First post thoughts: Germany is über (German for super, oooh yeah) legit. Jetlag is not.
* We arrived to Munich at 9:00 am Saturday morning, and met the group at Starbucks. I enjoy that the director picks the places Americans know how to find. I definitely do not "sprechen sie Deutsch" yet. Hello, Rosetta Stone, new buddy ole pal! Several students and I realized how slightly disheartening/humorous(?) it is to think that that dogs here know more German than we do.
* We spent Saturday afternoon touring Munich, which I later realized was the director's sneaky snake way of keeping us moving so we wouldn't just sleep from 2 pm on. We went Frauenkirche, this fancy cathedral, and Hofbräuhaus, a famous restaurant that seats over 2,000 people. Apparently every U.S. president has eaten there when they've been in/near Germany.
Restaurants in Bavaria are cool because you don't get your own table solely based on the people you're with, they seat you wherever there's room, so you get to know/be
around the locals. The local German man we were seated by didn't know English, but kept saying "CHEERS!" and clinking his beer stein against our steins...of water. I was brave and ordered Schweinshaxe (pig knuckle), and the nice German man took pity on me, a goofy American, and cut the meat off the bone for me.
* We weren't allowed to sleep on the 1.5 hour train ride to Regensburg (where I'm living this semester) since that's apparently the worse thing you
can do for jetlag. It was ridiculously impossible though...I've never felt so disconnected to reality. One of the assistant directors made, yes MADE, us play Catchphrase (until the Germans on the train got annoyed by the beeping), and let me tell you, it was not pretty. It took me, the English/Communication major, a whoooole turn to guess the phrase, "sandwich bread."
* Sunday was pretty great: started the day by walking along the BEAUTIFUL Danube River, to mass at a cathedral in Regensburg, where we got to hear a famous boys choir sing. The afternoon is where the title of my post comes from--as we were walking through Regensburg's city center, one guy in our group exclaimed, "Woooow, it's like a cultural experience!" If this isn't a cultural experience, I would like to know what is. (Insert haha's here)
Later on we went to a German fair, where we found many signs of Americanization, i.e. a pony ride called "Dodge City," themed like the Wild West. Poor, poor Kansas...between the "The Wizard of Oz" and the stereotype that we are still somehow stuck in the gunslinging days, its reputability never stands a chance.
* As you Americans spent this Labor Day not laboring whatsoever, I had my first day of classes. German history, geography and culture class, hoo-rah! Today was also our first experience at a German mall/buying necessities. I'm sure we got plenty of laughs looking at the hair products section for over 10 minutes, trying to make sure we weren't about ready to buy 2 shampoos or 2 conditioners. Playing charades with German drugstore workers is fun.
Plans:
-- Try every one of the 20ish coffeeshops in Regensburg, all precious, by the way
-- Go to local disco tech (uunce uunce uunce)
-- Conquer jetlag. And on that note, I feel like all the thoughts in my brain now sound like Ben Stein's voice. "Bedtime...bedtime...bedtime...anyone?" YES.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Good One.
I'm going to be completely honest, I am often envious of people who can come up with clever things to say in conversation...in a timely manner. I consider myself creative enough, but usually it takes me a liiiittle too long to think of something witty. This is probably why my most frequent comebacks are "yeah, well, you know what?"(I never once have had an answer to this question in mind; I always hope people will just accept it as rhetorical/intimidating) and "whatever!" (soooo Stephanie on "Full House," I know.)
Basically, my point is, in various convos throughout my day, I often sarcastically think to myself, "good one," in the same accent/manner as Steve Martin in the Pink Panther. An example of this in my life recently:
--A fisherman came through my line one early morning at Walmart, and I was making some simple small talk about whether he thought it would be a prosperous day or not. I wanted to say something clever (cue: dun dun dun) to bid him good luck, which almost led me to say "break a leg," but thankfully I remembered that was merely a theater phrase. So, unfortunately, I attempted to spin this phrase into fisherman-applicable-lingo, which came out: "well, I hope you hook a weed!" He gave me a funny look and said, "thanks?" before walking away. See it's supposed to be clever, because "break a leg" is the opposite of what actors want to happen, and thus "hooking a weed" brings good luck as it's not supposed to happen while fishing either. Get it, get it? I know, *cricket noises.*
--The infamous "I'm excited" incident (pre-Spring Break). I walked up to meet the director of Ambex (my study abroad program), all ready to say my mentally rehearsed line. But before I could say anything, he said: "Hi, Joy! I recognize you from your application. You must be one of the English Communication majors. We're looking forward to having you this fall!"
