PrincessPetProtector:
Exactly the same with us. We eat our main meal out (usually a good lunch).
Breakfast is light, dinner tends to be snacky. So as a sitter not looking to be “fed” - but do want a clean space for my stuff. I think there are more & more people in the system and not all “get” the win/win concept (and I’m talking both sides.)
2 Likes
Oh Pietkulp, you always leave funny posts!
2 Likes
KateY:
Absolutely! One of the great pleasures of travel is trying local foods but also in a place like the UK fantastic foods from everywhere! My biggest prob in the UK is that I always pack on weight: love the porters & stouts on tap, can’t resist good fish’n’chips, those great beef pies, Sunday Roasts, lamb, cream teas and of course curries, etc.
I was just in the UK two weeks ago (travel not sit) and now you’re making me miss it!
4 Likes
Maggie8K -
Agree 100% that no Home Owner should feel they have to leave anything - or worry about what a sitter’s preferences are.
We have had the full gamut of experiences. Hosts who left gift cards, hosts who treated us to dinner out, hosts to made a beautiful meal & left basics as well but also hosts who left a fridge that needed to be thoroughly cleared out and then cleaned.
I’m not a demanding Sitter (just as I was a flexible Host).
This post was in “Owner Advice” because it was intended to suggest that Hosts spend a little time going through their fridge, their pantry ahead of the Sitter’s arrival to make sure (1) it’s clean (2) there is space for the Sitter to put their things (3) food that could be harmful is tossed.
And as I wrote, the vast majority of Hosts do a good job of prepping for Sitters.
Some are downright wonderful. A few are bewilderingly clueless.
When invited to share a meal, hosts always ask if we have any specific dislikes. As it happens, we’re omnivores with zero food allergies so just appreciate the thoughtfulness. And in return we stock their fridge with basics so that getting home they don’t have to think about shopping right away. Sometimes I’ll make & leave a meal if the host is coming a very long distance. I base what I leave or make on what they have in the house.
We’ve sat for vegetarians & vegans: always respect their requests for what we can have & prep in their kitchen. No biggie - if we need non-vegan food, we’ll have it for lunch out. Actually, since we love eating out - almost always have lunch in a restaurant while sitting.
But breakfast I like as a leisurely thing while planning the day & dinner is light.
So like you, we appreciate having room in a clean fridge to stock our prefs.
All-in-all sounds as though you’ve had the same types of nice experiences we have - which goes to show that most people are thoughtful, considerate.
2 Likes
EJPullen66 -
I think you’re doing it just right. BTW in my opinion if a Host or a Sitter has really specific needs (allergies, vegetarian or vegan, etc) then that should be made clear in the interview process. I think it’s enough to say, “Do you have allergies?” BUT someone with severe food allergies can’t really expect a HO to be responsible for what they have in their pantry, freezer, etc.
When we were HO we treated sitters to meals out or a meal at our home, and made it clear that we were fine with them using up food in the fridge, pantry. The arrangement is such a win-win not a biggy.
Similarly as sitters we expect to shop for our own stuff.
And we leave our hosts with at least the same things they left us, including enough for a proper meal since they’re likely tired on getting home.
My husband & I have no allergies and are omnivores, we’re flexible.
We eat out most lunches (part of the fun of being in a ‘different’ place is the food!) we like shopping for our preferences for breakfast & light dinners so having space & a clean place is all we ask and all I think most sitters expect.
Generally: common courtesy.
1 Like
@Maggie8K have you discovered Cook yet? Some places they have their own shop, in others they can be found within another shop. Their meals for one are my go-to if I’m treating myself - although the prices are close to Waitrose ones.
2 Likes
I love Cook
3 Likes
It really doesn’t worry me. I will eat what seems edible and leave what doesn’t. i have also welcomed there being left over food, such as home made soup etc. Why throw out when somebody else casn ,make use of it? And spices and things are normally just on shelves somewhere. If you don;t wish to use them then don’t. Have never noticed spices going off yet.
4 Likes
Yes, @DianeS. There was a Cook blocks from my sit in Glasgow during last holiday season, near Waitrose. There’s not one near my current sit, though.
Yes, unfortunately, some people have little empathy or common sense or experience about what it takes to help people feel welcome. And they lack awareness that the world doesn’t revolve around them when it comes to a fair exchange. Or they have a deluded sense of their home and / or pets, as if strangers should want to voluntarily travel to their location to take care of their home and pets, as if people are generally so desperate that they lack shelter and that’s their only focus. Such folks don’t have the understanding it takes to be good hosts. Not even to spend money or such, but to even not expect others to live in their filth. Some people don’t notice, because they simply live dirty themselves and have low standards or no standards. That’s why some sitters end up with sits that include grime and filth or other sorts.
Personally, I believe in controlling what you can, including vetting carefully. And if I were to end up somewhere I considered unlivably unclean, etc., I’d give the hosts and THS 24 hours of notice that I’d be leaving, so they can figure out alternatives.
If someplace is borderline, I’ll do minimal cleaning and not worry about cleaning before I leave. I don’t believe in trying to make places cleaner than I found them, because I’m not a cleaning service.
I personally live cleanly and tidily, so it comes naturally to leave places as clean as I found them.
