Ever used couchsurfing.com?

[Hygro]

It's fun as long as they don't overstay their welcome; I still recall the horror story told by a female friend of mine, who had a male friend (this was the sixties after all) stay at hers theoretically for the weekend, but he didn't leave for a week and she was too polite to tell him to shove off.

Sure, but that's a pretty different situation. Instead of traveling strangers its a friend, instead of a confident dude who will kick someone out, it's a demure shy girl. So I'm not worried at all.

 

[Narz]

what in the world is there to gain from washed out hippies?

None of the people I met I would consider a hippie or "washed out" (by which I assume you mean old).

The most recent one I stayed with worked for the US Military (some sort of contracting work) and we went bar hopping with him. The one downside of couchsurfing is you kind of have to do what your host wants or you look rude "Nah, I don't like bars, I'll just hang out on your couch & watch your TV thanks".

 

[_random_]

Never done it, but I think I'd use it if I had my own place or found myself travelling alone.

 

[luiz]

I know people who used it and they only have good things to say as well. It's a very a good idea, and I would surely use it say 3 or 4 years ago. But I've become a bit addicted to the comforts of a nice hotel, and nowadays I can only get a good night of sleep when the room is really quiet (I actually paid a considerable sum to have my bedroom acoustically sealed). So it's not for me at this point, but I like the concept very much.

 

[Hygro]

None of the people I met I would consider a hippie or "washed out" (by which I assume you mean old).

The most recent one I stayed with worked for the US Military (some sort of contracting work) and we went bar hopping with him. The one downside of couchsurfing is you kind of have to do what your host wants or you look rude "Nah, I don't like bars, I'll just hang out on your couch & watch your TV thanks".

Well, you don't actually have to hang out at all, right?

 

[Narz]

I suppose you could say "I'm pretty tired, mind if I just crash". I guess I just felt the social obligation to let me host give me a tour or whatever even if I wasn't particularly inclined. Of course you can minimize this by chatting beforehand probably about your evening plans or arriving very late. Or by selecting hosters who are more homebodies or aren't in bars (or whatever you're not into).

I was traveling with a friend & let him set everything up.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

I wonder if anyone has rocked up at the persons house , slipped on a Beach Boys CD , jumped on the couch and done a Michael J Fox in Teen Wolf kinda thing ?