From my experience using this platform, as well as what I’ve read on the forum, we occasionally encounter hosts who display a sense of superiority and a lack of respect and appreciation toward sitters. I believe one factor contributing to this behaviour is the way THS refers to the matching process as an “application” or to “apply.” This wording may subconsciously suggest that the process is similar to a job application but unpaid, it implies that sitters are in a lower position and are to be chosen, while in reality sitters get to choose hosts as well. This may also contribute to some hosts treating sitters as unpaid staff.
This platform is built on exchange in which both parties are equal, which is the foundation of THS.
In addition, the level of care required for many pets these days is significant, often involving a great deal of time, attention, and responsibility. In many cases, this means the exchange is not truly balanced, and hosts may benefit more from the arrangement.
For these reasons, I believe greater respect and appreciation should be given to sitters, and the terminology used should better reflect the equal and mutually beneficial nature of the relationship.
I’d like to humbly suggest replacing the terms “apply” or “application” with a more neutral alternative such as “express of interest” or something similar, as wording does matter when it comes to building a harmonious exchange.
I agree 100%! When I was new here I had a host that was so entitled. Slept over the night before and she even left me her morning coffee cups in the sink not washed out. I have since learned what to look for and how to screen. I have withdrawn after a couple of text messages, or after a video call. Luckily I do this for fun and only about three or four times a year. I don’t like the wording application or booking fee. Some hosts get the mutual exchange and some don’t.
I think this is a bit silly. I agree that “interview” gives a misleading slant to the whole exchange. But avoiding the word “apply” is unnecessary, IMO. After all, you may apply for a job. But you also apply for a new passport, admission to college, a residency permit, a driving licence and a library membership, to mention just a very few.
Those are things you have no doubt that you want. I like what members are saying about using the terminology, expression of interest. I think that is more factual.
Context is everything, the examples you mention are all linked to a bureaucratic process e.g. passport or driving licence. THS promotes itself as a matching service, an equivalent might be a dating app. and with those my understanding is that people express interest by messaging one another. I think that changing to “expression of interest” is an excellent suggestion that levels the playing field.
Im not keen on ‘expression of interest’. As a home-owner it doesnt feel like a definite offer. Actually ‘offer’ would be good: “I would like to offer to sit for your pets”.
I agree about ‘interview’ though. Whilst I’ve always thought of interviews as a two-way process, it does tend to be one-sided.
While your experiences of host superiority and lack of respect, sadly, ring all too true in my experience, I honestly don’t believe that changing the semantics of “applications” will change inherent traits in such people.
Theoretically, if I submit an expression of interest, it will likely have little to no effect on a host who views me as the temporary help rather than a short-term partner in the care of their home and beloved animals.
Entitlement (or whatever one wishes to call such attitudes) takes far more long term self-assessment and work than a THS application can ever address.
The mutually beneficial aspect of sits stands as a desired foundation here. And, unfortunately, some aren’t capable of such a relationship regardless of semantics.
This is an example of the misunderstanding we hope to avoid. When a sitter “applies “ to a sit it is in fact not an offer yet. It is an expression of interest in finding out more about the sit. I often say we would love to have a call or video chat to see if we are a good fit for each other. As sitters, we are not offering to do the sit at this beginning point in the process.
People aren’t turned entitled because of semantics on THS. They’re entitled in life, because that’s their orientation, given personality, upbringing, life experience.
Most of the time, an ‘application’ isn’t actually a definite offer, so ‘expression of interest’ could work better. Very rarely would a sitter be willing to commit to a sit without having first had a conversation with the home owner. If both sitter and homeowner would then like to proceed, the home owner ‘confirms’ their choice of sitter.
@Travelerthiswld This is not the same as your original post, but it’s just brought to mind wording that irks me. It’s not even TrustedHousesitters text, so they can’t be blamed. When I see a glowing review from an owner, where they say they’d HIRE the sitter again, it’s a red flag to me. No owner on TrustedHousesitters hires me. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to vent.
This is true. And I also think any other word besides “application” would be unnecessarily confusing. You can’t actually “book” unilaterally. And people apply for lots of things that aren’t jobs. If I want a cat from a shelter, I have to apply. They don’t have to give me the cat. This applies even if the cat is “free”.
But I also think the real issue is that THS especially in recent advertising presents itself as a service and this could confuse new hosts especially. I don’t think language policing will help. A clearer understanding of what the site is and how it works would but THS isn’t going to do anything that impedes people from forking over membership dollars as quickly as possible.
The workaround here has to come from each of us. This means for sitters not applying for sits where it is clear from the listing that the host doesn’t “get it.” For both sides it means trying to be fair and standing up for yourself if asked to do something that you think is unfair.
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to vent. 