Mild rant, but I recently had to reject an HS because they wanted to come with small kids (elementary age) and we don’t accept sitters that travel with small children.
This point is spelled out explicitly in our listing and I reiterated it would be a no for that reason.
The HS clearly took it personally as prejudice against their children…
I gave a polite response to make it clear that we have this policy and hold firm because, while our dog loves kids, I’m not comfortable with other people’s kids being around my dog when I’m not there and while a sit is active, I prefer HS do not have split focus between their children and the dog. Our dog is fast and strong and requires an alert handler.
While my final response and reasoning was ultimately well-received, I think it’s worth calling out that when someone tells you no, it’s not always about you .
Additionally, it saves everyone a lot of time and energy if we all take the time to read listings and respect what they say.
I love that this diverse community has something for everyone, and it’s important we appreciate and respect that diversity in all directions.
You are EXTRA kind with your time for giving a reply with (obvious) reason for decline more than once, even though it is stated in your listing info. Some people think rules do not apply to them, that is a red flag .
I would not have politely gave her reasons why not as you did. If it was clearly stated in my profile, I would have been irritated that she even asked. I would have just declined and wrote back, as clearly stated in our profile we do not accept children on sits.
I would have just declined and stated that she did not meet the listing requirements. No need to provide any further explanation, she can go back and read it.
It is definitely frustrating when you e clearly stated no families and they apply anyway!
I remember when I was 7, our 2nd grade teacher gave us a “pop quiz.” The first instruction it gave was to read through the entire test before completing any of the rest of the items on the quiz. Subsequent instructions went on to ask us to do silly things like stand up and walk around our desks, tie our shoelaces to one another, and more…until the final instruction:
Do not perform steps 2 through 9. Sign your test, turn it over, & wait quietly until your teacher instructs you otherwise.
It’s probably a generally good idea to pass on sitters who can’t read & follow instructions.
It is equally as frustrating for sitters to receive invitations that do not match their profile
Such as -
Not available on their dates
More pets (and different ones) than their listed preference.
Expecting to sleep with pets when specifically mentioning they do not etc.
Nevertheless I always respond promptly and politely.
I haven’t. Not because I didn’t understand the instructions, I did, and very well at that. Yet, instead of putting the pen down, I let the “power of crowds” influence me. Hopefully, I have grown out of that by now
Some people just don’t get that other people can freely decide who they invite into their home and what to do with their own time. A host is under no obligation to select sitters that represent the diversity of the world just as much as a sitter has no obligation to apply and commit to do sits that represent the variety of hosts and pets. Not choosing to sit for horses doesn’t mean anyone is discriminating against horses and requesting solo sitters doesn’t imply discrimination against couples or families.
I am all for diversity, inclusion and open mindedness. I really am. But no one can impose another human being their presence or make them responsible for their own wellbeing.
Using guilt is a bad way to get a sitting gig or getting a sitter. Odd that the person would get upset at such a thing. I wonder if they react that way everytime they’re not selected.
It is indeed. Lack of respect for hosts choice is not a good starting point either.
I am not a vegan and I sit solo; it never occurs to me to apply for a sit if they specifically ask for vegans or couples, even if I was willing to “go vegan” for the duration of the sit inside their home. I don’t want to waste their time or pretend that I am what I am not. I have sat for vegan hosts that were willing to invite non vegans as long as they didn’t cook meat in their home or leave non vegan products behind.
I may think I can handle a sit on my own but, if they require a couple, I don’t apply because what’s important is the host’s choice and I don’t need any justification for that choice.
If they say they “would prefer”, then that’s different.
I got to know a potential home owner, visiting along with my wife, whilst we were housesitting nearby and before this new Home Owner selected a rescue dog to take on. I got involved in the selection and gave my advice and opinion as it was asked.
Later the home owner wanted me to come and sit for a month, looking after her new dog. Unfortunately my wife isn’t available so I said I’d do it on my own.
In the Home Owner’s general details and invitation it says they want a couple who is resident in Spain and no flights are involved.
When I explained I have done many solo sits perfectly satisfactorily ( check my 32 reviews) she agreed for me to come on my own.
Yes it’s the Home Owner’s call. Sometimes they can change their mind about pre requisites.
As sitters, we also have our own lives to organize and have valid reasons for our own limits that we choose to impose too.
I’m having dental work involving implants and there is a six month restriction : no flying ! As a result my sits will only be within driving distance.
Your case is different, you had already made contact, it’s just natural that you explained the situation and they accepted it. After that, they may or may not change that requirement in their listing.
It’s also different when a listing has been on for a long time, I think then it’s OK to apply saying you’ve noticed the list has been up for a while and perhaps they can consider you as a candidate in spite of not fulfilling requirement X. I got my best sit like that.
I won’t rebut this. I find it hard to compare frustrations.
There’s a technical difference, though, between sitters receiving unwanted invitations and owners getting unwanted applications:
HOs can’t just ignore applications if they reach the 5 app limit, they have to decline them and reactivate their listing. For sitters, it doesn’t interfere with their other applications.
Heavens above …. Talk about entitlement… you were completely correct sticking to the rules. I like it when people are explicit about expectations as a HS. As a home owner we wouldn’t allow children, our house is not geared to having children stay.
That’s been the case for a few years now. Your listing is automatically cut off after 5 applicants, and goes to reviewing. No-one else can apply until you decline those applicants.
I make it clear in my listing – no kids! If someone with kids applies, I do take the time to deny them and tell them, again, no kids. If they say, yeah but my kids are used to house sitting, great with dogs, or whatever, I just hit “archieve” and move on. If someone is going to be that blatant about ignoring my (the homeowner) requirements, then they are not welcome in my home.
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