Definately not in the US from what you said…It’s interesting to know pain killers can be interpreted in that way(i don’t think it it the issue in my communication with the HO)…but the point is sitter can be ill during the sitting like catching a cold, period cramps…if the host cares what the sitter feels, the sitter will do much bettern in taking care of her pets/house…Maybe next time if a sitter ask you for pain killer, you will have a second consideration, not putting the sitter in a worst senario, rather than genuenly care about your sitter if she/he needs something. Food for thought.
The thing is, the exchange is housing for pet and home care. No offense but I neither want nor need to know about your medical issues as I consider those to be too personal. Also, you should really travel with your own basic medications and not ask hosts to provide these for you on arrival.
An exchange is not always equal, it is just an exchange. You may have felt minimized by the host, but the host may have lost confidence in your ability to care for their pets (which is a key part of the exchange). If it stops working, even during a sit, then the deal is off.
Sorry it worked out that way for you, and I sense you want to make the host the villain in this situation, but the reality is the working relationship broke down. Take it as a learning experience on what you could have done differently (eg maybe travel with some basic over the counter medication if your own, and don’t ask hosts to provide this on arrival, or send a brief message if I’ll saying you didn’t catch a photo but the cats were fed and played with, and are doing well) and basically let this one bad experience go.
In many countries “pain killers” is a generic term for anything that relieves pain, not necessarily prescription drugs. It would be totally normal for my family in Ireland to ask for “pain killers”, meaning aspirin, NSAIDS, etc.
There is no written agreement between HO and sitter. The agreements are for use of the THS platform, so the agreements are between HO and THS, and Sitter and THS. They are not legal agreements between HO and sitter.
That is your opinion and you might be right in your country. But in the USA, and in my inbox for THS , there is a string of evidence including the HO’s name making a very specific offer for specific dates; along with all the communication and the posting, the sitter would have a fair case in court as long as they continued to meet their responsibilities. An HO would also have a fair day in court if a sitter didn’t fulfill their obligation. Yes, I have taken law classes. Personally, it shouldn’t have to escalate to a court case.
Sure, if that’s your opinion, that’s fine. Good luck with your lawsuits.
Reading through all the messages and posts here, it seems like the thing that affected you most is the host’s tone, not so much the facts themselves. That is where I think the real friction sits.
I know that phone calls and video calls feel uncomfortable for a lot of hosts or pet sitters, and not everyone does them. But now that we have done several sits, including longer ones, I have noticed that communication style is actually the most important thing for a good sit.
If the collaboration feels good, you are happy to go the extra mile now and then. But even if a host’s tone is strict, ‘I do things exactly like this and within these lines’, you can still work together well, as long as you know that in advance and can choose accordingly. You might decide to accept that and stay within the lines, but it really helps to know it beforehand.
Some people find it very important, for example, that a photo of Fifi gets sent every day at 5pm, because they are understandably anxious about their pet, especially the first time or the first time with you as a pet sitter, and they get quite worried if it does not happen. So it can be a mix of first time nerves or general worry about their pets. That kind of thing usually comes out naturally in a video call beforehand.
Everyone has their own preference here, but you get so much out of it. ‘It’s the tone that makes the music.’ What we’ve also noticed is that what’s agreed upfront can become more flexible once hosts see videos (we love making these, though I admit I need to delete them from time to time, whenever I remember) of their pet happy and well looked after.
So far video calls has worked well for us. There are hosts who insist on it, but as sitters, we actually prefer it, because once you have spoken a bit, you can also say before you send a photo: ‘sorry, I was really unwell and just fell asleep’ if you miss a photo. Saying that upfront changes everything, even for someone who is anxious. Because you can genuinely get sick, or something unexpected happens, and the dog or cat was still fed and cared for.
I agree some of what you said and some practical advice, but it’s a exchange, if it didn’t work during the sit, definately reason on both sides. I didn’t know if you fully read my words. it is not about just medications, photos, it is about if you really care about another people during this sit . If you sitted many places, you know if you don’t drive, it is hard to get supply, yes, for the sitter’s health and safety, it’s better to carry her own medications, and of couse I would not tell you it is just a headache. I will definately will not sit host like this one, but I did mentioned there are brilliant host I met, they are the hope. I appreciate your practical advie, and I have already moved on, I appreciate some people’s advice and also reply to some people’s comments which are quite biased.
Great, and best of luck. You’ve had great sits before this, so take whatever learnings you can, and move ahead. You have great sits ahead of you, and the more learning experiences you have, the less likelihood that you’ll end up in situations like this mis-match. Safe and happy travels (and sits)!
| have done sits for hosts with exactly that attitude, and it felt very bad. We are all human beings, not machines. Nobody can be perfectly organised all the time, and if you ask for a little help like painkillers, that doesn’t make you a bad pet sitter… do I even need to explain this? Not in the world I thought we lived in, but maybe that world is changing, or maybe the USA is different? I live in Europe and I am very thankful for that. “Painkillers” is a normal word here where I live and you can get them in any pharmacy or weaker ones even in the supermarket.
I agree with this. Many (/most?) countries don’t associate the word “painkillers” with addictive or prescription painkillers, but just with over the counter pain relief. Most countries also don’t have the on demand delivery options the US have.
I don’t see anything wrong with messaging the HO and asking if they have painkiller (or bandaid, or muscle pain gel etc) and telling them you’re getting your own when you go to the shops after lunch. It’s an exchange and if you were a guest you’d feel ok doing it. Why should you suffer in pain or immediately need to run out to the shops. HOs are also asked in the welcome guide if there’s a first aid kit. Although not mandatory it does imply provision of some emergency supplies.
Having said that, in this particular case, I think we’re hearing one side of the story and communication has broken down to the point where the HO lost trust and didn’t want to deal with the sitter.
Thanks very much for the advice!
Well, this differing view on the meaning of ‘painkiller’ brings me back to my stay in an Amsterdam hostel decades ago. Upon check-in, the owner gave us a lecture on how she would not tolerate the use of any illicit drugs and we nodded with agreement.
After unpacking, I wanted to stock up on some personal care items. Oh, the look of horror on her face when I asked where was the nearest drug store! That’s a common term in Canada but I realized that pharmacy would have been the better word choice in that situation.
I think you handled the bit about being unwell a bit daftly. But IME, HOs who want photos every single day, at a particular time, aren’t being concerned about their animals, particularly if they’re cats : They’re checking up on, and controlling, you.
This does sound like a personality clash. But I wouldn’t want to sit for this HO. Good luck with future sits; I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Hear Hear. A totally dishonest way to do things.
It doesn’t have to be interesting, just accurate, as in - this is how your pet looks " today".
Happy and healthy.