Perhaps I misunderstood but as you haven’t clarified what you meant I’m just going to have to leave it there.
The reason for sitter to be nice to sitter is not because the meet, but because of solidarity. What is suggested is that sitters should have each others back, even though they don’t know or meet each other. The reason why they can afford to be honest = not nice to the host is because they will never meet that host again. So there is almost no consequences to being honest = not nice to the host. The host might be mean to them in messages or their answer, and the sitter will never get to sit there again. However, sitters being honest in their reviews helps out other sitters, and makes the site better for sitters in general. - And in turn to hosts too, apart from bad hosts. - This is not a fight between hosts and sitters in general.
Please let me know if you now understood what was ment. I am happy to clarify further. It is easy to believe that you are ill willed - but I am happy to explain these misunderstandings when I can, as long as it benefits the conversation.
I totally get it, your initially wording was more about “not seeing hosts again” which isn’t really what this is about.
The same can be said for hosts watching out for other hosts and writing factual reviews even if they’re going to sting. But that doesn’t tend to be the case.
Due to my negative experience with a highly rated sitter and from numerous accounts I’ve read in this forum, many hosts do not leave honest negative reviews for sitters for fear of backlash or simply not wanting to be the “bad guy”. I don’t have any faith in the honesty of other hosts nor do I feel inclined to do them any favors by posting a negative review of a poor sitter which can adversely affect me especially with my limited history versus the sitters “exemplary” record.
There was no “because”, you just added it.This is the original quote, it does include the word “fellow”
And @anon42303101 has explained the meaning quite clearly. To be honest, I very much doubt anyone else interpreted the post the way you did.
My reference to your post wasn’t an exact paraphrase or quote, I was simply explaining how I interpreted it. I don’t really care if anyone else interpreted your post the way I did. You clarified, it’s all good, thanks for explaining what you meant in a way I was able to grasp your message. Nor am I saying it’s the way you wrote it. I’m getting old and sometimes things just don’t… um what’s the word, I’m drawing a blank.. oh yeah “click”.
As someone stated earlier in the thread, most people are leaving subjective reviews. It needs to be more objective. From a pet-sitter, was there any safety or health concerns at a home, was there any aggressive behavior or health issues of the animal that were not disclosed, was there heat/air conditioning and hot water available, did the kitchen have all the necessary ammenities…? I mean, what else does a pet sitter really need?
As for HO, did the sitter provide the necessary updates, was the pet adequately cared for in accordance with instructions, was the dwelling in a similar state as was provided to the pet sitter,…?
Anything that doesn’t meet the basic expectations should be honestly and adequately rated. Going above and beyond (i.e., providing food for the sitter or doing a deep-clean for the HO) should be noted in the review, but should not influence the overall rating if there were deficiencies with any of the basics. I mean, HOs just want there beloved companion(s) and home well cared for. As a sitter, I want an honest description of the pet, home and location. The narrative is where we can provide the “above and beyond” and boost a HO’s and pet-sitter’s desirability. Also, It should be a requirement in the narrative for either to explain why a HO or pet-sitter did not get a 5-star for one of the ratings.
I know, easier said than done. I must admit, even though I care for the animal as if they were my own, treat the home with the utmost respect, totally respect the HO’s privacy, not touch or use anything that isn’t necessary,… I get nervous that I’ll get blamed for something I had nothing to do with and get dinged a star, which could be the kiss of death for a THS pet-sitter.
I really like THS and hope to sit in every continent, if possible. Although, Antarctica may be a challenge, for now.
I hope more sitters will learn how to write reviews that just states the facts of a sit in a positive light or at least neutral so it doesn’t come off as a bad review. The information is so necessary for those of us trying to make decisions. I read a review recently where the sitter stated that the cat “loves talking all day”. Nothing particularly negative about this comment. But it was useful information to know before deciding whether or not to apply for a sit.
Check more closely who you answer to.
I did the explaining, but I did not write the original text (I just saw how it can be misinterpreted, and as I don’t believe in malice but rather assume that communication is tough, I explain what I can),
and Newpetlover neither wrote original text but explained why the whole misunderstanding happened.
When you don’t notice the multiple different participants in the same conversation, it further adds to the confusion.
(Edited to comply with the Community Rules)
Thank you for providing an explanation for the other poster’s message that clarified things for me, I appreciate the time and effort you put into doing so and I sincerely apologies for any confusions that may have been caused by my transgression.
Very ture Angela. Unortunately TH does not want us to be in conversation about HO or excange our experience in between sitters! If we could do so, they would loose a lot of business as a lot of reviews are not honest anyway! We personally get alarmed if a sitter did not leave a review that is a red flag! Again the platform ist not interested in honest conversations and interactions between the members. HO have the same problem!
For me, it’s not alarming by itself but it makes me do a more thorough search and try to read it in context. I check if not writing a review is typical of the sitter. If there’re other descriptive reviews showing that the sit covers my priorities I understand that the lack of review may not necessarily reflect any shortcomings.
@idocsteve Aww, cool! We knew there was a warm, fuzzy teddy bear in there! We want to get to know that eye doctor better.
