How To Be The Perfect Couchsurfing Guest

Couchsurfing hosts are saintly things. With a kind heart and open arms, they welcome you into their home and trust you not to pee on their rug. To preserve this trust, and keep the delicate host-guest relationship alive for the rest of us to enjoy, it is important to reciprocate the thoughtfulness shown by your host, proving you’re worthy of such benevolence.

Step 1: Choose the Right Host

Couchsurfing is a hospitality exchange, and while expectations differ from host to host, be aware that sometimes expectations do exist. These are not monetary expectations, but rather, social ones, and most hosts outline these expectations right in their profile. While some might be perfectly content to let you do your thing, lone-wolfing it around town, others might want a drinking buddy or a Pictionary partner. You’ll find most hosts fall somewhere in the middle, but don’t forget to do your due diligence before sending out requests.

Step 2: Communicate

While most hosts are eager to make your visit special, keep in mind they have responsibilities of their own. They might be working or going to school. Maybe they have prior commitments or cranky, noise-phobic neighbors. So be conscious of your host’s schedule to avoid lockouts. Respect the house rules, even if they might seem a little peculiar. The goal here is to make your host’s life a little easier when you can.

Step 3: Leave No Trace

Before moving on from your host’s lovely home, fold the linens, sweep the floors, clean the dishes — hell, take out the trash while you’re at it. If your host lent you their car, fill the tank, or at the very least, make sure it’s not empty. If they lent you their bike, put air in their tires. The only trace you want to leave is a thank-you note.

Optional: Cook Dinner

Couchsurfing hosts are generally an understanding bunch, and recognize couchsurfers are usually couchsurfing to save money. However, nothing says thank you for the hospitality like cooking dinner, which, with a little creativity, can be done on the cheap. It’s gratitude in edible form, the best kind of gratitude