21–30 of 168 posts
WarmShowers still seems to work very well, with a spirit similar to the original CouchSurfing, though it is restricted to cyclists.
The social proof that a couch surfing reference brought was second to none. Each one boils down to this "I, a stranger, stayed for a few nights in this other strangers home for free, and they were good human beings". That social proof carried to any part of the globe you visited. I cannot think of an internet app that brought people together in a more meaningful and wholesome way at scale. It was great while it laste…
WarmShowers still seems to work very well, with a spirit similar to the original CouchSurfing, though it is restricted to cyclists.
I remember trying to see what it was like but then you have to pay in order just to see how the platform works. It seemed very hostile to new users and people tempted by the idea.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I remember trying to see what it was like but then you have to pay in order just to see how the platform works. It seemed very hostile to new users and people tempted by the idea.
Probably at least partly a feature, to ensure a minimum level of commitment from members? My word of mouth knowledge of how well it works is good enough that I would pay without hesitation if I needed it.
I honestly don't think the paywall was such a bad idea. The barrier to entry was too easy, there were too many people on the platform who had no intention of hosting and were just looking for a free place to stay. The very small contribution at least ensures some level of commitment.
I'd announce myself in the activities section - ie. I want walk around the city. A few mins later I'd have a group of people wanting to meet up and explore.
Instant friends. It was wonderful!
Is there a good alternative? Does couchsurfing still work WELL if you’re willing to pay membership fees?
Couchsurfing basically needs three things: a way to establish trust (Airbnb accomplishes this by appealing to a central authority), a demographic that’s able and interested in participating, and a way for folks to connect. Of these, trust is probably the hardest. What, in your own life, might enable this?
In my own experience, the inbuilt trust between returned Peace Corps volunteers (from an American long-term international service organization) stemming from shared experience led to its own internal couchsurfing culture that was alive and well when I last checked (pre-pandemic). What other affinity groups might work? Work, school, religious groups, hobbies, music? Are you a part of one, or could you be?
Is this really a thing?
A friend of mine, she used to travel a lot, used it as a dating app. She said better as Tinder, more transparency and in the worst case still a comfy couch. She met her husband via it.
One of my hosts did the same. She was more casual about it. But I also heard from people how they hated when guests would show up and start acting like it was for dating. So many profiles would explicitly state that they were not looking for dates.