My mind blanked. There was nothing running through my head. This was not a good (or sensible) moment for awkward silence. Cue my response: unfortunately, the only thing I could muster up was a rather emphatic, "Yeah! I'm excited!" Cue him smiling and nodding awkwardly. Good gravy, It was my turn to talk again? I forgot everything I wanted to ask him about Germany. And for some reason (God knows we all need more humility, maybe?) the only thing I could think to say again was, you guessed it: "I'm looking forward to everything this fall because...I'm excited!" Thankfully, I proceeded to have a somewhat more normal convo with him, but I'm pretty sure there was one more mention of my excitement before wrapping things up.
Now I know you may be thinking: are you okay, Joy? Are you sure you have friends at school? I bet your tours are really...exciting!
No worries, friends, usually public speaking is not this much of a challenge for me. I actually rather enjoy it, and would like to think I've progressed lightyears since my 3rd grade speech, asking the school to vote for me for student government secretary. In my probably 1000 word speech (Apparently I felt REALLY qualified), I'm pretty sure I spoke so fast, the only thing anyone got out of it was: "Hi-my-names-JoyHillyer-andIwould-lovetobe-studentsecretary-becauseIlike-spelling!...writing!...reading!-Okaypleasevoteforme-...thanks!"
***Please don't judge my title as a Communication major based on my (in)ability to have a normal conversation...God does have a sense of humor.
Basically, my point is, in various convos throughout my day, I often sarcastically think to myself, "good one," in the same accent/manner as Steve Martin in the Pink Panther. An example of this in my life recently:
--A fisherman came through my line one early morning at Walmart, and I was making some simple small talk about whether he thought it would be a prosperous day or not. I wanted to say something clever (cue: dun dun dun) to bid him good luck, which almost led me to say "break a leg," but thankfully I remembered that was merely a theater phrase. So, unfortunately, I attempted to spin this phrase into fisherman-applicable-lingo, which came out: "well, I hope you hook a weed!" He gave me a funny look and said, "thanks?" before walking away. See it's supposed to be clever, because "break a leg" is the opposite of what actors want to happen, and thus "hooking a weed" brings good luck as it's not supposed to happen while fishing either. Get it, get it? I know, *cricket noises.*
--The infamous "I'm excited" incident (pre-Spring Break). I walked up to meet the director of Ambex (my study abroad program), all ready to say my mentally rehearsed line. But before I could say anything, he said: "Hi, Joy! I recognize you from your application. You must be one of the English Communication majors. We're looking forward to having you this fall!"
My mind blanked. There was nothing running through my head. This was not a good (or sensible) moment for awkward silence. Cue my response: unfortunately, the only thing I could muster up was a rather emphatic, "Yeah! I'm excited!" Cue him smiling and nodding awkwardly. Good gravy, It was my turn to talk again? I forgot everything I wanted to ask him about Germany. And for some reason (God knows we all need more humility, maybe?) the only thing I could think to say again was, you guessed it: "I'm looking forward to everything this fall because...I'm excited!" Thankfully, I proceeded to have a somewhat more normal convo with him, but I'm pretty sure there was one more mention of my excitement before wrapping things up.
Now I know you may be thinking: are you okay, Joy? Are you sure you have friends at school? I bet your tours are really...exciting!
No worries, friends, usually public speaking is not this much of a challenge for me. I actually rather enjoy it, and would like to think I've progressed lightyears since my 3rd grade speech, asking the school to vote for me for student government secretary. In my probably 1000 word speech (Apparently I felt REALLY qualified), I'm pretty sure I spoke so fast, the only thing anyone got out of it was: "Hi-my-names-JoyHillyer-andIwould-lovetobe-studentsecretary-becauseIlike-spelling!...writing!...reading!-Okaypleasevoteforme-...thanks!"
***Please don't judge my title as a Communication major based on my (in)ability to have a normal conversation...God does have a sense of humor.
Hicks and Homies
Desperate to make money before going to Germany, I accepted a job as a cashier at Wal-Mart in June. My good friend, Eric, has a blog dedicated to his Wal-Mart happenings and various stories here, and I, too, have had some jolly good times/basically met some of America's finest weirdos in my summer working there. From hicks to homies, I'll dedicate a couple of posts on here to some of my faves...
