CouchSurfing: What’s in it For Me?
I have become increasingly involved in the social networking movement, CouchSurfing, over the past 2 months. I have surfed on people’s couches and I have let more people surf on my couch. This has inevitably given rise to the question posed to me by many of my colleagues, “What’s in it for me?”
So really, what is in it for me? Why do I allow total strangers to sleep on my couch and use my utilities? Why do I open my home to these wayward travelers? The people who ask me these questions are the very people who, to me, don’t understand the underlying principle of CouchSurfing. They don’t understand why it works and what makes it so great.
Because the thing is, there is nothing in it for me. I do not expect anything in return and certainly don’t ask for anything. That is not to say that I haven’t received anything. Some of my grateful surfers have bought me dinner. I have even received some home-brewed coffee and delicious chocolate. But like I said I don’t ask for it and I don’t expect it. I see it as one gesture of kindness and generosity to another.
“Still, there must be something else, right? You wouldn’t just let strangers crash in your living room for the possibility of a free dinner, right?” Oh, you naysayers. You nonbelievers. Shame on you. But still, you press the issue. “So you can stay on other people’s couches if you host people on your couch, right?” Well, technically speaking you don’t need to host anyone to be able to surf others’ couches. Hosting surfers on your couch is purely optional.
There is no obligation to host surfers on your couch. None whatsoever. You can surf on any number of couches and never host a single person. There is nothing wrong with this and I hold nothing against people who choose to do this. But for me, personally, I feel an imperative to give back to the community. I believe in the power it has to truly represent the kindness and generosity inherent in all people. Generally I am a pretty pessimistic person, so any ray of sunshine I can find in human nature I will grab on to and hold dearly. The fact that I can meet complete strangers and have them open their home to me is such a great, warm, welcoming feeling. And I feel the same way when I open my home to others. I find it so rewarding to be able to provide even so little as a place to sleep for the night to a fellow traveler.
That is my reward. That is what’s in it for me. The knowledge that I am able to support a brother (or sister) in arms along that long, dusty trail. The opportunity to meet new people is one of my favorite parts of traveling. It seems like every traveler I meet has a unique and interesting story to tell. I am always fascinated and inspired by the stories these people have to tell. And hopefully someday my stories will inspire people too! For this reason I am happy to open my home to travelers. I do not do it because I am trying to specifically do something that is perceived as kind or generous. But because I want to do it. Because I feel that it is a rewarding endeavor in and of itself.
So what is my point? What am I trying to get at? Honestly, I’m not really sure any more. I feel like a walking advertisement for CouchSurfing. Am I beating a dead horse? Does everyone know about it already? Perhaps.
Of course, my initial reason for writing this post is because of the people who are always asking me about why I do it. Considering the number of people in my day-to-day life that ask me, I suppose there are a number of people out there with the same questions.
No, I am not saying that you should immediately go over to CouchSurfing, sign up, and start hosting people. No, I am not saying that you should always be willing to host people if you want to surf on some one else’s couch. While this networking utility is fantastic in many ways, there are ways in which it is not. It does hold the potential for a very bad experience. And CouchSurfing is not for everyone. It is entirely understandable that some people are not comfortable with it. If you are not, no big deal! I certainly won’t hold it against you.
What I am saying is that there are people out there who are willing to extend a helping hand or perform an act of generosity and trust. Obviously it’s not just CouchSurfers either, just look at all of the charity organizations scattered all over the world. There are good people out there who perform good deeds with no expectation of reward. It’s that simple.
I guess the point I am trying to get across is that there is nothing in it for me. And I’m sure it’s the same for many other CouchSurfers. We don’t expect rewards or reparations. We don’t expect to be paid. We don’t feel obligated to host surfers because we surf on other couches. We do it because giving a fellow traveler a helping hand and having the opportunity to hear their story is all the reward we need.
Though, of course, a simple thank you is always nice.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!Related Posts:
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I saw this in my reader about half an hour after two Australian CSers left for the airport. We also host; we’ve backpacked before, and now that we aren’t able to travel much, we enjoy meeting interesting people from all around the world who are doing what we’ve done. I hope you continue to have positive CS experiences!
I think Couchsurfers is a great way to travel on any kind of budget, but especially if you’re going cheap. I have a lot of admiration for you, Graham. I’ve always wanted to try it, but my husband just isn’t interested. This service wasn’t around when I was traveling solo.
I do expect something out of either hosting/surfing….memories and stories. Meeting people and listening to their stories and telling your own stories is awesome. It is like getting the best out of a person. They are going to want to tell their BEST stories for the short time you are there. I also think if you surf, you should host as well (if you are able to). Only surfing is like taking all of the marshmallows out of a box of lucky charms and then you are only left with the crappy cereal.
Good stuff Graham! Keep it up, I promise I will post my learning experience from MX today.
That and teh hawt sexual intercourse, right?
@Emily: I’m sure I will continue to have fantastic experiences, thank you.
@Carrie: Hostels and hotels around the world can take a huge chunk out of your budget. CouchSurfing is a great way to alleviate that problem and give you the opportunity to meet locals at the same time. You would be amazed at so many people I’ve met who are too paranoid or skeptical (even expats here in China!) to CouchSurf. All it takes is a small leap of faith.
@Chris: I agree that memories and stories are the greatest rewards of traveling. That people that you meet is always a huge part of traveling, right? I don’t think I would lay down that blanket generalization that if you surf you should host. The fact that there is no obligation whatsoever is what perpetuates the system. Although personally I would feel like I was taking all the marshmallows if I didn’t host. But that springs from my own sense of responsibility and fairness
@Purplestate: ….. no.
Extremely well-written, Graham. A pleasurable read as always.
Thanks Linz! I’m not always too confident with my writing, I tend to ramble a lot. I just tried to get everything out on the table with this one. I think, more or less, that I accomplished that. If you keep reading ‘em, I’ll keep ‘em comin!
Graham – As a writer (it has taken me years to be able to call myself that, but I’m getting used to it these days), I think that what comes through in text the most is how much you care about a subject.
I’ve had many blogs over the years… I’ve been blogging since the days when we bloggers had a rather small community, before teenage angst on YouTube, before the VLOG, etc.
Having just started over at my new blog, I don’t really have many readers… but, I have realized over the years that the person I write for the most is, well, ME. Sometimes I look back on my writing (on the blog or otherwise) and think “Wow, that was impressively mediocre”. But there are times when I’m proud of what I write too. It’s good practice for this wanna-be-author.
Anyway (and you thought YOU rambled!) – I suppose what I’m saying is, the fact that you are enjoying your travels, but also the fact that you are enjoying the act of WRITING about them, is what keeps me coming back to your blog again and again.
Kudos.
I think you are completely right. The difference I see between blogs I read and blogs I really enjoy is when you can see the care, love, and passion in each word that’s written. Especially for me, the travel blogs by people who are professional travels or people doing RTW trips are the ones where I can almost feel and connect to their pure love for what they are writing about. How they embrace this lifestyle and advocate it to anyone who is willing to listen is what keeps me coming back.
Yes, most of the time I really do enjoy the act of writing about life and about travel (sometimes it can be a touch slog, though) and I’m glad and a little humbled that you recognize it and appreciate it.
Thank you.
[...] blogroll (yet), Graham Woodring provides some interesting perspective on his blog, asking “What’s in it for me?” He [...]