I’ve been fortunate to have great experiences overall on THS sits, including hosts who’ve appreciated me, made me welcome meals, etc. I appreciate all welcoming gestures, but don’t expect them beyond cleanliness and such. Food is always optional to me, because I’d always feed myself with or without sitting.
3 Likes
VISIT
I think you’re very sensible. We have the same attitude.
Generally our sits have been lovely and HO’s are quite nice!
However, this post was put in “Owner Advice” to suggest that HO’s take a little time to make their home welcoming for Sitters. Especially if they want nice reivews!
Basics: clean and tidy.
As I wrote above, HOs usually expect Sitters to do quite a lot and to spend significant time taking care of the home, pets, plants: perhaps dog walking, meds for animals, keeping litter boxes clean, pet food & water fresh, taking care of house plants, perhaps doing some gardening as well as keeping their home tidy & safe.
THS works best when it’s a win-win, so I think it’s reasonable for sitters to expect a clean kitchen, sleeping quarters, bathroom.
2 Likes
THIS is why I wrote that, unless you run a busy restaurant, don’t buy large containers of spices: flavors will fade before you use much of that big container.
Better to buy small quantities and replace as needed.
Also note: cinnamon sticks, peppercorns. allspice & nutmeg whole stay potent longer.
That’s why peppermills and pestles & mortars are popular.
Below a few spices typically in most homes.
If you got a spice rack as a wedding gift & you’re celebrating your 5th anniversary…
- Oregano: Ground oregano should be used within 2 to 3 years.
- Paprika: Retains vibrancy for up to 2 years when ground.
- Basil: As a delicate herb, it’s best used within 1 to 3 years.
- Cinnamon: Whole sticks can last up to 4 years, ground cinnamon about 2 years.
- Garlic powder: Has a useful shelf life of about 2 to 3 years.
- Chili powder: Retains a robust flavor for up to 2 to 3 years.
- Rosemary: Can stay aromatic for 1 to 3 years when dried and ground.
- Black Pepper: Whole peppercorns keep well for 3 to 4 years; ground pepper should be used within 2 years.
- Parsley: Best used within 1 to 3 years for optimal flavor.
- Sage: Keeps its potency for about 1 to 3 years, depending on storage.
- Allspice: Whole can last up to 4 years; ground allspice has a 2 to 3-year shelf life.
- Caraway seeds: Maintain quality for 3 to 4 years when whole.
- Nutmeg: As a whole spice, nutmeg remains fresh for up to 4 years, with ground nutmeg having a 2-year lifespan.
1 Like
Luckily I am only a sitter, not a HO, as I have to confess that I know for a fact there is a packet of Paxo stuffing mix dating back to 1996 lurking in the back of my cupboard. I discovered it during lockdown, but have become strangely attached to it!
I must take after my Mum, as recently did a house-sit for my parents and ended up with covid whilst I was there. With not much appetite, all I wanted to eat was something quick and easy, and found a tin of mushroom soup dating back to 2001, which I ate over the course of two days - it seemed to be a miracle cure as I felt much better afterwards.
My maternal grandfather was the same. He passed away in 2011, and in the process of clearing out his pantry, we enjoyed a packet of Birds Eye custard dating back to 1965!
On sits, as long as there’s a bit of space for me to put my own (probably out-of-date) selection of condiments, I’m not really bothered about the state of a HO’s larder. Yes, it’s undoubtedly lovely to arrive to a kitchen/larder/fridge that is well-organised, but as long as it’s reasonably clean, I’ve usually got more exciting things to do (exploring!) than pay attention to the contents…
10 Likes
@Becca have you ever heard about botulism?
I really can’t see why you would be willing to risk your health to eat a 20 year expired tin of mushroom soup just to save 50 pence?
1 Like
BECCA - I think in general the kinds of people who like doing sits are pretty flexible or we couldn’t do it!
We’re the same re “a bit of space” but a few sits provided NO space!?! And I wonder what they think the sitter is going to do?
MOST Best By dates are a bit of marketing but not sure I would have trusted 23 year old canned soup! I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
I have thanks. I wasn’t doing it to save 50p - was ill with covid and the risk of botulism seemed preferable to expending the energy required to prepare a meal at the time.
5 Likes
BECCA - Yeah - I got that part! - A
Oh my gosh! I had a sit where the whole fridge was rotting, and every sauce and fruit had mold. Things were at the back of the fridge that were forgotten and bought again… only to see it go moldy again. I do not understand… do they not check anything before a sitter comes? I try to understand different circumstances, who knows if the people suffer from mental health issues, etc.
I understand the rush and that you are extremely busy but this is just a health threat at this point.
I think some people find it very hard to throw any kind of food items out, never mind how old. Easier to ignore the issue than to deal with it.
I definitely clean out the fridge, wipe down the shelves and toss partially eaten or spoiled food/produce. Depending on the timeframe that we are gone I may leave things like eggs, milk, cream. And of course condiments. We don’t eat bread so we don’t normally have any on hand.
While I certainly wouldn’t mind a sitter using my spices, I think if the freshness level is not there than just don’t use them. Our household is small so even a standard size spice container takes us a while to get through. It seems overly picky to complain about stale spices to be honest and I have no intention of going through the whole pantry sniffing spices and checking expiry dates ‘just in case’ the sitter wants to use those items.
2 Likes