I can think of a HO or two that would prove otherwise
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Exactly my point. You can think of two homeowners, off the top of my head I can list a dozen, always in here, quarrelsome, complaining, sitters. You know the ones that have an opinion in every thread?
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This 100%.
It was my post about the odd rule âplease ask for permission before using the deskâ (which was completely covered with clutter) being the funniest thing I read all week. The comment was made in lighthearted jest, and the host got the message, they replied to me, and they were not âinsultedâ and they appreciated the feedback.
Perhaps you need to take life a bit less seriously and rather than going around flagging posts between other members that have offended you, spend the time to offer constructive feedback and advice in whatever way you feel comfortable with.
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The OP is proving to be correct as this thread grows longer.
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Iâm seeing exactly the opposite. At least 3 members have pointed out that what one might see as offensive is another personâs helpful, honest and direct
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Is it a numbers game? Because the OP has received many times that number of heart/thumbs up/ applause emojis so it seems they have a lot of members who agree
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Itâs not a majority rule sort of thing. The different responses show that people view things in different ways. What might put someone off is interpreted by someone else as good honest advice.
Iâve found that most people cannot handle direct honest criticism and they react emotionally. Itâs sort of like what happened with the booking fees. Lots of members are upset, even furious and outraged. Theyâre personally insulted!
Others accept that THS is a big informal company and theyâre going to act like a company and they donât take it personally.
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Well, you are at least consistent
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Thank you for bringing this issue up. I am a sitter, and my jaw fell six inches open when I saw that âfrat partyâ comment. I am 65 years old and thought the references to that listing meant there were photos of people smoking out of bongs, maybe posters on the walls of naked women, threadbare couches soaked with beer, etc. What I saw instead showed a relaxed, comfy home with really cool lighting, enough room to fit a family for game night in the cozy livingroom, and an appealing sit overall. Too bad I canât go to Colorado (high altitude). I would have been interested in this sit. Most of all, I was ashamed of my fellow THS members for shaming this homeowner. Harsh doesnât even cover it! I hope HOs know not all of us are looking for sterile, boring places that really donât feel like homes but more like mimimalist Airbnbs and sales model condos. Some of us appreciate feeling at home when we travel! And furthermore, enough of the nasty takedowns when either sitters or homeowners are looking for input on their profiles or listings.
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The photos and description DO depict a frat house. People drinking martinis, playing board games, clutter all over the floors and furniture in every room. Dishes in sink, drawers half open with things pouring out. the listing referring to 420 friendly, the host confirming on her thread that itâs ok that the place is a complete mess as she expects the sitter to leave it the same way. She wants prospective sitters to know they can just chill out and party, itâs all good because sheâs cool with it and encourages them to get high in her apartment all the time as she does.
Not only was the member who posted the profile NOT offended, she AGREED that it was the message she wanted prospective sitters to get.
And yet here we have judgemental, critical and easily offended members upset because someone used the dreaded terms âfrat houseâ to describe exactly that.
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Well I better fully fess up for the frat party comment. It was exactly that thought that popped into my mind. It was a 70s style image of a room full of people drinking and smoking at a party, on a listing trying to find a person to care for your animals. A total mismatch and an accurate, factual bit of feedback. I can also put my hand on my heart and say I offer countless useful, kind, helpful, knowledgable posts about how to communicate & what works as both a sitter and a host on THS, all based on lots of experience in both sitting and marketing (day job). Sorry if you took offence but it was 100% true and the OP listened & changed their listing. Ps I like a frat party as much as the next person but not when Iâm on dog duty! #usefultruths
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@Cuttlefish frat parties, gigs, fly, what is this all becoming from you 
But no, honestly, you definitely offer more on this forum than most in a kind, thoughtful and knowledgeable manner 
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Thanks matey! I need this emoji 
. For full context that OP quoted âTHS is a waste of money Iâve had no applicants.â. And thereâs the reason why. In hundreds, if not 1000s of listings it was a true shocker. Hey ho and onto another day we go 
#anozzieatheart
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I had never heard the word âfratâ until I saw your comment tbh! Iâve clearly led a sheltered life 
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@Smiley I believe itâs more an American term for fraternity house. I doubt many Brits or Aussies would use that term but happy to be corrected. @Cuttlefish And hey, no context needed for this little black duck, I agree with you on all points
AnyhooâŚI think the OPâs topic was meant to be just âin generalâ but has turned into another blue. Exactly what the OP was trying to point out 
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So so true.
I strongly suspect that I know exactly who one of those HOs is. A bot couldnât post more frequently.
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I must say I was a bit surprised to get my comment flagged, I note that the last time was May 2024 when I wasnât so clear on the rules of the forum and I think I added a link thatâs not allowed⌠asking what somebody is thinking is something us retired therapists do to understand the thinking process which might be misguided, confused, wayward⌠once the other personâs thinking is revealed we can maybe help. For any newbie THS can be a confusing muddle of misconceptions and it can take a fair while to unravel the puzzle (this was my own experience). I think Iâd assumed the OP original listing showed they had perceptions of a sitter that wasnât helping them, hence my âwhat were you thinking?â Anyway I think I understand their thinking now and itâs been quite revealing. Hopefully they are equally enlightened.
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This is the âcharmâ and the pitfall of texting and, for that matter, the written word in general.
This is why people say books are always better than movies; they allow a readerâs imagination to flow and make room for their own interpretation.
During digital communication, especially with people we don´t know, we cannot hear a posterâs tone of voice and thereby their intentions, so we interpret it as we see fit, which may lead to misunderstandings or even flame wars.
For this very reason, to minimize unintended interpretations and highlight the posterâs true intentions, smileys were introduced (though, with time, they have also lost much of their original purpose 
)
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I think another internet habit that changes the tone of posts to harsh is that everyone gotto share their unique opinion.
When someone has already received 3 âyour home should be tidierâ-replies, I think it is wise not to add another - they already know that point. I try to follow this, and evaluate if my comment brings anything new to the conversation.
To some extent it is good that several people say the same thing: so we know that it is generally seen as an issue, and not just individual preference. But after that, it is just beating the beaten.
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