''The world is friendlier through a website where you host foreign visitors or stay at their homes.''-Article attached here
About a week ago, I read about this particular website on straits times. CouchSurfing.org was set up as a worldwide network for making connections between travellers and the local communities they visit. We can put it simply as letting a total stranger sleep over at your house, or you travelling overseas and bunking in to other's apartment for free.
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We have been reminded time and time again to be cautious while using the internet to make connections. We were told not to meet up strangers, not to trust people in the virtual world etc. Yet now, CouchSurfing is promoting and building this 'risky' new hobby for interested participants.
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We learnt that interpersonal relationships are built with another individual to satisfy personal social needs and goals. Through CouchSurfing, members benefit not only by getting free accommodation and free hosting, but also much about to enjoy the cultural exchange and get a local feel of the place they are visiting. CouchSurfing therefore contributes immensely to the global shift in consciousness.
..I would say this type of relationship is much of a surface thing, it does not goes deep into self disclosure or the need for looking into other attributes. Users start engaging through the website, viewing through photos, profiles and testimonials. Management starts when the host and traveller meet where they enjoy their face to face interaction. Three days later, it is disengagement. Therefore, I would say CouchSurfing is generally building short term relationships, which people give, take and leave.
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It certainly has brought upon many convenience and benefits for travellers, but I personally still feel that there are too many negative factors over the gains to such relationships. It might sound really great to interact and have someone from a different culture to mix with. But what makes one trust a totally unknown stranger from another country, who might share different culture, values and beliefs, to stay over in the house. I would rather put in more effort and time in finding more reliable sources through friends, workplace, school etc. It just sounds much more practical to me than putting myself into unnecessary risks.
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One frequent traveller and member of CouchSurfing said that "People are finally breaking those boundaries of fear and separation, and opening their homes to "complete strangers" who are actually part of them in the same way that different drops of water are part of each other in a big ocean. And this ocean will now just keep getting bigger and more powerful." I agree that CouchSurfing is doing a great job in bringing people together, making another big step towards globalisation. But is it going to work that simply? There are just way too many uncertainties. I just hope while looking at the benefits of it, people will protect themselves and not let any mishaps affect them.
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What do you think? (:
I would agree that making friends over the internet is not as dangerous as it is perceived. Of course we need to be careful, but that also includes friends offline as well, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe internet can bring different people into a common platform, be it over travelling or other hobbies. In fact, it can also happen over something as simple as a chit chat forum. Everyone is a stranger at first sight. Does that mean we should be wary of everyone? We should go out there, know the world and make more friends. If the internet is just as good, so be it. The (idea of making friends via) internet should be embraced, in a better light.
Hellooo.. Did you watch the movie 'Hostel'? Staying over at a stranger's house is dangerous! you could end up being killed and sold to scientists so they can experiment on your dead body. Remember 'Borat'? And how they were chased around their room by the Jewish 'cockroach' couple?
ReplyDeleteMaking friends is perfectly alright but to stay at a new friend's house? Like we learnt, Everyone has a motive behind creating an interpersonal relationship. Some of these motives are not very benevolent and by accepting accommodation at a stranger's house, we leave ourselves at the mercy of the stranger. So couchsurfing may be a good idea for some, but it won;t work for me.
Hi shawn,
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment!
of cos i agree that which relationship doesn't start with two complete strangers? but the point here is we are letting a complete stranger, into our house, staying the night over even before a basic connection of trust.
even if you think this is how a society can improve and work towards to promote globalisation, i still feel it is too big a step and risk.
Hi longlong,
ReplyDeletethanks for your examples and comment!
yes, we learnt that self disclosure is a slow process, they are simply moving too big a step, completely skipping the first stage of screening and filtering. also throwing aside being cautious and safe.
yes, i too feel that i might never put myself into such uncertainties to enjoy the benefits of inviting an unknown traveller to the house.
Let's put a setting to both cases. We let a "complete stranger" (knowing that he is one of the couchsurfing members) into the house. Another, We am meeting a person that i had met online (and we probably don't know how he/she looked like).
ReplyDeleteWhat is the worst possible (most extreme) scenario for both cases? Simply, it is the same, that death and getting robbed/looted. Anything that happens before death is not worth mentioning.
Since the worst possible scenarios are the same. Why is there a higher risk in letting a complete stranger into the house?
This reminded me of the movie "The Holiday" where Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet exchanged their homes (one stayed in UK, the other in USA) for a completely different holiday that they needed, which had changed their lives unexpectedly. This is, of course, a fairy tale. How many would really tear down their wall of defence or give up their privacy or put their lives/property at risk just to save that couple of hundreds in accommodation? Unless, it is a homestay arrangement for the students, i would consider, given the surety from the schools. Otherwise, it is a big NO for me.
ReplyDeleteEd Hostel was science fiction.... the whole thing about meeting new people and new experiences is not for everyone. I certainly dont think it'll be welcomed by Singaporeans...but never the less dont knock it till you've tried it. it could be a fantastic experience i think.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't think I will be very comfortable with the idea. Each individual is different so is their living habits. It might just be a few days but it can be chaotic especially to someone like me.
ReplyDeleteI need things in order and clean... ...thus if this person whom come and stay were to mess up my place, I bet I will really go crazy. Or turn the table round, if I were to go and stay at someone's place for free but the condition is terrible, I am sure I will suffer. Yes it is for free so what can I ask for! But, why take the risk of jeopardizing the perfect trip which you have planned so hard, save up for etc! If you have the money to travel, what's saving up a little more for the hotel. Need not have a 5-6stars, even motel can be a good choice!
hi phyllis,
ReplyDeletei guess the people who got themselves involved in the couch surfing would feel that staying over at a local's apartment would add on to benefits of travelling. because it would allow them to interact and experience more about the country and people.
therefore, i have to say that it is not all about saving up for them.
however, i do agree that there is certainly risks and responsibilities to take if it does not turns out well expected.
I think it would greatly depends on the nature of the accmodation you are staying in. If like stated it is a house where the owner occasionally allows a visitor to stay over, I personally would not feel secure about it.
ReplyDeleteFirstly because it would not be a registered business with the government and checks would not have been conducted to ensure it's suitability. How would we know who these host are and if they have any criminal intentions? Do not forget that online testimonials can be written by the host themselves. How can we ensure our own safety while being their guests? How do we know if they did not install cameras in thehouse to watch our every move?
Similarily for the hosts, how can the safety of your family be ensure while the guests stay over. This is unlike hotels, in this the guests will be in direct contact with your family. This can be a perfect opportunity for crimes to be commited and for the crimnal to get away with it. People can create a fake profile and identity ith the website and stay with a family. No one will know the the true identity of this person.
Of course, this accomodation is great for budget travellers and for cultural exchange. But you have to be ready for the risks involve. Make a choice that won't be regretted.