Experience with Warmshowers
#26
The first time we stayed with a (non-Showers) host crossing the country (there were 13 of us), I felt uncomfortable, especially because the house was on the small side. The second time was much better because the host was a former bike tour leader. I think he knew how to give us space, and the house was much larger. The third time was somewhere in the middle, but again, it was a pretty large house.
#27
Pining for the fjords
When I put food on the table I see the face of these brooding guest-cyclists brighten up in no time! There's really no need to worry.
__________________
Likes For CMAW:
#28
Senior Member
If you know how to cook
In our family we love to cook and we buy (ONLY) fresh food nearly every day.
Some forums have these ""show us what do you cook for dinner tonight"" threads, what we see there looks most of the time a bid sad, not not say very sad.
In our family we love to cook and we buy (ONLY) fresh food nearly every day.
Some forums have these ""show us what do you cook for dinner tonight"" threads, what we see there looks most of the time a bid sad, not not say very sad.
#29
Senior Member
Not always. I've had hosts clearly signalling that they weren't into chitchat.
WRT food ... I don't recall a time where I felt like going urgently to the nearest restaurant afterwards. Usually an interesting mean to discover what "the locals" eat, which often has little to do with what you can get in a restaurant or cook on a camping stove.
I've had a few "help yourself with what's in the fridge"; a few "we'll improvise, what food do you have with you -- I happened to have tortillas, that ended up toasted; or some corn that's been tossed into a chili; a few "I am vegan, but you can have some hummus if you'd like -- excellent. and with fabulous Medjoul dates for dessert; and the great "there a nice chinese/thai/italian/etc restaurant 5 minutes from here". WS is a great way to learn about people.
WRT food ... I don't recall a time where I felt like going urgently to the nearest restaurant afterwards. Usually an interesting mean to discover what "the locals" eat, which often has little to do with what you can get in a restaurant or cook on a camping stove.
I've had a few "help yourself with what's in the fridge"; a few "we'll improvise, what food do you have with you -- I happened to have tortillas, that ended up toasted; or some corn that's been tossed into a chili; a few "I am vegan, but you can have some hummus if you'd like -- excellent. and with fabulous Medjoul dates for dessert; and the great "there a nice chinese/thai/italian/etc restaurant 5 minutes from here". WS is a great way to learn about people.
I am sure there are wonderful people out there, and one can have great experiences.
#30
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 52
Bikes: Thorn Nomad, Haibike XDuro Trekking
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
10 Posts
An Alternative to WarmShowers - Be Welcome
Popular in Europe, slowly integrating into USA: https://www.bewelcome.org/
#31
I had zero hosting requests last year, and only one request the year before. Before covid I used to get at least a couple of requests each year, and I usually said yes. I've also read complaints that very few European or Latin American hosts even respond to hosting requests. My sense is that Warmshowers seems to be slowly dying. The current unelected Board of Directors and paid director made some very bad decisions IMO. They seem intolerant of any criticism and unwilling to change directions.
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: QC Canada
Posts: 2,050
Bikes: Custom built LHT & Troll
Liked 167 Times
in
120 Posts
I would also take offence at the notion of "complaint". Nobody in entitled to a be a guest. It is a privilege. There is an hospitality industry catering to those who are expecting quick replies.
#33
Not consistent with my experience. Last year, I could very often spend the night at a warmshower's home. (UK). This year, I got early confirmation for several nights in France & Spain.
I would also take offence at the notion of "complaint". Nobody in entitled to a be a guest. It is a privilege. There is an hospitality industry catering to those who are expecting quick replies.
I would also take offence at the notion of "complaint". Nobody in entitled to a be a guest. It is a privilege. There is an hospitality industry catering to those who are expecting quick replies.
I haven't even sought hosting in many years, so I'm not the one complaining.
#34
Full Member
I definitely agree that the current admin is making WS go downhill.
#35
Punk Rock Lives
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Throughout the west in a van, on my bike, and in the forest
Posts: 3,354
Bikes: Long Haul Trucker with BRIFTERS!
Liked 71 Times
in
56 Posts
"I never thought of that as necessarily a terrible thing. I always assumed that folks would be using it to get help and may not be hosting. I was fine with that. The only time I felt like they crossed the line was when they weren't actually touring...."
This is exactly what spoiled "youth hostels" or later on just "hostels." They were supposed to be for hikers and bikers traveling under their own power. Instead I found myself riding all day to a hostel (in Europe, usually) only to find a train or bus just pulled in and dozens of "backpackers" were all checked in.
This is exactly what spoiled "youth hostels" or later on just "hostels." They were supposed to be for hikers and bikers traveling under their own power. Instead I found myself riding all day to a hostel (in Europe, usually) only to find a train or bus just pulled in and dozens of "backpackers" were all checked in.
#36
Senior Member
"I never thought of that as necessarily a terrible thing. I always assumed that folks would be using it to get help and may not be hosting. I was fine with that. The only time I felt like they crossed the line was when they weren't actually touring...."
This is exactly what spoiled "youth hostels" or later on just "hostels." They were supposed to be for hikers and bikers traveling under their own power. Instead I found myself riding all day to a hostel (in Europe, usually) only to find a train or bus just pulled in and dozens of "backpackers" were all checked in.
This is exactly what spoiled "youth hostels" or later on just "hostels." They were supposed to be for hikers and bikers traveling under their own power. Instead I found myself riding all day to a hostel (in Europe, usually) only to find a train or bus just pulled in and dozens of "backpackers" were all checked in.
I think of the AirBNBs I've used and some of them are entire houses or apartments but some the hosts live in. I much prefer having the entire house/apt. With VRBO you always get the whole house, and they advertise that as their main benefit. I don't always want to make small talk. It's ok when you arrive but when you go about your business for the day you just want to go to your room and chill sometimes. It's the same at regular BnBs too, I don't want to make small talk with the other guests at breakfast.
My wife and I are thinking of opening a "make your own damn bed and get your own damn breakfast" inn. Maybe hospitality isn't our thing.
Likes For zacster:
#37
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 280
Bikes: 2000 Santana Sovereign SE; 2005 Co-Motion Speedster; Kona Kilauea with various dorky commuter accoutrements; Mercier Kilo TT fixie; Burley Fladbed trailer for groceries, bags of cement and the like.
Likes: 0
Liked 90 Times
in
46 Posts