--Plastic Bag eating old people? One fine Sunday I had a young-ish guy come through my line with four carts full of small items...FOUR! So I started sacking everything (yes, sacking, for all you Northerners), but it turns out this fine gentleman was OCD and didn't want any of his bags to be touching. He kept waving his arms at me and saying, "No...no! You're doing it all wrong...no touchie!" This made loading everything up a very difficult endeavor, but I eventually got everything in the carts. If only the weirdness ended here, but nooo. There were 4 carts and only one of him, so 2 other cashiers and I helped him out to his car. On the walk outside, one of the cashiers said "I hope you have a big trunk!" and he said "I do, but it's full of wheelchairs and walkers." Then the other cashier suggested we put things on the seats, to which he explained "that's impossible. All 15 seats are full of old people, and they eat whatever we put in front of them, even the plastic bags." I now have a new fear.
--Trained by a robot. Whenever I want to have a good chuckle (not LOL or ROFL) I think back to the wonderful 40 hours of computer training I received on how to be a cashier, including a virtual cash register. That was WAY more fun then the real thing. Bummer. BUT the best part of this training was the videos. Cheesy training videos are my favorite part of new jobs (It might be a little sad I have been through enough new jobs to have a favorite part?), but anyway, Walmarts' videos take the cake. Reasons:
1) The "Why we don't stereotype/sexually harass customers/coworkers" video. I learned so much through their poorly acted out examples, i.e. its not okay to compare shopping customers to grazing cows, nor is it acceptable to stare at coworkers and make grunting noises (I wish I could make this stuff up myself.)
2) If I actually follow the video training's instruction, I should smile and say "thank you for shopping Walmart" after every move I make, even if it is in the middle of the checkout process and they are not leaving yet. I still desperately want to try this and see what my manager says.
--On another note: Things I will never understand:
...why a customer changed their mind at the last minute on purchasing a large table saw. Yeah, I always get the urge to buy a saw, then decide it's just not the right day, too?
...why it is socially acceptable to sport the American flag in any tacky form of shirt, hat, scarf, shorts, socks, sandals, legit toga (oh yes, I worked 8 hours on the Fourth of July--I've seen it all). Side note: when are peoples' super faded "Old Navy--2000, Turn of the Century" shirts EVER going to be considered too ratty to wear in public?
...why generic insult tee-shirts were ever made. Mr. "If you're reading this shirt you're a loser" that's you, and that's not clever, and yes, Ms. "I'm With Stupid" that includes you, too. Stop hurting my feelings! All I wanted to do was read your shirt.
--Plastic Bag eating old people? One fine Sunday I had a young-ish guy come through my line with four carts full of small items...FOUR! So I started sacking everything (yes, sacking, for all you Northerners), but it turns out this fine gentleman was OCD and didn't want any of his bags to be touching. He kept waving his arms at me and saying, "No...no! You're doing it all wrong...no touchie!" This made loading everything up a very difficult endeavor, but I eventually got everything in the carts. If only the weirdness ended here, but nooo. There were 4 carts and only one of him, so 2 other cashiers and I helped him out to his car. On the walk outside, one of the cashiers said "I hope you have a big trunk!" and he said "I do, but it's full of wheelchairs and walkers." Then the other cashier suggested we put things on the seats, to which he explained "that's impossible. All 15 seats are full of old people, and they eat whatever we put in front of them, even the plastic bags." I now have a new fear.
--Trained by a robot. Whenever I want to have a good chuckle (not LOL or ROFL) I think back to the wonderful 40 hours of computer training I received on how to be a cashier, including a virtual cash register. That was WAY more fun then the real thing. Bummer. BUT the best part of this training was the videos. Cheesy training videos are my favorite part of new jobs (It might be a little sad I have been through enough new jobs to have a favorite part?), but anyway, Walmarts' videos take the cake. Reasons:
1) The "Why we don't stereotype/sexually harass customers/coworkers" video. I learned so much through their poorly acted out examples, i.e. its not okay to compare shopping customers to grazing cows, nor is it acceptable to stare at coworkers and make grunting noises (I wish I could make this stuff up myself.)
2) If I actually follow the video training's instruction, I should smile and say "thank you for shopping Walmart" after every move I make, even if it is in the middle of the checkout process and they are not leaving yet. I still desperately want to try this and see what my manager says.
--On another note: Things I will never understand:
...why a customer changed their mind at the last minute on purchasing a large table saw. Yeah, I always get the urge to buy a saw, then decide it's just not the right day, too?
...why it is socially acceptable to sport the American flag in any tacky form of shirt, hat, scarf, shorts, socks, sandals, legit toga (oh yes, I worked 8 hours on the Fourth of July--I've seen it all). Side note: when are peoples' super faded "Old Navy--2000, Turn of the Century" shirts EVER going to be considered too ratty to wear in public?
