When we used THS as HOs, we were the same - told our house sitters to use any and all food items, spices, coffee, etc, if it was in the house it was free for their use. We left a bottle of wine, made sure there were some snacks for them etc. We used to go away for 3 months to visit family, so we left an envelope of cash to pay the utility bills (not possible to prepay our electric bill at that time, has changed now), cash for the cleaning lady, and extra cash for the inevitable emergency home repair. (We lived in a harsh tropical environment, the salt air caused havoc.) We introduced them to our friends, either in person or left contact info for our friends who would come by and say hello. It takes a bit of trust to leave a large amount of cash for strangers but we became friends, in part because both they and we were trustworthy people. The one thing that was a problem for us was they kept weeding out plants we wanted to keep in our garden but that was minor and we never said anything to anyone, except for showing them directly which plants to keep. We certainly didn’t complain to anyone else about that.
Now we are using THS as sitters and are hopeful that we can have the same sort of friendly, trusting relationship with home owners.
@Kima Thank you for saying this! As full-time sitters, we are honestly shocked that sitters and HO feel like every little thing is worth complaining about. THS provides such a great service to HO and sitters and it is amazing that people feel like they need more or need this or this isn’t fair, etc.
Props to you for being such a great HO. We would love to sit for a HO like you!
My Himalayan rock salt was created about 540 million years ago. Was mined 1200 years ago. The packet has a use by date of Nov 2024. Should I throw it out?
When does it go from discussing problems and looking for advice to “whining”?
Who decides it’s a whine?
One person’s whine is another’s venting.
There are very few places where an owner or a sitter can do that.
Don’t like the whine? Scroll on by.
Spot on, Kima! When we sit for someone we always bring some sort of gift for the homeowner to express our gratitude for being chosen.
We’ve had a couple of sits where the house was disorganized or a bit dirty, but these are minor inconveniences that go with the territory. Just make the best of things, I say. The pets are why I’m there, anyway. I’ve never regretted a sit I did and can’t imagine complaining about something like outdated spices.
I cherish the friendships I’ve developed with homeowners for whom I’ve sat!
@Kima
You sound like all of the homeowners we have sat for, many time and time again, who have become friends!
The respect goes both ways, and when it does, it works perfectly!
We have over 50 THS sits and love our time with all of the animals, living like a local, finding new footpaths and places to explore, often guided by our new canine companion, and making friends.
Fair point. But you do know that not all questioning, or even complaining, is “bitching” ? It seems to be a trend now that interaction in the ether is either needlessly aggressive - or assumes aggression where none exists. We should be able to say “This happened/is happening and I don’t like it…” without throwing anyone into a panic that we’re “bitching”. PS The spices thing is nuts, though.
Couldn’t agree more! We’re sitters since 2016! We have loved every pet & location Lucky us! Sometimes after reading the forum I realise how very lucky we are! We love THS so we’re not going anywhere
I totally agree with you. Treating your sitters like guests sets the tone. Also making sure you choose the right sitters is paramount. I always give priority to local ones so they can meet my dog. That way I can judge the behavior with both my dog and the sitter. To all owners I say “be choosy and specific” to avoid disappointment.
Our favourite sitters ended up falling in love with my town and moved here permanently. They pop over every now and then and all the pets greet them like loving family members, its so adorable.
Most of my sits I’ve become friendly / friends with the hosts. Thats why I love doing this, it makes my world view brighter. Last week past hosts from Seattle reached out to tell me funny stories of their Austrian friends visiting - with Americans confusing them for Australians. (Which I am) She reiterated I could stay with them anytime and welcomed me back for a visit. So kind. I wish that for everyone. Make lasting friendships all over the world. Thats what peace on Earth looks like.
That happens when someone pastes in the wrong URL — the preview one, which shows any individual a preview of their own profile. Only you can see your own profile when that happens. It’s user error, not a tech issue.
yes since Covid the quickness with which you receive a bitchy instead of a whiney reply has risen really badly sometimes Ioften don’t respond as you get the red karen flag in the first sentence and you know they just react all guns blazing. So tiring, loving some of the reactions to this question. I would be so bannend by the herb police here:rofl:as I have some out of date herbs in my cupboard.
She reiterated I could stay with them anytime and welcomed me back for a visit. So kind. I wish that for everyone. Make lasting friendships all over the world. Thats what peace on Earth looks like.