommodations and relented as April was a horrendous month for us hosts and reservations. She stated she's used to apt. living, etc., shouldn't be a problem, but last night went way beyond either of our imaginations.
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Post by High Priestess on Aug 29, 2016 1:10:59 GMT
Helga, your story of the difficult young women is excellent as usual...and I re-read it a couple times straining to find a way to pull a red flag out of it, but could not emerge with a full one. I have perhaps a section of a red flag, a small piece...but it may or may not mean anything...could be useless, and could simply induce prejudice against women with pert, clever little faces. ANd that is, that I have noticed a correlation -- of sorts--- between young women with pert, clever and somewhat pleased-with-themselves looking faces, and spoilt-bratness. The "pert" face is not as "open" as others...the smile is not as full and genuine. It's very nuanced...probably too much so to be useful to most. It's really just a very small square of a bit of a tatter of a red flag.... WHether one might interpret this as discrimination against the pert, I have no idea....
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