...why generic insult tee-shirts were ever made. Mr. "If you're reading this shirt you're a loser" that's you, and that's not clever, and yes, Ms. "I'm With Stupid" that includes you, too. Stop hurting my feelings! All I wanted to do was read your shirt.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Couches: No longer just for Potatoes
Just a "little" something something I wrote on the website CouchSurfing.com, for my Media Writing II class.
*** *** ***
Stranger danger was not long ago one of the most preached lessons by parents and guidance counselors. Now, however, many are embracing the opposite of what they were once cautioned. Cue the 2.7 million people who have stayed on strangers’ couches across the globe, and discover the neologist phenomenon of CouchSurfing.
CouchSurfing.com is a hospitality exchange network seeking to connect strangers (hosts) with travelers (surfers), so that both parties’ may gain knowledge of other cultures and obtain broader perspectives of the world. The site’s simple philosophy urges its members to “create inspiring experiences.”
Creating a profile on the network and participating in CouchSurfing is completely free of charge, which gives members the option of providing information and pictures of themselves and the sleeping accommodation they offer, if any. A member’s profile depicts whether they wish to be a CouchSurfer, host, or both. Beyond general information, the average profile offers a member’s life philosophy, interests, types of people they enjoy, and one amazing thing they have seen or done.
Other members of the CouchSurfing community can peruse the site’s many profiles, which span 79,489 unique towns in 246 of the world’s states and countries. The site’s member count is currently equivalent to the population of Jamaica, but grows hourly, along with the reported number of successful host/surfer experiences and friendships created. Details of homestays are mutually agreed upon by the host and surfer.
“The world is full of wonderful, trusting, generous people, and for some obvious reasons I think those people are drawn to CouchSurfing,” Washington resident and CouchSurfer Eric Arendt said.
Members lacking a couch or the capability to host surfers for the night can opt to just offer their companionship. The network suggests alternative activities for members, such as meeting for coffee, bar crawls, camping trips, or sporting events. A surfer can seek accommodation or just company based on age, location, gender, and activity level. The average CouchSurfer is 28, though members range from age 18-100.
CouchSurfing.org describes the opportunity as “Your ticket to explore the world, from the world or from your own home.”
From Oddball to Organization
People called Casey Fenton crazy. His friends teased him, telling him he was only embarrassing himself, but Fenton knew he was
onto something.
In 1999, Fenton found an inexpensive flight from Boston to Iceland. As a recent college graduate struggling to pay off loans, he was thrilled to find such a cheap flight, and felt he should not have to pay hundreds of dollars for a hotel. To remedy this problem, he randomly e-mailed 1,500 students from the University of Iceland, asking if anyone could host him for a few nights. In just several hours, Fenton had received more than 50 offers of accommodation, inspiring the creation of CouchSurfing, a network where thrifty travelers like him could discover hospitality from other eager people.
Fenton’s idea became reality in 2004, when the fully public website was launched. According to CouchSurfing.org’s statistics page, the site had less that 45,000 members in 2006, rapidly launching into the near three millions today because of word-of-mouth and recommendations from other social-networking sites, such as Facebook.
The network only operates with a Board of Directors of six people, insisting it must remain a not-for-profit organization in order to preserve its mission and guiding principles. As a result, the site has obtained many full time volunteers.
In order to manage the heart of a continually growing community, members can apply to be Ambassadors. In this unpaid position, CouchSurfers are expected to be role models, actively promoting the spirit of the network to members and the public. They also typically perform administrative tasks on the site, such as answering questions and greeting new members.
To continually improve and develop the CouchSurfing project, events called Collectives are held several times a year, in cities throughout the world. These events started in 2006, which bring large groups of CouchSurfers together, and can last for days or weeks.
Things could be Stranger
CouchSurfing.org repeatedly tackles questions of safety, an issue that eventually troubles the mind of nearly every avid globetrotter. Many members have voiced their desire for some level of comfort and assurance when using a social network that requires its members to fully trust and rely on strangers.
The network has three specific ways of maintaining safety, which are all visible on member profiles for potential hosts and surfers. The first way members increase security is through references, which any CouchSurfer or host has the opportunity to leave after an experience. The second way allows one to verify their identity through the provision of a credit card number. A code is sent to one’s mailing address, proving members have a physical location to be found, and a one-time 25-dollar verification fee is subsequently charged. The final method enabling further safety is through a personal vouching system. A member can vouch for other trusted CouchSurfers and hosts once they have been vouched for three times.
