Right, I can see this stirs up a lot of thoughts and that’s the point! There’s a fair bit of confusion here, and perhaps also some discomfort in the symmetry of power…the idea of making the implicit explicit. But you’re not losing anything here. This very simple question doesn’t ask anyone to defend, explain or justify their own wants, needs, or finances….Motivation isn’t defense.
It’s not scary. It’s not tricky. It’s just a quick look in the mirror, not out the window.
So, if THS added this for hosts tomorrow, what would you say:
If that question was asked of HOs, there would still be a percentage who would not respond specifically to it. We only have to read the About Me section owners complete to see many say nothing about themselves.
I think it better to keep only a few sections (rather than adding), but THS could easily reform existing sections to say:
Why sitters should choose our sit
or
Why hosts should choose me (or us) as a sitter (or sitters)
I suggest that kind of approach, because hosts and sitters should be oriented toward understanding that they’re in competition and that they should be thinking of what the other party gets from the exchange. That could help improve dynamics and interactions.
THS already does this in the existing Q&A for sitters, in the internal guide for answering ‘Why I Want to Housesit’. So yeah, they could definitely do the same for hosts.
The current prompts essentially are oriented toward what the sitter or host wants or needs. I suggest reorienting sitters and hosts toward more of a John F. Kennedy perspective: Consider not what the other party can do for you. Instead consider what you can offer.
Some sitters and hosts fundamentally already get it. Meanwhile, others need nudging so they’re less self-absorbed / entitled. That type of dynamic would be healthier for THS and its intended ethos of a fair exchange.
Thank you, that explains a lot! Not that these things don’t matter, cause they do, but if turned around, it’s like asking sitters the obvious; “Why do you want to travel?” and not why you want to housesit.
So, at no point are hosts actually equipped by the site for this? You’re not asked to explain what makes you a great host or similar? Cause if not, it just confirms what I suspected from the start…why so many focus only on their own needs and wants, even the ones struggling to find a match.
Thank you @temba Just out of curiosity… what’s the internal guide/tips for hosts when sending invitations? Cause one in particular struck me; A standard message clearly sent to multiple members. But they literally thanked me for doing this ‘charity work’, and then came the more usual stuff..asking if I’d consider them cause ‘their ‘boys’ were eager to see me’ etc. Everything revolving around their pets and own needs. Unsurprisingly, like so many others, they didn’t find a match…
It’s not even mentioned anywhere in that process, is it? Are hosts even guided to believe pets are sitters’ main motivation to travel, and therefore told to highlight that in invitations? (Which, to be fair, is how it’s marketed but rather naive.)
Just doesn’t make sense not to implement this…it’s clearly a failure in practice that it isn’t already. Cause beyond poor matches, there’s obviously a financial loss in money-back claims and people not renewing their membership
Just checked using the app @buttercup. I don’t have a live listing but followed the prompts. The only instruction for the written part is “Over to you! Write your message.”
Thanks for checking @temba Wow, guess that kinda sums it up Apart from the tech bits, looks like it’s the same on the site. Not even AI could dig anything up. Perfect
That would take a special sitter to take on Guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, turtles, garden, pool and 3 dogs for FREE. ARe you in some high tourist area in Greece?
As to the first part of your post quoted above, the rabbits and guinea pigs are in cages that require nothing more than a quick washdown with a hose sprayer twice a week and top off their food containers every couple of days. Water fills automatically. Fish and turtles just require the water levels replenished due to evaporation and a sprinkle of food daily. The pool is almost completely automatic including the vacuum which is no more difficult to use than an automated indoor robot vacuum. All the sitter needs to do is brush the debris towards the deeper end and skim debris when they see it floating.
Semi-feral cats are fed once per day, 2 of the 3 dogs don’t require walks, only the big dog, maybe 45 minutes once or twice per day.
It sounds like a fair amount of work but it really isn’t.
As to the second part of your post, we live in a very desirable rural area of Greece, the house is on the side of the mountain facing the Saronic Gulf with distant Corinth in the background and even a few islands to complete what is a spectacular view.
On weekends and holidays the area fills up with tourists who flock to the three nearby beaches and stay in numerous AirBnbs at upwards of 400 euros per night.
Food is left out for the feral cats once per day, sorry I forgot to add that but it’s in the listing.
I installed a 5 zone irrigation system that covers most of the property sans a few potted plants on the patio which need to be watered every couple of days.
Apart from the tech bits, looks like it’s the same on the site. Not even AI could dig anything up. Perfect 