The site encourages all new members to read its comprehensive safety guide, and explains additional ways for CouchSurfers and hosts to make informed decisions. Such ways include adding trusted members as friends, which offers a public description of how the two members got to know each other. Members can additionally review the “attempted scams” section of the site.
“The review system is great…[CouchSurfing] is like anything really—something could go wrong if you're not careful, but if you use a little common sense you'll have a great time,” Arendt said.
Arendt feels that his CouchSurfing experiences, which range from Moscow to Siberia, have been far safer than most hotels or hostels he could have stayed in. For some, the network has grown to provide feelings even stronger than safety and friendship.
“I suppose it reminds me to keep faith in humanity in a world that is so full of paranoia and general crapiness,” Paul Murray of Scotland said. “It shows that even with all that goes on in society today, you can still rely on the kindness of strangers.”
Despite the network’s millions of reportedly positive experiences, it has not been without several problems in the past.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, in March 2009 Abdelali Nachet was recently jailed for 10 years at Leeds (UK) for raping a Hong Kong tourist he met on the site, after arranging accommodation in his flat.
Other complaints that have been voiced of the site are its lack of a dispute resolution process, and concerns of fraud. Several skeptics argue the network abuses privacy with the vast amounts of information it obtains, though members must agree and acknowledge the public nature of the site before completing the registration process.
Blogger Christopher O’Toole recognizes the seriousness of such issues, but feels statistics support the network enough for people to still participate in CouchSurfing.
“The chances of a negative experience on the site remain insignificant when compared to the innumerable positive encounters organized through the site,” he said.
Not Just for Nomads
The site features newsletters and travel guides for both rookie and expert CouchSurfers, addressing topics like how to “Get away from it all: Surfing Couches in Rural Areas.” A large database of events organized by CouchSurfers is continually updated and available for searching by members. Past examples of popular events have been the annual “Berlin Beach Camp,” drawing over 1,000 attendees, and “WinterCamp,” a New Years Eve party hosted in a different European city every year.
Other articles advise how to successfully CouchSurf as a family, a culturally engaging activity that is growing increasingly popular.
The network offers a list of tips for CouchSurfing families, along with a special “Family Welcome Group” to facilitate a more focused forum for parents and children to form friendships and discover surfing opportunities. The group currently has over 5,500 members who can chose to seek family-friendly hosts based on specially marked locations.
“Just because you become a parent doesn’t mean the end of wanderlust or the desire to meet friendly people from all over the world,” Travel blogger Catherine Forth said.
Leigh Shulman and her husband are two CouchSurfing parents who echo these desires. The Shulmans, with their young daughter, Lila, have CouchSurfed all over Europe, the United States, Canada, Central America and Argentina. As a parent, Shulman acknowledges the need to be especially thorough and wise when selecting potential hosts, but has never found her experiences to be negative. She blogged about a CouchSurfing experience in France that changed her life.
“Lila played with her two children, and our families shared dinners, walks through the vineyard and overall had an amazing time. I now consider [my host] Maryanick to be one of my best friends,” she said.
To Couch or Not to Couch?
Ori Bengal (better known as CouchSurfing Ori) is a professional CouchSurfer. Or so he likes to think. He has logged his past 3.5 years of world travels at couchsurfingori.com and is admittedly addicted to the network.
“All because of CouchSurfing, I’ve gotten in the arena with an [angry] bull, stayed on the couches of the CEOs of billion dollar companies, jumped off cliffs, ridden in Hummerzines with zombies, trained with UFC cage fighters, jumped out of planes, and stayed at an all girls college.”
Bengal emphasizes that he is not just “bumming,” across the world, and notes how his experiences have assisted him as a professional photographer, videographer, and marketer. He narrates some of his most unique CouchSurfing adventures in the weekly “CouchCast” radio program.
Bengal also credits CouchSurfing in giving him a greater life perspective, and has even published a book on his experiences, which offers money saving tips, marketing observations, and other life advice.
Most CouchSurfers are not as extreme about diving into the experience as Bengal, but many are willing to give it a try.
“The best way to get the truest insight into a culture is by connecting with the locals …I think it would be sort of cool and fascinating to try [CouchSurfing] and maybe even host,” Trinity International University (TIU) Professor of Philosophy Cliff Williams said.
Williams recalled two memorable moments of his traveling adventures, one in Peru and the other Mexico, where he felt most connected to his unfamiliar surroundings. In both journeys, he stayed at a hostel, but was invited by local families to celebrate the respective countries’ traditions in their home.
“It was amazing to see life as they lived it … I think that’s what CouchSurfing has the potential to be,” Williams added.
Citing fears of safety and cultural stereotypes, TIU sophomore Rebecca Spellman said she is hesitant to try CouchSurfing outside the United States, but would enjoy the opportunity to have insight into a unique town’s Midwest or Southern subculture.
Other college students, such as TIU sophomore Kristi Sager, finds no blatant danger in the site’s premise, and sees it as an exciting parallel to other, semi-routine opportunities in her life.
“I would try hosting a CouchSurfer someday … it’s really the same concept as hosting prospective students,” she said.
Pay it Forward Phenomenon
CouchSurfing is not alone in its popular efforts towards global connectedness. WarmShowers.com facilitates hospitality across the United States for touring cyclists. Other sites focus specifically on creating international friendships, like WomenWelcomeWomen.org, where women of different countries are encouraged to first befriend and then visit one another. SparkRelief.com was recently launched, allowing people across the world to offer their couch or spare room for those displaced by the March 11 Japanese tsunami and earthquake.
The phenomenal success of movements like CouchSurfing has left many philosophers, skeptics, and even participants asking why the pay-it-forward method seems to work so well.
“When I first heard about this thing called CouchSurfing, like many, I was a little dubious. Wasn't it just something smelly hardcore travellers did, taking a kip wherever they could find it? But now I realize, it's about meeting people and understanding another way of life,” Murray said.
Other members credit the network’s success with altruistic notions.
“[CouchSurfing is] simply the best definition of humanity that I have found so far,” Marc Jähnchen of Germany said.
No matter the exact reasons, people across the globe have been and continue to be drawn to the endless tales of couch connectedness that increase with each hour the site exists. Countless testimonials on the site chronicle CouchSurfers crediting the organization as the pathway to world peace.
One such United States based CouchSurfer, Sarah Dankemeyer, commended the site for bringing a multitude of people together, often from completely different countries, languages, and backgrounds.
Dankemeyer concluded, “This is peace in action. This is unity.”
######
BIBLIOGRAPHY
→ http://www.havekidswilltravel.net/couch-surfing-for-families/
→ http://www.couchsurfing.org/safety.html
→ http://www.couchsurfing.org/external_research_faq.html
→ http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/leeds_couchsurfing_com_rapist_jailed_1_2232403
→ http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/01/how-safe-is-couchsurfing/
→ http://allthatiswrong.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/a-criticism-of-couchsurfing-and-review-of-alternatives/#fraud
→ http://www.twortw.com/2009/07/29/couchsurfing-alternatives/
→ http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/25/want-to-help-japan-offer-your-couch/
*** *** ***
Stranger danger was not long ago one of the most preached lessons by parents and guidance counselors. Now, however, many are embracing the opposite of what they were once cautioned. Cue the 2.7 million people who have stayed on strangers’ couches across the globe, and discover the neologist phenomenon of CouchSurfing.
CouchSurfing.com is a hospitality exchange network seeking to connect strangers (hosts) with travelers (surfers), so that both parties’ may gain knowledge of other cultures and obtain broader perspectives of the world. The site’s simple philosophy urges its members to “create inspiring experiences.”
Creating a profile on the network and participating in CouchSurfing is completely free of charge, which gives members the option of providing information and pictures of themselves and the sleeping accommodation they offer, if any. A member’s profile depicts whether they wish to be a CouchSurfer, host, or both. Beyond general information, the average profile offers a member’s life philosophy, interests, types of people they enjoy, and one amazing thing they have seen or done.
Other members of the CouchSurfing community can peruse the site’s many profiles, which span 79,489 unique towns in 246 of the world’s states and countries. The site’s member count is currently equivalent to the population of Jamaica, but grows hourly, along with the reported number of successful host/surfer experiences and friendships created. Details of homestays are mutually agreed upon by the host and surfer.
“The world is full of wonderful, trusting, generous people, and for some obvious reasons I think those people are drawn to CouchSurfing,” Washington resident and CouchSurfer Eric Arendt said.
Members lacking a couch or the capability to host surfers for the night can opt to just offer their companionship. The network suggests alternative activities for members, such as meeting for coffee, bar crawls, camping trips, or sporting events. A surfer can seek accommodation or just company based on age, location, gender, and activity level. The average CouchSurfer is 28, though members range from age 18-100.
CouchSurfing.org describes the opportunity as “Your ticket to explore the world, from the world or from your own home.”
From Oddball to Organization
People called Casey Fenton crazy. His friends teased him, telling him he was only embarrassing himself, but Fenton knew he was
onto something.
In 1999, Fenton found an inexpensive flight from Boston to Iceland. As a recent college graduate struggling to pay off loans, he was thrilled to find such a cheap flight, and felt he should not have to pay hundreds of dollars for a hotel. To remedy this problem, he randomly e-mailed 1,500 students from the University of Iceland, asking if anyone could host him for a few nights. In just several hours, Fenton had received more than 50 offers of accommodation, inspiring the creation of CouchSurfing, a network where thrifty travelers like him could discover hospitality from other eager people.
Fenton’s idea became reality in 2004, when the fully public website was launched. According to CouchSurfing.org’s statistics page, the site had less that 45,000 members in 2006, rapidly launching into the near three millions today because of word-of-mouth and recommendations from other social-networking sites, such as Facebook.
The network only operates with a Board of Directors of six people, insisting it must remain a not-for-profit organization in order to preserve its mission and guiding principles. As a result, the site has obtained many full time volunteers.
In order to manage the heart of a continually growing community, members can apply to be Ambassadors. In this unpaid position, CouchSurfers are expected to be role models, actively promoting the spirit of the network to members and the public. They also typically perform administrative tasks on the site, such as answering questions and greeting new members.
To continually improve and develop the CouchSurfing project, events called Collectives are held several times a year, in cities throughout the world. These events started in 2006, which bring large groups of CouchSurfers together, and can last for days or weeks.
Things could be Stranger
CouchSurfing.org repeatedly tackles questions of safety, an issue that eventually troubles the mind of nearly every avid globetrotter. Many members have voiced their desire for some level of comfort and assurance when using a social network that requires its members to fully trust and rely on strangers.
The network has three specific ways of maintaining safety, which are all visible on member profiles for potential hosts and surfers. The first way members increase security is through references, which any CouchSurfer or host has the opportunity to leave after an experience. The second way allows one to verify their identity through the provision of a credit card number. A code is sent to one’s mailing address, proving members have a physical location to be found, and a one-time 25-dollar verification fee is subsequently charged. The final method enabling further safety is through a personal vouching system. A member can vouch for other trusted CouchSurfers and hosts once they have been vouched for three times.
The site encourages all new members to read its comprehensive safety guide, and explains additional ways for CouchSurfers and hosts to make informed decisions. Such ways include adding trusted members as friends, which offers a public description of how the two members got to know each other. Members can additionally review the “attempted scams” section of the site.
“The review system is great…[CouchSurfing] is like anything really—something could go wrong if you're not careful, but if you use a little common sense you'll have a great time,” Arendt said.
Arendt feels that his CouchSurfing experiences, which range from Moscow to Siberia, have been far safer than most hotels or hostels he could have stayed in. For some, the network has grown to provide feelings even stronger than safety and friendship.
“I suppose it reminds me to keep faith in humanity in a world that is so full of paranoia and general crapiness,” Paul Murray of Scotland said. “It shows that even with all that goes on in society today, you can still rely on the kindness of strangers.”
Despite the network’s millions of reportedly positive experiences, it has not been without several problems in the past.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, in March 2009 Abdelali Nachet was recently jailed for 10 years at Leeds (UK) for raping a Hong Kong tourist he met on the site, after arranging accommodation in his flat.
Other complaints that have been voiced of the site are its lack of a dispute resolution process, and concerns of fraud. Several skeptics argue the network abuses privacy with the vast amounts of information it obtains, though members must agree and acknowledge the public nature of the site before completing the registration process.
Blogger Christopher O’Toole recognizes the seriousness of such issues, but feels statistics support the network enough for people to still participate in CouchSurfing.
“The chances of a negative experience on the site remain insignificant when compared to the innumerable positive encounters organized through the site,” he said.
Not Just for Nomads
The site features newsletters and travel guides for both rookie and expert CouchSurfers, addressing topics like how to “Get away from it all: Surfing Couches in Rural Areas.” A large database of events organized by CouchSurfers is continually updated and available for searching by members. Past examples of popular events have been the annual “Berlin Beach Camp,” drawing over 1,000 attendees, and “WinterCamp,” a New Years Eve party hosted in a different European city every year.
Other articles advise how to successfully CouchSurf as a family, a culturally engaging activity that is growing increasingly popular.
The network offers a list of tips for CouchSurfing families, along with a special “Family Welcome Group” to facilitate a more focused forum for parents and children to form friendships and discover surfing opportunities. The group currently has over 5,500 members who can chose to seek family-friendly hosts based on specially marked locations.
“Just because you become a parent doesn’t mean the end of wanderlust or the desire to meet friendly people from all over the world,” Travel blogger Catherine Forth said.
Leigh Shulman and her husband are two CouchSurfing parents who echo these desires. The Shulmans, with their young daughter, Lila, have CouchSurfed all over Europe, the United States, Canada, Central America and Argentina. As a parent, Shulman acknowledges the need to be especially thorough and wise when selecting potential hosts, but has never found her experiences to be negative. She blogged about a CouchSurfing experience in France that changed her life.
“Lila played with her two children, and our families shared dinners, walks through the vineyard and overall had an amazing time. I now consider [my host] Maryanick to be one of my best friends,” she said.
To Couch or Not to Couch?
Ori Bengal (better known as CouchSurfing Ori) is a professional CouchSurfer. Or so he likes to think. He has logged his past 3.5 years of world travels at couchsurfingori.com and is admittedly addicted to the network.
“All because of CouchSurfing, I’ve gotten in the arena with an [angry] bull, stayed on the couches of the CEOs of billion dollar companies, jumped off cliffs, ridden in Hummerzines with zombies, trained with UFC cage fighters, jumped out of planes, and stayed at an all girls college.”
Bengal emphasizes that he is not just “bumming,” across the world, and notes how his experiences have assisted him as a professional photographer, videographer, and marketer. He narrates some of his most unique CouchSurfing adventures in the weekly “CouchCast” radio program.
Bengal also credits CouchSurfing in giving him a greater life perspective, and has even published a book on his experiences, which offers money saving tips, marketing observations, and other life advice.
Most CouchSurfers are not as extreme about diving into the experience as Bengal, but many are willing to give it a try.
“The best way to get the truest insight into a culture is by connecting with the locals …I think it would be sort of cool and fascinating to try [CouchSurfing] and maybe even host,” Trinity International University (TIU) Professor of Philosophy Cliff Williams said.
Williams recalled two memorable moments of his traveling adventures, one in Peru and the other Mexico, where he felt most connected to his unfamiliar surroundings. In both journeys, he stayed at a hostel, but was invited by local families to celebrate the respective countries’ traditions in their home.
“It was amazing to see life as they lived it … I think that’s what CouchSurfing has the potential to be,” Williams added.
Citing fears of safety and cultural stereotypes, TIU sophomore Rebecca Spellman said she is hesitant to try CouchSurfing outside the United States, but would enjoy the opportunity to have insight into a unique town’s Midwest or Southern subculture.
Other college students, such as TIU sophomore Kristi Sager, finds no blatant danger in the site’s premise, and sees it as an exciting parallel to other, semi-routine opportunities in her life.
“I would try hosting a CouchSurfer someday … it’s really the same concept as hosting prospective students,” she said.
Pay it Forward Phenomenon
CouchSurfing is not alone in its popular efforts towards global connectedness. WarmShowers.com facilitates hospitality across the United States for touring cyclists. Other sites focus specifically on creating international friendships, like WomenWelcomeWomen.org, where women of different countries are encouraged to first befriend and then visit one another. SparkRelief.com was recently launched, allowing people across the world to offer their couch or spare room for those displaced by the March 11 Japanese tsunami and earthquake.
The phenomenal success of movements like CouchSurfing has left many philosophers, skeptics, and even participants asking why the pay-it-forward method seems to work so well.
“When I first heard about this thing called CouchSurfing, like many, I was a little dubious. Wasn't it just something smelly hardcore travellers did, taking a kip wherever they could find it? But now I realize, it's about meeting people and understanding another way of life,” Murray said.
Other members credit the network’s success with altruistic notions.
“[CouchSurfing is] simply the best definition of humanity that I have found so far,” Marc Jähnchen of Germany said.
No matter the exact reasons, people across the globe have been and continue to be drawn to the endless tales of couch connectedness that increase with each hour the site exists. Countless testimonials on the site chronicle CouchSurfers crediting the organization as the pathway to world peace.
One such United States based CouchSurfer, Sarah Dankemeyer, commended the site for bringing a multitude of people together, often from completely different countries, languages, and backgrounds.
Dankemeyer concluded, “This is peace in action. This is unity.”
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
→ http://www.havekidswilltravel.net/couch-surfing-for-families/
→ http://www.couchsurfing.org/safety.html
→ http://www.couchsurfing.org/external_research_faq.html
→ http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/leeds_couchsurfing_com_rapist_jailed_1_2232403
→ http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/01/how-safe-is-couchsurfing/
→ http://allthatiswrong.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/a-criticism-of-couchsurfing-and-review-of-alternatives/#fraud
→ http://www.twortw.com/2009/07/29/couchsurfing-alternatives/
→ http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/25/want-to-help-japan-offer-your-couch/
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